TERRITORIALS

Evening Star, Issue 18337, 26 July 1923, Page 11

TERRITORIALS

[By Skiruishyr.]

Item/ r of interest concerning Corps (Town and Country), shooting, and Territorial notes generally will be accepted. Copy, addressed to "Skirmisher,” should be in hand not later than Monday morning.

ARTILLERY NOTES,

The programme of work at Central Battery this week provided a course of revision for tho older men, whilst the recruits received a thorough grounding in the elements' of foot-drill gunnery and “ physical.” The issue of spurs to those trainees who have completed two years’ efficient service has added both to tho esprit de corps of tho troops and fo the smartness of their personal appearance. In tho 12th Battery little time lias as yet been spent on tho theoretical side of tho work; it will necessarily follow later. | Most of the time has been devoted to drill. The same principle is being followed in the heavier battery, where training is progressing favorably. The opening work in artillery is by far tho most irksome, and doubtless the trainees will find the training much more interesting when, after the rudiments having been thoroughly mastered, they start on a more advanced programme. To “ 12th ” men this year should be a very eventful one, since it is tho diamond jubilee of their unit, formerly known as “ B Battery.” Many hundreds—even thousands—of artillerymen have passed through a course of training at St. Kilda and the old Garrison Hall. It is sincerely hoped that thi» memorable occasion will not be allowed to pass unnoticed, but that some function, however small, will be organised to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Otago’s artillerymen.

Tho value of machine-gun training is at tho present time exorcising tho minds of the best authorities in Britain. At the Bisloy Meeting the most important alterations are tho introducing of competitions between Lewis and Hotchkiss guns. ”Wo also learn ” (says 1 Bullseye ’), ” that in the future both cavalry and infantry aro to be trained with the light machine-guns as part of their musketry course. This is as it should bo.”

The programme is out for tho meeting of the National Eiflo Association of New South Wales, which takes > bice on tho A ‘-me Range, Liverpool, from October 13 ( to 19. The programme is based on the | linCs which have made this association so ! popular in the past. The A scries, which iis open to ail-comers, contains most of | the plums of the gathering. The principal match is “ Tho King’s,” which is fired in three stages, and covers eighty shots over eight ranges. Tho scores made in the different stages also count for other competitions. Thus the first stage counts for ‘‘-The Prince of Wales,” the second for “ The Mick Simmons,” and tho third for the “Le Maitre.” The prizes in Hie King s,” for tho highest aggregate, t —hirst prize, £100; second prize, £SO; third prize, £25; fourth prize, £ls; fifth prize, £10; sixth prize, £7; four prizes at £5 (£24); six prizes at £5 (£30); fourteen prizes at £4 (£56); twenty-one prizes at £3 (£63); 310 prizes at 12 (£620); total (361 prizes), £],COO. Special prizes in “King’s” are:-—A gold modal, value £5, to the winner of the first prize in the match, and a gold medal, value £2, to the winner of each stage match. The silver medal of the National Rifle Association, England, will be presented to tho Now South Wales competitor who has not previously won this medal being the winner of the third stage match. Gold embroidered badges, number 1 to 30, will be presented to each of the first thirty men in the King’s. The other matches comprising the series are the Prince of Wales Match, at 200, GOO, and 600 yards, with 199 prizes, aggregating £300; tho Mick Simmons Match, at 500, and 700 yards, 177 prizes, value £250; (lie Long Match, at 600, COO, and 900 yards, 199 prizes, valued at £300; ‘ Tho Referee ’ Match, at 6(JO yards, 162 prizes, value £250; the Dangar Match, at 800 and 900 yards, 177 prizes, valued £250; the Motion Match, at 300 yards, J 77 prizes, valued £250; tho Newmnrch Match, at 900 yards, 177 prizes, valued £250; tho Wallace Match, at 500 yards, 177 prizes, valued £250; the Longfield Aggregate, with 352 prizes, valued £I,OOO. In addition there aro m this aggregate a gold medal value £5 to tho winner of the aggregate, a silver medal to the second man, and bronze medals to the third to twentieth man inclusive, numbered 4 to 20. A gold medal or a piece of plate, value £lO, to bo approved by the executive, will bo awarded to (ho competitor making tho highest aggregate with his score in “The King’s,,” the “Longfield .Aggregate, ’ “ I lie Philip Charley,” and the “ Holmes.”

Ibis last week has been a busy one at tho Drill Hall. Apart from the usual evening parades, there have been special classes for Lewis gunners and Vickers gunners, lhe.se classes have been (alien by Lieut. R, J. I>. Davis, N.Z.S.C., the chief musketry instructor for the Southern .a-.imanci. those who attended received much valuable instruction.

Hie attendance of Territorials in (he >tn Mounted Regiment and Ist Battalion .has improved considerably. Next week should find things bad; to normal again, A lew cases are known where trainees havo used tho “ influenza excuse ” to obtain sick leave from parades when there has been but little the matter with them. Jins seems to be hardly playing the game. With tho exception of those who have not been present during tho lastfew parades, both the sth MIL and tho Ist LiiLahon have now completed tho issue of uniform, arms, and equipment. Next month, each of (fie companies of Ist battalion will bo inspected by the commanding officer, Lieut.-colonel j. IT. Moir, and each month following it is the colonel's intention to hold an inspection Arrangements for (ho officers’ ball are now well in hand. It i s to be held on August 9 at tho Tudor Hall, Savoy buildings. All officers are cordially' in vited.