THE DEFENCE FORCES

Evening Star, Issue 22620, 12 April 1937, Page 2

THE DEFENCE FORCES

HEWS AND NOTES [By Pam Browne.] NAVAL RESERVES PROGRESS OF TRAINING. On Tuesday of last week the junior wireless ratings and all visual signalling ratings assembled for instruction. The junior wireless ratings continued instruction in reading Morse at the buzzer table. The visual signalling ratings carried out the monthly signal exercise, in addition to instruction in practical signalling. On Wednesday all seamen and senior wireless ratings assembled and proceeded to instruction in seamanship, gunnery, minesweeping, and wireless telegraphy. The division will parade as usual on Tuesday and Wednesday next, when instruction by classes will be proceeded with. SMALL BORE SHOOTING.

Small bore shooting practice was carried out at headquarters on Monday last, and a team was provisionally selected to compete in a small bore rifle shooting match with a team from H.M.S. Stuart tornight. The range at headquarters will be available for practice after the match. TRAINING AFLOAT. Sub-lieutenant J. H. Allan has just completed 12 days’ training afloat H.M.S. Achilles, in which he qualified for the rank of lieutenant, R.N.V.R. Paymaster-lieutenant B. M. Thomson is carrying out annual training afloat the same cruiser, and Sub-lieutenant G. D. Gray (supernumerary list. Otago Division, R.N.V.R.) has completed 12 days’ training in H.M.S. Leith and H.M.S. Achilles. PROMOTION. Leading Signalman R. E. Salter has been promoted to the rank of probationary sub-lieutenant as from March 23, 1937. RECRUITING. The policy of appointing officers of the R.N.V.R. divisions from the ranks has been in force for some time. There are three lieutenants, two sub-lieutenants, and one paymaster-lieutenant in the Otago Division promoted from the ranks. Intending recruits, therefore, have the opportunity to rise to commissioned rank in the reserve. All ratings receive Royal Naval rates of pay while carrying out their training afloat on minesweepers and cruisers on the New Zealand station. As the new recruits will be definitely selected in. June, any young men desiring to join are asked to make early application for the necessary forms at the divisional headquarters. THE OTAGO REGIMENT SUB-UNIT TRAINING. The Machine Gun Company will parade at the Logan Park rifle range on Saturday afternoon to carry out its specialised training. Good progress is being made by the Central Otago Company, and a parade will be held at Cromwell to-night and Alexandra to-morrow night. There will be no parades at Naseby for a period on account of a reorganisation of that centre. SMALL BORE RIFLE CLUB. The third annual meeting of the D Company Miniature Rifle Club was held last Wednesday evening, with the president (Captain P. W, G. Spiers, M.C., M.8.E.) in the chair. The annual report and balance sheet were read and adopted. , On th© motion of Second-lieutenant A. R. Fitchett the name of the club was changed to the First Otago (Dunedin) Miniature Rifle Club, and the rules were amended where necessary. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Patron, Lieutenant-colonel J. MTherson, 0.8. E.; president, Captain P. W. G. Spiers, M.C., M.8.E.; club captain, Lieutenant E. Walden; secretary and treasurer, Second-lieuten-ant A. R. Fitchett; committee—Sergeant R. Hay, Corporal C. Naismith, Driver M'Connell.

Captain Spiers thanked Lieutenantcolonel MTherson for his presence and for his continued interest in the club, and intimated to the meeting that the colonel had decided to present for the club championship the cup originally intended for the battalion championship. Colonel M'Pherson congratulated the club on its progress and present position. and expressed the hope that it would continue on the same sound lines. The Secretary intimated that a cup had been promised for a self-handicap championship, and the rules for this competition, as submitted by the donor, were adopted. The weekly practice shoots commenced last Wednesday. A number of novelty shoots are being organised this year, so that members and intending members should start practice immediately. The club, which is open to all subunits in the battalion, has been granted the sole use of the range on Wednesday evenings, and it is hoped that members will take full advantage of this privilege. ARMY v. NAVY SHOOTING. On Saturday evening teams from the H.M.A.S. Australia and Ist Otago (Dunedin) Miniature Rifle Club met at the Drill Hall. The match resulted in a draw, both sides securing 518 points. After the match refreshments were provided, and the evening was unanimously voted a success. The thanks of both teams go to B. Harper and M. Kirkpatrick for their assistance during the evening. The scores were H.M.A.S. Australia.—Writer Turk 75, A.B. Kerr 75, A.B. Moorhead 74, A.B. Goodwin 72, O.D. Moody 74, O.D. Bacon 74 Ldg. But. Read 74. Total, 518.

Ist Otago.—Lt. Walden 74, Lt. Fitehett 76, Sgt. Hay 74, Cpl. Hay 74, Cpl. Naismith 74, Pvt. Haig 76, Pvt. Walker 70. Total, 518.

FIFTY YEARS AGO EMPIRE DEFENCE SCHEME. Empire defence was a question of importance 50 years ago, as can be seen from the following cablegram appearing in the ‘ New Zealand Herald ’ of March 30, 1887: _ “ The Admiralty has under consideration a scheme, suggested by Admiral Tryon, for. the defence of the colonies. It recognises the great importance of providing effective defence, consistent with moderate expenditure, but thinks modifications in Admiral Tryon’s scheme desirable, and it accordingly intends to propose that, instead of the number of vessels of the type of the Archer, a torpedo cruiser of 3,500 tons, the fleet should consist of fewer ships than recommended, and that the ships

should be swifter, of larger tonnage and carrying heavier armament. It°is believed that such a fleet would not onlj .dq more useful, but could b© proruled at the same expense as that proposed by Admiral Tryon,”