SERVICE NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 August 1924, Page 7

SERVICE NOTES.

PERFECTING THE EIELE. NEW PATTERN DEVELOPED. ADMIRALTY CONCESSIONS. LONDON, July 10. Oui ai my rifle experts are liard at work on perfecting the present service rifle by introducing certain improvements calculated to that end. General the Earl of Cavan, popularly and affectionately known as “Fatty” throughout the British army, because of his surname, which is Lambert, in presenting the Bisley prizes, told his hearers' what was being done by the MasterGeneral of Ordnance (LieutenantGeneral Sir J. F. Noel Birch, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., Colonel-Commandant of the Royal Artillery) who forwarded to the Earl a statement: “Although the short rifle proved its worth during the late war,” the speaker read from the statement referred to, “and is capable of putting up a fine performance in the hands of a welltrained man, we are still engaged in trying to improve that and a flesh pattern, with a heavier barrel and aperture sight is being developed. We are also trying other types of action to see whether they are superior to the Lee-Enfield action. The problem of a satisfactory military self-loading rifle has not yet been solved,, but investigations are still going on. Very lengthy trials have been made and are still continuing with various patterns of light machine-guns. As regards future developments of ammunition, trials have been carried out with streamline and boat-tailed bullets. Experiments have also been tried to overcome metallic fouling—the bugbear of all riflemen.” The aperture sight was tried before and was not much of a success, as it was too delicately constructed for the rough-and-tumble life of active service and in trench warfare—which was the feature of the late war—it was hopelessly out of it. “Open sights” were found the best every time Some of our colonial troops have all kinds of' laney sighting gadgets for sniping, iney were not an unqualified success. Metallic fouling seriously affected the accuracy of the bullet, and no real remedy was found in the trenches. The use of gauze was permitted, but the cure was almost as bad as the disease. Ihe trouble with the magazine rifle made old-stagers sigh for the davs of that perfect single shot rifle, the‘welltried Martini-Henry. It shot clean and well, stopped its man, and was a beautiful rifle to handle. It had no metallic bumps and projections devilishly devised for gouging pieces out of the Jiam] and tearing uniforms to rags it was a gentlemans’ weapon. There has just been issued by the Admiralty two orders announcing concessions which will be much appreciated by those concerned, and should have the effect of strengthening the link between the Royal Navv and the Dominions. The first of these states that officers, R.N., whose parents or near relations are- domiciled in the dominions or colonies, and who desire leave of absence to visit them, should make application by letter, through the usual channels if serving, shortly 1 before the termination of their appointments or, if not serving, to the Secretary of the Admiralty direct. Such ap. plications will receive favourable consideration if circumstances permit, and, subject to certain conditions, leave of absence will be granted wherever possio/e; but officers under training (e.". I midshipmen) will not he eligible and sub-lieutenants who have not passed their examinations for the rank of lieutenant or completed the six months’ sea sernce required to qualify for a certificate should not apply until they aie qaulifted for advancement. Ihe second order removes a restriction which has seriously handicapped men who, on leaving the service, were desirous of trying their fuck overseas Arrangements have been made with the Governments of the Dominion of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia, it is announced, for the enrolnient re-enrolemnt, and training of Royal JGeet reservists, classes A and B. in those Dominions. Most of the Ro\al IGeet Reserve mav accordingly lie permitted to emigrate to Canada or Australia without taking their discharge from the reserve;‘and discharged naval ratings and Royal Marines resident in those Dominions, if otherwise eligible under the regulations. ma he enrolled m the Reserve, subfeet to certain conditions which are set out in the order.