DEFENCE DOINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 216, 11 September 1912, Page 2

DEFENCE DOINGS.

(Notes hy "Centurion.")

The interest that is now being taken in the prosecution of the military training . propaganda must compel even thu attention of tlie most ardent anti-militarist, and on account of the plenitude of news regarding the scheme, "Centurion" has obtained permission from the Editor to run this column for the edification «hd: enlightenment of Territorials. i

DRILL CENTRES

At the following drill centres parades take place in Mnrlborough: Blenheim, Springlands, Reriwiektown, JUairau Valley, Okaram-'o, ITavelock, Th o Grove, Canvastown, Carluke, Spring Creek, Tua Marina, Ficton, Jvoromiko, Waitaria Bay, Seddori,

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Ward, Clarence Bridge, and Kaikoura,

ORGANISATION

The total number of men being trained in the district is 1005, the Mounted Rifles (including the 10th Regimental Band) consisting of 220, infantry 320,, cadets 440, and Post and Telegraph and Railway men 25. The Mounted Rifle Squadron comprises the 10th Regiment of Mounted Rifles and the 10th Regimental Band, the "A" squadron and the Band having headquarters at Blenheim, and the "B" squadron at Kaikoura. Tho "B'" company at Blenheim, the "E" company at Picton, and the "F" company at Spring Creek make up the infantry section, while the High School (No. 12), Picton (No. 18), Havelock (No. 19), Blenheim (No. 20), and Kaikoura (No. 21) are the senior cadet companies. There are also Railway Transport and Post- and Telegraph companies. There are ten rifle clubs, one each at Blenheim, Ronga, Seddon, Linkwa£er ; Tua Marina, Harelock, Manaroa, Kaikoura, Kaituna, and Canvastown.

PARADES

Weekly parades are held at all drill centres, except at Wairau Valley and Waitaria Bay, where parades are held every second week, and Clarence Bay every third week.

UNIFORMS

All men in the main centres have been uniformed and equipped. The others are being equipped with the greatest expedition. The cadet uniform is being altered by converting the trousers into shorts, and wearing the blouses tuckod into the trousers. An infantry pattern of a brown leather belt will also be supplied, and probably puttees in lieu of stockings.

TRAINING

The rides for training at present laid down provide that Territorials shall put in 30 drills, 12 half-day parades, 7 days' camp, and a course of musketry. These are in the course of alteration, and under the new arrangement ''Terries" will have to put in 12 half-day parades, 15 days' camp, and a course of musketry. Senior cadets continue under the old regime and put in 50 drills, 6 halfday parades, and go through a musketry course.

ATTENDANCE AT PARADES

The attendance at parades to date has, with few exceptions, been good. Absentee::; without leave are now being fined. Those responsible for the training desire to impress on ail concerned the necessity for alvrays applying for leave of absence before stopping away from parade.

TRANSFERS

The constant changing of addresses gives the officers of the Department a good deal of\ work, which is greatly increased by men not notifying the changes. The penalty for this neglect is a fine. When a man changes his address, and as a result has to be transferred to a fresh company, all his gear (except uniform) has to be handed in. Fresh issues will be made from his new company. Several cases have occurred where men have left the province altogether and taken all their gear with them. In such cases the police have had to be resorted to to collect the equipment.

CHURCH PARADE

A combined Church parade for Blenheim and Springlands Territorials and Cadets will be held on Sunday, 29th September. Orders will be issued later;

WHOLE-DAY PARADES

The following days have been set aside for whole-day parades for Blenheim : Saturday, sth October, and Saturday, 9th November. Each whole-day parade held wipes out two half-day parades. Orders for these parades'will be issued later, and all concerned must make arrangements to have the days in question clear.

DRILL HALLS

At a good many drill centres schools are being used for parade purposes, and the Department is much indebted to the Education Board for their kindness in this matter. At only two places, Blenheim and Kaikoura, are there proper drill halls.

CAMPS

Tho annual camp for the 10th Regiment Mounted Rifles (which includes two squadrons from the Nelson Province1 * is practically fixed for May 3rd to 17th, 1913, at Blenheim. The infantry regiment will probably go into a brigade camp at Rangiora soon .after 31st March.

CLASSES OF INSTRUCTION

At present a class of instruction in musketry is being held every Wednesday night at the Drill Shed. All officers and non-commissioned officersare invited to attend, as this is an I all-important subject. It is also proposed to hold district classes of instruction in such subjects as mapreading, orders, protection, etc. Definite orders will be published later.