DEFENCE DOINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 264, 7 November 1912, Page 7

DEFENCE DOINGS.

(By "Centurion.")

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

Under present conditions officers on the unattached list doing duty as Senior Cadet officers are not afforded facilities for undergoing training in order to ensure the better performance of such duty. These officers do not attend an annual camp. They are only required to undergo a six days' course of instruction or its equivalent in hours before presenting themselves for promotion. This is ! insufficient.training for an officer who is responsible for the training of Senior Cadets. If the Senior Cadets are to receive that training which is so essential, then it is necessary that the officers in charge of them should be competent instructors. The General Officer Commanding has therefore approved of a voluntary *ix days' course of instruction for officers, unattached list doing duty as officers of* Senior Cadets, at the same rates of pay as Territorial officers, viz.:—Major, 12s per diem ; captain, 10s per diem; lieutenants, 8s per Seta. A messing allowance of 4s per diem is made when rations are not provided by the. Department.

Travelling warrants to and from the course are granted, but no, travelling allowance. Senior Cadet ofiicers should attend this course at least every other year, and preferably with some infantry unit when it goes out for its annual camp. Where possible these officers should be attached to units where the number of Senior Cadet officers, is not excessive. In the latter case special arrangements should be made for their inspection. But it is essential that they should learn some regimental duties both m camp and in the field. I A NAVAL VISIT. 1 His Excellency the commander of the Australasian Station will be visiting Picton about the middle of this ■ month, being in charge of the flag-> ship Drake, which will be accompanied by H.M.S. Cambrian. The j Picton Territorials will form a guard of honor on the occasion of the visit, and the Tenth Regimental Band will also take part in the proceedings.