DEFENCE NOTES

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1924, Page 6

DEFENCE NOTES

IIIKUI? AXGI TERRITORIALS AXI) CADETS. Tilt' annual period of training was completed at Hikurangi on Thursday last. Twenty-seven Territorials of A Company, N.A. Regt., and 125 Cadets of 50th Company attended. Luckily the weather cleared up during the latter three days anil gave the boys a bettor opportunity of showing what t'hey could do on both the range and the parade ground. At the commencement of the period it was very obvious that very few had handled a rifle for some time, if at all, but nearly all did their best to make up for lost time. There is one thing for which they should score top marks, and that is for cheerfulness under adverse weather conditions. This was particularly in j evidence during the first day on the range. A very heavy shower commenced, and the only shelter available was t'he ti-tree. This was resorted to and an impronitu male choir proceeded to defy the elements. It certainly showed that a good spirit existed. The shooting was not up to the average of other centres, but. under the circumstances this was not to be cxpocted. The highest scorer in the Territorials was Private Nicholson, with 76 points, while the best of the Cadets was Cadet Rarity, with 82, Cadet Hirst being very close with 81. This leaves Cadet H.' S. Pilkington, of Kamo, ns the winner of the 59th Company Cadet Shooting Cup for the year 1923-24. The Hikurangi boys, however, are quite sure that, given better weather conditions next year, the cup will travel a few miles north.