VOLUNTEER AND SERVICES JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11565, 31 January 1901, Page 3

VOLUNTEER AND SERVICES JOTTINGS.

[ex sentinel] I The "A" Battery Artillery will not parade I this evening. ' j jj The No. 3 Native Rifles went into camp j at the Mount Eden range last night for their I annual class firing. ■ ■. .-■■■.-;> 1 The country volunteers are to be invited I to town to take part in the welcome to the | Imperial troops, who are expected to arrive j here about ■February. 10. .-..■■ ■■-,■-■■ j It is rumoured that the Auckland Rifles § are likely to disband shortly, but I trust j that such is not the case, as wo can ill af- I ford to lose a good corps. | i ■ The matches arranged by the Akarana J I Rifle Club for Saturday afternoon, in conse- 1 ! quence of the funeral of Her late Majesty | I the Queen being fixed for that date, will not 1 be fired. '■'. .-■ " : ■'■'■'■■■ B i j Volunteering has been practically at a \ i standstill" since^ the death of Her late Ma-1 i jesty Queen Victoria,* and will not resume its normal condition until after the funeral on Saturday next. , ■■:■', >, j \ , __ j I Nearly all fehooting fixtures have been \ postponed until after the funeral of the late f Queen. As the end of the volunteer year is l on February 28, some of the companies will f have hard work to get all their class-firing through in time to qualify for capitation.• When the members of the recent . Federal Contingent were paid off at Wellington on their return from Australia, about 20 of them joined the Sixth Contingent. camp and were with the troops that sailed ~for South Africa yesterday afternoon by the Cornwall. The following shows tho rapidity ; with which Lord Kitchener has obtained his prosent high military rank:—Lieutenant, January 4, 1871; captain, January 4, 1883 ; major, October 8, 1884; lieutenant-colonel, June 15, 1885; colonel, April 11, 1888 major-general, September 25, 1896; lieutenant-general,'.' with the rank of general in South Africa, November, 1900. ■ Chatting with a member of the First New Zealand Contingent who arrived by the Ngapuhi on Tuesday, I mentioned the accusations of cowardice and neglect of his men that had been made against Colonel Robin, and was informed that while the colonel had not made himself particularly popular with some of the men, there were no grounds for the accusations referred to. Shortly after the announcement of the intention of the Government to replace officers commanding the various volunteer districts with officers on active service on the return of the latter to the colony, I stated that there was some talk oij appointing Colonel Robin Commander of the Forces when Colonel Pole-Penton's engagement terminates. This rumour is now going the rounds down South. Among a party of 30 returning Canadians from South Africa who visited Liverpool recently, and were entertained by the Mayor, was Private Molloy, who was shot through the temples and completely blinded at Bronkhorstspruit. He made a speech in which he said that he had no regrets for the past, believing that a man having pursued the course he thought right had no business to have any regrets, whatever consequences ensued. It looked unfortunate to have all his hopes and aspirations cut down, but he would go bravely onward with a calm heart and a serene mind. He then called for three cheers for the Queen. , , v Lieutenant-Commander Colquhoun, who recently was personally decorated by the Queen with the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his services in South Africa, is well known in New Zealand. He came out as fourth officer of the Rotomahana, and, staying in that vessel during the whole of his service with tho Union Company, he rose to the position of first mate under Captain Carey. The company had a good opinion of Mr. Colquhoun as a thorough sailor and a man of wide resource, and when he resigned in order to join the Victorian navy it was generally predicted that he would make a name for himself. Bugler Salmon, of the Auckland Navals, who was in camp with the Auckland section of the Sixth Contingent during the last 10 days, won golden opinions from the officers and members of the contingent for his -proficiency in bugle work, both for mounted work and foot drill. He appeared to be a general favourite amongst all the members of- the contingent, who expressed their regret at his not accompanying them to South Africa, especially- as there was no bugler going from Auckland. He marched down with the contingent to the ship, where he bade farewell to his erstwhile comrades. Some bugle calls and salutes, played alternately between the ship and the wharf as the vessel was leaving, showed that the little naval bugler could hold his own with any of the contingent buglers. The acceptance by the Government of the services of so many new companies all over New Zealand can scarcely be looked on as an unmixed blessing, says a Southern writer. If the corps already in existence were being properly looked after there might not be the same room for fault-finding. It is well known, however, that this is not the case. It is now nearly two years since the Government commenced arming the volunteers with a newer and more up-to-date rifle, but so far the work has only been partially accomplished, the South Island corps being still armed with the Martini-Henry. At th« present rate of progress, by the time the whole ■ of the corps are supplied -with the .303 rifle, it will be an obsolete weapon Another matter requiring attention is thai regarding the annual allowance of ammunition, which should bo considerably in creased if our volunteers are tq attain: thai proficiency at shooting which recent event; i have clearly shown is one of the chief cs ! sentials of a successful force. i .' > America * is one of the countries in whicl j the subject of motor cars for military pur l poses is being kept well to the front. Fol 1 lowing the recently-issued report of Genera 1 Miles, of the United States army, comes thi news that a special steam car has been of j fered, free of expense, to the United State I War Department, by Mr. John Briebei 1 Walker, the president of a concern known | as the Mobile Company of America. Mr. I Walker guarantees that the vehicle in ques- | tion will carry 1000 rounds of ammunition. I four riflemen, four rifles, two intrenching I shovels, food for the four men sufficient for I three,days, four pairs of blankets, two rubI ber shelters, reaching down from the sides 1 of the car, and sufficient fuel for a run of I 200 miles. The guarantee further provides I that the car shall be able to travel 100 miles | between sunrise and sunset, over average a American country roads or even the un- | broken prairies of Colorado. It is evident | from the scope of the guarantee that Mr. 1 Walker holds optimistical views with regard a to the capabilities of this motor car; it is I not yet stated, however, whether tho Ameri- § can Minister has accepted the offer. jj Lieutenant Dodds, one of tho Southern I marksmen who went across to the New South | Wales Commonwealth meeting, was on his 1 return asked his opinion of the .303 rifle, I which had been issued to South Island com--1 petitors for the. first time, compared with 1 the Martini-Henry weapon, and in reply 1 said :—Of course there no question as to 1 the superiority of the .303 over the MartiniI Henry rifle. The opinion of the New ZeaI land team is unanimous that the MartiniI Henry could not compete against the more 1 modern weapon in quiet, steady weather, 1 but that in strong, gusty winds quite as 1 good shooting could be made with it. Mc- § Gregor, of Oamaru, goes even further, and 1 has no hesitation in saying that in strong I winds the Martini-Henry has a most decided 1 advantage over the .303. "We found that 1 the bullet of the .303 was susceptible to the Every slightest puff of wind. A puff that 1 would, perhaps, put the Martini-Henry bullet 1 to the inner, would throw the other out to I the outer. With a strong wind blowing I right across the range, fully double the quan- | tity of wind allowance was required* .the 1 Martini-Henry. We had several men from I New Zealand firing with the Martini-Henry, and, on comparing notes, invariably found 1 this to, be the case. The keeping of elevaI tion was also' a most difficult matter, as the 1 slightest increase of wind, or a sudden lull, 1 no matter in what direction the wind was I blowing, would throw the bullet high, or, in the latter case, low. As , regards the sighting, to my mind the .303 : sights are .much | more easily defined than the Martini-Henry, | as the back sight is not so close to the eye, g and is consequently not so likely to mur g when more than one wind ..lino- » placed I upon it. The recoil is very much less, and g the weapon is consequently much more liked H for that reason alone." . , . | A competition offered by the U Waiwai Mineral Water Company to the No. g I 1 Native Infantry Company took place | I the Mount Subrange on Saturday under I

IgfWr f*"™"~ »m-«u , t^n-a^jn.juaui>tt J ManiM>»iiiiiiimMM jm ; -..',;■ ...i-.\■■-,' ;- v^n:w';M; :■.■■>■■ :■ (3 the supervision of Captain Reed and Lieutenant Boscawen. The ranges were 20Oyds and 400 yds, seven shots at each range. The seven highest scores— prizes going to the . , , first two—returned were:— - k ■ , 200 yd*. 400 yds. Tl. Private E. Madden ... 22 24 46 Sergeant Stewart ... 22 '? 44 Captain Reed ... ... 2?. 16 "• 33 Lieutenant Boscawen ... 21 16 37 Private Heighway '. . 21 "W-- 35 Private A. Reid ... 19 -■"> 34 Private Taylor .."21 12 33 THE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING. .. The programme for .the 39th annual meeting of tho New Zealand* Rifle Association, to be held at Wanganui on Thursday, March 21, and following days, lias reached me, but beyond the introduction of the match for'returned Now Zealanders who have served in, the war, and the Lloyd-Lindsay competition, thero is little alteration of note on previous programmes, though intending : competitors will be pleased to hear that there is an increase of prize-money. Entries, to be made by telegram or otherwise, should be addressed to the secretary, New Zealand Rifle Association, Wanganui, and sent on or ■■. Saturday, March 16 next; or with the.local secretaries in the different towns, up to the same date. Post entries can be made up to Tuesday, March 19, ISOI, on payment of an additional 2s 6d per match. '■> The following | are the matches, together with. : the. ■ money j value of each — 1 No. Nelson Match: 200 yds, 500 yds, and j 600 yds; seven shots at each distance. ThirtyI four prizes, value £63. ' One prize of £7. No. 2.—Hawke's Bay Match: 500 yds and j 600 yds; 10 shots at each distance. Thirtyfour prizes, value £63. One prize of £/. < No. 3.—Marlborough Ivynoch. Match: 500 yds; 10 shots. Thirty- prizes, value £57. v One prize of £7 and Kynoch Cup. No. 4.—Oamaru Match: 700 yds; 10 shots. ■ 1 Thirty-three prizes, value : £57. ■■< One prize of £7. .-■:•■■■■ ■ '' j No. s.Wanganui Match: .; 300 yds, Vsooyds, | and 700 yds; seven shots at each distance. | Fifty-one prizes, value £120. One prize of. I £10 and New Zealand Natives' cup; one --.■ j prize of £8. . : : : \; No. 6.—Ladies' Match: 200 yds: .10 shots. I Thirty-three 'prizes, value-£57. First prize, I gold bracelet, or value £7. No. 7.—Christchurch Match: 600yds;'10 j shots. : Thirty-three prizes, value £57. One { prize of £7. .: ■ ■ No. Wellington Match: 500 yds, 600 yds, . and 70Cyds; seven shots. at each distance. Thirty-four prizes, value £63. One prize of £7. . No. 9.Otago Match: Open to all members of the Now Zealand Rifle 1 Association; 300vds; 10 shots. Thirty-throe prizes, value £57. One prize of £7. No. 10.-'-Auckland Match. Open to the 100 highest aggregate scorers in matches 2, 3, v 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 500 yds, 600 yds, and 700 yds. Seven shots at each distance. Twenty-five prizes, value £50. : One prize of £8. No. 11.—Last Try: Open to all competitors who have not won more than £8 in prizes in any of the foregoing matches. ' 500 yds; ;10 shots. Thirty-three prizes, value. £57. One prize of £7. ! No. Champion Match: Open (a) to the ; 50 highest aggregate scorers in matches 2, 3, 54, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10._ 700 yds; 10 shots; en- ' trance, nil. The score made in this match | will be added to the score made in matches 1 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and the highest ! grand aggregate scorer will be champion riflo ■ shot of New Zealand for the year 1901, and I the winner of the Champion Rifle Belt, rifle ■ shot of New Zealand for the year 1901, and the winner of the Champion Rifle Belt, gold medal given by the ' Hon. . the Defence | Minister, and £35; second, silver star. j N.Z.R.A., and £25; third, silver star, S N.Z.R.A., and £15;'"'.' fourth, silver star, N.Z.R.A., and £10; ; fifth, silver stai, N.Z.R.A., and £8; . five*; prizes of £5 each; five prizes of £4- each; five prizes of £3 ■ j each: total, £153. | No. ' 13.—Nursery ' Match Open only to j members who have never ■■ won a - prize or j prizes of over £4 at any previous : association "~ J meeting, and whose winnings do not exceed I £5 at this meeting. 500 yds,; 10 shots. : TwentyJ six prizes, value £45. One prize of £6. '■ j No. Bronze Medal Match: Open only I to the winners of the bronze:: medals jof "itho .. 1 New Zealand Rifle Association for the year 1 1900-1901 under the regulations issued by the I Council for the affiliation of volunteer corps I and rifle clubs. 200 yds, 500 yds. and 600 yds; I seven rounds at each range: Eleven prizes, value £20. , One • prize of ■ .£3 and silver I medal. . :. - . No. Allcomers' Match: 200 yds, 500 yds, and 600 yds; seven shots at each distance. Twenty-eight prizes, value £57. One prize of £8. g No. 16.---The Tyro: Open,to members who ■• ■ I have never won a prize'at any previous meet- | ing of the New Zealand Riflo Association. 500 yds; 10 shots. Fifteen prizes, value £40. | One prize of £6. ' No. 17.—Companies'; Teams' Match: Open to teams of five men from any volunteer corps in New Zealand, or any bona-fide rifle club affiliated with the Now' Zealand Riflo Association, having a membership of not less than 2C members. 200 yds, 500 yds. and 600 yds; - seven shots at. :. each distance. Eighfi prizes, value £150. , One prize of £50. one prize of £30, one prize of £20, one prize of £15, one prize of £10, three prizes of £8. No. 18.—Champion Teams' Match: Open to teams of five men, under: the same conditions as laid down in No. 17 Companies' | Teams'_ Match. Three prizes, value £'30. . One prize of £15, one prize of £10, one prize j of £5. ' :~: .. :; ! No. 19.—District Representative Match: I 500 yds and 600 yds; seven shots at each, dis- • j tance. Entrance,' nil. Open to 20 members from each of the districts hereinafter | mentioned. ■ (1) Auckland, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland combined: (2) Taranaki. Wanganui,; and Napier combined ;> (3)-' Wellington district;; Napier combined; (3) Wellington district; (4) Canterbury provin- | cial district; (5) Otago and Southland • disi tricts. Prizes: Exhibition challenge shield, 1 Hobson's cup, and £20 to the winning team. j No. 20.—Volley Firing Match:' Open to 20 • j volunteers from each of the provincial volun-' : ■! teer districts, selected in the same manner i j as the team for the district representative j match, and to the Permanent Force. ' DisI tances,. 500 yds and 600 yds. '; -Number 'of vol- , | leys, seven at each range: position, prone'. ;| Prizes given;bv the Hon. the Defence "Minis-' § ter: First, £20; second, £10: third, £5. ■%• No. South African Match: Ranges,- ; § 600 yds and 700 yds. Ten shots at each range, i I Open only to our New Zealand men -who have • ] served in South Africa. •,',«.«. I No. 22.—Field Firms Competition:' Open i only to members of 'the New Zealand volun- • I I teer force. Prizes as follows:—One prize of £20, one prize of ;£lO, ono prize of £5. No prize will be awarded unless six or more i h teams compete. i lof £20, 23.—Lloyd-Lindsay Match Prizes-- ' No prize will be awarded unless six or more teams compete. No. 23.—Lloyd-Lindsay Match: Prizes--J First, £12; second. £8; third, £5; ; and prosi bably a silver challenge cup to the winning ifi team. ■ ■■■■;■