VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11799, 31 October 1901, Page 3

VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE JOTTINGS.

• [BT SSNTINXL.} The Hokianga Mounted Rifles have de.raided to obtain a full dross uniform for the company. The transfer of Captain John Whitney from the active list, New Zealand militia, to the unattached list, New Zealand militia, with the rank of major, has been approved as from .Inly 27. 1901.

The Ponsonby Naval Artillery Volunteers go into camp of instruction for sixteen days at their old camping ground at North Shore to-morrow (Friday) evening. The Auckland Navals follow on November 22.

All things are said to come to those who wait. The " A'* Battery Artillery have been waiting- for about 12 or 15 months for their new field pieces, but they have not come yet, and goodness knows when '.hey will.

The local authorities have received word from the Defence Department to the effect that the erection of the new drill hall and gunshed for the Auckland district is to be proceeded with about three or four weeks hence.

The Gordon Rifles fir" a match against the left division of the Auckland Mounted Rfles at Papakura on Saturday afternoon. The reams are to be eight men a-side, and the ranges 200, 300, and 500 yards, five shots at each range.

The field-firing by the companies of the No. 1 Battalion Auckland Infantry and other corps armed with the new magazine rifle, for money prizes, presented by Dr. .1. Logan Campbell, will take place on Saturday week, November 9.

Mr. W. Cox's record in iiie Akarana Rifle Club's competitions this season is a unique one. and one that I should say has no equal in the history of the club. For five successive seasons he lias won the '* B" class competition, putting on really good scores each time.

According to the agreement entered upon by the delegates at last year's annual meeting of the Auckland Rifle Association, tho annual prize-firing meeting this year will take place at Waiiii. The up-country range is, I believe, a very fine one. and offers facilities for firing up to 1000 yards.

The following competitions will be fired at the Akarana Rifle Club's range at Avondale on Saturday next: —"A" class shots for Mr. McCallum's cup, " Li" class shots for Mr. A., (t. Maughan's run. The ranges will be 300, 600, and 700 yards"", five shots and two sighters at each range. Train leaves Auckland at a-quarter past one p.m.

After inspection parade last Thursday night, the members of the Rotorua Rifles hold an election for second lieutenant in the drill hall. Messrs. Pearson, Munro, and Yates were nominated, and on the ballot being taken Mini do was elected. Sergeant. Mnnro is a smart and capable "non-com.," and great things are expected of him.

The Rotorua Rifles fire for a clock on Saturday, November 9, when the corps will march out to the range at nine a.m. The men will be supplied with 20 rounds or ammunition a-piece, which they will fire 10 eacn at the 4-00 and 600 yards ranges. The corps looks forward to an enjoyable outing, and as the ammunition is free to all this day all members are expected to attend. The ladies will supply luncheon on the range.

The local authorities have received a telegram from the Under-Secretary for Defence (Wellington) repeating the cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that Royal salutes will be fired on the King's Birthday (November 9), and Queen Alexandra's Birthday (December 1). Captain O'Brien, commanding the "A" Battery Artillery, lias accordingly received instructions to fire salutes from tho Albert Bark on those dates.

Lieutenant Inder, of the Coromandel Rifles, has presented the company with two prizes— hunting lever watch for first and vernier for second prize bo competed for under the following conditions: — Tlireo matches to be fired; the watch to be won by the highest aggregate scorer, and the vernier by the second highest scorer. Shooting prizes have also been presented, to the company by Messrs. F. Dooley, G. Hedge, and V, 7 . P. Ford.

The valuable cup secured for the No. 1 Battalion, Auckland Infantry, by Captain Arthur Myers, on the occasion of his recent visit to England is, I understand, to be fired for by teams of 20 men a-side, from the various companies of the battalion. The trophy will be known as the Buchanan Challenge Cup. and if the conditions are to be as above, it is, difficult to point to any company likely to have a chance with tho Victoria Rifles in a teams' match.

The proposed shooting match between teams of 20 men aside from the No. 1 and No. 2 Battalions has been abandoned, owing to the inability of the town battalion to. raise a team. Battalion Quartermaster Dormer, who was one of the committee to arrange matters on behalf of the town companies, wrote to the seven corps of the battalion, asking that names of men suitable for inclusion in the team should be forwarded to him at the earliest possible date, and only one company (the Victoria Rifles) had the courtesy to reply.

I a,Tti pleased to hear that the Auckland Rifle Association has taken the hint thrown out in my notes of last week, and made application to the Government for a, grant towards the prize list for the annual shooting meeting to be held under the auspices of the association about the end of the present year or early in the new year. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Somerville, the Government have distinctly promised the Wellington and Wangamii Rifle Associations £250 each for prize-nnnjj. and if a similar amount is voted to the Auckland Association the forthcoming meeting should attract competitors from all parts of the provincial volunteer district.

The time-table and detail of officers to superintend firing on the Mount Eden Range for the month of November are as under: — Time-table : November 2, "A" Battery Engineers, Cycle Corps (R.M.); . November 9, Auckland Navals, Devonport Submarine Minors (R.M.), Ponsonby Navals; November 16, Coastguards, Newtons. Victorias (R.M.): November 23, Gordons (R.M.), College; Novembei 30, No. 1 Natives, No. 2 Natives, No. 3 Natives (R.M.). Officers to superintend : Novembei 2, Lieutenant Biss : November 6, Lieutenant Tapper; November 9, Lieutenant-Commander Clemens; November 13, Lieutenant-Commander Tvay; November 16, Captain. Skinner; November 20, Lieutenant Ewen : November 23, Captain Knight; November 27, Lieutenant Dobbs; November 50, Lieutenant Bloomfield.

The Onehnnga Rifle Volunteers were inspected last evening by the newly-ap-pointed commander of the district, Colonel Davies. After inspecting the company the colonel requested the captain, senior subaltern and sergeant to drill the company. The captain and subaltern put the men through company drill, and the sergeants went through a course of guard mounting. The colonel was pleased with the company drill, and the neat appearance of the men, but he hoped to see improvement in the guard mounting, as it required to be done without mistakes. After parade he gave a short address to the company, in which ho stated it was his desire to make this one of the best volunteer districts in the colony, and ho said it could be done if the companies helped him by attending to matters of detail which, although small in themselves, were most important. He wished the men to bear in mind that discipline was most, essential, especially now, as the new mode of skirmishing was in very much extended order. The training in the drill hall was very important, as it was the foundation, or ABC, of the work in. the field. Men must be controlled in close formation before they can be controlled in extended order.

"Enthusiast" writes on the appointment of staff officers as under:—"On Saturday week at the garrison inspection parade it was noted that Colonel Davies had on his staff two returned troopers, and that lie singled out returned troopers for special distinction. Whilst not begrudging those who have risked their lives for the country's cause any honour that, may be bestowed upon them I think that in all appointments to local positions the claims of those v/ho "nave done their duty to the volunteer force at home and who are heart and soul in the movement should not be ignored. It was not the privilege of all those who wished to go to the front to be able to do so. Some had family reasons, others were in positions that could not be vacated; yet they are quite capable of taking up any position locally. Then again were not those who went to South Africa paid for their services the same as any other servant, and when their term of service ceases, beyond a welcome home, they are no more entitled to special consideration than those who have been instrumental in keeping up the volunteer force to its present position. It is the

proper efficiency and woll-being cf the movement that should be aimed at, rather than honouring a few who have shown no other- quality for soldiering than patriotism." General Sir Hector Maedonald is a warm ! supporter of the cadet movement in tbes-i i colonies, as may be gathered from, the fol- ! lowing remarks made by him at a dinner j given in his honour by the Naval and MiltI tary Club at Melbourne recently:—"l have • come to the conclusion that you people in ! Melbourne seize upon the very slightest op- ' pert-unity for a. drink. (Laughter.) I have ; been very much interested all my life in the i gradual formation of your defences, and, I since my arrival here, I have been very J much impressed by the tiny boys you have lin your cadet corps. I hope the work will I continue, and that, provision will be made I foe teaching their,, the history of their j country, and instilling the principles of j patriotism in their minds. If that is done i while they are at school, they will acquire ' those feelings of patriotism which they ! will carry through life. I apprehend that' I the Federal flag is to be flown always over c\ery public institution, and that every ! tittle boy and every little girl, too, will be ! taught to respect it as the emblem of their I country. (Cheers). And taught, not only ! to re-oca it themselves, but see that others j respect if also. (Loud cheers.) The toy when he leaves school should be given » I rifle, and never part with it until such time i a.s ho is called to a better place, or until, by the laws of his country, lie goes into hon- ! ourable retirement." Captain Mcintosh, officer commanding the I Onehmiga Rifles, returned from Wellington ! last week, after attending the Military School of Instruction for officers of the New Zealand volunteer forces, and speaks in laudatory terms of the manner in which the school is conducted, and of the great practical use it will prove to the colony and volunteer; generally. Major Owen was commandant of the school, and was assisted by Sergeant-Major Russell, U.K., and Ser-geant-Ma jor Kean. The school opened on October 1, and 10 officers attended for instruction, two being from Auckland, throe from the Wellington district, two from Canterbury, two from Taranaki, one from West-land, ami one staff officer. The classes were held from half-pest six a.m. to halfpast seven a.m., nine a.m. to half-past twelve p.m., two p.m. to half-past four p.m., with lectures or study in the evening. In addition to the fortnight in Wellington, the officers received practical instruction in camp at Trentham. in military engineering, military topography, fortification, camp duties, the use of the Maxim gun, and range finding. ! Major Owen complimented the officers on the way they had stuck to the work set them, and stated that he was well pleased with the manner in which they did the practical part. During the last three days of the course a written examination was held in musketry duties, discipline, etc., topography, military engineering, fortification, and tactics, the result of which will be known in a few days.

The brigade office (No. ?. Battalion) has directed the attention of the officers and members of the volunteer corps of the Thames and Ohinemuri districts to the following memo.:—"Your attention is directed to General Order No. 15. of October 26. 1900. paragraph 14-, which lays down a national uniform for the colony. Referring to the> above General Order, all new uniforms required by companies of the battalion must be strictly in accordance with the following details:— Undress uniforms: Hank and file. ■—Hat: Felt, looped up on left side with brass lion's head hook and khaki cord, khaki puggaree band, same shade as jacket. Brown leather chin strap. No feather or plume. Field service cap: Khaki drill, same material as jacket. Jacket: Khaki drill, quite plain, sumo shade and material as sample attached. Turn-down collar. No piping or braiding. No badges. Non-commissioned officers, chevron on right arm in gold lace. Trousers: 1 Khaki drill, quite plain, no stripe, same material as jacket. Jersey: Navy blue, woollen. Belts and leggings: Brown leather. Officers: Hat, cap, jacket, trousers, and leggings same as for rank and file. Badges of rank on shoulder strap. Belts, etc.: Brown leather. When all tho companies are uniformed alike in khaki undress, a fill' dress scarlet uniform will Ix. sanctioned by tho Commandant. Details of the battalion badge to be vrorn on the cap, and the company badge to be 'worn on the shoulder strap will be supplied hereafter. Until these are. fixed no badges (except of rank), piping, braiding, facings, feathers, or plumes are t.j be worn."

"Mounted Infantryman'" writes:—"Now that Colonel Da vies, himself a mounted officer, has assumed command of the Auckland volunteer district it is to bo hoped that the mounted branch of the servico will receive more attention than hitherto. Thib most important branch has been neglected somewhat of late, there being but ono drill instructor for the whole district, and lie, as yet, has only instructod at ono or two company camps. I understand that it is intended that Sergeant-Majot Rogers shall devote most of his time to mounted companies, in addition to the instructor already in the district. Another matter that requires fixing up shortly to assist in bringing about greater efficiency is the appointment of the necessary battalion officers, the battalions, I belisve, being already gazetted, but no officers appointed. Unless this is done there is little chance of the various companies being brought together for drill purposes. Some of our mounted corps need considerable smartening up. Mounted infantry should be a force, before all things, of horsemen, whose horsemanship and hor«emastership would be their chief pleasure and pride; well taught in the simple movements, they should bo able to manoeuvre at the utmost speed the quality of the horses will allow. For dismounted work, eschewing complicated infantry formations, their aim. should be to dismount like lightning, promptly to open accurate fire, and, if necessary, to mount and be away again before their enemy has found the range.- They should, so fa. a!» possible, be practised in marksmanship and scouting all the year round, the former to include, as its principal item, the judging of distance; the trained scouts in every company to bo classified in order of merit, and every non-commissioned officer to be given the proper powei and made to feel his responsibility." HTNTS OX DEFENCE. Interviewed while in Melbourne on the ouestion of the defences of the colonies, General Sir Hector Macdonald said:—"Yo 1: people in Australia have the opportunity to form a splendid system of defence. It only remains with yourselves to do it properly. The boys and young fellows should be taken in hand. They are the class who should have the attention devoted to them, and now that the military feeling is uppermost you should take advantage of it." We have oiii cadet system for schoolboys, remarked the reporter. "Ye«; 1 it tJin is not the <vir.e thine-. Provision should be made that every youth who wants to shoot may have a rifle." Well, tlipy can join the rifle clubs. We have 20.000 member? " But they uon't own the rifles. What the country should do is to give the boys rifles of their own." But the cost? x "What of that! You are a wealthy people. of patriotic impulses. Buy the rifles and give them to the boys. Another useful factor in your defence would be the establishment of a military cabinet, to advise the Governor-General" Asked as to his plans, Sir Hector said: — " I cannot say exactly what my movements will be. but I expect I will go to Queensland. My old friend Colonel Finn in commandant there."

Like yourself, Colonel Finn served in the ranks before winning a commission. Are there still the same difficulties in the way of the man who wishes to rise from the ranks?

They are not so great as they were in the days when Finn and I got our commissions. A number of men in the ranks, sons of old officers, young fellows, well connected, are known to be desirous of becoming officers, and on proving their fitness are commissioned. But the man without influence—well, he has to have a stroke of luck like myself and Finn. Still, it is not so difficult as it was at one time." ■ ROTORUA RIFLES' SHOOTING COMPETITION. The Rotorna Rifles finished firing for "Dr. Kenny's prize last Wednesday. The distances were 300 yds, 400 yds, and sooyds, seven shots at each range, with one sighter, and Private Murray again came out on top with the good total of 93 points. Appended arc the principal scores:— 300. 400 500 „ . A , r Yards. Tl. Private Murray ... 33 31 29 93 Sergeant Mumo . . 31 28 24 83 Private Bird ... 30 23 29 82 Corporal Steele ... 27 23 30 80 Private Bryant ... 33 28 14 75 Private Yates ... 30 23 23 '6 Sergeant Blencowe ... 31 25. 18 74 Private Carnahan 31 24 18 73 —{Own Correspondent.]