VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 6

VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

AUCKLAND NAVALS' CAMP. The Auckland Navals, who wont into their annual training camp last Friday, appear to bo having a very successful camp at Fort Cautley. The site, which was prepared some time ago by the Government for these camps, is an ideal one as regards situation, being on the north side of Cautley Hill, and consisting of two flats or terraces. On the lower terrace, after entering the gate, is the manning parade, where the different gun crews assemble preparatory to drill; then a double row of tents, with a marquee at the end for a messroom, and a small one for the non-coms.' mess, with the cooks quarters and kitchen close by. The officers quarters, with chief petty-officer and orderly noncoms., are on the upper terrace. Ihe camping- ground was supposed to have been sown with grass last year, but prior to the camp it was simply a mass or docks ana other weeds. These have all been cleared off, leaving the bare, brown clay soil. This would have sufficed for fine weather, but as wet weather would simply have turned the place into a quagmire, it was thought expedient to have the centre of the ground gravelled, also all the approaches to tents, etc. The corps are doing good useful work whilst in camp, and plenty of it. The main gun work is from half-past seven till hallpast nine p.m., when all guns and details are manned, but in the early morning there is also work of the same kind, together with recruit drill, etc., whilst for those remaining in camp all day special drill is held in gun-laying, range-finding, etc. A miniature rifle range affords amusement to the men and instruction in rifle-firing, whilst the officers are making themselves proficient in revolver firing. While plenty of work is expected and exacted from the men, they are well looked after in other respects. Sports and competitions of a semi-military character are improvised, and occasional musical evenings are held. On Sunday a church parade will bo hold at the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. R. Ferguson being, chaplain to the corps. »

OTAMATEA MOUNTED RIFLES. The Otamatea Mounted Rifles meet every week or two on parade, and in the meantime tho district divisions meet under the different lieutenants for drill in their own settlements. There was a full parade here on November 23. Half-a-dozen have sent in their names desiring to lesign. Most of these have left the district. The vacancies are being filled up by recruits. Class-firing is proceeding! as opportunity offers. The corps goes into camp in a week' or two at the same camping-ground as that occupied last year. It is expected that the non-com-missioned officers will undergo their examination [Paparoa Correspondent.]

CADET SHOOTING MATCH. A shooting match between the St. John's College Cadets and King's College Cadets for a challenge belt, presented by Captain C. T. Major, was fired at Mount Eden rifle range on Thursday afternoon, the belt to bo held by the winner for 12 months. Both teams fired with the .303 Enfield carbines, just issued by the Government to the corps. Corporal Aitken, of St. John's Cadets, proved the winner, with a score of 33 out of a possible 40. Tho match was fired at ranges of 200 yds and 300 yds, of five shots with two sighters. Appended aro the scores * *"**"■ ST. JOHN'S CADETS. 200 yds. 300 yds. Tl. Corporal Aitken ... 17 16 33 Sergeant Jackson ... 15 15 30 Sergeant Chambers ... 15 11 26 Private Saunders ... 12 9 21 Private King 13 5 18 Total 72 56 128 KING'S CADETS. 200 yds. 300 yds. TL Corporal Foster 17 10 27 Private Dunning ... 13 12 25 Privato Baston 10 11 21 Corporal Todd 10 10 20 Private Holbecke ... 14 2 16 Total ~ 6* 45 109