VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13399, 30 January 1907, Page 4

VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE JOTTINGS.

BT SENTINEL. Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe arrived in Auckland on Wednesday last, and has taken up his duties as officer commanding the volunteer district. Major Johnston, artillery Matt' officer, is expected to arrive in Auckland about the end of this week to attend the Garrison Artillery camps.

The No. 1 Company Garrison Artillery Volunteers went into camp for a fortnight at Fort Takapuna last evening, taking over the tents and cookhouse used by No. 9 Company during their encampment.

Sergeant-Major Shaw, the popular senior non-commissioned officer of the Franklin Mounted Kirles, has a team in training for the military events at the forthcoming Franklin Agricultural Show in March next. bet- us hope they will be as successful there as they are at rifle shooting.

Sergeant-Major Willoughby, who has been listened to Dunedin, left, tor the Southern city on Monday, a large number of friends assembling to see him off. Although he has severed his connection with Auckland volunteering the sergeant-major does not. intend to retire from the service altogether, and it is more than likely that he will go into camp with his old corps, the Waikare Rifles, (Duncdin) during the next few weeks.

The Franklin Mounted Rifles are en deavouring to form a new troop at Whitlord, and with this end in view a parade was held there recently. The proposition was well received by tin l young men of the district, and ii is more than probable that in the near future we shall hear of the scheme becoming an accomplished fact. After the parade the members of the squadron were hospitably entertained by the residents at YVhitford.

The following non-commissioned 'officers' of tho First Infantry Battalion have been detailed for duty at the Penrose rifle range up to the first week in March:—February 2. "O" Company. Sergeant Kimlwr unci Corporal Lucas; February 9, "D" Company, Sergeant Phillips and Corporal McMurtrie; February 16, *' E" Company, Sergeant. R. llogan and Corporal C. Hogan : February 23, "F" Company, Sergeant Martin and Corporal Ornstein: March 2, "(•*' Company, Sergeant Miffin and Corporal Hanhani.

The "A" Squadron, Ist Regiment. Auckland Mounted Rifles, were inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Hoi gate, officer-com-manding the regiment, in Mr. Gome's paddock, Epsom, on Saturday afternoon. There was a good muster, and the men acquitted themselves creditably. The squadron afterwards marched to Ilowick where they put up for the night, and held a church parade on the following morning. The men left Ilowick at half-past three p.m. the same day for their respective homes, having spent a most enjoyable time.

A meeting of tin- officers of the Auckland Garrison was held in the Officers' Club at the Drill Hall last evening, for the purpose of bidding "good-bye" to Colonel Davios, C.8., on the occasion of his promotion from the command of the Auckland district to the post of Inspector-General of the Colonial Forces, and to welcome Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe on his taking over the command of the Auckland district. There was a large attendance. At the request of both officers the gathering was of an informal character. While congratulating Colonel Davies on his promotion those present, expressed their regret at his departure from the district, and assured his successor of their hearty cooperation. Light refreshments were partaken of during the evening.

The appointment of. Sergeant Jackson, of the Victoria Rifles, to tho post of sergeantmajor of the First Infantry Battalion has been confirmed, the appointment dating from Thursday last. The battalion is fortunate in securing the services of such a capable man in succession to Sergeant-Major Willoughby. Sergeant-Major Jackson joined the Victorias as a private 11 years ago and remained in the ranks for three yours, after which he was promoted to the. post of corporal. Eighteen mouths later he was raised to the rank of sergeant, \Oliich position he has held ever since. During his connection with the corps he has displayed the utmost enthusiasm in everything connected with it, and should he display the same amount "of zeal in his new duties) he should prove a valuable acquisition to tho battalion staff.

The remarks passed by Colonel Robin, C.8., first military member of the Defence Council at Wellington on Monday with reference to the training of officers (published in yesterday's HKRAI.D), should he road with interest by volunteers. If a force is to lie of any value at all it. is essential that 111'* official heads should lie efficient, and as it i* a well-known fact that many officers throughout the colony are not by any means so (nullified, it is gratifying to note thai the new Defence Council is desirous of starting a, thorough system of instruction for officers, recognising that under competent officers competent, men are assured. I am informed on excellent authority that what the new Defence Council proposes to do is to appoint competent instructors, and establish classes of instruction for officers in each of the centres, if such a course i-; carried out it should not be long before he force we have is an efficient one, and much more capable of coping with an invading force than at present.

The programmes of the third annual rifle meeting of the First Regiment Auckland Mounted Rifles, which will be held at the Penrose range on Friday, February 22, have now been printed, and are being distributed. Three matches for A and I* class marksmen are provided for. namely, a snapshooting match with seven shots at 200 yds, a rapidity match with seven shots at 500 yds. and a Bislev match with seven shots at 200 yds, 500yc'(.s, and 600 yds. The scores ob tained in these matches will count for the aggregate. A large number of entries are expected for the various events, for which £30 in prize money and a number of valuable trophies are offered. On the following day tin' Kirker trophy, which is open to competition among squadrons of the regiment, will be fired for, the ranges being 300 yds, 500 yds, and 60Cyds. Squadrons of the regiment for this event can enter one or more teams of 10 men each. Entry fo v ms and fees must be forwarded to officers commanding a squadron on or before Monday, February 11. For all entries after that date an additional fee will be charged.

The No. 9 Company Garrison Artillery Volunteers, under Captain Hazard, .struck camp at Fort Takapuna on Saturday morning, after having been under canvas for 16 days. The camp was one of the most successful over hold by the company, the average daily attendance being 75. A considerable amount of useful work was got through. On Wednesday morning last, the members of the company were exercised with the 6in breach-loading six-pounder q.f. guns and fired at targets at ranges of from 4000vds to 5000 yds. The results attained wore remarkably good, 12 hits being registered out of 16 shots. On Friday evening tile Sin gun i\t the North Battery was fired with fair results, but, the firing was not completed owing to the failing light, and the delays caused by th*> passing of numerous small craft, and will have to bo finished next week. Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe, officer commanding the district, and Colonel Davies, C.8., the Inspector-General to the Colonial Forces, inspected the company, there being an excellent muster. Colonel Davies expressed himself very pleased with the progress mfido by the company during the past 12 months. Praise from the Inspec-tor-General is praise indeed and is much appreciated by the members of No. 9 Company, who also feel proud of the distinction of being the first company inspected by the Inspector-General and ne>v officer commanding since assuming their new offices. The No. 9 Company resume their usual weekly parades on Wednesday evening next, when their new full dress busbies will be issued.