VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13480, 3 July 1907, Page 4

VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE JOTTINGS.

[bt sentinel.] i The Franklin Mounted Rifles intend hold-1 ing a military tournament at Whitford on the 27th inst. , Tho fifth of a series of winter socials, arranged by the Non-Commissioned Officers' iClub, will "bo held in the Hibernian Hall !this evening. Lieutenant Bodle, of No. 3 Company Native Rifles, was put, through his practical examination by Captain Carpenter on Monday night. The Rev. E. M. Cowie (lion, chaplain captain, fourth class) has been promoted to the rank of major (lion, chaplain, third class), to take effect from June 11. The Auckland Mounted Rifles have arranged to hold then annual "At Home"' at. the Federal Hall, Wellcslcy-street, on Friday, August 16. The function should bo largely attended, especially in view of the fact that many of the companies have decided not tc hold socials this year. No. 9 Company Garrison Artillery will parade Tor inspection at the Drill Hail this evening. Uniform, full dress, with arms and accoutrements. After the inspection the gunnery bonuses and efficiency badges and shooting trophies won (.luring the past season will be presented. At a meeting of the officers and noncommissioned officers of the Pu'kekohc Mounted Rifles, on Saturday last, it was decided to hold the annual meeting, to be followed by a smoke concert on Saturday next. It was also, decided to apply for permission to go into camp at Pukckolie on the 20th inst. for 10 days' annual training. Major Wynyard, of the First Auckland Mounted Rifles, intends journeying to Pukehoho on Saturday next, to present the. trophies and cash prizes won by the members of Pukckolie Mounted Rifles at the regimental rifles meeting. Tho prizes include the Wiseman challenge belt, won by Private D. K. Clark, as champion shot of the Ist Regiment Auckland Mounted Rifles. It. is notified in district orders issued this week that, parades for inspection by the Inspector-General New Zealand Forces will in future bo in marching order, unless otherwise ordered. Parade states must be completed and handed to the inspector-general on his arrival on parade. In case of units larger than a squadron or company, separate states must be prepared as follows: — (a), one for each unit; (b), one for each squadron or company. Cases having occurred in which rifles and bayonets have boon sent into defence stores rusty and incompletely packed, officers commanding unite and corps are notified that they must in future, when forwarding arms, make sure that they are properly cleaned, oiled, and packed (cases being used if possible). This will prevent damage in transit, and ensure the rifles arriving in good order, and thus avoid charges being made against funds of corps. It is proposed to adopt in British field manoeuvres tlie Japanese practice of using small flags to mark the positions which have been gained during operations. It is claimed for the system that it is not only useful in preventiiig troops from firing on troops of their own side, but that emulation is aroused among the men to bo the first to plant, tho flag on a position which has been rushed.

j Tho movement to hold a boxing tournament, at the Drill Hall in aid of a gymnasium fund is now taking a more concrete form. On Monday evening a meeting of the members of " the Non-Commissioned Officers' Club will be held for the purpose of electing three delegates to meet a deputation from tho Officers' Club, who are the promoters. 1 understand that the privates have been asked to elect three delegates also, and that a conference of the various representatives will bo held shortly.

The Franklin Mounted Rifles opened their new range at Whitford on Saturday last with a match between the Whitford troop and civilians. The. conditions were seven shots and sighter at 200 yds and 500 yds, the losing team to provide a dinner and smoke concert in the evening. The match resulted in a win for the troop by 53 points. After the match a very pleasantevening was spent, the usual toasts being honoured, and songs and recitations were given by the following:—Lieutenant Wade, Private J. Bcllingham, Private C. White, Private J. G. Bcllingham, and .Messrs. Turnbull, Trust, Whitcman, and Home.

Only five teams have entered for the forthcoming competitions which are. to be held under the auspices of the Auckland Volunteer Rugby Union, viz., the A Battery, Nos. 8 and 9 Companies Garrison Artillery, the College Rifles, and No. 3 Natives. A meeting of the Management Committee of the union will be held at the Drill Hall on Friday evening, when the necessary "draw" will be taken, and final arrangements made for the matches. A friendly match will be played between No. 8 Company Garrison Artillery Volunteers and No. 3 Natives in the Domain on Saturday.

The appointment of Captain J. H. Whyte, of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, as assist- : ant-quartermaster-general for the Auckland military district appears in district orders this week. The appointment of Captain J. T. Bosworth, of the "A" Battery, as intelligence officer for the district is. also coni firmed, and dates from the Ist nit. This j appointment means that Captain Bosworth will have to relinquish his present command, and there seems to bo every reason to believe that when he resigns Lieutenant Sherson, who has been connected with the battery for a number of years, will be promoted to the position.

Tho 2nd Regiment Auckland Mounted,'; Rifles, 166 strong, completed their camp at! Raglan on Friday. The weather for iiie[ first few days was fine, and a. good deal of useful work was put in. On the Wednesday! morning, however, rain set in, and it poured j heavily all day, with the result that work was confined to lectures by the staff. On. the following day teams ol nine men each | from each of the five squadrons took part! iii a. challenge shield competition. Hamilton, led by Sergeant Shaw, were tlie. winners with 107 points, Cambridge (SergeantMajor Bruce) being second with 98, Raglan j (Sergeant-Major Nicholson) third with 71, I and To Awamutn (Sergeant-Major Bockett) fourth with 55. The Piako representatives! had the misfortune to lose a horse audi man, and experienced other difficulties, and were disqualified. The changes in the local garrison artillery staff which I hinted at in my notes on June 12 are now announced. In this week's) Gazette appears notice of the transfer of Major G. W. 8. Patterson (who is at present absent on business in England) from the command of the local G.A. Division to the active list (unattached) New Zealand volunteers. Captain R. Gardner, adjutant to the division, is definitely announced as having been appointed to the command of tho division with the rank of Major, and his appointment should be gazetted next week. This leaves the adjutancy vacant, and from what I can gather it is more than likelv that Captain Archibald, of the Crown Lauds Office, and late captain of tho Petonet Navals, will be appointed to the post. These changes will, no doubt, bo received with, universal satisfaction by volunteers generally, and especially by the members of the I garrison artillery, who through Major Pat-1 terson's absence abroad have practically : been without a commander for several I years. j NATIONAL LEAGUE RIFLE COMPETITIONS. The medals won by the competitors in the first National League miniature rifle shooting competition are now available, and the successful shootists can obtain them on application at Hazard's shooting gallery. [The following are the prize-winners: —G. Matthews, class A, silver medal: W. J. Bell, class B, silver medal; B. Crawford, class C, silver medal; C. White, class 1), silver medal; \V. .M. Newton, class D, bronze medal. Competitors in the National League third miniature rifle shooting competition are advised that the shootiug-off of ties fakes place at Hazard's gallery on Thursday evening, July 4, at eight o'clock. Tho following scores are announced in the third competition of the National League miniature rifle shooting competitions : — Class A (18 rears to 21 years): G. Matthews, 30; C. Dennis, 30. Class B (16 vears to 18 years): G. Pin-it, 30; P. Lew, 30; W. Bell, 30: W. Bvri.c, 30: K. Bay, 29; J. ISmpson, 29. Class C (14 vears to 16 vears): R. J. Proude, 29: B. Crawford, 29; S. Weir, 29: C. White, 28: J. Totter, 28: F. Levland. 27; H. Dowdy, 19. Class D (under 14 years): C. Atkinson, 29; H. Elliott, 29: A. J. Stopford, 28; M. .Newton, 26; H. Oarolan. 26.