MILITARY AND NAVAL NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15261, 27 March 1913, Page 10

MILITARY AND NAVAL NOTES

: V .'-"v4':' BY IXNTINBL. Tint Imperial:".i Challenge Shield competition will bo fired on any date (except Sunday) between June 14 and 30, on any range in any part of the British Empire. With reference to Lady Islington'* Challenge Cup for senior cadets, it m made clear that no company can receive the trophy unless 75 per cent of the cadets on the strength of the company have completed the whole of their annual musketry course at the time the competition is fired. The conditions governing the shooting competition for the National Rifle Association's Empire Day Challenge Cup can be j obtained on application to all officers in charge of area groups. The competition is to be shot for on any date from April 1 to May 24, on any available range. The cup will bo open to one team of 40 of any rank from any unit of His Majesty's forces. The cap is a 100-guinea one, white £175 in prise-money will be distributed.

Preparations era now well ahead for the Infantry Brigade camp at Cambridge, which will be the largest bold in the Auckland Province. Some 3000 territorials will go under canvas, and the officers expect that a very useful week's training will result. The camp will be at Cambridge, on Mr. Taylor** property, and the site, though not so favourable as that originally decided upon at Morrinsville, is still a very good one. The only drawback is that the site is too near the town, but the officers are confident that when on leave the men will conduct themselves in a manner which becomes a soldier. Bound Cambridge the country offers splendid opportunities for route marshes, while the Agricultural and Pastoral Association'* showground should prove an admirable parade ground. The men to attend the camp will be those of the 3rd, 6th. 15th, tnd 16th Regiments, No 3 Company Engineers,: Infantry Signalling Company (College Rifles), and No. 1 Field Ambulance . Corps. Colonel C. T. Major, D.5.0., will be in charge of the camp. ,

Tbe " " Company of the 15th North •Auckland Regiment of Infantry, which has its headquarters at Dargarille, is fast assuming its fall official strength. At present there are 62 members, but in the course of a couple cf months a huge draft of maxi-ninm-aged senior cadets will join the ranks. The members are fully equipped with uniforms and accoutrements, and take an enthaaiastio intexest in all drilb. The officer commanding is Lieutenant N. F. Knight, who is fcdEto assisted by three* officers, th© election of whom will be ' decided at the forthcoming Piako encampment. The noncommissioned officers appointed are as fol-lows:—Oolour-seirgeant,. O. £. : Onthbert; sergeants. J. Me-witi, P. McDowell, J. O'Donsell, and W. CJronin; lance-sergeant, B. W. Gould; >orporals, A. H. Nield, 0. Ball, B. Haixa, and O. Finlaysoa; lancecorporals, M. Lamont, R. Panel], W. Lamont, O. A. Peat, E. H. Baker, and B. Mitchelson : bugler, A. Adams. Sergeant- . Major Stokes is drill instructor, and has meeeeded in engendering an esprit de corps, which has consolidated the company into a willing body ■ of' earnest workers. A new rifle. range has been prepared on '-', th© proSrty of Mr. J. .Wiggins, at Mangawhare. u contains four targets. The company goes t into camp at the end of the month, and it speaks well for, the ' men that .only six applications or" leave of absence have been sent in, in each earn the reason being most ■ satisfactory to th© commanding officer.

Tha : Northern v, : ■Wairoa.-:'. district senior cadets now number 128, under Captain G. & Bellamy, and Lieutenants CSaTe, Woake, ; and Ctobbald. . Despite the wide area over which members are scattered, well-attended drills are regularly :\ held, ' real enthusiasm is being shown' in the work; and the boys are agitating for mote camp life. Arrangements are being made v for the inclusion of the BargaviUe Brass Band in the district defence scheme, and, 'it;, such erentuatca. the lads r mm"' promised a generous share of its aarrice*. . Lioioir or " rRoirnKRSicEH. On Good Friday the members of U A" Squadron paraded in full uniform, and proceeded by special steamer to St. Heliers Bay. Here the men proceeded to St Philip's Church, where the Rev. W. H. Wjlson ; preached a very inspiring aermon. At the general .meeting of the Auckland command, it was resolved to take part in ■: the welcome to H.M.S. New Zealand, and, if possible, to arrange » amoke concert for the men on the battleship who have been i under fire,' and have served in actual warfare. At . the meeting ■ it; was also deeddud to form a rifle club, open only to members ' of the Auckland command.

An important point raised si the' general reading was that of preparation for a camp in connection 'with the forthcoming * Auckland Exhibition. If Legion teams are to compete at, to* tournaments they will tcaire quarters for themselves and , their horses, as well as a ground for practice. It was also recognised that many members of the. Legion will' probably visit '■< Auckland about thai time, and would appreciate the provision of a camp where they could reside and be among comrades. The Ancleland - command is not yet strong "enough - financially to provide Quarters : for visitors;as ii would like to do, and consequently visiting legionaries will * have to pay their share if » camp; is" established for them. A committee was set tip to go into the matter.