DEFENCE NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18630, 11 February 1924, Page 9

DEFENCE NOTES.

o7 BAM&OD. The 3rd Battery of N.Z. Artillery returned from its annual camp on Saturday afternoon. The camp is about 1£ miles from Taupiri and is pleasantly situated on the bank of the Waikato River. About 40 men under Lieut. H. H. Osmers and B.S.M. Harper, attended the camp. On Sunday church parade was held, Archdeacon Cowie, of Hamilton, conducting the service. On Monday training was commenced under R.N.Z.A. instructors. On Tuesday and Wednesday shell practice was conducted with 15-pounder guns. Thursday and Friday were devoted to shooting with 18-pounder guns. On Friday Col. H. R. Potter, Colonel-Command-ant Northern Command, Lieut.-Col. Gard'ner, Director of Artillery, and Lieut. - Colonel Northcroft, Officer-Commanding Ist Brigade, attended the shoot and were very pleased with the work done. The battery was addressed by these three officers, who congratulated all branches of the unit on the progress made and the manner in which they carried out their duties. On Wednesday evening a concert and dance was tendered the battery in the Taupiri Hall and on Friday night the battery gave a dance in return. On Friday afternoon a sports meeting was held. The battery is a new one, having been formed in June last, but through the keenness of the members it has made very rapid progress and is on the way to becoming a most efficient unit. The Ist Battery N.Z. A. (Major F. C. Soar) entrained for Ngaruawahia on Saturday. This battery intends doing mounted work in camp. The men are particularly keen and should benefit considerably by the week's training. The prizes for the machine-gun teams at the command meeting to be held at the end of this month, are attractive. The first prize for the Vickers machine-gun is £10 and second' £5. The Lewis gun first prize is £12, second £5, third £2. The Hotchkiss first prize is £8, second £4. The teams matches have been laid down exactly as fired in the British Army. The Auckland Military Sports Association will meet to-morrow evening at 7.30. The forthcoming pageant entails a great amount of organisation and the various sub-committees report good progress. Captain Ansell has taken over command of the 27th Ponsonby from Lieut. Ross, who has been transferred to the reserve of officers. The 18th Battery (6in. Howitzers) Trill parade to-night for the first time since November. Tha 34th Coy. (Oapt, E. E. Willoughby) paraded last Wednesday. There has been a large number of postings to this company and the instructors will have a busy time bringing the recruits up to the required standard. That the 4th Howitzer Battery includes some keen athletes is evinced by the fact that several of the men who are sculling enthusiasts have received permission to take their skiffs to Ngaruawahia, and in their leisure time train on the river under ideal conditions.