NAVAL VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 11

NAVAL VOLUNTEERS.

ANNUAL INSPECTION HELD. REAR-ADMIRAL BLAKE'S PRAISE. HIGH STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY. The efficiency of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reservo in Auckland was praised by Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Blake, commodore of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, when addressing the men after the annual inspection at the headquarters in St. Mary's Bay on Saturday afternoon. In conjunction with the inspection, the volunteers took part in signalling, gun and rifle drill competitions and whaleboat manoeuvres. Accompanied by Commander E. Lyon Berthon, LieutenanL-Commander W. G. Airey, Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander W. J. G. Propliit and Lieutenant K. Walter, the rear-admiral arrived by naval pinnace at St. Mary's Bay, where a large number of tho public had assembled. He was received by Commander F. A. Hull, commanding officer of the volunteer division, and 150 men paraded in Fanshawe Street under Commander C. 11. T. Palmer for tho inspection. Tho A, B and C sub-divisions on parado were commanded respectively by Lieutenant-Com-manders G. E. L. Alderton, E. W. Garner and W. T. Edney. Competitions Docided. Following tho general salute, in honour of Rear-Admiral Blake, tho division marched to the drill shed, where tho annual competitions were watched by a largo number of tho public. Particular interest was shown in tho signalling tests, which involved tho uso of tho semaphore and tho Morse lamp and flag, tho exercises being set by Chief Yeoman of Signals P. O. Harrison. A difficult part of the training was demonstrated when whaleboat crews representing tho sub-divisions proceeded out into St. Mary's Bay and engaged in sailing exercises under signalled orders from headquarters. Tho whaleboat s were accompanied by tho naval pinnace and communication by signals was maintained with tho shore. After tho manoeuvres were completed, the whaleboats took part in a race to headquarters over a. distance of about half-a-milo, tho contest being won narrowly by C sub division from B, tho A crew being third. The winners of tho competitions wero as follows Drill with din. guns, for cup presented by Mr. J. Alexander, C sub-division; signalling with Morso and semaphore, for telescope presented by Surgeon Lienlenant-Commander J. A. Watson, B sub-division; riflo drill, Majestic Shield, A sub-division; rifle shooting, cup presented by Mr. S. A. Burt, B sub-division; whaleboat exercises. Sir Charles Fergusson Cup, C sub-divi-sion; aggregate points in competitions, cup presented by Mr. W. P. Endoan, M.F., C sub-division. P> and A subdivisions were second and third respectively in the aggregate. Rear-Admiral's Fending Departure. The prizes were presented by Rear-Ad-miral Blako. Commander Hull expressed the regret of tho division that the commodore would have left New Zealand before the next annual inspection took place. In reply, the rear-admiral congratulated the men on their display on parade and said that considerable progress was apparent. Tho Auckland division was efficient, and that was due largely to the keenness of the trainees. The report.-; of the commanding officer and tho squadron gunnery and signalling officers all subscribed to liis impression. Tho rear-admiral regarded signalling as a most important part of the training. "I am glad to say that, as far as tho R.N.V.R*. is concerned, tho departure from compulsory training has had scarcely any effect and tho division is almost as strong to-day as it was a year ago," said Rear-Admiral Blpke. "There has been a. reduction in our grants, but J. have stated that I am determined not to lower any vote to the R.N.V.R." The inspection concluded with cheers for the rear-admiral.