VOLUNTEER EXAMINATIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 771, 10 December 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

VOLUNTEER EXAMINATIONS.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, December 8. A large number of Volunteer officers met Colonel Baillie, President of the Board of Military Education, at the drillshed, and Colonel Baillie Baid his object in asking them to meet him was to take the opportufaity of explaining to them the Behoof of military education, and give any information they might desire respecting the examination which the officers would have to undergo at a date not yet fixed. This he did briefly and explicitly, and explained what was to be expected at the examination, as text-books were not easily procurable in the Colony. He said that he wished to draw their attention particularly to musketry instruction, which had been placed under his control. He said that next year full instructions would be issued as to the mode of firing and scoring necessary to qualify for capitation. The Government did not desire the mere raising of shooting in a company, but general proficiency. He showed an illustration of the new target now in use in England, in whioh the round bullseye gives place to the figure of a mau. This is to be introduced here. 1 He also stated that, distriot prizes being abolished, the money would be given to the companies who made the highest aggregate firing throughout the Colony. Several questions were put to Colonel Bailey and answered. In regard to Captain Whitney’s Aucklandmade ammunition, he said that he had large and practical experience, and in bis opinion it was fully equal to the best manufactured in England—namely, Rynock’s ammunition.