VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3505, 6 August 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE NOTES.

I have been taken to task by some of the volunteers for calling the corps formed by the Star Boating Club “ Naval Artillery." Tinder Clause 136, Volunteer Regulations, I find that Naval Artillery drill will he principally confined to heavy gun drill, submarine mining, and boat drills, and, to qualify for capitation, the corps must go into camp for a fortnight in each year; every man must be present in camp at least seven out of the fourteen days, and must attend at at least eighteen parades dating the year. Three must be afternoon parades, and two-thirds of the strength must be present on at least four parades during the year. Now if lam not right in calling the Stars “ Naval Artillery Corps," it is not because I do not know what artillery are supposed to be. It is because the N.Z. Volunteer Regulations are at fault. I believe that some alteration of the Regulations is to bo brought into force at no distant date and until such takes place the Stars are undoubtedly “Naval Artillery" under the Defence Act, 1886.

I would like to make a suggestion now that the Officers Club is very nearly an established fact; the officers should subscribe a prize for a “ Marching Competition" of about 8 or 10 miles, and at the end of the distance threo volleys at 500’ yards, and three volleys at 600 or 700 yards should be fired, points to count for time on the march and the hits on the target.-

This competition, I think, would be very popular if it could be held about the end of August in each year for some prize to be held for twelve months, and it would help to improve the marching of the men, which is not at all good at present, just for the want of practice. I hope my suggestion will bear fruit and that some officer will take the matter up and carry it to a successful conclusion.

I have received a letter from a correspondent asking me to call attention to the physical training that the volunteers receive at present, and to recommend that the men go through a course of training outside of the drillshed training. My opinion on this matter is very strong, for when I happen to be in the drillshed when physical drill is going on I have noticed that some very young men are very stiff and cramped in their position, and also in the bayonet drill. I would advocate that they go under a term at the Wellington Physical Training School, which would not only set them up as good looking soldiers, but it would make them better men for the rest of their lives.

I notice that Sergeant-Major Finn does not teach the bayonet exercise quite correctly. The third guard, if I can read it, should be detailed as follows : —Lower the point by passing the rifle in a circular motion downwards to the right, the right hand raised till the forearm touches the right breast, both elbows kept close to the body; the point of the bayonet to the front and as low as the knee, sling to the right; this parries a point made below the waist on either sides. I call attention to this as it is important that the men of the different corps, if they are taught the points and guards of the bayonet exercise, should be taught correctly.

In the early part of the winter the captains of the three older rifle corps gave orders that the officers and men should parade in leggings until further notice. I would like to know why the captain of one corps allows his orders to be continually defied by one of his lieutenants. If the officers disobey how can you enforce obedience from the men ?

The improvement shown in drill by the new companies during the past week has been highly spoken of. It is a pity that more squad drill without arms is not given to the new rifle corps. I can safely say that not half the men in these corps know the turning motions, aud how can you expect it if they are rushed through as if everything in drill was learnt after the manual.

The different instructors have not all the same manner of teaching the recruits. On Wednesday Sergeant Withers went about teaching a squad of the Naval Artillery in a proper manner by starting at the beginning. In my opinion it would be advisable to extend all these companies and teach them the turning motions again.

I have been informed that the Mounted Rifles have asked Mr W. Ballinger to take the lieutenancy in their corps. Ho would make a very good officer if be will accept the appointment.

“ Well Set-up" writes as follows:-One thing our volunteers must learn before the first daylight parade and that is to hold the shoulders square and chest extended like the regulars. But it must not be left to the sergeant-major. Each individual volunteer should do his very best to so strengthen his body that an upright position will become his most natural one. A I’ttle physical drill once or perhaps twice a month is not sufficient. I would therefore recommend the officers to urge their men to put in a term at the Wellington Physical Training School. At St. Peters, Director Harrison sets a course that would make a good soldier of anyone. Probably at another date I. may have something further to write upon the subject, _______________

The “ Live Stock Journal ” sat that the horse is singular among domestic- and other animals in tho great tendency to its skim to sweat profusely. The sweat glands are over the whole surface of its holy, and not confined to any special part, as on the muzzle (if the ox end the footpads of the dog and cat. Furthermore a horse will sweat not only at work, but for some time after he has finished his task will “break out." He will occasionally sweat in an isolated patch or in patches. He will sweat like other animals and man when he is hot or when he is cold. Hois snject to cold sweats in life on rupture of the stomach and intestines, and to hot sweating after a violent death. Furthermore there is no drug known in veterinary medicine which will act as a sudorific on the horse. Several drugs and foods will readily produce perspiration in man. That horses cannot be acted upon in the came way explains, remarks Veterinary. Major Smith, the I common nse of nitre in veterinary prao j ties—the kidneys having to do the work | of tho skin.

[Edited bt Lee-Meti'obd.] Tho city corps parade as follows :— DBILLSHED.l City Rifles ... Monday Zealanriia Rifl-s Monday Kelburne Rifles Tuesday College Rifles ' Tuesday Rost Office Rifles Wednesday* .Star Club Artillery ... Wednesday Guards Rifles Thursday Cycle Cur> s ... Thursday Civil Service Rifles Friday MOUNT COOK. D Battery Artillery Tuesday Naval Artillery Wednesday MAXIM SQUADS. Guards Monday City Rifl-s Tuesday Kelbuurne Rifles Friday