AUCKLAND GUNNERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 5

AUCKLAND GUNNERS

VISIT TO WELLINGTON. AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT. On Saturday afternoon sixty-five men and three officers of the Auckland Garrison Artillery arrived in Wellington. They are now returning to their homes individually. The circumstances of their visit are so very unusual as to require explanation. The Auckland Garrison Artillery is an enthusiastic corps. It takes its work very seriously and aims at high proficiency. In spite of its most strenuous efforts it has always boen defeated in shooting records by the Petone Naval Artillery, whose success in the competition for the proficiency shield has becai remarkable. The Aucklanders were unable to understand how Petone managed to do so well. Their desire to discover the secret of Petone’e success led to their invasion of Wellington. It has been stated that they camo “quite unexpectedly" and announced that their purpose was to triumph over .Petone in a match with the big guns at Fort Kolburne. The captain of the Auckland Artillery denies this. He states that they came by invitation, that they were expected, and that they only came to view the equipment at the disposal of the Petone men and the methods they pursued. Having seen these they had accomplished the object of fcheit mission. The tram fares for the men were met by a small levy on those who travelled and a substantial contribution by the officers. When they arrived at Wellington they found that no arrangements had beep made for their reception. Eventually accommodation was provided at Fort Kelimme, and there the visitors remained until yesterday morning. The whole thing, however, seems to be a burlesque. It is certain that the Petone Navals had expected a visit from the Auckland corps. Communications had passed between the officers on the subject. The Aucklanders telegraphed prior to departure from home that they were leaving for Wellington, and they received a telegram from Captain Ellis stating that he was delighted at the proposed visit, and that arrangements were complete for their reception. When the train reached Wellington the visitors landed without greeting, and on going to Fort Kelburne were given to understand that their arrival was a surprise. Captain Knyvett, of Auckland, states that he was told by two of the Petone officers that no arrangements had been made to meet them because Colonel Kobin had informed them that the Auckland men had not been able to make arrangements to come, as the department had refused to issue railway passes. His company had no thought of a gunnery competition, but came to study the conditions under which the Petone men worked.

THE OFFICIAL VERSION. NO INTIMATION RECEIVED. Colonel Robin, chief of the General Staff, questioned by a “Times” reporter regarding tho official aspect of tho matter, said that the first knowledge received at headquarters of a contemplated visit from the Auckland Garrison Artillery volunteers was a communication from the officer commanding tho Auckland district. This was opened at 9.30 cm Saturday morning, permission being asked to make a trip to Wellington m uniform. - That letter, was sent back the same morning by the Main Trunk mail (in order that there should be no delay) asking for some information about the trip iand the reasons. Up to then no authority had been given from headquarters for the trip to bo undertaken. The next thing he heard of the matter was an intimation the same day from the officer commanding the Wellington district that strange troops wore in the city. It appeared that the captain of the Auckland artillery, had not even reported himself on arrival to the officer commanding the district, a duty devolving an a responsible officer when remov. ing troops from one place to another. If there had been such intimation in the present case it would have been the duty of a staff officer to meet them and tell them where they had to go. The matter would, of course, form the subject of inquiry.