THE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER OFFICERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10104, 23 March 1909, Page 4

THE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER OFFICERS.

(Peb Press Association.) Wellington, March 22. The Defence Council deckled some time ago that in furtherance of its plan for the teaching of the citizen soldier of New Zealand to depend upon himself a number of -volunteer officers should go to England and put in a period of training for two years. These officers are required to undergo the necessary training, and on their return to put in at least three years' service with the defence forces as 1 staff officers. It is understood there were a- very large number of applications, 1 and the Council of Defence had some difficulty in selecting those it considered would, give the best value for the expenditure of the Dominion's' money. The following are the officers selected: Captain and Adjutant Barton, 2nd Battalion Auckland Mounted Rifles; Captain and Adjutant S. A. Grant, First Battalion Infantry ■ Volunteers, Auckland'; Lieut. W. L. Robinson, Dunedin Engineers; Captain J.: H. Whyte, D.5.0., Assistant Quartermaster General, Auckland -District. Captain Barton holds a -certificate in the course of instruction and' passed for captain. Captain Grant holds a. certificate for two courses of instruction,, and passed for captain. "He served as a lieutenant in a South African contingent, and acted as range officer at Trentham for two 'years. Lieut. Robin6on holds a certificate for three courses of instruction, passed ; distinguished in musketry and tactics, passed for his i>resent rank. Captain-White, ;D.5.0., holds a certificate for course of instruction, passed! for his present rank, and served, as a lieutenant in South Africa. All the officers are. highly recommended by their O.C. -,. districts and regimental ;com-" manders, 1 and conform ito the required as to age and length of service.