VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 7

VOLUNTEERS.

The Port Chalmers Naval Artillery broko tamp, after a 16 days' course of instruction, on the morning of January SO. During the first ■week the men, who attonded splendidly, had little to complain of a3 regards tho weather, which was vory pleasant; but during the last eight days things were very trying, and most uncomfortable. The Navals, however, stuck manfully to their work, and made it a point of honour to .faithfully attend. The camp, ■which was pitched on the Port Chalmers Recreation ground, was under the control of ■Lieutenant-commander Waters, who was ably seconded by. Lieutenant N. Dodds; while SurI geon-captain G. Hodges paid several visits to . inspect the sanitary condition ot the eamp. l.Q'he conduct of the men, an exceedingly fine lot j of young fellows, was from first to last most :-praiseworthy; indeed, only one case of iusuborI that of a very trivial character— ? was reported to the commanding officer. The | general routine of work, with some little exceptions, was as follows:—Reveille, 5 a.m.; fall Sn, 5.30 a.m.; breakfast, 7 a.m.; tea, 5.30 p.m.; fall in, 6.16 p.m.; tattoo, first post, 9.30 p.m.; last post, 10 p.m.; lights out, 10.16 p.m. The attendance of the men has been exceptionally good, some of the sections parading in their inll strength day after day; while a great number of them remained in camp during the whole time. The general supervision of the artillery work was under Staff-sergeant-major Instructor Burbury, Royal Garrison Artillery. With him were associated Sergeant-major Parker (Garrison Artillery) and several assistants. The submarine mining work was ably supervised by Sergeant-major "Wall and assistants of No. 2 Service Company, P.M. Too much praise cannot be given to the several instructors' for the manner in which they have discharged their arduous duties, the result of which is plainly visible in tho increased efficiency of the corps. On Monday last the corps went to Taiaroa Heads for station practicc, but oiving to the liirf and unpropitious state of the weather only a few rounds could be firod, and the officer commanding the Permanent Artillery issued the order " Cease firing."- On Tuesday evening last tho men were engaged in the first series of tho competition practice, under more favourable circumstances, ahd with capital results. The figure of merit has not yet been given, but it i 3 understood ! to be exceptionally high, the work as' regards both a speed and accuracy being excellent. The practice only permitted 1(1 minutes for action from two guns, the results being ,13 round, with nine hits, from tho first gun, and 12 rounds, with 10 hits, from the second, at ranges varying from 2000 to 3000. yardß. It was intended, if possible, to fire the second series yesterday evening.