VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13421, 23 October 1905, Page 5

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Br "Sextrt." The Church parade,on Sunday, October 29, will include tho Dunedin Engineers, tho Dunedin Engineer Cadets, the B Battery, and the Dunedin Garrison Hand. Jtl consequence of some misunderstanding the smoko concert at which the Dunedin Highland Rifles were to have entertained the Dunedin Engineers on Saturday last was postponed for a week. A Ist Battalion Order, dated October 16, announces the promotion of Captain and Adjutant Stoneham to lie major. The papers in connection with Ihe promotion are not yet to hand, but the revised N.Z. Army List, issued on August 31, gives the rank as major from August 16. The papers will no doubt bo received now at any moment,. and in the meantimo I join with others in congratulating an eiithusiastio officer upon a well-merited advance. Major Stoneham wears the decoration for 16 years' service, and his career in the Volunteers is one upon which those new in the service might profitably frame themselves. He commenced as a private in tho Dunedin Highland Rifles, and by virtue of attention to training and zealous application he rose step by stop to the other end of the ladder— as captain of the corps. Commendation may sometimes come from an inferior in position, and the highest compliment I have heard paid to Major Stoneham was the simple remark from one who was a private in the Highland Rifles to the etfect that Captain Stoneham's efficiency as an officer' commanded tho confidence of his men. As adjutant to the Ist Battalion Major Stoneham's time bud abilities were liberally bestowed, and his efforts were appreciated by the O.C. On Friday evening last a war game under

the auspices of the Officers' Club took place at the Garrison Hall. Tho general idea was that a body of 300 men, with one gun—

the advance force if an enemy approaching Dunedin from the south,—was in possesion of Patterson's farm north of Abbot's Hill at 8 a.m., with orders to hold his position until his main force arrived, which could not bo for 12 hours. The attacking forec— 825 men with two guns—was mobilised on the High School grounds, their orders being to endeavour to Tegain the ground held by the enemy before his main body could reach him. The command of the invading force was undertaken by Lieutenant Ussher, and that of the local forcc by Lieutenant Wolstenholme. A very interesting game was the result, Lieutenant Wolstenholme adopting

the bold line of endeavouring to thrust his main attack between the enemy, and -the point from which his main body was expected. As tho defenders of tho position had ignored the possibility of an attack from this quarter, it was held that the attackers would probably aehicvo their object; The game produced several interesting positions, and proved generally very instructive. ~ The amount of instruction afforded by exercises of this sort is very great, and it 13 a matter of surprise that more use is not mado by officers of the opportunity of so pleasantly acquiring knowledge that the war gamo offers.' '

Tho prografnmo for tho Otago Riflo Association's annual meoting is now in ! the' printer's hand*. Tho meeting will oxtend over two days only—Monday and Tuesday, January 1 and 2. It was argued that it service matches were fired on tho Saturday afternoon tho entries might bo afficctcd. It is tolerably ccrtain many men would be unable to compete on Saturday, which will bo for many trades an exceptionally bujy day, on account of what mRy bo termed "New Year's Evo" business. In tho four principal matches thoro has bcon a rearrangement of tho prizo monoy, which remains tho samo in total ynluo but will bo distributed over 22 instead of 18 prize-winners. In tho same four matches there will bo tyro prizes oE 10s, which will bo given in the proportion of one to every four tyros. Tyro prizes aro open to any person who has not won moro than 10s at any Riflo Association meeting. Competitors must stato when entering whether or not they aro tyros. In conjunction with matches 1, 2, 5, and 6 a teams competition will be held, teams to consist of live men, who must nil bo members of tho same corps or riflo club. Corps or clubs may enter more than ont team. Entries will bo received up till 8 a;m. on January 1, when tho names of those comprising the teams must bo handed in; the aggregate scores in tho foul matches to count. The entrv feo will lit]

10s per team, and thejhree prizes SO, 30, and 20 per cent, respectively of the entry money. A new clause in the regulations provides that; competitors will be required to score in turn as the range officer may direct. Tho latest. Risley target- will ba adopted for the 200 yds rangeßull's-eye, 7iir; inner, 12in; 'magpie, 18in; outer, remainder of target. Firing will commence at. 8.15 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lieutenant-colonel Myers held an inspcotion of the Dunediu City Guards and the DUnedin Rifles on Monday evening. Sergeant Mills and Corporals Peattic,' Robinson, and Jones (of the former company) were put through the practical jjortion of their .examination. The results are not vet officially known, hut I understand each will have u non-commissioned officer's cer-

tilicate. . Before tho commencement of ordinary business at tho meeting of the Otago Riflo Association Council this week Major Stoneham, who presided, made a presentation on belmlf of the council to Lieutenant; M'/iPnn, who has fur soino timo filled tho position of Tho gift took the form of a silver cigaretto case, which Major Sioneham oxplaincd was not in any way intended as payment for services rendered, but was meant to convey to Lieu-

tenant M'Lean tile appreciation of his colleagues for tlio valuable work lio had don'o. Only those '.vlio have been intimately associated with the secretary of tho Otago Rifle Association can .know the amount 6f time and industry involved in the faithful performance of the duties attached to tlio

position. Lieutenant M'Lean has proved a secretary of method, whose work is always up to date and in order, and tliasa

taking part in tho annual meeting liavo always found everything on tho range up

to time. A battalion parade of public school cadets, under' the command of Major Murray, was held on Tuesday afternoon on the North Recreation Ground. Colonel Robin was present, and gave the cadets instruction in the movements required at to-day's demonstra-

ion; also in movements from assembly

formation. There was a muster ot nino officers and 351 non-com. officers and boys, and the manoeuvring of such a largo gathering of lio.vs did not fail to prove of

interest to those who were, spectators. Major Murray desires to record his thank? to Colonel" Robin for his presence and guidance. At the meeting of tho Dunedin District Officers' Club on Wednesday evening tho P.M.0.. Surgeon-lioutenant-colonel de Lautcur; Y.D., lectured on the subject of "The Importance of Military Training in the Colonies." The lecturer, after pointing out tho mutual obligations "m matters of defence laid on the parent country and its colonies, cited historical examples to show that whore tho general practice of the arts of war had beon allowed to fall into desuetude tho dccadcnce of the nit-ion soon followed. Tho paper was listened to with great- interest, and in the conversational discussion that, ensued tho opinion was expressed that if the public as a body realised how closcly the national existence was bound up with the-question of its manhood generally being accustomed to tho use of arms the apathy now shown towards the subject of military training ' would instantly disappear. With the ohjert of increasing tho general eflicioncy of tho Volunteers the Minister of Defenco has approved of the proposal that challenge shields be provided for each of tlio branches of the local forces, to bo competed for annually, one each for tho most efficient Field Battery, Company Garrison Artillery Volunteers, Engineer Corps, Mounted ltifles' Squadron, and Infantry Company, The winning; unit of each branch to have its name inscribed 011 the shield, which it will retain for the year. It is thought that if the interest of tho colony generally can be enlisted in the matter, an amount sufßrient to purchase necessary shields might be obtained. The Government, proposes to grant a subsidy of pound for pound for money collected for tho above purpose up to £100. Apart from the honour of winning the shield, and the increased efficiency resulting from practising for tho competitions, it need hardly be pointed out- that, it would do nutcli to further popularise the force if Volunteers felt more interest was taken in them by their fellow citizens generally. At a meeting of the B Battery held on Wednesday evening Jlr F. Hcrdmnn was unanimously elcctcd to tho position of junior lieutenant, rendered vacant by tho resignation of Lieutenant Sleeker. Mr Herdman, in returning thanks for his election, hoped that with the (o-operation of the men the batter)- might leave camp with premier honours.

I have ju r fc been able to fake a hurried glance at tho preliminary programme of the grand military tournament to be held on the Caledonian Ground, Dmiedin, on lioxing Day. There are no le.=s thn.ii 33 item* set down, so that there should bo sufficient variety to provide entertainment for Hie general public, apnrfc from the vaiuo ti Volunteers of Mm various competitions. Tho prizes are .liberal,- and include tho Hnllenslein Cup for the team scoring most points in four competitions, named. The Defence Minister lias authorised the issue of free railway passes to bona, fide-competi-tors attending from outside Dunedin up to 150 miles. I shall refer more in detail to

the programme next week, and meantime mention that Quartormastor Sergeant Tl. Harper is chairman of the Tournament GomQuartormatcr .T. E. Bone secretary-, and Sergeant -T. Wcod treasurer.