NAVAL ARTILLERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13545, 19 March 1906, Page 2

NAVAL ARTILLERY.

INSPECTION BY G-ENBHAL BABIXGTON. "The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Naval Companies, comprising the Otago Division, N.Z.G.A.V., was inspected by Major-general Babington on Saturday last. The inspection commenced-at the Central Battery, where tho details told off to that battery were formed up on the morning parade-at 2.40 p.m.. Promptly at 2.45 Major-general Babington arrived, accompanied by Colonel Robin, 0.C.. District-major Johnston, A.5.0., Lieutenant-colonel Allen.O.C. Otago Division, N.Z.G.A.V., Lieutenant-colonel de Lautonr, P.M.0., Captain Campbell, A.D.C., Surgpon-major Fulton, Chaplain tho Rev. Curzon-Siggers, Adjutant Swindley, and Lieutenant Gard'ner, E.N.Z.A. The various officers, non-commissioned officers, and gunners were closely questioned in connection willi their duties nnd special work, and tho battery was prepared for action, and some gun drill gone through, after which the huh group commanders were instructed to a'sk the detachments somo questions with regard to their work.

This completed, the G. 0.0. nnd party proceeded to Port Chalmers by the i p.m. train, and on reaching Port embarked on board the torpedo boat. The Central Battery details followed soon after in the Ellen Ballancc. After a smart run the Heads were reached about 5 p.m., arid the inspection of the HarTir.gton Point was proceeded with. Then followed an iiiFPcction o' Jiock Channel, Howlet toint Signal Station, and the Xordenfeldt batteries in quick succession, each battery commander and gun group commander and detachment being questioned as at the Central Battery. After a short interval of 10 minutes the guns were agflin manned and preparations made for a night attack by the torpedo boats. The searchlight was working well, and tho entrance to the channel was well lit ud. The sentries posted on each gnu were all watching very keenly, and in about an hour a. boat was reported as creeping in under the-lighthouse. As soon as each gun could be brought to bear fire was opened on the boat, which was soon reported as disabled. A second relay was then ordered on the gum*, and the pame procedure was followed. '■ The cease (ire was then sounded, and the men ordered back h the hoat. Port Chalmers was soow reached, and tho Dunedin company entrained for town.

Before leaving the Heads Major-gemal Babington addressed the division in the Barrack Square, and after complimenting Co'onel Allen on the hieh stale of efficiency which he found in nil ranks of both cmnaniw. went- on to say he was very pleased at what he had seen. He congratulated No. 2 Corrmany on beins the best ehootine companv in Nt>w Zealand, not only with the guns but also with the rifle. He also congratulated Nn. 3 Company on its gewl work, and said he understood it was only bv-a veiv smell margin tliey hod missed first class. This branch of the Fivvice was in,fhe front rink of volunteering, end thev wanted to keep it in the very front rank, not only in New Zealand hut in every part of the British Empire. Their duties

were sometimes very hard on the men, but as endeavour was being made to make these duties ns light (is possible. He would have gre&l pleasure in reporting to headquarters the vcrj high state of efficiency that he had found in ill ranks in the Otago division. Before the men were dismissed at Port dial-

I ir.era, Colonel Allen addressed them, and eon- ; gratulated them on what the General had Raid, i He urged the men to do nil they could to bring i other companies up to their full strength, mid ■ exprcasetTTho hone that there would- be a full i muster at the Easter eneainmnent. -He also mentioned that that day was the firs'occasion i- on-whi#lfc.«very gun in the district had betn fully manned at the same lime, and ho was) pleased to see that every man lind done bis I work, and done it well. | The, parade state was as follows:-, > Divisional .Staff.—liieirtenaiit-colonel Allen (in command). Major Strong. Surgcon-mainr, Fulton, Surgeon-captain Borrie, Chaplain tho ftev. Curzon-Siggera, Adjutant Swindler, Lieutenant nnii Quartermaster Hnggitt, Sergeantmajor Price, Qunrtermaster-scrseunt "Fisher, and Trumnetor Montgomery:— total. 10. Xo. 2 Company (Dunediii Xavals).—Cantoin 1 Fredric. S lieutenants, lot rank and file;— totnl, ]OS. No. 3 Conmanv.—Captain Dcdds, 3 lion* tenants. G5 rank and file;—(otnt, GB. Grand total, IS6.