VOLUNTEERING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 3

VOLUNTEERING.

B BATTERY. Tho B Battery, under command of Captain Kitdije, held a very successful indirect and direct firing practice on Saturday afternoon. The target was the reef runnimr out. from tho seaward oiid of Bird Island, at lomahawk, and the guns for the indirect nniijr were stationed in Taluma, Park, Lawyer's Head being thus between tho gunners and the target. Captain Kitchio took up a position on an eminence to the left of Lawyer's Head, whero ho commanded a view of tho Park and Bird Island; and iroin this position tho range and etrect of tho shots wore flag signalled to thoso in command of the guns. This is tho first occasion on which tho Battery has carried out indirect firing with live shell, and the. result was most satisfactory. The range was given at 3200, 3400, and 3600 yards, and was finally fixed at SSOO, and proved to be 3350 yards. It. was stated beforehand that persons on Lawyer's Head, over which the shells passed, would be immune, from danger, and accordingly a number of peoplo assembled there to'experience, the sensation of being "under tire." Beyond observing tho results of the ehots, however, there was but little to bo gained in tho way of excitement. Tho diots passed m> high overhead that tho shriek of the shell as it sped on its mission could only bo faintiy distinguished. Of the 12 shots fired from Tahuna Park eight struck tho desired object, whilst the other four fell either just short or just beyond. Four of tho shells were charged with shrapnel, and these all burst directly over •tho target, Tho Battery subsequently romoved to Lawyer's Head, where the. guns woro trained on to the target, and tho shooting was again admirable, eight shots Ijcinj; fired. A curious accident happened to No. 3 gun, undei command o{ Lieutenant Ilerdman, during j-liis stage of the practice. The axial clip of. the bvoeeh camo undone after a shot, and the Dobange abluratov. comprised of the mushroom head, spindle pad, and adjusting discs, was left in tho gun, which consequently bad io be reported " out. of action." By moans of inserting a. handspike, however, and ra.niiniiig it down tho muzzle the obstruction was removed, and the gun, after a lapse of only two minutes, was again reported in action. Saturday's practice was preliminary io the annual test which will be eoiidurieif .it Barewood next Saturday. After completing iho tiring tho Battery reiurned to their camp at Forbury Park. The public was very pleased with the exhibition given and with tho smart and businesslike aopcarance of tho company, whilst Captain Ritchie and his officers have reason to regard with hopefulness iho outcome of thetest at Barewood.

CAMPS OF INSTRUCTION. BEARER CORPS. No. 2 Company New Zealand Field Hospital Bearer Corps Vblunioors went into camp at Central Battery on Saturday afternoon. Surgeon-major Evans was in command, and there was a good muster. The men, assisted by the members of tho Garrison Band, were busy during the afternoon erecting a marquee and fitting up a field hospital, jintl generally making preparations for carrying out the camp. The camp, which will last for a week, is for instruction and examination purposes. The annual inspection of tho corps was held yesterday. CYCLING AND SKWALLIXG COMPANY. The Dunedin Cycling and Signalling Company, under command At Lieutenant Wolstcnholme, also marched into camp at tho Central Battery on Saturday afternoon, and thcro was an excellent muster. Tho work of tho camp will be specially devoted to signalling, and the annual examination of signallers is expected to take place. Instructors from tho Permanent Pores have the men in hand preliminary to the examinations. Tho work to bo carried out during daylight will be by means of flags aucli heliograph and in tho evening by Bigbio lamps and limelight, tho company's equipment being right up to date in accordance with the most recent Imperial army regulation?. CITY RIFLES. The City Rifles, under Captain M'Ara and Lieutenant White, and tho Duucdin Rifles, under Lieutenant Birch and Lieutenant Allen, went, inlo rcunp on Saturday on the vacant land between tho pumping station and Talimia Park. Tho camp is to be purely for instruction purposes, and two largo marquees, in which lectures will be delivered in the evenings, have been erected. Outpost and attack .work will be conducted on tho Sandhills, and during the week the judging of distance and entrenchment examinations in connection with the battalion shield competition will be hold. Yesterday the camp was open to tho public, and in the afternoon tho Jlorninglon Band played selections. THE BATTALION SHIELD.

The Green Island Volunteers carried out their marching and shooting portions of tiio competition for tho battalion shield on

Saturday afternoon. Tho conditions require that a, team of 23 men march from tho Garrison Hall to Mr il'Laren's farm, above St. Clair, u distance of about four miles and a-half. and on arrival each man fires 30 rounds of ball cartridge at targets at throo different distances, tho men having to judgo tho range fov themselves. On the march tho men are in full uniform, with leggings or gaiters, witorbottlcs full, haversac containing 41b—representing «■ day'srations,—3o- rounds of ball cartridge, and further weight representing 80 additional rounds of ummumlion. It is understood that the Green Island team acquitted itself very- creditably. Captain Trask and Captain Barclay were the judge-s, and Staff Scrgor.ntona.jovs Taylor and Henderson were in charge, of tho range, and target 1 !, The. Caversham Rifles were also to have competed on Saturday, but were unable, to start. ueing four men short of tho required number.