THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14185, 10 April 1908, Page 8

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Br SiiSTnr. [Item! of interest concerning corps (town tnd country), ihooting, and defence matters generally mil bo rcceptcd. Copy addressed to " Sentry," should be in hand by neon "on Thursday.] Colonel Robin, C.8., Chief of the General atafi, arrived in Dunedin last evening The annual nieeting of the Non-commis-sionod Oflirors Class will be held the first I'riday in May. It is intended to beat up members during ihe Easter encampment. Ihe schema for the Easter manoeuvres this year is such as should make the experience one oi exceptional value to officers and men. In Clvristcliurch a record muster is anticipated. Tho figures thus far available for Olago also point to a larger attendance than usual. Roughly, if the whole of the available Otago men turned out tho forces engaged would total 2444. Tin's is exclusive of Cadets, of whom none are being called out, Tho numbers out of that total which will take the field will furnish an interesting commentary upon the valuo of the present system, and hero may come ina query as to, whether the recent subdividing of the. military districts may not be a convenient arrangement for Militia organisation at eomo more or less remote period-. It is to be noted that bandsmen attending tho manoeuvres will receive payment on just the same terms as Volunteers. Permits aro being issued to war correspondents, who aro requested to give an undertaking that they will divulgo nothing which will bo of advantago to the enemy. Tho Field Hospital and Bearer Corps will establish a base hospital at Waikouaiti, and will arrango field hospitals for both forces. A muster of at least 30 is assured. Tho Dunedin Engineers will bo without tho services of Lieutenant Voiteh, whoso recent promotion in tho telegraph service has already sent him travelling. He will bo at Puysegtir Point for about a month. Lieutenant Williams is also at present away from town, but may return from Preservation Inlet in time for tho raancDuvros. The Port Chalmers Navals hold an inspection parade this evening, when Licu-tcnant-colonel Allen, O.C. Division, will give the- general idea of tho Easter man-

Owing to the practice of some companies and batteries not being completed, the lesults of tho artillery practise throughout the Dominion are not yet available, but in order to avoid delay in the issue of badges it is intimated in a memo, from head quarters that tho following units, having qualified as first class for shooting, may demand first, class badges accordingly: No. 3 Company, Auckland Division, N.Z.G.A/V.; No. 2 Company, Wellington Division, NZ. G.A.V.; No. 1 and 2 Companies, Canterbury Division, N.Z.U.A.V.; No. 1 and 2 Companies, Otago Division, N.Z.G.A.V.: B Battery, N.Z.F.A.V. The conditions governing the competitions, for the Government medals for the current year are as follows:-"Tho competitions for any of the medals to bo confined to the members of the mounted rifles, infantry, and defence cadet branches of the forces. The gold medals for tho best shot, and the gold and silver medals for the next best shot in each island, will 1,0 awarded to the men making the highest aggregate scores in each island in tho annual dessifieation and markomen's practices. Ino district silvor medals will bo awarded to tho men making-the highest aggregate score in the annual classification and marksmen s' practices in each' district, provided the man making tho' highest score is l.ot a winner of either ; island' medal, in which event tho district > medal will bo awarded to tho next highest scoror. Tic 3to bo decided in manner described in the rides of the New Zealand Defence Forces Rifle Association. The practices must be fired under tho strict supervision of an officer of either

tho permanent or battalion staff, and the scores made, should be immediately sent en to Wellington."

The load given by the Dunedin City guards an forming /a. section at Ravensbourns is being followed. Captain Washer has called for a meeting this evening of those interested in .Mornington to form a section of tho Wakari' Rifles in that district,

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a section to be attached to Green Island Rifles was held in the Council Chambers, iMosßifll. last Friday evening. The Mayor (Mr Hugh H. Inglis) presided, and in addressing , those present outlinod the duties that would be required of a section if one were formed in Mosgiel. Lieutenantcolonel Stoncham, who was also present, addressed tho meeting, after which those present decided to form themselves into a committee to canvass the district for furtiier recruits and to, report to a future

ceuvres. About 40 memlx>rs of the company have expressed thoir intention of atteridiri<* Ihe mancctivTOS. °

Tiio minimi meeting of tho Duiiediii Disl.rici. Challenge Biiglo Association was held on Tuesday evening, _ March 31, delegate;) from 10 companies liem# .present. Captain Dempster presided. Tho annual balance sheet was presentod, and showed a credit lxilanco of £2 7s. It was decided to firo Iho first competition for the bugle on April 11, and tho second competition on April 25. Tho question of using tho sliding bar was brought up for consideration, and after considerable discussion, it was decided to allow the use- of it Captain Dempster was re-elected lion, secretary and treasurer for the twelfth vear. A vote of thanks to' the chairman concluded tho meeting. The first competition will be commenced at 1.30 p.m. sharp to-morrow. Gaplain Proiidfoot will net as range officer. The telephones upon the range arc being put in order. Eleven entries are expected, comprising the Dunedin Navals, Port Chalmers Xavals, Dunedin Engineers, Dunedin City Guards, Dunedin Highland Rifles, North Dunedi.i Rifles, Dunedin Rifles, Green Island Rifles Wafrari Rifles, First Railway Pioneers. The following are some of the competing teams:— Dunedin Highland Riflos: Captain Dempster, Colour-sergeant Fiascr, Sergeant Burt, Corporals Shand, Rig-by, Privates F. W. Mackay, Knox, Davis, F. Johnson, Busier Thomson: emergencies—Corporal Hill, Private Frew. Green Island' Rifles: Captain M'Lean, Lieutenant Pastier, Sergeant A. C. Crimp! Sergeant W. H. Crimp, iCorpornl Geddes, Corporal Leecc, Priv'ate W. J. Crimp, Private F. T. Crimp, Private G. P. Crimp, and Private A. E. Pastier. Dunedin City Guards: Lieutenant Willonghby, Sergeant Mills, Sergeant Baird Corporal Lunn, Privates Soimtag, Jones', Schoen, Johnstone, Duggan, and Parsons; emergencies, Privates Mollick and Raper. First Railway Pioneers: Captain Searle, Lieutenant Wardlc, Lieutenant Murray, Sergeant-major Muir, Sergeant Routledgc, Sergeant W. M'Kcich, Privates Burgess, Love, Barr, M'Laren; omorgcncies-Cor-P °rl Fer g««°n J Private Uruquhart. Ihe Engineers' Challenge Shield has been won by No. 5 Company, Wellington, with Ao 2 Company, Christchnrch, second, No. 2 Company, Dunedin, third, and No 4 Company, Auckland, fourth. The detailed marks are as follows:— • .

meeting. The committee has been working energetically during the past week, and up to Wednesday evening had obtained profrom 27 young men who aro willing to join, so that the success of tho movement is assured. Another meeting is to bo held this (Friday) evening, when all details will bo completed, and no doubt the section formed. The Green Island Corps is generally recognised as one of the best in tho battalion, and the Mosgicl section will bo a decided acquisition to that already smart corps.

The Daily Mail Empiro Day Match is being taken up in various parts of tho Dominion. At a meeting of the Christchurch 'Volunteer Rifle Association a committee was appointed to select a team and to make all arrangements for the firing. I havo not heard of any similar movement m Dunedin.

In future no allowance for postage stamps will bo mado department to school cadet companies. Letters on publio eorvico from such companies addressed to. tho 0.0. district can bo sent " 0.H.M.5." without being stamped by the sender. Already a number of men of tho'newlyformed Eivensbourne, section of tho Dunedin City Guards havo been enrolled. The Guards are gathering in quite a number of members who havo served l previously elsewhere. Tho Ravensbourno contingent- includes one who was three years in tho Prince of Wales's 12th Royal Lancers and eight years colour-sergeant in tho 4th Y6l. Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, and another who was five years in tho Dunedin Engineers and three months in tho Kind's Colonials.

Tho third competition of tho second match for Wednesday shots was concluded on Wednesday last. Owing to the dwindling attendanco it has been decided to. declare tho season, closed.

When tho Port Chalmers Navals bazaar was announced it was thought an ttnfortu. nate time had boon hit upon, as there had not been much work doing in Port for some time. Several predicted failure, but they were all mistaken, as it has proved a. huge success. A word of praise is duo to the ex-' members Club for the way thev rallied and helped their old company. Help was received from past in Wangamu Akaroa, Alexandra, and various other towns where they reside now. Enough money is in hand to build and furnish a, hrst-class orderly room, one which should be a good asset to the company. It j s very pleasing to officers and men alike to know that they havo .the sympathy and support of tho public

A "S • 3 . g f I? f ■ g. "■§ ■; «»« «ft§ 23 S,-g3 Jii 53 o a ■§ S« 8§ 1-I 1 g«g 2J» -3-a g-g *« ° • SJ ' .So "s §.■» S«g .gi3 5 oS S)S ■§ •a"3 0 hi coO «j« &S. 4 3 fo'&S E3 S3 £ si 1. Christchureh .. 85 81.74 0.5 95.67 104.07 67.42 67 63 318 78 2nd 2. Dunedin .... 81 66.0 1,5 80.07 105.88 .01.80 62.38 310 73 3rd 3. Auckland .. .. ' Not examined. 4. Auckland .... 64 32.67 4.5 46.53 66.00 18.93 37,95 160 50 4tli 5. Wellington .. 50 40.63 3.0 78.81 123.14 68.2G 64.42 33413 i s { 6. Wellington .. Not examined.