BIG GUN SHOOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 4

BIG GUN SHOOTING

An early reveille roused- the Dunedin Navals yesterday in time to man the guns of tho Central Battery at 5 a.m. for the litst part of the service firing. Among the officers present were the O.C. District (Lieut.-colonel Smyth), Colonel Lo gan, Cantain Hickey, and Lieut. Phillips. His Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. 11. Walker) represented the civil interest. There were 126 men - on -parade commanded by Majjr Fredric, whose details fired 10 rounds, scoring nine hits. The one miss was abnormal and, considering the excellence of the ehooting, is quite'unaccountable. These details wore then withdrawn and replaced bv those commanded by Lieut. Doull, who "scored seven bits iu 10 rounds. One shot struck the "front". Hongkong target and shattered it to matchwood. Major Fredrio's time was. 4min 41sec, that of Lieut. Doull 4min 24sec. Observations were made during the practice to test the battery in maintaining the rate of fire, under service conditions. The range commenced at 5000 yards and was gradually decreased, the "mean Tango being about 4600 yards. This was an increase in range of 1200 yards over last year.

Lieut.-colonel .Smyth, at the conclusion of the firing, expressed himself as satisfied with the results, and stated that the work had been, good all round. The Dunedin Navals will complete their service .firine at Taiaroa. Heads on Saturday. As repelling a night- attack will be . practised, visitors must, mako up their minds not. to leave the Heads much before 11 p.m. Captain Gard'ner umpired at the firing-yesterday.