THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15933, 28 November 1913, Page 2

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

• By Sextbt. All training for members of the Ist Battalion, 4th Regiment, will be suspended from December 19 to January 15 inclusive.

Major .T. 'A- P. Fredric, Coast Defence Detachment, 4th (Otago) Regiment, and Major J. E. Watson, Bth (Southland) Regiment, have passed the Tactical Fitness, Part 1, examination, for tho rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Major Watson secured tho very creditable total of 240 out of a possible 3CO marks, topping the list amongst the seven candidate. The following officers have passed the examination for promotion to the next rank: —Captain W. Dbmigan, 14th (South Otago) Regiment; Lieutenant D. White, Coast Defence Detachment, 4th Regiment; Captain J. Gilkison. 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles; Captain W. Fleming, 4th (Otago) Regiment. ' ... Captain A. E. Wolstenholme has qualified in subjects (C) and (D) of the examination for promotion. From tho latest Gazette:—7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles: Quartermaster (Hon. Lieutenant) J. Green resigns; New Zea- | land Railway Battalions—Captain (on probation) W. 0. Ennis to be Adjutant South Island Battalion; Bth (Southland) Regiment —2nd Lieutenant (on probation) E. M. Gabites from 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment to bo 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) with seniority next below 2nd Lieutenant C. E. Butcher; 4th (Otago) Regiment—Lieutenant A. Y. Spedding to be Captain, vice Neill, resigned; 14th (South Otago) Regiment—2nd Lieutenant S. G. Paterson from the Unattached List (b) -to be 2nd Lieutenant with seniority' next below 2nd Lieutenant J. T. Moroncy. In bald outline, the scheme of the tactical exercise for the Dunedin Garrison troops on the afternoon of Saturday, December 13, is the supposed landing of a hostile force, which takes up a defensive position somewhere on the Otago Peninsula, and an effort by portion of the garrison to oust the invaders. The hostile force will be represented by the Senior Cadets, assisted by a section of the Field Artillery, some Engineers, some Mounted Rifles, and tho Field Ambulance, who will muster at 2.30 p.m. at the Anderson's Bay tram terminus. The infantry battalion, the coast defence detachment, and the balance of the troops named above will be the defenders, and. will muster at the Oval at 2.30 p.m.- Rations and tea for evening meal should he carried. Wet weather pursues the Ist Battalion, 4th Regiment. For their evening parade on November 24, the glad showers were again on duty, the result being that the battalion had to carry out exercises on the streets instead of on one of the grassed areas.

The proposed shooting match at Dunedin yesterday between teams representing the Goodwood and Dunedin Defence Rifle Clubs was abandoned, owing to the Goodwood Club's inability to send a team. C Company, 4th Regiment, held a camp from Saturday, November, 22, to Monday, November 24, at Waitati, and put in a very profitable and enjoyable two-days' training. On Saturday evening a danco was given by the members of the company to the local residents, and an abundance of supper was dispensed in a marquee pitched next to the ball. Reveille sounded at 4.45 on Sunday, and until breakfast the time was spent in physical exercises and a swimming parade at the river mouth. After breakfast semaphore signalling and judging distance were practised, and a church parade was held at the Presbyterian Church. At 2 p.m. an attack practice was begun over the adjacent hil]3, and in the evening an outpost scheme was carried out under the directions of Colonel M'Ara and Captain R. Price, who were both present during the camp. On Sunday night, owing to the heavy day, most of the men were asleep long before "last post" sounded. Camp was, as all admit, a great success and not marred by a singlo breach of discipline. The cooking was done by two men of the company, who Excelled themselves in this respect and ■ earned the unqualified appreciation of both men and officers by their efforts. On Monday morning reveille sounded at 4 a.m., and camp was struck and everything cleared up by 6 a.m. The company then marched to the station and entrained for Dunedin at 6.20, arriving in town at 7.20. Captain Spedding was in charge of the camp, and witn him , was Lieutenant M'lnnes of the company. D Company, Ist Battalion, 4th (Otago) Regiment is entering teams for all the principal infantry competitions at the Auckland tournament. All members of the company may not make the trip, but all are keen that the company should be worthily represented, and those who may not themselves have the'honour are taking steps to assist the chosen. The assistance is taking the form of an entertainment (to be given this evening in Washer's Hall, Roslyn), the proceeds of wliich will be devoted to defraying tho expenses of the teams. The object should commend itself especially to the people of the district, while the programme is of an .attractiveness that should make a pilgrimage more than worth while. The band of the 4th Regiment is rendering material assistance. Acknowledgment of tickets,' which came to hand with a courteous note a couple of weeks ago, has been inadvertently overlooked.

A conspiracy of circumstances lias harassed A section, No 2 Field Ambulance, in their effort to secure a ground for a week-end encampment. By postponing tho camp until November 29 and' 20 it was finally possible to secure Tahuna Park, the show being by that time well over. But now tho strike, spreading its baneful influence over all men, has more or less directly compelled another change, for Tahuna Park is to be re-occupied oy the Mounted Specials immediately after the show. The section, however, will adhero to its dates, and will pitch camp at Central Battery. The barracks, being crowded with, stores, aro not now available, so the men, of whom it is expected there will be about 70, will mostly live in tents in the enclosure. Major Fitzgerald, in whom the men have already recognised a keen officer, will be in command. On Sunday the section will attend divine service at St. Clair Congregational Church.

The Green Island Cadets are taking up tho proposition of a week of morning and evening parades in camp as an equivalent for half-day parades, and a means of getting through the musketry course. The camp will be established early in December. Port Chalmers cadets will probably follow suit, So far as town companies are concerned there is less prospect of a camp being established, the stumblingblock being not the lads—they are only too eager—but the parents. Mr J. A. Park has# been appointed Chairman of the Otago District Committee for tho National Reserve. Persons who have served in any of the military or naval forces of the Crown, and aro under mr obligation for further service, who are desirous of being registered as National Reservists, are invited to send their names and addresses to the Chairman of the Committee in their district,• who will furnish further details as to the objects of the_ Reserve, and deal with the registration .of intending members.

llie Coast Dofenco Detachment, mastering strongly, held another half-day parade on Saturday, November 22, In Addition to the company officera there were present; Lieutenant-colonel Strong and (of the staff) Major Grant and Captain Hickey. The detachment marched to Pine Hill, where the troops gained some practical acquaintance with advanced guard, outpost, and attack work. The officers of the detachment have had reason to feel pleased with the musters at parades of late. Owing to the wideness of the area over which tho men aro scattered, all are not required to attend the day parades in Dunedin. From as far away as Portobello, however, tho men muster in strength for these parades in Dunedin, The defence launch conveys them across the harbour. After New Year it is possible that a weekend camp for the detachment will bo held at tho Heads. The next whole-day parade will be held on December 13, the occasion being tho parado of garrison troops. Tor the Ist Battalion Fourth Regiment there is a half-day parado On December 6 and a whole day parade on December 13. On December 6, while F Company will jwirade fit Green Island and G Company at Pelichet Day range, A. B. C. D. E. 11. companies will muster on Anderson's Bay road, in the vicinity of Queen's Drive, at 2.30 p.m. After battalion exercises the troops will march into Tahuna Tark to

take part in £he military display. On December 13, the occasion of a tactical exercise for the troops of the garrison, 11 Company will do musketry on tho range, while the remaining companies, with rations and tea for evening meal, will parade at tin; Oval at 2.30 p.m. Wednesday men will parade on the afternoon of December 10 and 17.

Captain l.Maser lias put in another busy week of whole-day paTadps with a second detachment of students consolidating their drills prior to leaving town. After preliminary instruction at Pelichet Bay Tange the small company finished up with two testing field days—one over Pino Hill and the other over Mr Sidey'e property, Caversham.

The following new regulation should be noted specially by those men who are too warmly attached to the military greatcoat: —No Territorial or Cadet shall wear bis uniform or ajiy part thereof (including the military greatcoat) except when performing military duties, or serving in any camp of training- or military exercise, or going to or from the place of parade, exercise, training, or military duty. Every Territorial who commits a breach of this regulation is liable to a fine not exceeding £2 for each such offence, recoverable on summary conviction.

Tlie programme for Group XIII Riflo meeting to be held at Dunedin on December 26 and 27 includes :—Match 1: (a) Grouping—Target, second class, 100 yds, 5 rounds; (b) Slow—Target, second class, 200 yds, 5 rounds. Twenty seconds each shot. Match 2 • (a) Snap ShootingTarget, second class, 200 yds, 5 rounds; (b) Rapid—Target, second class, 200 yds, 5 rounds. Match 3 : (a) Slow—3ooyds, 5 rounds, conditions as per match 1 (b); (b) Snap Shooting—3ooyds, 5 rounds, conditions as per Match 2 (a). Match 4: Rapid—3ooyds, 10 rounds, conditions as for Practice 7, Musketry Course. Match 5 : Slow—sooyds, 7 rounds, 20sec each shot, Match 6 : Judging Distance CompetitionNumber of distances. 6. Match 7 : Championship—Open to the top 25 competitors in matches 1 to 6, at 500 yds, conditions as for Practice 7, Mudcetry Course. The Honorary Territorials have presented a valuable Cup, to be held for one year by the winner of first prize in this match. Scoring and conditions of all matches will be as per Musketry Course, New Zealand Military Forces, 1913-14. \

Prizes in Each Match : Territorials and General Training Section—First prize £1 ss; second prize, 173 6d; third prize, 10s; threo prizes at 7s 6d, £1 2s 6d; five prizes at ss, £1 ss; 12 prizes at 2s. 6d, £1 10s. Cadets—First, prize, £1; second prize, 12s 6d; third and fouTth prizes, each 7s 6d, 15s; five prizes at ss, £1 ss; 10 prizes at 2s 6d, £1 ss. Entries, with cash, to be made to the Group officers, Defence-Office, St. Andrew street, Dunedin, or to any Sergeant-Major Instructor, not later than December 20, 1913. Rifles to be used as issued by the Defence Department, but sights may be blackened; slings not allowed. The Executive has power to increase or decrease tho value of prizes in proportion to the number of entrants.