NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20867, 6 November 1929, Page 3

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES.

MESS DECKS. BARRACKS. AND PARADE GROUND NEWS. By Bcix’s-Ete. Personal. Major-general R. Young, C. 8., C.M.Q., D.S.Q., N.Z.S.C., G.0.C., the New Zealand Military Forces, arrived from the north yesterday afternoon on a short official visit. ROYAL NAVY. Flag List Changes. Rear-admiral W. M. Kerr, C. 8., C.8.E., has been loaned to the Royal Australian Navy, and consequent on the vacancy in the Rear-admirals’ list the following promotions and retirements are arrounccd Captain Ronald Howard, A.D.C., to be Rear-admiral in H.M. Fleet, August 31. Rear-Admiral Howard has been placed on the retired list, September 1. Captain Raymond Fitzmaurice, D. 5.0., A.D.C., to be Rear-admiral in H.M. Fleet, September 1. Rear-admiral Fitzmaurice has been placed on the retired list, September 2. Captain (Commodore second class) Frank F. Rose, D. 5.0., A.D.G., to bo Rear-admiral in H.M. Fleet, September 1. All officers saw distinguished war service. Rear-admiral W. M. Kerr is to take up the post of First Naval Member of the Australian Navy Board. Submarine Command Change.

A change has been gazetted in the command of the Submarine Branch of the Royal Navy, Rear-admiral H. E. Grace, C. 8., being due to relinquish bis post as Rear-Admiral (S) on complete ing the usual two years. His successor is one of the best-known officers In this branch, Rear-admiral M. E. DunarNaesmith, V.C., C. 8., whose last appointment was In command of the R.N. College at Dartmouth, from January, 1926, to January, 1920. At the age of 45 he is one of 1 the youngest Flag officers. He won early promotion for his skill and gallantry in command of submarines during the War. He became i commander in June, 1915, when not much over 30, and a captain in June, 1916, for his services in command of the Ell at the Dardanelles. Three times he passed and repassed the minefields and other obstacles into .the Sea of Marmora, where he spent 96 days, of which 47 were in one spell, and sank 101 vessels, including a battleship, a destroyer, and three gnnboats, a feat unparalleled in the history of submarine warfare. OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES. I^^Sguadron. The R.S.M. is at present at Duntroon conducting the annual musketry course of the Duntroon troop. 11 B ” Squadron. ■; The adjutant and R.S.M. returned on Saturday night last from Balclutha, where two very successful " whole • day ” parades of the two Boldntha troops of "B" Squadron had beem held. The annual musketry course was completed. The two medals (gold and silver) donated by two ex-members of the old Clutha Mounted Rifles for best total aggregate scores for classification practices were won by Corporals A. Anderson and A. Allan, who were first and second respectively. The former registered a very good score, and won by a considerable margin. " C ” Squadron. To-morrow (Friday) a “whole day” parade of the Maniototo troop will be held on -the Ranturly racecourse. Mounted sports will be held in the afternoon, and a military ball in the evening. ARTILLERY. 12th Field Battery. The following promotions will take effect as from 30/10/29L.-bombardier R. Brown to be 1.-sergeant, L.-bombar-dier I. Randle to be bombardier, Gunner L. W. Jones to be bombardier. The following appointments will take effect as from 30/10/29: —Gunners C, Q. Barton, T. M. Baxter, J. R. Brough, A. E. S. Tyrrell, J. M‘M. M‘Tigue, A. M. Jones, C. Naismith, and F. D. Robertson to be 1.-Bombardiers. Ist BATTALION O.R, Commanding Officer’s Inspections. The officer commanding the battalion, accompanied by the adjudant, inspected the Port Chalmers platoon of “B” Company on Monday evening last. This evening a similar inspection of the Green Island platoon of the same company will be carried out.

“ A ” Company. The members of the teams of Lewis gunners picked from “ A ” Company to shoot at the forthcoming R.D. XI rifle meeting were inadvertently .requested to parade for practice at Pelichet Bay range on Saturday afternoon next. As series C, Vickers, Maxim, and light automatic guns, does not take place till Saturday, February 15, 1930, it is found to be unnecessary to carry out this practice as arranged. The rifle section of “A” Company completes its -musketry course at Pelichet Bay range on Saturday next, oth inst. A full muster is expected. ** C ” Company.

The students'of University and night Technical College who are undergoing their first year of military training and are excused evening parades on account of attending classes at night and do not attend the annual camp, are required completeea its musketry course at training, which will be held at Kensington Drill Hall from Wednesday, November 20, to Tuesday, November 26 (excluding Sunday, November 24). The hours of training will be 9 a.m, to 12 noon, and 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. Vickerg_Machiriß Gun Company,

The recruits are attending more or less voluntary practice parades at Pelichet Bay range on Tuesday nights, and the trained gunners on Wednesday nights, and some good scores ate being registered. It is hoped that this company will enter four teams at least for the forthcoming rifle meeting.

ARMISTICE DAT. Bugl^^an^^Jnd^(C)_BaUalion. Contrary to the usual custom of sounding tho “Last Post” and “Reveille” from tho steps of St. Paul's Cathedral, the band will carry out this impressive ceremony at the Cenotaph at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11 (Armistice Day). The band, under the command of Lieutenant J. L. Napier, will parade on Market Reserve at 10.40 a.m., and march from there direct to Queen’s Gardens, After the ceremony it will march back to Market Reserve before being dismissed. The boys, a large number of whom have been recently appointed to the band, are as keen as ever, and have been practising assiduously with a view to maintaining the very high standard already attained by them. As usual. Lieutenant Napier devotes most of his spare time in the training of his lads, so that the public are promised a stirring and inspiring hour on Monday morning, while the 2nd (C) Battalion Bugle and Trumpet Band is on parade. It will be found that these lads not only excel in trumpet and drum work, but their drill movements arc almost equal to regulartrained troops. For this branch of its training the band is indebted to Staff

Sergeant A. P. M'Kenzie, N.Z.P.S., who is giving much time and care, with a keen desire to turn the band out second to none in the Dominion. Watch for it. Evening Service at St. Paul’s.

His Lordship, Bishop Richards, has extended an invitation, through the Regimental Staff Officer (Major 0. H. Mead), to all officers'and n.c.o.’s of the district, territorial and cadet, to attend a thanksgiving service in the Cathedral at 7.30 p.m. on Armistice Day.

NO. XI REGIMENTAL DISTRICT RIFLE MEETING. Area XIB, Oamaru.

An area rifle meeting is to be held in Oamaru on Saturday, November 9,1929, The programme comprises series “A,” consisting of four matches, Nos, 1,2, and 4 of which are open to territorials, reservists of Territorial Force, and senior cadets 17 years of age and over, match 3 being open to members of rifle clubs only. Series “B ” consists of three matches which arc open to senior cadets under 17 years of age. About £3O is to be distributed in prizes. All entries will be post entry, so that it is difficult to anticipate the numerical succesL of the meeting. Captain S. M. Satterthwoite, N.Z.S.C., S.S.M.’s A. Johnson, J. Beaumont, R. C. Allen, Senior Sergeant A. P. M‘Kenzio, and Corporal Macdonald, N.Z.P.S., leave for Oamaru on Friday, November 8, to act in various capacities on the staff for the meeting. Corporal Donaldson will bo at the Butts. Dunedin Meeting.

The sixth annual rifle meeting will be held at Pelichet Bay range. Series “A ’■ and “B” on Saturday, November 16, 1029, and series “ C ” on Saturday, February 16, 1930. Series “A,” open to territorials, R.N.V.R., reservists of Territorial Force, and senior cadets, 17 years and over, will be fired on the full range. Series “B” is open to senior cadets under 17 years of age, and will bo fired on the 26 yards range. Between £SO and £6O will be distributed in prize money, and a large number of trophies arc included in the prize list.

CRICKET MATCH O.D.T. v. R.D. XI Staff.

A friendly cricket niatch has been arranged between teams from the Otago Daily Times office and the staff of R.D. XI, and will take place on Tuesday, the 12th inst. The following will represent the Defence Staff:—-Major 0. H. Mead, Captain S. M. Satterthwaite, Lieutenant A, H. Sugden, Lieutenant C. Shuttleworth, S.M. Baldock, S.M. Whyte, Sergeant M'Currio, Corporal Monk, Mr Ryan, Gun. M'Kershaw, Gun, Little. N.Z.E.F. Main Body Reunion. The above will bo held in Kroon's Hall, Moray place, at 8 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 1920. It is pleasing to note that so many of the Main Body have signified their intention of being present, quite a number being from country districts. DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS. Kiwi Notes. On Saturday afternoon, for the final competition of No. 1 match, the Kiwis turned out in full force, 20 members taking part. This is the largest attendance for many year’s, and it is to be hoped that even this number will be bettered in the near future. The day was dull, although at 500 yards the light became a' little brighter. There was a slight head wind, changeable at times, and for the first rodnd at 500 yards was a bit stronger, causing trouble there. Some good scores were registered, especially in the B Grade, where the young members are still shooting very well. Forty-fours were top in tho A Grade at 300 yards; and in the B Grade Rifleman E. Flint scored 5,6, 5,4, 5,3, 3,3, 5, 5 —43, and Rifleman R. Bowie scored 5,5, 3,4, 5,4, 3,5, 5, 4—43, both good shoots Better shooting was again seen at 500 yards. Rifleman A. Baker set the pace by scoring 5,5, 5,6, 4,5, 5,4, 4, 4—46, and Rifleman W. M'Keich followed with 4,4, 5,4, 5,6, 5,5, 4, 5—40. In the B Grade Rifleman N. Jones’s score read 4,5, 4,5, 4,5, 4,4, 5, 5, —43, and Rifleman E. Flint had another shoot, scorfbg 5,5, 4,3, 5,4, 5,4, 5, 4- —44. The A Grade competition provided an excellent finish. ,Rifleman A. Baker, shooting early, left Rifleman W. M'Keich 47 to get to win, but he missed by one point. In the B Grade, Rifleman H. Stinson retained the lead he had made on the previous shoots, and Rifleman A. Warburton (a new member), by scoring 42 at each range, came into second place. All the prize winners are to be congratulated on their shooting, which compares more than favourably with previous years. For the bull’s-eye competition. Rifleman W. MTKeich scored 11 and Rifleman A. Baker 10 in the A Grade, and Rifleman E. Flint scored 11 in the B Grade.

The team that went to Onruaru on Labour Day had a very enjoyable time, and although not successful in shooting for the O.K. Shield, the club hopes to turn the fables when the Oamaru Club visits Dunedin.

The first competition of No. 2 match, over 300 and COO yards, will be fired next Saturday.