12TH FIELD BATTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21598, 19 March 1932, Page 13

12TH FIELD BATTERY

CAMP AT MATARAE The 12th Field Battery, N.Z.A., is at present in bivouas at Matarae under the command of Major L. A. Rhodes, N.Z.A., with Captain J. F. G. Stark, N.Z.A., as second in command, Lieutenants J. C. M'Farlane, G.P.0., and L. J. Fahey, and Second Lieutenant J. D. Moodie as section commanders, and Lieutenant J. E. Green as specialist officer. Padre L. Richards and Second Lieutenant Morley, N.Z.M.C., medical officer, are also attached. The Battery, some 90 strong, entrained for Matarae on Monday last, and reported to the camp commandant, Major A. B. Williams, R.N.Z.A., on arrival. Captain W. Pollard, R.N.Z.A., is camp adjutant, with Lieutenant C. E. Weir, R.N.Z.A., as gunnery instructor. Monday and Tuesday were devoted to revision and manoeuvre. On Tuesday evening Pilot A. N. Jones, an ex-Battery member, flew over the camp and dropped a message of greetings. On Wednesday 40 rounds of blank ammunition were expended. On Wednesday night the Third Artillery Band, under Bandmaster H. Davie, travelled from Dunedin, and an. excellent concert was presented by members of the Battery and the band in the Y.M.C.A. marquee, after which a large number of the local residents were entertained at supper. Thursday and yesterday were devoted to live shell practice. Lieutenant-colonel S. C. P. Nicholls, N.Z.S.C, accompanied by Captain J. Satterthwaite, N.Z.S.C., Lieutenant A. H. L. Sugden, N.Z.S.C., and Lieutenant-com-mander D. Haramersley-Johnson, R.N., and officers of the sloop Laburnum, as guests of Lieutenant K. Ramsay, R.N.V.R,. witnessed the battery in action on the second day of the shoot. The weather has been very favourable and the food excellent, and the men are benefiting greatly by the spell under canvas. A very high degree of efficiency ns been attained in all branches of artillery science. A pleasing feature of the camp was. the donation by a member of the battery of a sum to purchase cigarettes, etc., for those members who are unemployed in civil life. The 12th Battery has the distinction of being the first battery in New , Zealand to employ a wireless section during manoeuvre and live shell practice. In the course of the latter this section proved more than satisfactory. These transmitting and receiving sets were constructed by the wireless personnel at its own expense. Elementary handling and range practice have been carried out by the Lewis gun section. The welfare of the men off parade has been well catered for by the Y.M.C.A. under the capable supervision of Mr Barwick. The Artillery section of the Otago Boys’ High School attended the camp yesterday and fired a series. The battery will return to Dunedin to-day.