NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21601, 23 March 1932, Page 3

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE

By Bull’s-eye,

THE OTAGO REGIMENT. Evening Parades Anzac Day is approaching and in preparation for tlie big parade of that day the following evening parades have been arranged:—A Company and Intelligence and Signal Sections, on Monday, April 18, at 7.30 at the Kensington Drill Hall. The signal officer may arrange further parades for his section. The Pioneer and Transport Sections will parade on Tuesday, April 19, at 7.30 at the Drill Hall. The Pioneer Section only will carry rifles. Examination of Signallers

The examination of signallers for qualification for the signaller’s badge was continued last' week, when six members were given hello and Lucas lamp tests. The latter half of the evening was devoted to a lecture by Lance-corporal J. Winefield on the elementary principles of wireless telegraphy. Similar lectures will be given throughout the remainder of the training year. D (Machine Gun) Company

On April 23 the Machine-gun Company will occupy the Pelichot Bay rifle range for th* purpose of allowing those who have yet to fire the annual machinegun course to do so. Those who have fired the course will be given the opportunity of further practice. D Company did not parade last evening, but will do so at the Drill Hall at 7.30 p.m. on April 5. At the previous Tuesday’s parade the recruits were given the elementary work of mounting and dismounting the gun and the remainder of the company received instruction in stoppages. , Recruiting

Thirty-two recruits have joined up with the regiment since the conclusion of the recent bivouac. The strength of the battalion,_ including bandsmen, now stands at 32 officers and 403 other ranks, but there are still vacancies to fill before the roll is brought up to full strength.

OTAGO OFFICERS’ CLUB The New Committee

The committee recently elected at the annual meeting of the Otago Officers’ Club is evidently out to infuse extra life into the club, and its first step in this direction met with encouraging success. With a view to bringing the young subalterns together to enjoy more club life than has hitherto been possible, the committee has arranged that on Friday evenings officers can meet at the rooms, where a light meal will be provided. The first of the weekly meals was availed of by 10 officers last Friday evening. The president (Major S. G. Scoular) extended a hearty welcome to Captain Middleton, Director of Naval Reserves. Officers should notify Lieutenant A. H. L. Sugdon, N.Z.S.C., at the Drill Hall during the week, of their intention to be present at Friday’s tea. DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS. Kiwi Notes The members of the Kiwi Defence Rifle Club fired the second competition of No. 5 Match last Saturday afternoon in beautiful weather. Seven shots and one optional sighter were fired at 300, 500, and 600 yards. The bright light proved somewhat disconcerting to the shooters, and a tricky wind required careful watching at times. Some good scores were registered, however, especially by Rifleman R. Gillick, who compiled 101 (34, 34, 33). His previous score in this match was 103, which, together with his 101 last Saturday, serves to indicate that the A Grade winner is a foregone conclusion.

At 300 yards Rifleman N. Jones took first place with 34 (ex 35), counting out Rifleman R. Gillick with the same total. His score read —5455555. Other good scores were made by Riflemen H. Boyer (33), T. Jones (32), R. Johnston (31). P. Fennessey (31), D. Parsons (31), J. Frew (31), R. Bonle (31), and Deputypresident F. Clayton (31). The shooting at 500 yards was on the big side. Of three 34’s at this range, Deputy-president P. Clayton’s was the best (5554555). The same scores were returned by Riflemen R. Gillick, H. Tattersfield, and H. Boyer. Other good scores were made by Riflemen R. Johnston (33), W. Pullar (33). President R. Bruce (32), Riflemen W. Mills (32), N. Jones (31), D. Parsons (31), P. Marks (31), R. Bowie, and T. Carroll (31). Rifleman R. Gillick headed the list at 600 yards with 33 (5555544). Next to him came Riflemen EL Tattersfield (32), A. M'Clure (32), Deputy-president F. Clayton (31), Riflemen H. Stinson (31), H. Whitehead (31), and J. Judson (31). In the A Grade bull’s-eye championship Rifleman R. Gillick secured 17. Deputypresident F. Clayton 13, Riflemen N. Jones 12, R. Johnston 10, H. Tattersfield 10, W. Mills 9, D. Parsons 9, and P. Fennessey 9. Rifleman H. Boyer bagged 13 bull’s-eyes in the B Grade championship. Following him were Riflemen R. Bowie 9, A. M'Clure 8, J. Judson 8, and W. Pullar 7.

The final competition of this match will be fired after the Easter holidays. It will also finalise the championships (A and B Grade) with the addition of the best one of two shoots of 15 shots at 600 yards. When this match has been finished an announcement will be made in this column of the various leaders. From present indications it appears as though the contests are going to be very close. Dunedin Notes At the Dunedin Club’s shoot Rifleman J. M'Knight was top scorer at 300 yards with 31. Next to him were Rifleman W. Graham (30), 0. Miller (30), A, Cooper (30), G. M'Lennan (29), G. Smith (29), Lieutenant Stagpoole (28), H. Potter (28), and R. Mackie (28), At 500 yards, Rifleman A. Dippie was in the lead with 34, Other scores were: — Riflemen O. Miller (33), G. Smith (32), R. Graham (32), J. Benfcli (31), R. Mackie (29), W. Graham (29), Lieutenant Stagpoole (28), Rifleman A. Cooper (28), and President W. Bannerman (28). The last range (600 yards) saw Rifleman W. Harty at the head of the list, with 31. Close up were Rifleman W. Graham (30), President W. Bannerman (30), Riflemen O. G. Miller (29), G. Smith (29), J. Kay (28), J. Eenfell (28), E. Simpson (28), R. Mackie (28). Rifleman O. G. Miller was top aggregate with 92. Following him were Riflemen G. Smith (90), W. Graham (89), J. Benfell (85), R. Mackie (85), A. Cooper (85), R. Graham (84), A. Dippie (84), J. M'Knight (84). It is understood that this match will be finalised after the Easter holidays. Otago Rifle Association

A statement made recently by the secretary, of the Otago Rifle Association reveals the welcome news that the entries for the forthcoming Easter prize firing are coming in freely. That this annual fixture is very popular is shown by the fact that last year tiie entries were on a par numerically with those at Trentham. It may interest shooters to learn that the Otago Rifle Association is the only one in New Zealand that uses all the Government grant of ammunition, many other associations showing a surplus. Not onlydoes the local body make use of all that is granted, but also buys some thousands of rounds extra to cater for the number of entrants. Ammunition At the forthcoming Easter meeting of the O.R.A. the ammunition that will be issued to competitors will be cordite, mark VII, 1918. Repeated trials locally of this make of ammunition reveals the fact that it is equally as good as the present brands in use—cordite (1926) or nitro (1921). The executive of the O.R.A. realises that riflemen generally are peculiar in their choice of ammunition, and. if a consensus of opinion were obtained from all followers of the sport, there would be many varied opinions as to the merits or demerits of this or that brand. To place everyone on the same footing, which is fair to all, the controlling body of the O.R.A. has decided on one brand of ammunition, and that only will be used. It may- be safely left to the vast majority of marksmen to realise the fairness of this contention, for. after all, nine-tenths of the mistakes of marksmanship occur from the man behind the gun.