NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21612, 6 April 1932, Page 4

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES.

FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE By Bull’s-eye. OTAGO DIVISION R.N.V.R. (N.Z.D.). Divisional Training The divisional training for the current year is being maintained on Wednesdays and Thursdays. No one sub-division trains on Thursday, and no two sub-divi-sion on Wednesdays. Hitherto training was carried out on Tuesdays. The assembling time is 7.30 p.m. as in previous years. Anzac Day Parade The usual complete muster of the Otago division is to be carried out for officers and ratings on Anzac Day, and as soon as the Returned Soldiers’ Association has completed its arrangements full particulars of the parade will be announced. Miniature Rifle Club The annual meeting of the R.N.V.R. Miniature Rifle Club was held at headquarters, Tewsley street, on Thursday last, about 20 members being present. Lieu-tenant-commander Fraser was in the chair, and in the course of his remarks wished the club every success in the coming year. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman pointed out that, taking into consideration the difficult year through which the club had passed, the credit balance shown was highly satisfactory. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron. Captain J. R. Middleton, D. 5.0., R.N.; president. Lieutenant K. S. Ramsay, R.N.V.R.; vice-presidents—Cap-tain E. F. Watson, Lieutenant-commanders Fraser and Welch, Surgeon-lieutenant Harty, and Paymaster-lieutenant Black (all re-elected); secretary and treasurer, Ablc-seaman B. R. Hill; club captain, A.B. T. Wadsworth; deputy-club captain, Leading-seaman G. Robb; handicapper. Lieutenant-commander P. G. Connolly; delegate to the Otago Miniature Rifle Association, A.B. B. R. Hill; committee — club captain, deputy-club captain, aud handicapper. It was decided to open the season with a practice shoot on Monday, April 11, at 7.30 p.m. The club will enter one team to fire in the association matches during the year. It was decided to hold a monthly competition for the most improved shot during the month. ARTILLERY. 12th Battery The 12th Battery returned from Matarae on March 19 after a very enjoyable week under canvas, and everything augurs well for the success of the battery in the future. There will be a parade on Wednesday evening, April 6, and a further parade on April 12, when the subsection competition will be decided._ This will bo followed by the presentation of trophies. NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE. N.Z. Gazette Announcements

The New Zealand Gazette (No. 20), dated March 24, 1932. announces as follows: —Flying-officer E. G. Olson, No. Fqur (Army Co-operation) Squadron, to be Flight-lieutenant. Dated March 7, 1932.

The notice published in the New Zealand Gazette No. 92 dated December 10, 1931, relative to the appointment of Pilotofficer J. B. Renton, is hereby cancelled and the following substituted:—“Secondlieutenant J. B. Renton, from the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast Regiment, to be Pilot-officer, and is posted to No. Four (Army Co-operation) Squadron. Dated November 1, 1931.” Ist CADET BATTALION. School Cadet Training Secondary school cadet units are at present being prepared for the Anzac Day parade. The Otago Boys’ High School cadets are providing the firing party, and are undergoing special training. The specialist sections of the Otago Boys’ High School companies are to undergo special training during the present term. They will be instructed in the technical work of their arm at the Kensington Drill Hall. Christian Brothers’ Company The Christian Brothers’ Cadets will hold their annual barracks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, May 23, 24, and 25. OTAGO OFFICERS’ CLUB. Weekly Tea About 20 members of the Officers’ Club sat down to tea at the club rooms on Friday evening last. This was the second occasion since the innovation, and everyone present voted it an enjoyable and successful gathering. It is anticipated that the attendances will be considerably increased as more is known of the function by members of the club. DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS. Kiwi Notes The third and final competition of No. 5 match was fired by members of the Kiwi Defence Rifle Club last Saturday afternoon. A heavy mist which was very much in evidence in (he morning happily cleared somewhat in (he afternoon and enabled

marksmen to shoot, although the light was decidedly dull and the atmosphere heavy. ~ This match also concluded the club s prize-firing for the year, with the exception of 15 shots ,’at 600 yards (the best one out of two shoots to count), when the A and B Grade championships will be decided. . At 300 yards the top score was secured by Rifleman H. Boyer (B Grade) with 5545555—34. Rifleman R- Gilhck made the same total, but was beaten on the count back. Other good scores were returned by Riflemen R. Bowie (33), i. Fennessey (32), Deputy-president F. Clayton (32), Riflemen- R. K. Johnston]["l), F. Marks (31), J. Judson (30). H. Whitehead (30), and N.jJones (60). Proceeding to 500 yards, Rifleman lv Gillick made 34 (5455555), which was top score. Following him were Deputypresident F. Clayton (63)>President R. Bruce (33), Riflemen H. Stinson (33), D. Parsons (33),, W. Pullar (33), R. Johnston (32), N. Jones (32), K. Bowie (32), and J. Harding (32). Totals of 31 and 30 were very common. At 600 yards the visibility was, becoming bad again owing to the gathering tog. This did not deter Rifleman R. Johnston from compiling an excellent 34 (5555545). He had bad luck to miss the possible, as his second last shot was a fraction out of the bull’s-eye ring. - Three scores of 97 were top aggregates for the day. These were credited to Riflemen R. Johnston, R. Bowie (B Grade), and R. Gillick, the former taking pride of place;on account of the best score at 600 yards. The match winders proved to be men R. Gillick and P. Fennessey (A Grade) and W. Pullar and H. Boyer (h Grade). The writer congratulates the winners on their successses. A visitor (i 1 . Marks) had compiled the same total as the winner of the B Grade, but is not as yet a club member. It may also be stated that Rifleman R. Gillick’s score included 103, which is not only a club record but also one that has not been beaten on the Bull’s-eyes were obtained by Rifleman R. Gillick (15), Deputy-president F.Clayton (15), Riflemen'R. Johnston (13), 1. Fennessey (11), D. ; Parsons (11), President R. Bruce (110, and Rifleman H. Stinson (10) in the] A Grade; and-Rifle-man R. Bowie (13), H. Boyer (11), JHarding (10), W. -Pullar (10), and JJudson (9) in the B Grade. Next Saturday the first of two shoots of 15 shots at 600 yards will, be fired, tlic highest of which will count in the championship totals. Thfe writer understands that this will take place on the hill range. With the end of the season so near at hand, the positions of the various leaders in the A and B Grades makes interesting reading. For the A Grade Championship the positions of the; first 10 are as follow:—Rifleman R. K. Johnston, 558; Rifleman R. Gillick, 657; Deputy-presi-dent F. Clayton. 555; Rifleman W. Mills, 534; Rifleman P. Fennessey, 532; Rifleman N. Jones, 531; Rifleman D. Parsons, 531: Rifleman H. Stinson, 522; Rifleman H. Whitehead, 518; -President R. Bruce. J °The Bull’s-eye Championship of the A Grade is headed by Deputy-president r. Clayton with 79 TJie nearest five are Rifleman R. K. Johnston (76), R. Gillu(74), W. Mills (65),; P. Fennessey (63). and N. Jones (60). ; r The six leaders an the B Grade Cham* pionship are Riflemen H. Boyer (546). R. Bowie (541), W Pullar (528), J Judson (527), J- Harding (516), and JFrew (512). , , ~ Rifleman H. Boyer also heads the Hi Grade Bull’s-eye Championship with 64. Following him are Riflemen R. Bowie (62), J. Judson (59), J Harding (55). W. Pullar (55), and,J. Frew (54). The B. Grade Championship (including handicaps, winner of. Scratch Championship not eligible) is headed by Rifleman W. Pullar with 551. Close up are Riflemen H. Boyer (548), J. Frew (548), R. Bowie (546), J. Judson (541), and J. Harding (537). ■ From the above figures it will be seen that the finishes of the various championships promise to be; close and interesting. Dunedin Notes •

The members of the 'Dunedin Club fired the same ranges as the Kiwi Club, with an extra three shots added to the 600 yards total, thus finalising two matches. This shoot also completed the club s championship and Murray Trophy competition At 300 yards, Rifleman R. A. Mackie was in the lead with Rifleman W. A. Graham, each having ,33. Close up was Rifleman T. Graham (31). A brilliant finish to a very successful shooting season was the lot of Rifleman 0 G. Miller, when he' made the coveted “possible” at 500 yards. His nearest attendant was the veteran Rifleman J. Pemberton (33). . The highest score in the seven shots at 600 yards was secured by Rifleman VV. Graham, who made 3l -Nest in order were Riflemen O. G. Miller (31), R. Graham (31), and T. Graham (30). With the extra three shots added to this range total. Rifleman T. Graham was on top with 45, sharing premier honours with Rifleman W. A, Graham (45). Other (rood scores were made by Riflemen U. It. Miller (44), G. Smith (42), President W. Bannerman (42), Deputy-president J. T. Gillan (40), Rifleman J. Benfell (40), and Lieutenant Stagpoole (40). The leading aggregates W. A. Graham ?97). 0. G. Miller (96), G. Smith (91), and R. A. Mackie £9l). Championship of Dunedin Club

For the second consecutive year Rifleman 0. G. Miller has won the championship of the Dunedin Defence Rifle Club. His total was 1087 points, following him were Rifleman G. Smith (1086), Deputypresident J. T. Gillan (1077). Riflemen W. Graham and R. Graham (1070 each). Rifleman O. G. Miller also won the Murray Trophy with 21 points. Riflemen G. Smith (18). R. Graham (141, and Deputy-president J. T. Gillan (11) were close up. The congratulations of all riflemen are extended to Rifleman O. G. Millei on his well-deserved and popular win. Thanks ;

The writer desires to extend to President W. Bannerman and members of the Dunedin Defence Rifle Club his sincere thanks for their unfailing kindness in assisting him to compile these notes during the year.