NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22137, 15 December 1933, Page 9

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE By Bull's-eye. Personal Major-general W. L. H. SinclairBurgess, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C. (officer commanding New Zealand Forces) arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday evening. He paid a visit yesterday to the staff course now in progress at Waikouaiti, and will return north this | morning. ARTILLERY NOTES. 12lh Field Battery The battery paraded last Wednesday as usual, and the evening was spent on “ Fire Discipline -an essential part of ian artilleryman’s; training. The next 1 parade will be held on Wednesday December 13. On Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, tihe unit will hold a week-end camp at Central Battery, St. Hilda. This camp will be the last parade until the next year, and so a full attendance is requested. The battery will parade at 2.30 on Satuiday afternoon, and members will bring their own eating utensils, toilet gear, and greatcoats. The annual camp will be held from February 3 to 10 at Sutton. OTAGO REGIMENT. A Company Considerable interest is being maintained by members of A Company in the evening practice shoots being held at Pelichet Bay range. The next parade will be held on Monday and Wednesday of next week at 5, the parade originally scheduled for this evening being cancelled. ‘ An ail-day tactical scheme for those members of the company who will be in town during the Christmas holidays is being prepared by Lieutenant A. B. Gladwin, and will be held on Wednesday, December 27. Full instructions will be issued on the range. RIFLE SHOOTING. Otago Rifle Association In continuation of Mr Justice Richmond’s remarks at the presentation of prizes won at the association’s second annual prize firing of February 5, 1866, his Honor proceeded thus:— “Nobody knew how sodn the country might be glad to accept the services of the Volunteers, with rifles in their hands. What New England, farmer, a few years ago, safe it might be said in the centre of a continent, fancied that he would have to meet foes in deadly feud ? There appeared no likelihood of such a thing; and those farmers would scarcely have been as ready for service as the Volunteers of Otago were at present.; 1 But they acquitted themselves in that terrific struggle, which was now ended, in a way worthy of their British descent, and no doubt the Volunteers would do likewise if called upon. It would be as reasonable to complain that men paid large premiums for insurance against fire, as to complain that Volunteers gave up a large portion of their time to learn the use of their weapons, He rejoiced to be able to call those before him ‘citizen soldiers.* It was a glorious name. There Was a great deal in ft mere military life which every brave and honest soldier would feel to be objectionable, especially in its leaving so much of its young men’s time unoccupied. But still it was a glorious profession; whatever was in it objectionable was redeemed by this —that the soldier felt himself bound, at th e ca H of duty to lay down his life io* his country. That feeling might ! be the citizen soldier’s , also; and he had the advantage of being able to ; attend to his civil and social duties also.

“ This ha might add in conclusion—the lady who was about to present the prizes had in some part a right to do so. Many of those bound to her and to himself by ties of blood and affection had been exposed to mortal peril in battle in this country—had looked up to the stare as though that look might be their last., Four of the brothers of his wife were once with others surrounded by Natives three times their nriinber arid advantageously posted, at a tiine when, he was sorry to say, they were deserted by what should have been the supporting party of her Majesty’s troops. “ Captain Bathgate explained as to the Mayor’s Cup, that it could only become the property of one who, had won it twice consecutively. Last year it was won by Lieutenant M’Farland, who was this year second to Private -Stevens. >v.

“ Mrs Richmond presented the prizes according to the following list “The Mayor’s Cup (200, 500 and 600 yards).—Private W, F. Stevens (the cup and £3), lj Lieutenarit M'Farland, £5, 2; Corporal Broad, £3, 3; Gunner Fisher, £2, 4; Gunner Carter, £l, 5. “Volunteer Match (200, 400, and 600 yards).:—Private W. F. Stevens, £6, 1; Lieutenant Robertson, £4, 2; Gunner Orbell, £3, 3; Lieutenant M’Farland, £2, 4; Lieutenant Davies, £l, 5. “Allcomers’ Match (300, 500, and 000 yards).—-Private W. F. Stevens, £7, 1; Sergeant Devore, £5, 2; Lieutenant M’Farland; £2, S. “ Daily Times Cup (300, 400, and 600 yards).—Sergeant Devore, the cup, 1; Gunner Pell, £5, 2; Private W. F. Stevens, £4, 3; Gunner Muir, £3, 4; Corporal Stevens, £2, 5; Gunner Orbell, £l, 6. “ Evening Star Prize (200, 300, and 400 yards).~Privato W. F. Stevens, £lO 10s, 1; Gunner Fisher, £5, 2; Corporal Taylor, £4, 3; Corporal Stevens, £3, 4; Gunner Muir, £2, 5; Sergeant Devore, £l, 6.

“Rifle Derby (300, 500, and 700 yards).—Private W. P. Stevens,' 1; Lieutenant M'Farland, 2, "Association Gold Medal (600, 7f : o, and 800 yards).—Private W. F. Stevens, medal valued £lO 10s, 1; P.O. Hardy, £5, 2; Corporal Taylor, £3, 3; Corporal Treseder, £2, 4. “ Consolation Stakes (200, 400, and 500 yards).—Gunner Glendining, £4, 1; Private Johnston, £3, 2; Private Shand, £2, 3; Sergeant Douglas, £l, 4. “ Three cheers were given for the successful competitors.

“ Captain Moss, deputed by the prize takers, returned thanks to Mrs Richmond for whom, and for the ladies generally, three cheers were given. “Mr Justice Richmond acknowledged the compliment: and the proceedings were over except that the Volunteers had a short drill under Acting Adjutant Ross.”—(To be continued.) Well done, Otago High!

“ Empire Champions ” is the title which the shooting team from the Otago Boys’ High School has recently earned. This is indeed a great achievement, in consequence of which the team will hold the coveted Earl Roberts Imperial Cadet Trophy for a period of 12 months. It is believed that their score of 301 ex 320 constitutes a record for this competition, so that the boys from the Otago Boys’, High School have accomplished a feat of which they may feel justly proud. Keenness and assiduous practice have been amply rewarded, and they have the satisfaction of knowing that they have placed New Zealand, and particularly Dunedin, on the map in the rifle shooting world. Last year’s winners, Liverpool College, made 285 points. Hearty congratulations to the boys of Otago High, and all who contributed to their wellearned and brilliant win.

Local Notes The hottest Saturday afternoon experienced this season greeted riflemen last week-end. Instead of being easy conditions were distinctly difficult, a mirage, tricky wind, and the heat all contributing to upset calculations. Fo rthe Kiwi Club, at 300 yards, Rifleman J. Harding had the best finish of four 44’s. Others to make the same score were Riflemen D. Persons, H. Whitehead, and R. Gillick; while Deputy-president F. Clayton (43), Riflemen R. Bowie (43), F. Marks «{42), P. Fennessey (42), R. Allan (42), H. Boyer (41 f ), C. M‘Keich (41) were close up, ' , At 600 yards a very shifty wind made riflemen sit up and take_notice, the wind at times varying from' seven minutes right to two minutes left. Rifleman J. Judson secured top score at this range with 44. Next to him were Rifleman R. Allan (43), Deputy-president F. Clayton (42), W. Mills (42), R. Johnston (41), P. Fennessey (40), C. M'Keich (40), R. M'Crae (40), L. Oliver (40), and H. Whitehead (40).

The highest scratch aggregate was 85, and was obtained by Rifleman R. Allan, who beat Deputy-president F. Clayton at the longer range. Members are reminded of the triangular match next Saturday on the lower range against the Dunedin and West Taieri Defence Rifle Clubs.

Top score at 300 yards in the Dunedin Club was 44, obtained by Rifleman M. Denton. Following him were Rifleman J. M'Knlght (42), Deputypresident J. Gillan (41), Captain A. Cowie (40); and Rifleman W. Graham (40).

Three members made the highest score (43) at 600 yards—Rifleman C. M'Nish, Captain A. Cowie, and Rifleman O. Miller. Others close up were Riflemen J. M'Knight (42), W. A. Graham (41), and G. H. Smith (40). Rifleman J. M'Knight headed the day’s aggregate with 84.

Members ate reminded of the triangular Inatch next Saturday against the Kiwi and West Taieri Defence Rifle Clubs. \