NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22631, 24 July 1935, Page 7

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE By Boll’s-bte. THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. No, 51 Dated July 18, 1935 Lieutenant W. R. J Pollock from the Reserve of Officers of'the Otago Mounted Rifles to be lieutenant, with seniority from October 11, 1931. Dated June 26, 1935. Lieutenant G. B. Massingham, Ist Battalion, the Otago Regiment, is transferred to the Wellington Regiment. Dated June 26, 1935. M Alfred Lawrence Thompson, M.R.0.V.5., to be lieutenant, and is attached to the Otago Mounted Rifles. Dated June 14, 1935.

"OTAGO DIVISION, R.N.V.R, (N.Z.D.) Visit by Mr Downie Stewart

Mr W. Downie Stewart, M.P., paid a visit to headquarters during a divisional parade last week, and witnessed the instructional work in progress. After the work of the evening was completed, Mr Stewart addressed the division and congratulated one and all on the efliciency of the unit. In the course of his remarks Mr Stewart said he had been credibly informed that the Otago Division, R.N.V.R., was the most efficient volunteer unit in the Dominion. He took occasion to outline the aspects of naval services and training which he had had an opportunity of discussing with the highest naval authorities when in London. This was of particular interest to the R.N.V.R. throughout the Dominion, and he stressed the necessity for and value of the training from the point view of citizenship as well as that o£ defence. Concluding his address, Mr Stewart exhorted the ratings to maintain their good attendance, and wished them further success in the future. The commanding officer (Commander E, F. Watson, R.D.), on behalf of the officers and men of the unit, thanked Mr Stewart for his illuminating address, which, he stated, was the clearest and most explanatory ever. given at divisional headquarters. Evening Parades

The division will parade to-night and to-morrow night, when there will be a slight alteration in the working syllabus. Interclivisional Shooting Competition

The firing for the interdiyieional smallbore rifle shooting competition took place at divisional headquarters on Monday night. Two teams fared, the personnel of these being as follows: —“A” Subdivision: Petty Officer D. Simpson,, Leading Seaman C. Meiklejohn, Leading Seaman A. Kerr, Able Seaman R. Baskett, Able Seaman F. Beecroft, Able Seaman W. Denison, Able Seaman G. Russell, Yeoman of Signets J. Berryman, Yeoman of Signals J. Collier, Ordinary Signaller R. Geddes. “ B ” Subdivision;. Lieutenant-commander P. G. Connelly, Petty Officer A. Finlayson, Leading Seaman D. Briggs, Able Seaman S. Peterson. Ordinary Seaman S. Ogg, Ordinary Seaman F. Partell, Ordinary Seaman K. Meiklejohn, Leading Telegraphist J. Faulkner, Leading Telegraphist L. Bewley, Telegraphist A. Le Suer. The Palmer Trophy, for which this interdivisional competition is carried out, has been won by the Otago Division two years in succession and is held by it at the present time. Will it retain it for another year is the question asked by small-bore rifle shooting enthusiasts, and the result of the competition is being eagerly waited for. ARTILLERY. 12th Howitzer Battery The battery paraded at Central Battery on Wednesday last, when there was a good muster of all ranks. The battery commander, Major J. F. G. Stark, inspected the parade and congratulated the men on their smart appearance. The battery, having completed a special course of framing in all branches, resumed its normal duties. The gunners were given standing gundrill and a run over the parts of the piece. The drivers went to stables, where they received further instruction in parts of the harness and horsemanship. A riding school has been'organised, so that all ranks may be efficient for camp. The battery staff, under Staff Sergeant Major Bolt and Gunner Cherry, is making progress in preparation for the test in November. The layers who are attending classes are reminded of the test which will take place this month, After parade another round of the billiards tournament was played off, Bombadier M‘Kay being the winner. x 14th Medium Battery, N.Z.A.

The attendance again showed a considerable improvement when the battery paraded at Central Battery on Monday evening last, and two more recruits were placed on the battery’s strength^ A continuation of last week's work, which was instruction in the various uses of the latest equipment required in battery staff work, was carried out by the officers, and on this occasion was confined entirely to the study of the latest artillery code, which has just recently been issued to the unit. This code is designed with a view to condensing orders between O.P. and command post, with the result that it considerably speeds up the transmission of fire control orders, and the possibility of mistakes occurring is uractically eliminated. Procedure and transmission of signals both by lamp and flag were the work of the battery staff, and the speed and accuracy with which this work was carried out was very pleasing to note. The gunners were employed on standing gun drill and fire discipline, while the senior gunners and gun-layers spent the evening in gun-laying in preparation for the approaching gun-layers’ tests, liming drill, and stable routine was the nature of the drivers' training. The battery was inspected on this occasion by Lieutenant-colonel S. G. Scoular, officer commanding the Southern Artillery group, who, in a short address at the

conclusion of the parade, expressed his satisfaction with the general work ot the The attention of all ranks- is dra#n to the fact that a course of instruction will be held at Burnham from September 2'J to October 4. Those attending this course will leave Dunedin on September 28 and return again on October 5. The battery will parade again on Monday nest, and it is hoped that the improvement in attendance which has taken place at previous parades will continue. OTAGO REGIMENT. Port Chalmers Platoon The Port Chalmers platoon of B Company paraded last Monday night. The platoon was inspected by B Company commander (Captain M. D. Harvey). Squad drill and Lewis gun work was carried out. , . A recruiting campaign has started lor recruits for the platoon and for the cadet detachment. There is a trophy for the n.c.o. or private getting the most recruits. Parades will be held on Tuesday nights for those unable to on Mondays, ; The next parade will be held next Monday, when further squad drill and Lewis gun work will be carried out. EXAMINATIONS. Instructional Courses Further lectures for candidates going up for the forthcoming .promotion and first appointment examinations are set down as follows:—To-morrow night, 83, DIL Organisation—Captain Pollard; T.F., C, D 1 defence, and C, Dl issue test paper. Defence—Major Stewart. July 28, at the Drill Hall—All candidates except medical—outdoor exercise; defence—all instructors. Tuesday, July 30 —C. Dl Discussion of test paper and T.F. discussion of test paper issued by command headquarters —Major Stewart. RIFLE SHOOTING. Clutha Junction D.R.C. A sharp north wind made shooting somewhat difficult when the Clutha Junction Defence Rifle Club held its eighth shoot on July 13. The range on this occasion was at 500 yards. The following are the scores;—

On Saturday last this club held the first shoot of the Club Championship, the range being at 200 yards. There was a large attendance of members, who were favoured with good shooting conditions. Although this shoot is termed a championship it will be noticed that handicaps are given. The following are the scores:—

21/3/72. The firing for the district prizes took place at the various company ranges simultaneously the first district on February 28 and 29 and the second districts on March 1 and 2. The weather was bright and clear. The following is a list of the prize takers: — First District —103 Competitors.

In addition to the first prize, Volunteer Lacey, of the Walkarl Rangers, takes the silver medal. SECOND DISTRICT —X 63 COMPETITORS. 200 500 600 Prize

The other prizes cannot be awarded until ft detailed score is received from Timaru for Sergeant Ross, of the Oamaru Rifles.

Net. Hop. TI. Rfm. A. Mi Allison .. .. 34 3 — 35 Rfm. R. Gray .... .. 29 6 — .35 Vice-prea. W. Gillespie .. 304 — 34 Rfm. W. J. Gillespie .. 31 33 Rfm. J. Byers 30 i> .33 Rfm. A. Sherwin .. .. 28 5 — 33 President C. Templeton 28 4 — 32 Rfm. J. W. Hauph. .. .. 28 3 — 31 Rfm. J. Watkins .. .. 27 4 — 31 Rfm. E. Hauph .. .. .. 28 2 — 30 Rfm. J. D. Collins .. .. 20 4 — 24 Rfm. J. Downey 7 (j — 13

Net. Hep. Tl. Kfm. J. W. Haugh .. . 33 4 — 35 Rfm. R. Gray 32 5 — 35 Rfm. A. M. Allison 33 1 — 34 Rfm. T, J. Allison .. . 32 2 — 34 Rfm. 0. Templeton 31 3 — 34 Rfm. A. Shenvin .. . 20 5 — 34 Vice-pres. J. Byers 31 2 — 33 Rfm. W. J. Gillespie . 32 1 — 33 Vice-pres. W. Gillespie . 31 1 — 32 Rfm. J. Watkins .. . 28 3 — 31 Rfm. J. Gownev 26 5 — 31 Rfm. Ji D. Collins .. . 27 3 — 30 Rfm. E. Haugh 29 1 — 30 Kfm. L, S. O'Sullivan . 26 — 26 Rfm. E. Morris 25 25 Rfm. S. Smith 17 3 — 20 District Prize Firing

200 500 600 Prize Vol. W. Lacey (W.R.) yds. yds. yds. Tl. £ s. 18 18 15 51 10 0 Sergt. 11. Pollock (N.D.) 17 15 18 50 3 0 Sergt. J. M'Kenzie (W.R.) 17 14 18 49 . 8 0 Vol. R. L. Rule (O.R.) 10 15 15 49 0 Corn. J. M'Gregor (C.G.) Gun. W. Hislop (D. 18 14 18 48 5 0 Artillery) 17 17 14 48 3 10 > ol. W. Buchanan (W.T.) 17 13 13 47 3 10 Lieut. A. Chisholm (W.T.) 16 17 14 47 3 10 Vol. Selby (C.G.) .. 17 16 14 47 3 10 Corp. A. Boyes (S.D.) Ensign W. Richardson 15 13 18 40 2 10 (W.T.) IS 11 17 46 2 10 1 ol. A. Frazer (Walkari) 16 16 14 46 2 10 Vol. T. Hutchinson (N.D.) Corp. X. Frederic 16 16 14 40 2 10 (Scottish) 15 IS 13 46 2 10 Vol. J. Rankin (E.T.) 19 11 15 45 2 10 Capt. J. M. Jamieson (Scottish)' 15 16 14 45 2 0 Sergt. D. Henderson (Oamaru) 16 16 14 45 2 0 Sergt. A. Adam (Bruce) 18 13 14 45 2 0 Sergt. W. Nlchol (W.T.) 17 11 16 44 2 0 Vol. .1. Buchanan (W.T.) 17 12 15 44 2 0 Vol. M. Creagh (C.G.) 13 13 14 44 2 0 Vol. J. G. Marshall (Scottish) 19 13 10 44 i 10 Lieut. J. M'Cartney (P.C.N.) 9 17 17 43 i 10 Gun. G. K. Turton (D. Artillery) .. .. 17 9 17 43 i 10 Gun. G. Cato (D. Artillery) 13 15 15 43 i 10 Vol. R. ICempshell (W.T.) 18 13 12 43 i 10 P.O. J. M'Cartney (P.C.N.) 12 12 IS 42 i 10

yds. yds. yds. Tl. £ s. Vol. G. J. Lean (P.C.X.) 18 17 17 52 6 0 Vol. J. Allan (N.D.) Sergt. R. Achcson 15 19 17 51 5 0 (Riverton) 19 19 13 51 4 0 Vol. J. Morgan (P.C.N.) Vol. A. Cowle (Bat. 18 18 IB 50 2 10 Band) 17 IS 14 49 2 10 Vol. F. Wilkinson (C.G.) Vol. J. Duckworth IT 14 17 48 2 10 (U.N.) 17 It 16 47 2 10 Vol. R. Miller (l).N.) 18 16 15 47 2 10 Corp. D. Stalker (C.G.) 17 15 15 47 2 0 Vol. A. Granger (I).N.) Ensign Schmidt (River15 14 17 46 2 0 ton) 16 16 14 46 2 0

Vol. W. Hutchinson (N.D.) 17 17 12 46 2 0 Vol. J. Frew (x.n.) 17 17 12 46 2 0 Vol. R. Lorlmer (C.O.) 14 15 16 43 1 10 Sorgt, W. A (Tick : (Waikoualtl) 16 17 12 45 1 10 Vol. J. P. Murray (Hampden) , 18 15 12 45 1 10 Capt. W. Murray (W.T.) 16 11 17 44 1 10