NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 2

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE By Bull's-eye Contributors to " Bull's-eye " are notified that in future all "copy" must reach the Times Office not later than 4 p.m each Monday THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 71. Dated October 21, 1037 Lieutenant-colonel E. F. Selby, M.C., V.D., the Southland Regiment, relinquishes command of the Ist Battalion, and is transferred to the Reserve of Officers, Class 1 <b). It.D. 12. Dated September 16. 1937. Thomas Wishart Harrison, M. 8., to be lieutenant, and is posted to the Otaeo University Medical Company. N.ZM.C Dated March 20. 1937. OTAGO DIVISION R.N.V.R. Small-bore Rifle Shooting Practices for the Keith Ramsay and White's sports cups were continued on Monday. The final practices for these competitions will take place on Monday, November 1. All practices for the year will be concluded on Monday, November 8. There will be no further practices at headquarters for this year after that date. Voluntary Training Ordinary seamen qualifying for able seamen and probationary wireless ratings continued instruction in*their respective subjects on Tuesday. Instruction in these subjects will be continued on Tuesday next. General Training The division assembled as usual on Wednesday last. There was a good attendance, and the division proceeded to instruction as follows:—Range discipline, marking targets, value of shot, aiming practice. This was in preparation for carrying out the annual musketry course at the Pelichet Bay rifle range, commencing at 2 p.m, on Saturday. Next Drills The division will assemble on Wednesday next, when the training will be the same as for last week in preparation for the annual musketry course. This course is obligatory for all R.N.V.R. ratings. Training Afloat

The following ratings embarked for training afloat in H.M.S. Leander on Monday, October 18:—Yeoman of Signals Berryman, Leading Seamen Partell and Smith. Signalmen Kerr, Hanlon. Wright, Salter, Peat, Millar, Beattie, Ordinary Seamen Gillam and Webster; These ratings will disembark from H.M.S. Leander at Lyttelton on Friday, November 5. Telegraphists Beaumont, Baker, M'Culloch, Roy, and Ordinary Seamen Hessey and Gibbs embarked on H.M.S. Leander at Bluff on Thursday, October 21, and will disembark at Lyttelton on Friday, November 5. Lieutenant-commander A C. Swanson, R.N.V.R., embarked on H.M.S. Leander at Bluff on Thursday. October 21. for training afloat, and will disembark at New Plymouth on Saturday. October 30. R.N.V.R. Tournament

Three officers and 34 ratings of the Otago Division, R.N.V.R., proceeded to Chnstchurch on Friday, October 22, to take part in a tournament with the Canterbury Division. R.N.V.R., over the Labour week-end. The party returned on Monday, arriving in Dunedin between 10 and 11 p.m. OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

Training Members of the B Squadron, 0.M.R., held a week-end parade at Bushy Park, Gore, and carried out dismounted work.

Next week No. 1 Troop of B Squadron will hold a camp at Kurow.

Guidon Design Rejected

The Garter King of Arms has rejected the regimental badge of the Otago Mounted Rifles on the grounds that it does not conform with the rules of heraldry, and in consequence the guidon will not now be presented at the forthcoming annual camp. The regiment will therefore form part of the composite mounted rifles unit which will go into camp from April 3to 12, 1938. It is hoped to present the guidon in 1939.

THE OTAGO REGIMENT Motor Cycle Platoon

The first of a series of week-end training manoeuvres under the new organisation was held at the Drill Hall last week-end, and proved to be highly successful. The ideal weather conditions enabled the platoon to work out in the open, with the result that the men were able to carry on their work in a more practical manner, especially with indication and recognition of targets and compass work. The syllabus for the week-end was a fairly comprehensive one, and included Lewis gun and rifle exercises, map reading, mounted and unmounted drill, and concluded on Sunday with an advanced guard scheme on the WaitatiLeith Valley road. On Tuesday evening Lewis gun handling, and messages and reports comprised the training. Evening parades will be resumed again on Tuesday, when a full muster is expected. Training at Clyde

The Central Otago Company of the Otago Infantry Unit carried out a week-end parade at Clyde. There was a good, attendance and an interesting syllabus of work followed. ,

EARLY VOLUNTEERING IN OTAGO Auckland Militia

19/9/63.—We understand that no less than 130 Volunteers are now in town waiting the route for the seat of war. Of these, 25 arrived yesterday from Queenstown, 17 were enlisted at the Dunstan, and 23 at Mount Ida, whence we are informed that 10 more are on the road, and may be expected on Tuesday, the remainder having joined the force in this city. Of this number it is intended to dispatch at least 60 by the Auckland to-day for the seat of war. With 129 Volunteers already despatched, it appears that the contingent already furnished from this city numbers 259 strong. It is stated that about 120 Volunteers are waiting for enlistment at Chrislchurch, and we believe that Lieutenant Mitchell proceeds this day for Canterbury by the Auckland for that purpose. Dunedin Scottish Volunteers

3/10/63.—1t will be seen from an advertisement in another column that a meeting of the Uniform Committee of this promising corps will take place at McCubbin's Hotel this afternoon at 2 o'clock. A full and punctual attendance is particularly requested, as the meeting is called for the despatch of business of importance. 6/10/63.—We have been requested to call attention to an announcement which appears in another column, to the effect that a general meeting of the corps will be held at the Provincial Hotel, on Thursday. October 8, to receive the tenders for uniform, etc. No drill will, therefore, take place that evening, but the adjutant's fortnightly parade will take place the next (Friday) evening. Duncdin Artillery Corps

8/10/63.—An advertisement appears in another column calling a general meeting of this corps on Friday next, at 5 o'clock at the Shamrock Hotel, for the purpose of considering the despatch to his Honor the Superintendent just received from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, announcing that his Excellency the Governov had been pleased to sanction the formation of a Volunteer Artillery Corps in this city, and his intention to issue commissions under the Volunteer Regulations to such officers as may be selected by the corps. The despatch in question (which appears in another place) concludes with a very significant hint as to the necessity of providing for our local defences. The object of the meeting convened for Friday next is to take immediate action upon the suggestions contained in the despatch. The following is the despatch from

the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, referred to above (Copy):— Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Sept. 9, 1863. Sir* —I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's acceptance, No. 2378. of the 27th ultimo, transmitting a memorial from certain residents in Dunedin, who are desirous of forming themselves into a Volunteer Artillery Corps, and, in reply, to request your Honor to be good enough to inform the memorialists that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept their services, and that commissions will be issued under the Volunteer Regulations to the officers whom they may select, The Government trusts that this corps will prove a useful and efficient aid in the local defence of Duncdin.—l have, etc., ( Signed.) Alfred Domett, His Honor the Superintendent. Otago