NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23340, 4 November 1937, Page 14

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 laler than 4 o.m each T.lonrlsv OTAGO DIVISION R.N.V.R. R.N.V.R. Tournament With Canterbury Division On Saturday, October 23, three officers and 26 men of the Otago Division R.N.V.R. arrived at Christchurch to take part in the annual interdivisional R.N.V.R. tournament over Labour week-end. The visiting tournament party was officially welcomed at the Canterbury Division' R.N.V.R. Divisional Headquarters by Commander R. Newman, R.N.V.R. commanding officer, Canterbury Division R.N.V.R. An official photograph was taken after the official reception. The tournament opened with a small bore rifle shooting match which resulted in a win for the Canterbury Division A dance in honour of the visitors was held at the Canterbury Division Headquarters in the evening. On Sunday, October 24, both tournament teams and their friends were conveyed to Diamond Harbour, opposite Lyttelton, by bus, where whaler pulling and sailing races were held, followed by an athletic sports meeting. The result of the whaler pulling and sailing race went in the Canterbury Division's favour. The result of the sports meeting, which proved most interesting, was also a win by Canterbury. On Monday a swimminp carnival was held in the Christchurch Public Baths, and Canterbury again proved the winning division. After the swimming events both tournament parties returned to the Canterbury Divisional Headquarters where the John Travers Cornwell, V.C. (Battle of Jutland) Memorial Cup was presented to the Canterbury Division for the second time in succession. Commander F. Fraher. R.N.V.R. (Otago), and Commander R. Newman, R.N.V.R. (Canterbury), complimented both divisions on their efforts and sportsmanship. This concluded the tournament and the teams of both divisions fraternised until the Otago Division ratings had to return after what had proved an interesting and instructive tournament. General Training

The division assembled on Wednesday last and the attendance was up to the high standard which is steadily being maintained. On conclusion of inspection and prayers, the division proceeded to instruction in range discipline, marking target, value of each shot, aiming rifle practice, in preparation for the obligatory annual .303 rifle firing course, which was commenced at the Pelichet Bay range last Saturday and will be continued on November 6 and 13. Next Drills The division will assemble as usual on Wednesday next, when the syllabus will be rotated in accordance with the programme as laid down by the executive officer, Lieutenant-commander P. G. Connolly, R.N.V.R. Voluntary Training Instruction for ordinary seamen qualifying for able seamen, and probationary ordinary telegraphists training for ordinary telegraphists, will be continued on Tuesday next. Sailing and Pulling The whalers are available from now on until the end of the season on Saturdays and Sundays to enable ratings to gain experience in this essential phase of naval training. Lieutenant J. N. Allan. R.N.V.R.. will be in charge. Small Bore Rifle Shooting The range at headquarters, which was not available on October 25, was available last Monday, when the final firings for the Keith Ramsay and White's Sports Cups took place. The usual practices will be available on completion of the competition firings. All firings for the various competitions at headquarters for the year will be completed next Monday. THIRD COMPOSITE BATTALION Otago Company A training camp held at Clyde during the Labour Day week-end was attended by three officers and 30 other ranks of the Central Otago platoon of the Otago Company. For th.e purpose of demonstrating the effect of individual and collective fire on an area of ground the unit carried out field firing with both rifle and Lewis gun. Elementary training was also included in the syllabus. Civilian spectators as well as the troops found much to interest them in the work performed. On November 13 and 14 the Oamaru platoon is to go into a week-end training camp on Colonel Cowie Nichollss estate at Maheno. Two officers and 28 other ranks have notified their ability to attend. The Otago Regimental Depot at Dunedin will carry out week-end training on November 20 and 21. The work to be done will be on similar lines to that of the camp previously held. BRIGADIER-GENERAL BRAITHWAITE Suggested Memorial Service of Second Brigade A writer to the Christchurch StarSun, signing himself "First Company Runner," has suggested a parade of members of the Second Brigade and a memorial service to the memory of Brigadier-general Braithwaite. He writes: —" I wonder how many ' Second

Brigadiers'' memories went back 20 years when reading Mr Arthur Owen's article on Brigadier-general Braithwaite. and how many, like myself, were disgusted that in his obituary notice no mention whatever was made of the fact that he once commanded the Second Brigade. Was there ever an officer more loved by the private soldier than the brigadier-general? Stories attributed to him are legion. Most of them probably are mythical. Some are true, but all are typical of him. For instance, the time he was going through Red Lodge and was challenged by the sentry for not having a tin hat. AH his bluster and threats could not get him past the sentry, and he had to go back and equip himself with a helmet. On his return he congratulated the sentry for carrying out his duty. Cannot you imagine the ' Braithwaitian' blast he would have got if he had let the brigadier through without the helmet? " Passchendacle__Mystery "Do you remember the time that Billy's horses were killed in a bomb raid at, I think, either Pont Auchelles or Romarih? They said he cried. I can believe it. Mr Owen asks for information regarding the circumstances of Billy's leaving the brigade. The story current at the time was that after the debacle at Passchendaele on October 12, he was instructed to put the brigade over again. He refused to do so unless the general staff Vent over with him and the brigade. That, of course, is probably not true, but the brigade did not go over. He certainly was recalled to England immediately after on sick leave. I saw a cony of his farewell message to the brigade, and it impressed me as coming from a heartbroken man. I have always wished that I had taken a copy, but I do remember one part where he said in effect,' I have been with the brigade from its inception, through all its suewhere mw duty takes me, the proudest where my duty takes me, the produest days of my life will always be when I commanded a brigade of New Zealanders.' Well, Billy has 'gone west,' and although I have never paraded since I came home, I would indeed be proud to parade with other Second Brigaders to hear the 'Last Post' sounded in memory of a very gallant soldier and gentleman." EARLY VOLUNTEERS IN OTAGO The Volunteer Rifles

9/10/63.—The monthly adjutant's drill of this corps will take place this evening, and fines will be imposed for non-attendance. We understand that it is in contemplation by the members of the Volunteer Corps to present to Lieutenant Leggatt (who will shortly proceed to the seat of war) a testimonial of their regard and of the valuable services which he has rendered* to the corps since its formation. Dunedin Scottish Volunteer Corps

10/10/63.— A meeting of this corps, very numerously attended, took place at McCubbin's Otago Hotel, Rattray street, on Thursday evening last. A. Cumming took the chair, and the business of the evening—the selection of a uniform for the corps—was proceeded with. Several tenders had been sent in, but the meeting decided unanimously in favour of that of Mr Mackay, tailor, of Princes street. The pattern proposed resembles that worn by the London Scottish Volunteers, which is a light grey tunic, edged with black braid, and grey knickerbocker trousers, and buff leather leggings. The cap is a " Pekin" with a cock's feather at the side. This, we believe, Mr Mackay agrees to furnish at a cost of four guineas each uniform. Other routine business then engaged the attention of the meeting, which terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. TheJTaranaki Contingent Our Wellington correspondent, whose letter appeared in yesterday's issue, announces in terms of gratification that the General Government had determined on enlisting 1000 military settlers and locating them in thai Drovince, and he also states that there are several blocks of land lately purchased, either partially or completely, in the Manawatu and the Wairarapa on which locations may easily be found for any number of settlers. We have been favoured with the perusal of an amusing letter dated September 19 from one of the Otago Volunteers in Taranaki, who states that the present number of the force is 215, most of whom coma from Otago. The description which he gives of the land and the prospects of the volunteers is so satisfactory that we transcribe it. "So far as I have gone yet, I am highly pleased with the speculation; the land we are to have, I am told, is without exception the best block in the settlement. As far as the eye can stretch it is as level almost as the leaf of n book, a very rich soil, and will grow anything. The fact is, the Otago people had no idea of this lot, or there would have been a greater rush for it. On landing I was appointed corporal. I am now sergeant, and next week (or this week, rather), when the Airdale comes from Auckland, I believe I shall be colour and pay sergeant for the company, which will entitle me to 80 acres of land, besides additional pay, so I think that, granting I left a comfortable 'crib,' I have chanced for the better after all. We are not very far from the Maoris where I am stationed, and I have been out two or three times with bush parties ranting the woods, but have not been so fortunate as to meet with any of them yet. However, it will, perhaps, come time enough. We are allowed two totr of splendid rum when we are on active serv^e—none of your Dunedin nobblers, but regular half-gill nips. The only thing we want here now is a regiment of nice girls, for they are very scarce." The writer evidently takes a very coleur de rose view of things generally, and seems made of just the right sort of stuff to constitute a good military settler. Taranaki has always been held to be the garden of New Zealand, and should it be desired to raise another contingent