NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 3

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 o.m each Monday OTAGO DIVISION, R.N.V.R. Visit of Representatives of Otago Employers' Association. Messrs A. J. Allen, J. G. Laurenson, A. S. Cookson, president, vice-presi-dent, and secretary respectively of the Otago Employers' Association, and Mr W. H. Naylor visited the. Otago Division, R.N.V.R., headquarters whilst training was in progress at the invitation of the commanding and wardroom officers on Wednesday, November 10. The guests were received by the commanding officer, Commander F. Fraser, R.N.V.R., and taken round the various phases of instruction in progress, including the four-inch Q.F. gun competition, between A and B sub-divisions for the Fraser Cup, which is competed for annually. On conclusion of the training, the visitors were the guests of the wardroom officers' mess. Promotions

The following ratings of the Otago Division were recommended for, and promoted to, the rating of able seamen on passing the qualifying examination for that rating, with seniority as from date of passing, on Wednesday, November 10, 1937:—Ordinary Seamen J. T. Mosley, S. Ritchie, E. R. Bartlet, B. Dennison, 'A. Armitage. G. McCabe, S. G. Wadsworth. S. Smith. Small Rifle Shooting

The final shooting for the year was carried out at headquarters on Mondaylast week. The ladder competition was completed, with the general scoring being very close, with the high standard showing the value of the practices carried out. Voluntary Training

Ordinary seamen taking voluntary training in gunnery and probationary ordinary telegraphists taking instruction to qualify as ordinary telegraphists were present no Tuesday, and received instruction in their respective subjects. The headquarters will be available again on Tuesday next. General Training

The division assembled on Wednesday last week. The high standard of attendances, of which there has been no falling off during the year, was maintained. After inspection at divisions and prayers, the division proceeded to instruction as follows.

Seamanship.—Class A of 1937 ordinary seamen was taken to instruction in "Steering Ship" and the "Markings and Uses of the Hand Lead-line," by Lieutenant-commander H. Donald. Gunnery.—Year 1936 class of ordin-ary-seamen were taken to instruction in 4in B.L. gun drill in conjunction with the Lege Teacher under Lieutenant J. N. Allan, R.N.V.R. Class B of year 1937 ordinary-seamen were taken to 4in Q.F. gun drill and to explanation of various parts and the mechanism of the gun by Lieutenant A. A. Bell, R.N.V.R.

Minesweeping.—All gunnery ratings and qualified M/S ratings were taken to instruction in minesweeping gear by Lieutenant-commander A. C. Swan?on.

Signals.—All signal ratings were taken to practical signalling, semaphore and Morse, for the first half of the training session, and to practical signalling with model flags in conjunction with the signal books during the second half under Sub-lieutenant R. E. Salter.

Wireless.—Senior ratings continued practical communication exercises with the defence headquarters station at Wellington and other R.N.V.R. wireless stations. Junior ratings carried out practical procedure exercises at the buzzer and flashing tables. Proby-wireless ratings continued practice in reading Morse at the small buzzer table. Next Drills The division will assemble on Wednesday next, when the syllabus arranged by the executive officer, Lieutenant-commander P. G. Connolly, already in progress in preparation for the forthcoming training afloat in H.M.S. Wakakura during January and February, 1938, will be proceded with. Whalers

A whaler pulling race for the Commercial Travellers' Shield which is competed for annually took place in the upper harbour on Monday between crews selected from the seamen and communication branches of the Otago Division. The whalers will be available for instruction in pulling and sailing on Saturdays from now on. Musketry Course

The annual musketry course for the division was completed on Saturday. The annual pistol course for officers was also completed on that date. OTAGO OFFICERS' CLUB Lecture

Mr C. W. Salmon, of Wellington, will deliver a lecture to members of Ihe Otago Officers' Club at their next meeting. He has chosen as his subject, "A Trip Through the Mediterranean in Out-of-the-way Places.' As this is to be the last lecture for the year a full attendance of members is anticipated. After the lecture the opportunity will be taken to extend good wishes to Lieutenant Warrington, who is to be married shortly.

EARLY VOLUNTEERING IN OTAGO Dunedin Scottish Volunteer Corps

Daily Telegraph, 31/10/63.—A general meeting of the members of the spirited corps, very well attended, took place on Thursday evening at McCubbms Hotel, Rattray street, for the purpose of electing their officers. Mr John Cargill was unanimously elected captain Mr Alexander Cummings, lieutenant, and Mr John Forgie, ensign of the corps. Volunteer Naval Brigade

7/11/63.—A preliminary meeting of the gentlemen favourable to the formation in this city of a naval brigade was held on Thursday evening in McCubbins Hotel, but, after the despatch of some merely formal business and the appointment of a committee tc draw up a memorial to his Excellency, Sir George Grey, asking his sanction to the formation of the corps, the meeting adjourned till next evening. Accordingly, last night another meeting was held in the same place, .Captain Robert Paterson in the chair The honorary secretary (Mr Dickson) read the memorial, which had been drawn up by the committee appointed at the previous meeting for presentation to the Governor praying him to sanction the project of organising a naval volunteer force for protection of the coast of Otago. The memorial sets forth that the undersigned are anxious to form themselves into a volunteer naval brigade; that a necessity for such a force exists; and thus concludes: "Your memorialists ask your Excellency to sanction the formation of a maritime force in the City of Dunedin, to act with such discretionary powers and privileges as your Excellency may be pleased to invest in the officers of the Dunedin Volunteer Naval Brigade. It was resolved that a deputation consisting of the chairman, secretary, Messrs Lumb, O'Meagher, and Captain Dickie wait upon his Honor the superintendent this day. and request him to forward the memorial to his Excellency the Governor. The memorial was signed by all the gentlemen present but, as it was stated that there are a large number of persons who are detained from the meeting, anxious to obtain an opportunity of signing the memorial, an opportunity of doing so will be afforded them this day.