NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23515, 1 June 1938, Page 6

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE By Bull’s-eye. OTAGO DIVISION, R.N.V.R. Small Bore Rifle Shooting Practices in rapids snap and deliberate fire were carried out on Monday last week. A good attendance was present and good shooting look place. The range will be open from 7 till 9 p.m. on Monday next. Weekly Drills The division assembled on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week as follows: —Tuesday, all signal and junior wireless ratings; Wednesday, all seamen and senior wireless ratings. A good attendance was present on each night. Instructions , On completion of divisions and prayers the division proceeded to the various phases of instruction as under. Seamanship.—Class B ord. seamen: To instruction in compass and helm in conjunction with the electric steering model, rule of road using the .universal light board until stand-easy, and to practical wire splicing from the carry-on until secure. Gunnery.—All gunnery ratings and able seamen not qualified in special subjects: To stripping and reassembling the Lewis light auto-gun. each rating taking charge in turn to stand easy and lecture on Webley-Scott revolver from carry-on to secure. Ratings qualified in mine-sweeping: To a resume on the instruction already given on the parts and working mechanism of the 4in q.f. semi-automatic gun. Class C ord, seamen; To instructions in the erection and control 'ff the 4in breachloading mk. IX gun mounted on the C P.l mounting Mine-sweeping.—Class A ord. seamen: Continued the series of lectures on the general principles of mine-sweeping, and the various formations employed by mine-sweeping vessels when carrying out mine-sweeping operations. Signals.—Visual signalling ratings continued practical signalling bv lamp semaphore—and buzzer. Wireless.—Practical communication exercises between the Wellington Defence Headquarters and other R.N.V.R divisions was continued, while the remainder of the wireless ratings were instructed in the general naval W/T organisations of the New Zealand Station. Probationery wireless ratings continued practice in reading the Morse code by buzzer. , Next Drills The division will assemble as a whole on Wednesday next, when the syllabus will be rotated as authorised by the executive officer, Lieutenantcommander P G. Connolly, R.N.V.R. OTAGO REGIMENTAL DEPOT Motor Cyclist Platoon Work continues to progress steadily and the attendances are being well maintained, Lewis gun and semaphore have been indulged in in the last two, or three parades. The N.C,o.’s have been having semaphore classes on Sunday mornings, and are progressing satisfactorily. Out of camp pay will he issued on June 14. Machine Gun Platoon The Otago Platoon of the Support Company has recently been carrying out night firing training and last week in conjunction with the transport section, carried out a night shoot at the St. Clair quarry. Permission has been granted to increase the numerical strength of the platoon to the extent of a further section of two guns. As a result of this, examinations for the appointment and promotion of noncommissioned officers will be held early this month, when a fresh batch of recruits will be enrolled. On Saturday, April 21, the nim-com-missioned officers of the machine: gun platoon were exercised in the handling of the revolver. SPECIALIST COURSE Burnham One officer.and five other ranks from the Otago district attended a specialist course at the Southern District Mill, tary School, Burnham. All secured qualification certificates, while three also gained a first-class bonus. AREA RIFLE MEETING Completion on Saturday The rifle meeting open to all' territorials and cadets on Area 11 was commenced on the Pelichet Bay rifle range on Saturday last when series A and three matches in series B were completed. The fourth match in series B (grand aggregate) for whom the first 30 in matches 1,2 and 3 are eligible, will be fired at the Drill Hall, Kensington, commencing at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. The fifth match, a consolation open to any competitor who has not won a prize at the meeting, will be fired on Saturday, also at the Drill Hall, and will commence at 9 a.m. Series C, comprising matches for Vickers, Lewis and Hotchkiss gun teams of five men, will be fired at the Pelichet Bay range on Saturday. The following challenge cups have been presented for competition:— Territorial Challenge Cup (to be held for one year by the territorial scoring most points in Match 6 added to Matches 1,2, 3 and 4in series A).

Hislop Challenge Cup (to be held for one year by senior cadet scoring most points in Matches 1,2, 3 and 4 and, if a competitor in Match 6, the scores to be added to Match 6 in series A). The Sidey Challenge Cup (to be held by the senior cadet scoring most points in Matches 1,2. and 3 added to Match 4 in series B).

EARLY VOLUNTEERING IN OTAGO 15/10/64.—The usual quarterly meeting of the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Regiment was held last evening at the Shamrock Hotel, for the purpose of receiving the quarterly report, revising rules, and other business. Captain Ross was in the chair. There were about 70 members of the corps present. The chairman congratulated those present on the increasing numbers and proficiency of the regiment, and expressed a hope that by their diligence and attention to their duties in future they would show themselves worthy of the encomium expressed by Major Cargill on the occasion of the parade of that evening. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the secretary read the report for the past quarter ending October 14. 1864, which stated that during the past quarter the number of the regiment had increased from 34 t _uj> wards of 100 members, and the efficiency of the corps in every respect had been greatly increased. During the past quarter the subscriptions amounted to £l2 ss, the expenditure during the same period being £3 lbs. and the balance in hand amounted to £SB 6s. The report was adopted. The chairman read the rules and by-laws of the regiment, with the view of eliciting an exnression of opinion on the part of the meeting. Some slight alterations having been made, the members proceeded to the election of officers, when the following were elected unanimously:—Mr Andrew McFarland, lieutenant: Mr Dalgleish. treasurer; and Messrs Reed and Krane. auditors A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. At the conclusion of drill on Thursday evening, the members of the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Regiment presented Corporal Thomas McFarland (who is retiring from the corps in consequence of leaving the province) with a valuable gold watch as a mark of esteem and appreciation of his services in connection with the regiment. Captain Ross, i a neat and soldier-like speech, presented the testimonial, which bore the following inscription;— “Presented to Corporal McFarland as a mark of esteem by the members of the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Regiment on the occasion of his leaving Otago. October 13. 1864.” 19/10/64.—The usual quarterly meeting of the Dunedin Volunteer Naval Brigade was held yesterday evening at the Octagon Hotel, when a good muster of the corps was present. Captain Patterson was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the secretary read

- ill. the following report:—“ln laying before you this, our third, report, allow me to congratulate you-upon the success of the company. At this time last quarter we were only 80 strong, since which, through the operation of the Militia Bill, we have now 303 men, distributed as follows: —Dunedin 122, Port Chalmers 126, and Anderson’s Bay 55. I have had a correspondence in respect of our position in line, and have only this day received an answer from Colonel Balnevis to the effect that the Naval Volunteers take precedence of all Rifle Volunteer Corps. In conclusion of this report, which is necessarily a short one. allow me to thank my officers and non-commissioned orhcers for the support they have afforded me hitherto. I had intended to have elected three second-class petty officers at the present meeting, which I would have done but that I thought, it better to postpone it to a future period, to allow every man to get up his drill, so as to be able to compete for office I might state, also, that I am going to divide the company into three watches, and give each watch to an officer assisted by a petty officer, and make them responsible for collection of fines and subscriptions, and attendance at drill I must likewise recommend your attendance at drill every morning, so as to be up in marching and wheeling, so as to make that appearance before the Governor that will be a credit to yourselves and the arm of the service you represent.—Robert Patterson. Captain Dunedin Naval Brigade.” From the financial statement, it appeared that there was a small balance in hand. A discussion followed on the subject of drill, and some routine business having been gone through, the meeting separated. _•