NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23894, 23 August 1939, Page 6

NAVAL AND MILITARY NOTES

v -«. FROM MESS DECK, PARADE GROUND, AND RIFLE RANGE By Bull's-eye THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 62, Dated August 17. 1939 Commands.—Major O. L. Ferens, E.D.. the Otago Mounted Rifles, is appointed to command the regiment; dated June 1. 1939. Lieutenant-colonel J. M. Samson, the Otago Regiment, is appointed to command the Ist Battalion; dated June 1. 1939. Lieutenant-colonel E. F. Selby, M.C., V.D., the Southland Regiment is appointed to command the Ist Battalion for a period of one year; dated June 1 1939 'Captain H. C. Caldwell, N.Z. Corps of Signals, relinquishes command ol the Southern District Signalling Company, and is transferred to the Reserve of Officers, class 1 (b). area 10; dated July 7, 1939. , _ . N.Z Corps of Signals.—Secondlieutenant R. L. Goldfinch, B.Sc, ceases to be posted to the Central District Signal Company, and is posted to the Southern District Signal Company; dated August 2. 1939. The Otago Regiment.—Lieutenant JMcCrae. from the Reserve of Officers, to be lieutenant and is posted to tne Ist Battalion, with seniority, from August 29, 1938, next below Lieutenant L. G. Smith; dated August 2. 1939. Lieutenant E. S. McLean from the Reserve of Officers, to be lieutenant, and is posted to the Ist Battalion, with seniority from August 29, 1938 next below Lieutenant E. G. Cooper: dated August 2. 1939. „ „ . . „,„ Lieutenant C. W. G. Cole, from the Reserve of Officers, to be lieutenant, and is posted to the Ist Battalion, with seniority from August 29, 1938, next below Lieutenant E. S. McLean Dated August 2, 1939. The appointment of Second-lieu-tenant (on probation) D. E. Murray. Ist Cadet Battalion, is confirmed. Second-lieutenant (on probation) E. J. Hay, from the Canterbury Regiment to be second-lieutenant (on probation). with seniority from December 1, 1938, and is posted to the 2nd Cadet Battalion. Dated July 31. 1939. OTAGO DIVISION. R.N.V.R. The following training was carried out at the divisional headquarters during last week:— Monday, August 14.—Service practice with the .22 rifle was held on the miniature range. Included in the night's training was the continuation of signal and wireless practices and instruction in seamanship. This was followed by the recreational hour of the various games and competitions which are held each Monday night. Tuesday, August 15—The communications branch mustered at 7.30 p.m., and the various classes closed up for instruction in practical signalling by semaphore, flashing lamp and signal books. Junior W/T ratings received instruction in buzzer practice and in reading the Morse code. Wednesday, August 16.—The sea-

men's branch of the RJKf.VJL and senior W/T ratings mustered at headquarters at 7.30 p.m., and after inspection by divisions carried out' the following instructions by classes:— Seamanship: Lecture on "Anchors and Cables," Leading-seaman T. Lake, N.Z.D., Royal Navy, who has just arrived back from the H.M.S. Hasty, Mediterranean Fleet, taking charge oi the class. Gunnery: Act gunlayers went to lecture on "Fuzes, Senior Ordinary-seamen to 4in BX.. gun. drill, and first-year ratings commenced a course on the 4in Q.F. semi-automatic Mk IV gun. - The minesweepmg class, under the M/S office, Lieutenantcommander A. C. Swanson, continued lectures on the depth charges as used in the service. Signals: Senior signalmen carried out exercises in flag hoisting, while the senior W/T ratings continued wireless procedure exercises with H.M.S. Philomel and Naval Defence headquarters at Wellington. Next Week's Training The headquarters will be open next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when classes will resume training as, laid down in the routine syllabus for Naval Reserve training. ARTILLERY 12th (Field) Battery. N.ZA The weekly parade of the 12th (Field) Battery was held on Wednesday evening last, and was attended by nearly 100 members of the unit. s After a general inspection of the unit by the commanding officer, Major J F. G. Stark, N.Z.A., the battery went to divisions for training purposes. The evening so spent will be reflected in the general appearance and standard of fire-discipline for the display to be held at the Drill Hall on Thursday, August 31. , As has been the case during the past month or so, more recruits were examined by the medical officer, attested and placed on the strength of the battery. Any intending applicants are advised to make early application, as the unit is reaching capacity. This year four members are sitting the examination for commissions, and for that purpose will leave for Burnham on Saturday for a week's practical and written work. »,,,„.„ All ranks of the« Dunedm artillery and sister branches of th. navy and army are reminded of the artillery ball, to be held in the Pioneer Hall next week. The band engaged is Bob Shannon's " Savonia " Orchestra, while the catering is in the hands of Mrs Crawford. The artillery ball has always been looked on in the past as one of the highlights of the year, and the 1939 ball should be no exception. THE OTAGO REGIMENT Approaching Full Strength Recruits are coming forward steadily for enlistment in the Otago Regiment as is evidenced by the busy scene! noted on the regimental parade nights Headquarters, A and D (Support, Companies parade every Tuesda; evening, and the ever-increasing numv bers are making platoon and company movements somewhat difficult on tn« floor space available. ];; Last week Headquarters Company specialists carried out training in then own branches of work. A Company was given light machine gun mstruc; tion, and there was infantry training for the more junior members. The seniors were lectured on the organisation of an infantry battalion.