A NEW RIFLE RANGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 28

A NEW RIFLE RANGE.

After a careful examination of the shooting ranges, butts, and organisations of Grrm&'iiy. Switzerland, and Austria, the English. War Office has decided that the system at present in use in Switzerland is most suitable for English requirements The rifle range-> at Albi=guei"ii, near Zurich, Lave been cho-en as model*., as they have been recently c on: trusted, arid Are providpd with the latest improvements, full particulars and plans of which have bocn supplied to the War Office. The special features ot these targets are that moving eoldiers and mounted mi- n replace the old stationary targets. Tiie.>j dummies suddenly make appearance from behind hidden trenches, and are fired upon at. various distances. All the conditions which are likely to be experienced in actaal warfare are carefully i-arned out. The in fi .atry are trained 10 attack strongpositions held by an equal or inferior force, special attention being paid that the Mien should av:al themselves of cover. T'ne men are plso taught to disc trer-cLes. As the Swios pay special attention to iong-d»=-tance and independr-nt firing, this will bo one of the chief items in a'l rifle practices in future, ;>nd Aol'ey firing Will bo done avav with Each rocuut will be obliged to shorn at least 40 rounds of ammunition in the ccur:e of the year, and to obtain twothiids of the total marks m the final t cmpetition b" r oro he will be considered an. efficient mnrkenvn. To ensure profici'-acy and atlfiidvnr. , (.--eh town will be supplied with convenient rifle ranges, and rifle clubs will be encouraged, as in Switzerland, bybeing allowed a subsidy from the Government for th? purpose of constructing nfi© ranges, and buying cartridges, which will be supplied at a little below co=tt prjee. These are the innovations which are to be shortly intioduced into England, and are likely to revolutionise our present military s}"stem.