GENERAL GODLEY'S VISIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 13

GENERAL GODLEY'S VISIT.

INSPECTION OF 2nd GARRISON ARTILLERY. General Godley paid a visit of inspection, on the 11th inst. to the 2nd Company 'of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery at Otago Heads, where they have bf<?n in camp sin.ee Thursday last Ho left Dunedin by the 8.16 a.m. train for Port Chalmers, whence he proceeded by the defence launch Rahiri in company with Colonel Smyth (officer commanding the district), Lieutenant-colonel Johnston (Director of Ordnance and Artillery), Colonel Allen (Coast Defence Commander), Mr C. E. Statham, M.P., and Mr T. K. Sidoy, M.P. The rest of the party cmbarked aboard the tug Koputai. which had been engaged for the towing of the targets for big gun practice, and consisted of Lieu-tenant-colonel Logan (commanding the sth Mounted Rifles), Major Fredric N.Z.G.A., 'Lieutenant-colonel Richmond? A.D.C. to General Godley, the Revs. A. Whyte and F. T. Road, chaplains attached to the camp, Mr Howard Jackson, and Crs Powell and Seolloy, of Port Chalmers. The party was met by Major Dodds, in command ct the 2nd Company of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery, and proceeded first to Harrington Point, whore a six-pounder q.f. is mounted for the purpose of preventing small boats from entering the harbour. Proof of the excellence of the training and the keenness of the men in the camp was quickly given. A party of recruits who saw the searchlight for tho first time cvri'ly a week ago when they entered the camp, established a record by having the light in play in 15 minutes from the time the order was given. The engine was. of course, oold when they reached it, and although its makers gave an allowance of 20 minutes for the starting they had it going in Hi minutes, and the light in play in three and a-half minutes later. Tho previous best time was established by the Dunedin Navals two ago, 12£ minutes being taken to start "and three minutes to get tho light on. Shortly after 10.30 a.m. the Ktoputai started outside towing a target consisting of two bongkongs 200 yards apart, the connecting rope being supported in the centre by a float about 20ft long. Two series of 20 rounds each were fired from the six-pounder, the first being by a detachment of men, several of whom had had previous training, and the second by reoruits entirely new to the business. The target in this case was limited to the space between tho foremost hongkong and the central float. The first series occupied about but, as Colonel Allen explained, the object was to obtain accuracy, not speed Tho gun is really capable of being handled very much more rapidly. As far as could be seen from tho shore every shot registered a hit. In the second series the firing began with a range of 1600 yards, but this was immediately shortened by 300 yards, and again by 25 yards on each of the following two shots. The order "group fire" was then given, and the shooting was excellent. The party next proceeded to the Impounder q.f. at Howlett Point. Here again two series were fired, the first by a detachment of fairly woll-trained men and the second by recruits only. It was explained that the gun was quite a modern one. and had been used till lately in the navy. It was capable of firing 20 rounds a minute. In the first series the third shot missed fire and a delay followed, as, according to statutory law, the breach must remain closed for a period of five minutes in case of accident. After the Bhell was removed it was found that there had been a short circuit, and the matter was remedied. The shooting thereafter was wonderfully good, as was also the oase with the detachment of recruits which followed. At the close of this series both General Godley and Lieutenant-colonel Johnston addressed the men forming the various detachments, speaking eulogistically and encouragingly of the skill displayed. A detachment of trained men then took charp;e of the big 6in hydro-pneumatic disappearing gun. Previous to the first shot being fired the gun was fully explained to tho visitors, several of whom remained with General Godley in the action pit to watch the working of the gun as the first shot was fired. General Godley expressed tlie opinion that the gun was a very fine one and particularly suitable to New Zealand requirements. He added that he had beon greatly surprised to find the fortifications so complete. The same fact had struck him at all tho four centres, as it was not what lie had looked for. Sixteen shots were fired in the first series, some delay being caused at the commencement owing- to the target' being in line with tho lighthouse. An adjournment was then made for lunch. after which the firing was resumed, two further series of eight shots each being fired, both by detachments of new recruits. The first of these two series was a very tine one, the accuracy of the shooting being evidenced by the fact that when the order "group fire " was given one of the shot* struck the float in the centre and severed tho connection between the hongkongs, making it necessary to continue with only one. At the conclusion of the firing Major Dodds lined up his men and addressed them in an encouraging strain. General Godley then intimated his wish that the men should be paraded at the camp for inspection. He passed up and down I he lines, and spoke to various members of the company, each of whom oxpressed complete satisfaction with all the arrangements. After a number of evolutions had been performed. General Godley addressed the men. Ho was glad to see such a good muster, and so fine a lot of men. He was sere from what he had seen of their work with the guns and at? a company of infantry, they would worthily uphold the traditions of the Otago Garrison Artillery, which he knew had been second to none in tho Dominion They had a high record to live up to, but lie knew that they would be able to do it He had been very glad to hear from their commanding officer that their conduct in camp had been excellent. Major Dodds had said, and he. thoroughly agreed with him that he could not have had a-better lot of men to deal with, and it wan most satisfactory to hear sucii a report »f their first camp. The drill with the funs had been extraordinarily jjood for the first year of what was practically a new company. He saw that there were recruits working; in the squads and gun detachments, and it was roallv not too much to say that they were doing their work as well as drilled soldiers. Alogethor, he was most pleaded with their sold'ier-like bearing and general appearance and work. He hoped that next year they would all have a shoot and go on to more advanced work, but in

order to qualify for it they mu6t make a point of attending- all the drills that they possibly could, and obtain all the practice they could during the interim. They had a tough job, but it was a most interesting and a most useful one, and 1 they had special interest attaching to it in that they saw some result for their work. They would also have the satisfaction of knowing that they were doing something for their country. They, especially, were doing it for the defence of their country because such work as they were doing would really be the means that would prevent any hostile ships of war from getting into the harbour. Theirs was a very particular job, as they could all understand and appreciate, bnd he knew that all who thought of it would be very glad that they were doing it not only for their country, but for the Empire. He concluded by heartily congratulating Major Dodds on his company, and wished him success throughout the coming year.' »

After the company had been dismissed the visitors accepted the invitation of the officers to have a cup of tea before reembarking for home. Before the guests rose Mr Sidey announced his intention of proposing the health of the commanding officer and on behalf of those present he expressed pleasure at having ltad the privilege of listening to the excellent encomiums passed by General (Jodley. both to him and to the officers and men of the No 2 Company of the N.Z.G.A. He was sure it must have been most gratifying to ail who kid been associated with tho company in its work that General Godley had been able to express himself in such terms, and he wished to take the opportunity of congratulating Major Dodds very heartily on the work he hod been able to do. The success or failure of the new defence scheme depended so much upon its administration that they had been extremely fortunate in the men who had had charge of the various camps held throughout New Zealand. Instead of finding their work burdensome and irksome the men had entered upon it enthusiastically, and found it a real pleasure, so that they were looking forward to the time of the camp next year. For that reason he took the opportunity of congratulating Major Dodds upon the success attending the enoampment. Mr Statham endorsed Mr Sidey's remarks. When invited to join the party he had looked upon it as a duty to attend, but it had proved a most pleasant outing. It was the duty of members of the House to make themselves conversant with what they might havo to talk about. The great bulk of those who 'had entered the camp were but Vaw reoruits, and they reflected the utmost credit on their officers. He was perfectly sure the men would worthily uphold the reputation established by the old Port Navals. He concluded by thanking the officers for a most pleasant'and acceptable day, and again congratulted Major Dodds and the officers on the excellent showing they had made. Aftor the toast had been duly honoured Major Dodds said that he was greatly pleased at the remarks passed. He eal*l(' assure them that there was not a prouder man in New Zealand that day than himself. When he went down to take charge of the camp a week previously he did not know what he might be called upon to face. Fully 40 of tho men were new, and tie did not know .what kind of character* they might prove, and it worried him a good deal. However, there was no trouble right from tho start. After the second day the men all fell into the work, delighting in it. and doing their best to learn their job, and the results of that day's work preyed that they had learned it. Ho was especially fortunate in that he had officers in the company who had been connected with it as long as himself, while the others had had several years' experience, the sergeantmajor and several others having continued with it after the old name was gone. Too much could not be said regarding the influence of the instructors of the permanent force, to whom the success of tlie men in the handling of the guns was so greatly due. The Koputai returned to Port Chalmers with the visitors in time to catch the 5.15 p.m. train for town. Major-general Godley, together with his A.D.C, Colonel Allen, and others, went for a tour of insipection about tho hills, and returned by the Rahiri later. The chaplains attached to the company during the encampment .have spoken in. the highest terms concerning the character of tho camp. The devotion of tho officers elicited the enthusiastic loyalty of the men, whose alacrity and cheerfulness is evidenced by the fact that they doubled to their fatigue parade and sang at the work. Their very amusementswere a school of comradeship and manliness, and their attention to religion was most marked. They not only showed the utmost reverenoe during morning prayer on parade, but they attended in largo numbers the voluntary services held in the evening. The schoolroom was fitted up as a soldiers' institute. The chaplains had extensive private intercourse with the men, and they were everywhere delighted with the spirit, displayed, and consider that no parent could be present in such a camp without feelings of satisfaction and confidence.