THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 6

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

By Sknthy.

Preliminary to a staff tour for the \ of the officers of New Zealand, a staff tom for the officers of Otago is to be held, probably on Saturday. Sunday, and Monday October 25. 26, and 27, the last-named date being Labour Day. It » hoped that M or more officers will participate Un .n.s occasion it is proposed to break comparatively now ground. “ N.C.0.” asks for information as to books on infantry training and maskeffry. that would be of use to an N.C.O. I.he official manuals are “Infantry Irammg, 1911,,, “ Musketry Regulations, part 1, 1911. addition to these he would get valuable help from “Company Training Made Lasy (Wondal) and “ N.C.O.’* Guide to Promotion.” These could probably bo obtained from Braithwaito’s, Starks’s, or hiigos, in Dunedin. Four Territorials are at present unucicinn- military detention at iaiaroa Heads. So "far they have not “struck an international note” by refusing to do the "°rk set for them at the barracks. As the outcome of the visit of Lieutenantcolonel Macandrcw and Captain Williams to Matarac the work of laying down the railway siding, in preparation for the camp in April next, will shortly bo put in hand. It is probable that a section from No. 2 Company, N.Z. Field Engineers, will spend two or three days on the ground within the next fortnight to properly survey the site and prepare maps. This duty will cover the whole of the daylight parades required of those whoHakc part in it. Inis is another illustration of the practical value of the Engineers. In connection with the Sutton camp, the Engineers went under canvas in advance ancßbridged the stream, and carried out other useful works. It was made plain by the G-.0.C., however, that in future the engineers must go into camp with the infantry, so it is to be presumed that next year they will not be available in a similar capacity. Cadets Scrivener, Ritchie, Steele, Scrimshaw, and Alexander are practising assiduously with a view to inclusion in the New Zealand team to shoot, for the Earl Roberts trophy. Firing at 100yds, under service conditions, the rifleman who groups his shots in a 12in ring qualifies as a' secondclass shot, in an Bin ring as a first-class shot, and in a 4in ring as a marksman. On Saturday, July 12, Ritchie. Steele, Scrimshaw, and Alexander made Bin groups, the last-named missing a 4in group by placing one shot onc-eight of an inch out. Scrivener made a 4in group. This lad, who is shooting extremely well, on the previous Saturday put up a remarkable performance, grouping all his shots in a 2in ring. One of the features of the Otago Boys’ Higli School jubilee celebrations will be the massed physical display by the pupils on the Caledonian Ground. Every school day the lads spend 15 minutes in practising the movements under . the skilled direction of one of the ion-commissioned officers, and present progress warrants the anticipation of a splendid display. The syllabus of examination for first appointments to commissions in the New Zealand Territorial Force, will be found in General Orders, wh’ch will bo issued shortly. The information is too lengthy to reproduce here. A point of interest has cropped up in connection with this latest method of granting commissions. There are enthusiasts who have been serving as non-commissioned officers for years, and who. by reason of their experience and (heir influence over the men in their corps would be a decided acquisition as officers when vacancies in their corps occur. These men could readily pass a military oxamii v .ition. but naturally may he disinclined to sit for a civil examination such as is now provided in the syllabus. Recently headquarters was asked whether in such cases length of service could not be accepted as a test, the examination in these cases being waived. The reply is definitely in the negative. The result is that many of the best of the non-commissioned offieeis who have borne the heat and burden of the day. who both bv Territorial and military qualifications would admirably fill vacancies in the commissioned ranks of their regimcnis. being unwilling to fake the civil examination, will have to stand by wh.}-» younger men, lacking the experience and local knowledge, will get th" commissions. On May 30 last Lord Islington was received in audience bv the King unon relinquishing h : s appointment as Governor and Commander-in Clvef of the Dominion of New Zealand. His Majesty invested him

with the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.