THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 6

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Bx Sentri.

Major W. E. M'Lean, Fourth Regiment,, has been awarded the New Zealand Territorial service medal for 12 years’ service. The medal will be presented on the first favourable opportunity. Henry Wright has been gazetted lieutenant in the Otago section New Zealand Forces Motor Reserve of Officers —the new name by which this branch of the service is to be known. Lieutenant N. S. Falla, B Battery, has been promoted, to be captain. , Second Lieutenants A. J. Chrystall and R. Richards become lieutenants.

The weather dispenser was handing out samples during the week the 90 (out of 120) members of (J Squadron, sth Mounted Rifles,- were voluntarily in camp at Raufurly, consequently the experience was a trifle mixed. The troops arrived in camp on Monday, and the work of that afternoon and of the following day was carried out under pleasant weather conditions. Then came the rain on Wednesday, to continue until Friday forenoon. On Friday evening the sample included hard frost and snow, and Saturday, Sunday, and Monday brought beautiful weather. Throughout*the embarrassing meteorological variety officers and men preserved the attitude of soldiers, and seemed to enjoy life. The officers of the squadron present were Captain D. B. Shupd, Lieutenant Greer, Second Lieutenants Law and Smith. The staff was represented by Captain Hay, Sergeant-majors Wood, M'Cormack. and Evans, and Quartermaster-sergeant Black. Horses were not taken to camp as it was intended to spend the tin®

mostly in foot drill and the firing of the musketry course. The first day or two were spent mainly in preliminary musketry instruction as a preparation for the firing of the course, which was commenced on the day the rain fell. Notwithstanding the rain the filing went on at the four targets on the full-size range prepared, and the only complaint was that the rain would wash off the fronts of the targets. It was found that the revised musketry course is comparatively easy to

get through. Tire whole of the men with the exception of two with defective eyesight finished their musketry course. It was for this purpose as well as to enable country Territorials to consolidate their drills that the camp was held. The camp was to have been struck on Saturday, but the interruption of railway traffic left Ranfurly without a train service, and as a consequence all save some of those living within a short radius from the camp had perforce to spend two extra days in camp. The upshot was that in addition to firing their musketry course for the year they completed the prescribed six whole-day parades and all their evening drills except four. This leaves them with four parades of an hour and a-half each mid their annual training earn.]) to complete their service for the year. To attain this result the members of the squadron had to sacrifice both time and money, for they iiad to provide for their own keep at this camp. Consequently they were able to put their cooking into the hands of local caterers, and they lived_ high. Reveille was at 6 a.rn., and, with intervals for meals, training was carried on until 6 p.m. In the evenings lectures for officers and non-commissionod officers were given. The camp was visited by Lieutenantcolonel Macdonald (officer commanding the

regiment), Major Grant (of the staff), and Captain Black (A Squadron). The discipline was excellent. The only mishap that threatened a tragic ending was the sudden disappearance of the Regimental Quartermastersergeant in an unsuspected water hole. The irrepressible Q.M.S. solemnly avers that had he not been able at the moment of crisis to grasp a friendly “twig’’ his frail form would have been found in a watery grave. A voluntary camp on similar lines is to be held in the vicinity of Oamaru during the second week in October for B Squadron and those members of A Squadron residing in Waitati and northwards thereof.

Major Grant, who visited the camp at Ranfurly, got as far as Middlemarch on the return journey, and was compelled to make a compulsory halt because of what the bills of lading term an “Act of God.’’ However, out of misfortune comes very often unexpected advantage, and the upsetting of the railway time-table made an unforeseen 'opening for Major Grant to inspect the land on the side of the Taieri River opposite the camp cite. Manoeuvres will probably lie carried out, on this property, which Major Grant found to be eminently suitable for the purpose. The river, of course, is bridged hereabouts. Some of the new regulations governing military detention : —Accommodation for those committed to military custody must be certified as suitable from a medical point of view by a medical officer. On arrival of an offender at the place of detention his civilian clothes will be removed, he will be bathed, and issued with a suit of dungaree. Tobacco, matches, any instrument with which be might do damage, money, and valuables

will be removed from him, and a list thereof entered in a book which will be signed by the offender as well as bv the officer or N.C.O. making- the entry. These articles will be returned to the offender on completion of his sentence. Bach offender will be medically examined on arrival. In the event of sickness arrangements will be made for medical attention. Where there are more offenders than one undergoing detention they will not be separately confined in the daytime, except in cases of insubordination. Cots and mattresses will be provided by the R.N.Z.A., or, where there is no permanent cadre, under arrangements made by the O.C. district. Towels, blankets, and feeding utensils will, when necessary, be provided by the Defence Department. After three days, if the offender’s conduct is good, lie may be given a book to read./ Offenders will be visited daily by an officer on duty, who will enter the visit in a hook kept for the purpose. Medical officers will visit offenders undergoing detention as required. Chaplains may visit offenders should they require to do so.