THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3116, 3 December 1913, Page 6

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

By Sextky.

The following officers have passed the examination for promotion to the next rank Captain W. Domigan, 14th (South Otago) Regiment; Lieutenant D. VVlute, Coast Defence Detachment, 4th Regiment; Captain J. Gilkison. 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles; Captain W. Fleming, 4tli (Otago) Regiment. ••• Captain A. E. Wolstenholme has qualified in subjects (C) and (D) of the examination for promotion. From the latest Gazette:—7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles : Quartermaster (Hon. Lieutenant) J. Green resigns; New Zealand' Railway Battalions—Captain (on probation) W. 0. Ennis to be Adjutant South Island Battalion; Bth (Southland) Regiment—2nd Lieutenant (on probation) E. M. Gabites from 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment to be 2nd Lieutenant (on pinbation) with seniority next below 2nd Lieutenant C. E. Butcher; 4th (Otago) Regiment—Lieutenant A. V. Speddmg to be Captain, vice Neill, resigned; 14th (South Otago) Regiment—2nd Lieutenant S. G. Paterson from the Unattached List (b) to be 2nd Lieutenant with seniority next below 2nd Lieutenant J. T. Moroney. In bald outline, the scheme of the tactical exercise for the Dunedin Garrison troops on the afternoon of Saturday, December 13, is the supposed landing of a hostile force, which takes up a defensive position somewhere on the Otago Peninsula, and an effort by portion of the garrison to oust the invaders. Hie hostile force will be represented by the Senior Cadets, assisted by a section of the I’ield Artillery, some Engineers, some Mounted Rifles, and the Field Ambulance, who will muster at 2.30 p.m. at the Anderson s Bay tram terminus. The infantry battalion, the coast defence detachment, and the balance of the troops named" above will be the defenders, and will muster at the Oval at 2.50 p.m. Rations and tea for evening meal should be carried. Mr J. A. Park has been appointed Chairman of the Otago District Committee for the National Reserve. Persons who have served in any of the military or naval forces of the Crown, and are under no obligation for further service, who are desirous of being registered as National Reservists, are invited to send their names and addresses to the Chairman of the Committee in their district, who will furnish further details as to the obje'ets of the Reserve, and deal with the registration of intending members. The following new regulation should be noted specially by those men who are too warmly attached to the military greatcoat: —No Territorial or Cadet shall wear his uniform or any part thereof (including the military greatcoat) except when performing military duties, or serving in any camp of training or military exercise, or going to or from the place of parade, exercise, training, or military duty. Every Territorial who commits a breach of this regulation is liable to a fine not exceeding £2 for each such offence, recoverable on summary conviction.

The programme for Group XIII Rifle meeting to be held at Dunedin on December 26 and 27 includes :—Match 1 : (a) Grouping —Target, second class, 100yds, 5 rounds; (b) Slow —Target, second class, 200yds, 5 rounds. Twenty seconds each shot. Match 2 • (a) Snap Shooting— Target, second class, 200yds, 5 rounds; (b) Rapid—Target, second class, 200yds, 5 rounds. Match 3 : (a) Slow—3ooyds, 5 rounds, conditions as per match 1 (b); (b) Snap Shooting—3ooyds, 5 rounds, conditions as per Match 2 (a). Match 4 : Rapid—3ooyds, 10 rounds, conditions as for Practice* 7, Musketry Course. Match 5 : Slow —500yds, 7 rounds, 20scc each shot. Match 6 : Judging Distance Competition — Number of distances. 6. Match 7 : Championship—Open to the top 25 competitors in matches 1 to 6, nt 500yds, conditions as for Practice 7, Musketry Course. The Honorary Territorials have presented a valuable Cup, to be held for one year by the winner of first prize in this match. Scoring and conditions of all matches will be as per Musketry Course, New Zealand Military Forces, 1913-14. Prizes in Each Match : Territorials and General Training Section — First prize £1 os; second prize, 17s 6d ; third prize, 10s; three rsi iz.es at 7s 6d. £1 2s 5d ; five prizes at 5--. £1 ss; 12 prizes at 2s 6d, £1 10s. Cad.fl ■ - !•';•• t prize. £1 ; second prize, 12s 5d ; lliiid :m 1 :■ ■; ■' h prizes, each 7s 6d. 15s: five prize-. ■■ 5 . £1 ss; 10 prizes at 2s 6d. £1 ss. Entries, with cash, to be xoadc to the Group officers, Dcience Office,

St. Andrew street. Dunedin, or to any Sergeant-Major Instructor, not later than December 20, 1913. Rifles to be used as issued by the Defence Department, but sights may be blackened; slings not allowed. The Executive has power to increase or decrease the value of prizes in proportion to the number of entrants.