DEFENCE NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 16786, 15 July 1911, Page 7

DEFENCE NOTES

(By "Vernier.”) Classes of Instruction. During the week N.C.O.’s representing the Wallace Mounted Rifles and the Southland M.R. were noted as holding classes of instruction at InvercargillThe classes wore but poorly attended, there being an average of about six members each day. The instructors were Lieut. Glendinning and Staff-Sergt. Ivemey. Captain Moore, Brigade Major, Otago Infantry Brigade, is at present in Invercargill, bis visit having the purpose of overseeing and Inspecting the various classes of instruction being held throughout the district. The object of these classes is to have a strong staff of efficient officers and N.C.O.’s ready to proceed with the training of the drafts expected by companies immediately the medical examinations are concluded. Outside Invercargill the attendance at the various classes has been phenomenal, and the results satisfactory. Locally they had to be abandoned owing to the inconsequent recognition of their importance by the members concerned. On Thursday evening last Captain Moore got into contact with a few of the Invercargill N.C.O’s, and “floored” them that some Idea could be obtained of their capabilities. A searching examination was made with regard to the elementary details regarding recruit drill, after which Captain MOore ventured a few remarks. Particularly, he enjoined the members to go about their business full of confidence, showing no hesitation whatever regarding their Intentions and purpose. He was quite confident from what he had seen that those present would make fine instructors. He expressed himself as agreeably surprised with the splendid insight exhibited by the N.C.O.’s, and would be pleased to meet them at their company parades on Friday and Monday evening. On Friday afternoon Captain Moore took a two-hours’ class for the officers locally, having for his subject “A Tactical Scheme.”

Sergt.-Major Wilson Senior N.C.O. of the Artillery Instructor’s staff, has been in Invercargill for the last few days attending to matters connected with the inadequate hall accommodation experienced by the local battery. On Thursday evening the Sergt-Major devoted some time to the inculcating of the gun sections assembled with the rudiments of the new cavalry drill. The work presents many complications and does not by any means appeal to the Intensely practical mind of the colonial. The universalising of the drill, to fall in line with the Home forces, however, is one of the most Insistent of the latest reforms ; the gunners on Thursday evening evidently sympathised with these sentiments of Imperialism and went at their new drill wholeheartedly and with enthusiasm. The results were early apparent, and the battery should readily adapt themselves to the drill of their Home confreres.

Major Ritchie’s visit to Invercargill marked an epoch in the short life of the locql battery. Critics in the past there have been, but the colonial gunner is never prone to accept the opinions, favourable or otherwise, of soldiers from the Imperial Army. Two logical conclusions he always arrives at after such criticisms, based upon the opinion expressed. Either the inspecting officer is doing a little “leg-pulling,” for want of a better term, or he forgets that the soldiers under review are only Territorials. From Major Ritchie, however, a true statement of affairs was expected He commands the sister battery to the C’s in Dunedin and is accustomed to the colonial gunner in all his phases. He had not come to < criticise, however, and although some thoughts in this direction did escape him, there was no doubt his mission was one of instruction. On Monday he lectured to the officers and N.C.O.’s on “Fire Control,” a subject fraught with much Import to the gunner. On Tuesday, besides lecturing to the staff of the battery, he assumed command of it temporarily and tested its capabilities on the guns. Afterwards he expressed his satisfaction at what he had seen, and was quite confident regarding the future of the corps.

Medical Examination. The medical examination of all probable cadets and Territorials will commence on Monday next at the Invercargill headquarters, Leven street. The first to.undergo the scrutiny of fhe medical officers will be the Cadet forces. Cards are being posted to all concerned, and it will be recognised that each individual will attend punctually at the date named and the hour. The medical officers will have a tremendous amount of work to contend with, and a period of 14 days to do it all in. The posting to companies will be gone on with as soon after medical inspection as circumstances permit. It is safe to anticipate that within six weeks' from the conclusion of the inspection, companies can expect their quotas to complete their strength. The medical test, as set‘forth in the “Personal Record Book” issued to each individual, looks a formidable one, but, acting under the Instructions of Major-General Godley, a certain amount of latitude will be allowed, the idea being that the lad showing only a slight degree of physical unfitness may be improved upon by the physical training necessary under the new order of things. Interviewed In Christchurch on Thursday evening by a “Press” representative, one of the medical officers said that, taken all round, the physique of the young men was excellent. It had come as a surprise to him to find such a few had to be "turned down” (to use his own expression). This was very different to the state of affairs prevailing a few years ago, when recruits were being examined for service in the Boer war. Then about two out of every five recruits failed to "pass the censor.” Items. On Monday evening last Lieut. Wheeler, local adjutant. Inspected the City Guards. The parade state showed 50 of all ranks present. The inspection was a surprise one, and as a consequence the men were on their everyday behaviour. After some company drill, the inspecting officer turned some Noncoms. on the floor for Instruction purposes. The work asl*?d for was the details of recruit culture. At the conclusion Lieut. Wheeler expressed his satisfaction at the steadiness of the men and their attention to the fine points in the drill of the evening. Capaln Moore, who Is. at present on an official visit to Invercargill, was, until his transfer to the Dominion as a brigade-major to the Otago division, a member of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He has seen service in many parts of the globe, possessing an array of medals won in the service of’ his country. He is singularly fitted for the position to which he has been appointed. His hobby 1s Instructional work, and his present tour of the Otago district is in this connection. Chatting to him, one learns that so far as the Dominion forces are concerned the attention of N.C.O.’s should be directed at specialist work. As the classes progress and it is observed that a N.C.O. is smart at certain sections of the drill, as far as his work as an Instructor takes .him, keep him at that branch. Should he possess the physique required to impart the details of Swedish drill, which is now a necessary course for recruits, to him shall the squad be given for education in that branch. From him the squad might be handed to the musketry specialist or the arm drill specialist. Soldiering the Dominion was too indeterminate to allow of any other course. Many prominent officers who have served for years in the Dominion forces are of a like opinion. Captain Moore will go to Gore to-day and will return to Invercargill on Monday to be present at the parade of the Guards in the evening. So far he has visited Milton, Balclutha, Tapanui, Stirling, and Kelso. At these places the N.C.O.'s had impressed him with their all-round talents as instructors. The question of obtaining the infantry drill book has been exercising the minds of many local officers and N.C.O.’s. It is satisfactory to note that the district headquarters have a number on hand, and these will be distributed immediately to all officers and N.C.O. In the brigade. The books are on loan only, and must bo returned on transfer or resignation. A number of other works upon the demands of the service are also to hand, but, being limited in number, those will be Issued to officers only, All any N.C.O, could wish to know as regards his work is contained in the infantry drill manual, For musketry the 1910 Manual, part 1, is the standard work on the subject, These can be obtained at. any bookseller’s, The Defence Department has decided that the increase of allowances for horses in the matter of permanent in-

jury cannot be sanctioned. The suggested increase was from £3O to £SO. The formation of a Mounted Field Ambulance, with effect from March 17, 1911, and known as “No. 7 Mounted Field Ambulance,” with headquarters at Invercargill, has been approved.