REGIMENTAL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21647, 8 March 1932, Page 3

REGIMENTAL NOTES

(By Kia Mate Toa.) Parades for March: Invercargill, March 7, 28; Annual Bivouac, March 7 to 12; Half-day parades, March 26. The following appear in General Orders for February, 1932: The appointment of 2nd Lieut, (on prob.) T, J. Arnold Ist Cadet Bn. is confirmed. Captain A. T. McCaw, F.R.C.S. (Eng.) ceases to be attached to the Southland Regiment and is transferred to the Reserve of Officers, Southern Command, dated December 14, 1932.

The annual bivouac for the Southland Regiment commenced at the Showgrounds yesterday. An interesting programme of training, etc., has been drawn up for the week, which includes all specialist branches. On Tuesday evening a special demonstration of night firing M.G.’s will be given on the Otatara rifle range. On Friday a tactical exercise with ball ammunition will be carried out at Sandy Point Domain. The social side of the bivouac has been well catered for. On Monday evening the Regimental Band will play nt the Showgrounds. On Wednesday after 6.30 p.m. the camp will be thrown open to the public. A sports meeting has been arranged for 6.30 p.m. The Regimental Band will also be in attendance, and at 8.15 p.m. an open air concert will be arranged by Mr Kennedy Black and local artists. On Thursday evening a picture programme has been arranged at the Regent Theatre. The manager, Mr McKeever, has arranged to admit territorials in uniform at reduced rates for back stalls and circle seats. A letter from the Southland Aero Club has been received by the regiment expressing the thanks of the club for the co-operation extended by a detachment of the signallers in connection with the running of the recent official South Island Air Pageant, held at the club’s aerodrome on February 20. The letter continues: “The work of your men and particularly those in charge of the field telephone equipment was invaluable, and I must assure you that the assistance given was greatly appreciated.”

The Southland Technical College held a barracks at the Showgrounds from February Bto 12. A varied syllabus of training was carried out and the lads looked fit and well at the end of the week. A massed physical display was started at the commencement of the barracks and by constant repetition this item of eight exercises was carried out on the fourth day without any word of command. Lt.-Col. S. P. Nicholls, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., Officer Commanding the Southern Command, inspected the unit on Friday, the 12th, and expressed himself extremely pleased with the progress of training, generally and of the good iurn out and physique of the boys. During the five days’ (continuous training the Lewis Gun Section of the College fired Part 1 of the Lewis gun course, the practices included grouping, application, fire discipline andstoppages. Keen interest was taken by the boys and the result of the shooting was very satisfactory.

On Saturday, February 20 D (M.G.) Coy of the Ist Bn. Southland Regiment fired Part II of the M.G. course. The practices were all fired at 400yds and included ranging, registration, application and traversing also service application. The result of the shooting showed a great improvement on that of previous years. The highest score was registered by Corporal H. A. Sutton who only dropped three points for the whole course, his score being 137. Tire next highest scores were Cor;x>ral T. Donaldson 93, Private W. Dymock 93, C.S.M. T. Smith 89 Private J. Ayto 82. A meeting of the general committee of the Southland Territorial Association was held in the officers' room on the 24th ult. It was arranged that members of the committee would interview employers, with the object of gaining permission for territorials to attend the annual bivouac. Prize money was donated for the sports meeting to be held on Wednesday evening and a concert was arranged for, to be organized by Mr Kennedy Black.