Volunteer Notes.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11977, 27 May 1902, Page 1

Volunteer Notes.

[By Scour.] THE MORRIS TUBE. As there has been some enquiry as to what a Morris tube is, the following description may be of service. The Morris aiming tube consists of a steel tube rifled throughout with e:ght grooves, solid breech piece, sliding extractor of steel working on a cam slot which gives a revolving rnotibn to the extractor. The tube is fixed in thje rifle by means of a set nut and two washers attached to the muzzle for that purpose. Calibre of tube .230.. The trajectory targets consist of either paper or steel, the paper ones being the test. The targets are reduced to the apparent dimensions of the full size regulation targets at the assumed distance according to the well-known fact in optics, that objects appear smaller in direct proportion as the ,'distance increases'. Aim is taken ~ at the spot provided f-or the purpose and the shot strikes the target e jfrinted above or, in the case of 200 >y*rds, below, acrording to the adjustment of the sights of the rifle for the range desired — of course assuming that the sSght ' taken is right ' and the aim correct. The shooting is described by those who have tried it as 'tough' but excellent practice. The advantages of *" using the tube are many,' e.g., practice in- confined places or indoors, or by artificial light ' etc. To the recruit it is oi special benefit. He is 1 , able to learn the proper working qf hands and eye to take a proper sight, and if he does miss, which is the usual thing at first, he is able to; see where his shot has gone ; the margins of the target slips, representing"' several feet of divergence. This may seem to ibe of no moment, but in actual shooting on the range a tyro may fire and miss all his shots .and not have the least idea where they have gone unless they are low in front of the target, when the bullet usually throws up the dirt, the 'result too often being that the man goes home discouraged, thinking that - he has defective eyesight and^goes no oftener to the range than he can help. The trained man is enabled' to keep up his practice, and to all the cost is hardly a fourth of the ordinary ammunition. Its chief disadvantages are that the aiming spot is always th© samj, size and that proper judgment of wind and light cannot be learned. The local practice range is at the Drill Hall and is open Thursday af-. ternoons and Saturday evenings, membership being restricted to Volunteers and their honorary- members, Rifle Club and Band. The Hawera Mounted Rifles go into camp at Hawera on Wednesday for a week's trainings