VOLUNTEERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12619, 1 August 1904, Page 3

VOLUNTEERS.

(By Scout.)

The local volunteers have been without a riile range for some months, but were exceedingly fortunate m bccuring a site lor one on the Waivaktiiho flut, a little beyond Mr Newtou King's sale yards, and on the I1( ,r(li side of the Devon Koad. The trench is situated on a terrace under the ciifl' on which the famous Rewajpwa pah once stood : the cliff serves as a stop butt for the bullets. A Ivy. >ard« to th<- east, and a little in icar' of the trench, are a couple of grass^rown mounds vWwb mark uheie a target und mantlet stood dmiiu. the war, and were u^vd by the military forces. The one. great disiuKanfage of the range is its aspect, whidi is a ten degrees east of north, and consequently with the sun in the iiri-is' eyes. Markers will find it ab solutcly necessary to provide themselves ' with coloured glasses for the same reason ; the conditions otherwise are almost ideal. The range lms been laid out for 1000 yards, which is quite long enough. The line of fire is practically parallel with the IHangaone for part of the distance, and with the Waiwnkaiho for the balance. The work done admits of the range being used, but volunteers will have to put up wi'li many inconveniences at first. These will be remedied when finances permit. The trench and two firing mounds nro complete. The "trench is long enough to accommodate six target posts or "frames ; five are in position, and the sixth is being made. The trench i« a wide one, and is 7 ft. Oin. from the bottom to the crest of the protective mound. The mound is 7ft. (hick at the top. and revetforl on both sides, the cow being Kand. which i« the best thing going for the purpo-e. On the inner Hide n, the mound opposite each target post an iron t.ir-et lonf i-s placed Io K he additional protection.

It was ascertained by experiment the other day that the bullet j'OM'im ted for rather less than 15 inches, so that protection for the markers is ample. A target --lied I(i \ S has been erected, and shelters for markers pros ided, the shed and I1I 1 each being .-•(•( urely fenced. Two liring mounds ha\e been made and also fenced to prevent dostruethe in\esiioation thereof by cattle. A light bridue has been built o\ or the Mang-aoiie. The telephone is installed as far as (he .j(M) yards point, and will be continued throughout as soon as l he funds will permit. A good deal remains to be done, but at present will have to remain undone, no mole ino;«c\ being available. As something has been said regarding thr smell from the boiling down works, it is only fair to state that only whe,i the wind is in one (juartrs. and then only when the digester is being used, will anything be noticeable. The official opening of the range will take phice probably on August lMh, when it is expected that the Mayor will be asked to HVo the first shot, and ila^s tiring will commence ihe follow ing w eel;.