VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12845, 1 December 1905, Page 6

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

(By Vedette.)

Tiniaru companies are now looking forward to the annual camp, which .'commences on December 4th. *' Given fine weather, a large number of men should be under canvas, but as the atmosphere at that time will be-surcharged with politics, there is ;i prcbility of drill being somewhat hampered during the first two days. I understand that at least one of the corps could do with a few good recruits. : , Temuka Rifles had an enjoyable time in Christchureh on the 16th when they fired their annual match with the college" corps and were beaten by the narrow margin of 7 points. Private Sim with 89 was top scorer. The Studholme Mounted Rifles went into camp on Thursday week near Waimate. under the cominand of Captain Wain, Lieutenants Manchester and Studholme. Thera were about 40 men under canvas, the staff instructor present being Sergeant-Major Morgan. Given fine weather the men should have a useful week's training. The procession in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Christchurch exhibition has, according to the papers in the city of the plains, been abandoned, but as yet there is no news of the cancellation, of the district order commanding the volunteers to parade on the 18th Affairs are, apparently, in a muddle through the factories being compelled by statute to keep Saturday 16th: as the holiday. This being the case, it is highly probable rhat the military functions will be abandoned. As the local corps had decided on holding a field day on the 18th, and had then given up that idea on account of the parade in it will be a decided disappointment if the latter is cancelled as there will be,-no. time left to arrange for manoeuvres near Timaru. Captain and Aojut. Foden informs me that the Government annual prize-firing grant of £25/ or this' year is available,, arid in all probabilitv : if other arrangement!? fall through t-he i money will be shot for on the Timaru i range on the holiday. Last year it will' be remembered the cash, was divided among; the corps of the district, but on this oc-i casiou, it is stipulated that the firing must! be done on the Timaru range before the' end of February.

. Lieutenant .Bell, who recently took the! position of junior subaltern in the Citvi Rifles has be;n transferred to Christchurcli. ! and.-unfortunately, has had to resign bis' : commission-in the Timaru corps The Ashburton Kifles and Guards con-! eluded a very successful camp-on "Monday week, Captain Meddingsbeing the staff in-* structor During the week thev were in- j ■speeted by Colopel Bauchop who" expressed i himself highly-pleased with what are with-! out doubt the two best infantry companies; m South Canterbury. . " ■ •* ! _ Volunteers glad to hear that' hergeant-Major Jones is .< -improving, but! jnllbe confined for aiout a' fortnight; yet., l t; is probable that Captain Meddings or one of the Christchurch bergeant-alajors, will act* as instructor during the Tij]aru ; camp,.as:,Sergeant-Maior Morgan will be with the S.C.M.R on the enow ground. The Geraldine Rifles have secured a newrifle range in McColl's gullv close to the township in lieu of the old ranee which, about three miles frcm the borough, did not offer much encouragement to volunteers to go in for steady snooting practice. Regulations are gazetted governing capitation and personal payments, etc.-. for signalling sections of Volunteer corps. Capitation allowance will be grante-1 to all member* who go into camp "for j-Lv davs each year. The men must attend eighteen pa-! rades. at which at least, half the strength; must be present.. Two-thirds of the, strength must be present on at least four parades. The yearly examination will re-'

quire a man to send and rend a ?erric* message of 150 letters on the largo flap at six words per minute, to .send and read service messages of 200 letters on Use heliograph lamp and small ;: :! g at eight words ,i minute, and \r, «.<.,;,; .service messages of 200 letters on the semaphore at ten words per minute. An ac-1 curacy of 90 per cent, will be required to pass, and 95 per vent, will entitle a I nnmber to a badge and personal payment j of £l. Any man failing to pass two] years m succession will cease to be a member of the signalling section.