OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 35, 18 May 1907, Page 11

OUR DEFENDERS

Br Lek-Enfield.

THERE is certainly no dilly-dally-ing on the part of Colonels Robin and Davies and the lesser lights who compose the Defence Council of the Colony. R--yu-lations affecting the military forces are coming forth in quick succession, and the expectant volunteer is heaving a sigh of relief at the cvii >:it signs of the long-promised scl'ennof re-organisation. The latest rtwlations that have just emanated from headquarters are decidedly interesting, and while not revolutionary in character, should materially help to increase the efficiency of the force.

Provision is made for the conversion of mounted or infantry corps which cannot maintain an effective number of active men, and are some distance from the lines of communication, to reserve corps. These companies will retain their arms, and will be entitled to all the privileges of active volunteers, and will beentitled to shoot at all rifle meetings. Against this, they must attend four drills each year and qualify in musketry.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to touch upon all the proposals. A sliding scale has been introduced for daylight parades, officers drawing four shillings, sergeants, corporals and men nroportionatelv smaller sums. Officers controlling # regiments and battalions are to directly control all matters connected with cnpitation, equipment and ammunition ; horse hire is to be paid when required, and other charges of a minor nature are to take place.

The way to fame is hard ; but, through the verbosity of bis Godfathers at the christening. Captain Oswald Cecil David Donald Dallas ~ains a little chesm notoriety now and then. Oswald is a well-known figure in Canterbury military circles, and has just resigned a position on the local Examination Board. It is his private opinion that there is sometimes too much in a name.

No names will be mentioned, but one or two officers will be very careful how they pen any future explanations to their lawyer-chief. The reply received from the commander in a recent instance came down with an audible thud.

The first company of Garrison Artillery is preparing teams to compete at the military tournament to be held at Melbourne a few months hence. The men are very enthusiastic, and in view of the high position gained by the old corps at the Christchurch tourney, the prospects at the more ambitious venture are distinctly encouraging.

The follow^-- comes from Russia, and is, of course, quite true. In the land of the Czar the young idea is trained on the principle that it is his duty to kill, not to think, and he soon knows by rote some of the questions he will be asked. Said a captain to one of them the other day, "What would you do if you met a Japanese ?" "Kill him, your honour." " And if you met two ?" "Kill them, your honour." "But if there were a hundred ?" " Kill them, your honour."

The officer gasped. " One man couldn't kill a hundred," he said. "You should answer, I would retire honourably." " I should retire honourably," said recruity. " And if you met a cow ?" "I should kill her." "Think, fool, why should you kill. a cow ?" "I should retire honourably." " No," explained the officer, " you should take the cow by the horn and lead her to a stall." " Yes, your honour, I should lead her to" a stall." "And if you met me P" "I would kill you, vbur honour." "What!" roared the officer. The recruit turned red, looked itupid, and scratchip- his head, answered, " Kill, you first, then retire honourably and lend you to. your stall/ . ..

Mr Carter Pickford, who was here with the Brough-Flemming Company, will leave Sydney for England with bis wife. Miss Gordon Lee — the ingenue of the company — in June. Mr # Carter Pickford. originally studied medicine, and left St. Bartholomew's Hospital to go on the stage. After leaving school he travelled over a considerable part of the world.

The Bicknells are at the Melbourne Opera House. • • •

Additional proof of Miss Brune's versatility was provided by the nature of her work at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, recently, for in the six days there she played three roles utterly different in scope and character. First of all, at the holiday matinee on Monday afternoon there was "Merely Mary Ann," a quaintly humorous but withal pathetic little figure of a London lodging-house slavey. The same evening Miss Brune changed to the powerfully emotional Kundry, with the intense mssages and deer> dramatic significance of "Parsifal." andlastly on Saturday she was a train in lighter vein as the picturesque daughter of the Vernons, a character which, though it wins plenty of laughter, is on very different linos toMary Ann. And each one of the trio was played by Miss Brune in a completely satisfactory manner.