OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 46, 3 August 1907, Page 14

OUR DEFENDERS

By Lee-Enfield

IT would be a graceful act on the part of the Defence Department if Captain Skinner, whose papers were sent in last week, was placed on the list of active unattached with~the rank of Major. The veteran officer well deserves the promotion. For the last thirty years he has been answering the call of the Empire, or whatever it is that encourages a man to devote himself to volunteering, and during fifteen years of this period he has been wearing the buttons of an officer. The Infantry Battalion put in some useful skirmishing work at Penrose on Saturday, in preparation for a practice in attack work with ball ammunition in the near future. The muster, with the exception of one company, was fairly good, and the worlt decidedly beneficial. The British riflemen are fully alive to the fact tliat they will want their straightest eyes and steadiest nerves when they take their shooting jaunt through Australia, and the team was strengthened considerably last weeli by the inclusion of Sergeant Ommundsen. The sergeant with the Oriental-looking name is said to be the first shot in Britain when "Wallingford is away, and he is a King's Prize winner, and has twice registered his mark as grand aggregate winner at Bisley. By the way, Ommundsen made excellent shooting in "the King's" this -year, and in May last made 103 in a 105 possible in the shoot for the Scottish Gold Cross.

Those 12pr. quick-firern, so carefully planted in the Stores at Njqrth Head by a previous administration, appear to have been discovered by the Defence Council, and there .is now a prospect of the guns being erected and brought into use before they have become quite obselete. A snail battery of these guns was erected some years ago to protect the Shore minefield, but the accident at "Wellington suggested a defect in the mechanism, and led to practice with the gnns being abandoned. Now the authorities contemplate putting the battery into commission again, and erecting guns now in store at the other forts. Is there any chance of the authorities, now they are displaying this commendable spirit of energy, directing their attention to the six inch mark VII. guns also lying in store. These guns are the most effective in New Zealand, but have been condemned to a prolonged period of uselessness by the procrastination of the defence authorities. Now that Captain Bosworth has bidden his old company farewell to take up the mysterious duties of intelligence Officer, there are likely to be several changes in the ranks of the "A " Battery. It is practically rf •] tain that Lieut. Sherson, who has gained a big insight into the technicalities of the artillery business from a long and enthusiastic association with the Battery, will be chosen to occupy the important position of commander so long filled by Hnpt. Bosworth. Lieut Sherson, like many other of out officers, is a " ranker," but is none the worse fitted for his higher position from that fact. By the way. it is said that the next officer to figure on the Battery roll will probably be elevated straight from the ranks.

Stated that the officers' bout will be by no means the least interesting item at the forthcoming boxing tournament, some of the select circle .being clever exponents of the' hitting art. But what a chance is offered to certain officers to settle their grievances with a strenuous struggle in the ring. On Saturday a company of the Infantry Battalion was represented on parade with the mighty total of one man. Verily, the enthusiasm of our defenders is astounding. There will probably be a strong contingent of New Zealanders facing the Australian targets for the big meeting in October, whether the Government gives financial assistance" or otherwise. An attractive programme is open to our riflemen, and arrangements have been made for a 20 per cent, reduction in the fares.