THE CHRISTCHURCH ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2765, 9 February 1877, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.

♦ ' The Battery went to Port on Monday, Jan. 29 (being the anniversary of the Proclamation of the Queen's Sovereignty over New Zealand) with the Armstrong 12-poundor gun, and the Howitzer 24-pounder, for shot and shell praotioe. The Howitzer practice was particularly good ; the reef, upon which a cask is placed as n target, being splintered in all directions, the target being broken. A party of the Artillery visited the reef after the praotioe, and found it strewn with fragments of shell and pieces of shattered rock. The Armstrong praotice was not quite up ■to its former standard. This is owing to the -worn condition of portions of tho gun (the tangent scale and deflector). The gun requires l overhauling by an experienced armourer. The firing parties were under the direction of Sergt-Major Raven und Sergt. Instructor Kerr, the whole boing undor the command of Lieut. Stansell, Capt Craig being unable to be present. After a most enjoyable day, tbe Battery returned to town with their guns by the 6 p.m. train. Tbey deeire to thank Mr Lawson, the Traffic Manager, for his kindness in placing truoka at their service at a very short notice, for the carriage of the gunß. Subjoined are the particulars of the firing : — No. 1 Detachment. Howitzer ; common shell ; range — 800 yds. Quartermaster-Sergeant Fox — burst over target. Gunner Best— 4 yds over to the right. Gunner Girdler— burst 2 yds right. Gunner Houstan — burst all around target. Gunnor Hall - burst all around target. Gunner Heinricbson— burst all around target. Gunner Andrews — 2 yds left and over. Gunner Morton— 6 ydß short in front of target. Sergt. Trumpeter Ashton— 3 yds left and over. Sergt.-major Raven — Btruck reef in front of target. Armstrong ; solid shot ; range — 800 yds. Quartermaster-Sergt. Fox - 1 yd short of target. Gunner Hest— 2 yds -hort and right. Gunner Girdler — 8 yds short. Gunner Houstan— lo yds short in front. Gunner Halt— struck target. Gunner Heinrickson — 10 yds short. Gunner Andrews— 2o yds over. Gunner Morton - struck the reef, t-'ergt. Trumpeter Ashton —12 yds over. Sorgt.-major »<aven— left corner of target. No. 2 Detachment. Arma'rong; shell ; time and oonoutsion fuse ; range— 2soo yda ; target on Quail Island. Sergt. Hill— l yd left, high. Bombadier Agnew— good line, 3 yds short. Bombadier Collier— l yd left. Corporal Cooper-struck rock beneath target. Gunnor Rein -3 yds short. Sergt. Burnet— 2 yds over target, good line. Gunner Piper— 6 yds high, left. Gunner Vedl— 3 yds abort, good line. Lieut. Stansell— 6 yds short, good line. Howitzer j solid shot; range — 800 yd** y.Hergfc Hill— l yd? in front of target! Bombadier Agnew— struck target. Bombadier Collier- 2 yds in front. Corjioral Cooper— B yds ih front. Gunner Rein— 4 yds over. Sergt. Burnet— 4 yds ovor. Guner Piper— lo yds lef s, front.