DEFENCE AND RIFLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17012, 10 April 1923, Page 2

DEFENCE AND RIFLE.

(By “ THE ORDERLY.”) A very successful barracks was held by the St- Andrew’s College cadets from Tuesday. April 3, to- Saturday, April 7. About 140 boys were under canvas, commanded by Major R. A- Row, D. 5.0., who had with lum Lieutenants Williamson, Baybutt, Neale and Burrows, of the school staff, and Ser-geants-Major Bates, Fret-well, Patrick and Mathieson, of the Permanent Staff. An interesting syllabus of training was carried out by the cadets, and Lieutenant Bradley, R-.N.Z-A., instructed the battery in the use of the two 15-pounder guns issued to the unit. The senior platoon were also given instruction in the use of the Lewis gun. On the Thursday evening a. camp concert was held, and on the following evening a bonfire concert was given. On the Friday afternoon the boys gave a display to which the public were invited- On Saturday morning the senior platoon did a practice shoot at 25yds with the Lewis, guns, while the remainder were employed in striking camp. During the week the Area Officer paid a visit of inspection to the following units :—West Christchurch D.H.S. cadets, Technical College cadets and St Bede’s College cadets. It is expected that- Colonel R. Young, Southern Command, will make an inspection of the West Christchurch cadets at their parade on Friday, April 20. An endeavour is being made to arrange a five days’ barracks for the Technical College boys. The Southern Command rifle meeting: was held last week-end and was a decided success. Entries were good, though on the first ciav a very high wind produced a difference in the scores of several men. The members of the 16th Battery who were unable, to attend previous six day courses of training are doing their course this week. The Southern Depot, N.Z. Signallers, are doing a. course of six evening parades this week, at the Barracks. The sth (Cadet) Battalion held a parade on Saturday. They were in charge of Major J- L. Saunders, D.S.O. Parties were detailed for musketry -while the remainder went to Hagley Park and carried out some practice in judging distance. The Battalion will again parade on Saturday at. 1.45 p m., when further parties will be detailed for musketry while others will do judging distance tests at Hagley Park The Battalion Commander will take the opportunity next Saturday to make Ins half-yearly iuj speoHnn of the company. It is in- ! tended to prosecute at the Magistrate’s Court a’l absentees from these Saturday parades. The Christ's College cadets (3rd Battalion. C.R.), will carrv out- their shoot for the Victory Challenge Shield at Rcdcliffs to-morrow afternoon. Tho B.H.S. and St Andrew’s cadets will do their shoot for tho same shield on a date to be fixed. A friendly shooting match lias been arranged between a selected team of cadets from B.H.S. and St Andrew’s College. The area and unit officers are working at high pressure at present owing

tc the annual stock-taking and accounting for of all Government stores. This work is nearly completed, and the staff will soon be engaged in effecting the transfers of boys and generally preparing the rolls tor the annua\ postings on May 31. All Senior Cadets who will attain the age ot eighteen years during the present calendar year are eligible to be posted to the Territorials. They will be called upon to attend a parada at the barracks early in May to be medically examined. Only those found fit will be posted, and tlie remainder will be drafted to the temporarily or permanently unfit section. Trainees aro warned that those who fail to take advantage of the medical test will t*e classed as fit and drafted to the Territorials. Tt then rests with them ta prove their unfitness if they claim to be unfit at any later date. The special training platoon of tlie sth (Cadet) Ba-tt., C.R.. reinforced by members of the area N.C.O.’s class, held an Easter camp at Burnham. Captain H. H. 8. Westmacott. 0.8. E.. was in charge, and had associated with him Sergeant-Major Fretwell and. Barry, of the permanent staff. Sixty-five trainees were present, and an interesting and varied programme was carried out. The- camp was visited on the Saturday by Colonel R. Young, Colonel Commandant of the southern command. On the Sunday Major J. L. Saunders, D. 5.0., battalion commander, also inspected the camp. A church parade was held at the camp church on Easter Sunday morning, the Rev Stephen Par.* being the preacher. The boys returned to Christchurch by train on the Monday evening. Tlie Imperial challenge shield competition this year is receiving a great deal of attention from New Zealand. The competition is open to Cadets, boys’ brigades and such organisations throughout the Empire. Last year New Zealand’s efforts were favourably commented upon by liis Majesty the King. A still greater effort is to be made this year, and the local area has entered fifty-eight teams from the secondary school units and night parading Cadets, as against twenty-three last year. There is a similar increase throughout New Zealand. It is hoped that the match rifles now on order will arrive in time for teams to use them .n the competition. In addition to the main contest, the Goverrior-Geenral has offered a trophy to be won by the unit which enters the highest percentage of its strength in the Imperial challenge competition and also gains the highest percentage of points.