DEFENCE NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 250, 21 October 1937, Page 9

DEFENCE NOTES

NOTICE BOARD (By “Sentry”) All Ranks.—Parade at racecourse at 9 a.m. sharp on Saturday, Octobex 23. B Company.—Next evening parade. November 1. M.G. Platoon.—Next evening parade, November 8. Motor Section.—Next evening parade, November 8. The heavy machine-gun platoon held a shoot on the Putiki range last Saturday, resulting in some very good scores being registered. There was a good muster of recruits present under the command of Lieut. Bassett, who ordered shoots both in point targets and in traversing. Privates Hunt, Wylie and Powell were all good scorers for men of their experience. “Sentry” hopes to see some of these young 'fellows in stripes some day and it can only be done by regular attendance, close attention to the job in hand and most of all a really live interest in the affairs of the platoon. Corporal Butler, of the M.G. Platoon, handed in his gear on Monday night as he has been transferred to the railway workshops at Auckland. He will be greatly missed by the men and officers alike, as he was one ot those chaps, not brilliant, but always on the job and a man to be absolutely relied upon to see his job done thoroughly. With the departure of Corporals Butler and Payne, the M.G. platoon will be looking out for men to take their places. Here is your chance, recruits. A bit of good, steady training and there may be a stripe for you.

It is with great pleasure that we learn of the intention of Mr Ivan Foster to rejoin the ranks of the volunteers. Business has kept Ivan away from drill for some months, but he is very keen to get back again now that he has the time. We will be looking forward to seeing him on parade again with the M.G. platoon. The men of the M.G. platoon and motor section were the guests of B Company at their annual concert held in the Drill Hall on Monday night. Captain S. H. Gould, who was in the, chair, left nothing to be desired. The officers present were Lieut.-Col. Cade, I tieut.-Col. W. S. McCrorie, Major i ovegrove, Captain Luxford, Captain I Pleasants, Lieutenant Dalzell, and Lieutenant Hanton. Community singing conducted by Lieutenant Hanton was a great success and tuned everyone up for the evening. We were very fortunate in acquiring the services of the Wanganui. Mouth-organ Band, who rendered several fine selections under the baton of Mr Courtney Darby. We wish to thank the boys very cordially for their fine entertainment and wish them every success in their activities. Cadet Hodge obliged with two very well delivered recitations which received the spontaneous applause of all present. It is pleasing to note that Doug, is pot only an excellent elocutionist but also a most efficient soldier. The next item was a mouth-organ solo by Corporal Oram, whose rendering was such that it would be good to see him join up with the Wanganui Mouthorgan Band and impart a little of his knowledge to some of the younger members and thereby help this enthusiastic group along. This was followed by a whistling solo by Corporal Oram, senr., accompanied by his son on the mouth-organ. Mr Lee then obliged with banjo solos of a very high standard, which were greatly appreciated. Mr Johnson’s exhibition of piano-accordion music was encored repeatedly and it was only the arrival of a jolly good supper which let him out. Mr F. Stokes presided at the piano throughout the evening and hearty thanks to him for helping our show along so well. It was very interesting to see a number of returned soldier fathers of volunteers present and needless to say it is great encouragement to the boys when dad is interested in the volunteers. Aftei another bout of community singing, the evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Old Lang Syne.” Great credit is due to the officers and men of B Company for putting on such a splendid show.

On Tuesday, October 12, a very interesting and instructive lecture on the application of the combined sight rule in machine-gunnery, and the angles of distribution and switch, was delivered by Staff S.M. Harvey, N.Z.P.S. On the completion of the lecture, questions were invited and many heretofore doubtful points were elucidated.