RIFLE PRACTICE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1973, 22 October 1863, Page 2

RIFLE PRACTICE.

(To the Editor of the Wellington Independent.) Sir, —lt is generally understood that the Militia at this second drill will be taught to fire ball cartridge. It is certainly most desirable that they should at once learn this portion of their duty. The diill teaches the men to act with, and to rely upon one another; but all this

will be of little avail, if they ciunot shoot well. The old practice ground of the 14th, was in Evans' Bay, a place distant 4 miles at least from the Post Office, and too far, therefore, from the town ; as the men would never go out there to practice, unless under orders. I would suggest that there could easily be found excellent practice groundsill the gullies which run out right and left from Polhill's Gully; or again, in the two gullies whfbh lie below the road to Mr Wright's farm. At a little expense a target and butts for markers might be erected there, which should be available for practice, say from 6 to 8 o'clock in the mornings, and from 6 o'clock to dark in the evenings. I would not allow any practice except at these hours, nor without the presence of an officer. lam very sure that the officers would gladly in turn volunteer to take a day's superintendence of the firing. The following plan to ensure correct firing, < was given me by the Musketry Instructor of the 14th, and is well worthy of being generally known. Misses are made oftener from unsteady pulling of the trigger than from any defect in taking a cotrect aim. To gain the needful steadiness required, place a mark on a wall, and at a few feet distance, fire a capped rifls at this mark; now carefully alter firing see if the sights are in the same line as before firing. When the firer has succeeded in doing this readily at the short distance, he must increase the distances. Never use any other positions than standing and kneeling. Inexperienced marksmen will do well to aim at the left of, and below the centre ; the majority of the bullets strike the target high on the right I am, &c, Marksman.