VOLUNTEER NOTES

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 18, 28 October 1908, Page 10

VOLUNTEER NOTES

(By

RIFLEMAN.)

Major Gardner's name al lasi appears tn General Orders as being transferred to the A.U.T.. The Victoria Rifles shot for Yeo and ■Preston's trophy on Saturday, the ranges being 200 yards and 500 yards. The New Zealand volunteer service medal lias been granted to Sergeant T. R. Hubbard, No. 1 Company Ohinemuri Rifles. There is another of the quarterly night - blares coming along—an examination for acting-oflieers; it takes place on December 2nd. The No. 2 Native Rifles fired a match r.n Saturday for a cup presented by Major A. Bartlett, and also for cash prizes iu the IA, B, ami C classes. ' The Minister for Defence has ruled that the increments to officers on whose efficiency a favourable report has been made will lake effect as from April Ist# 1003. The Defence Council, in a late General Order, regrets to announce the death of Lieutenant Francis Bailsoil, No. 1 Company, Thames Rifle Volunteers, width occurred In May last. The following appointments have been approved: William Henderson Gibb, act-ing-lieutenant, No. 2 New Zealand Native Stifles; mid Arthur Devlin, acting lieutenant, Wliangarei Rifles. f'ol. Wolfe, 0.C.D., relumed <o duly today. 11l- Is to lecture to the N.C.O. Club on Friday. On November full the Colonel will net iis judge at the military sports at the Hamilton show. A lecture was given by Hie V.V.0.. Major Young, on the 220 d at tint DrIU Hail to members of the A flattery mid other mounted corps on "The Horse in Heallh." Lieutenants A. If. ftkelton and JV. H. Gibb, of the No. 2 Co. Native Rifles, wbone acting appointments appear fn General Orders, are both io si* for tbelr esamiuntiou for cointnbsloaa at the next quarterly atUn Ina lion.

On Saturday, the Gordons fired the second competition for A and B Class trophies presented l»v Corp, Johns. The following are the leading scores for the first competition: A Class: Col.-Sergt. Parker, 4 points; Sergt. Martin, 3 points; Corp. Wright, 2. B Class: Corp. Ashton, 4 points; Pte. Hurd, 3; Pte. Thompson, 2. There seems a prospect of the G.A. Division’s gelling their barracks. I believe estimates of the cost of erecting these necessary permanent shelters hare been asked for, and they possibly may be up before the summer camps come on. There Is to bo a full fort-manning this evening for the Garrison Artillery—the first Col. Patterson has held since his return. A launch is being sent down the channel to act as a hostile cruiser, and the lights will have a busy time searching her out. Lust Friday Dr. Peter Buck delivered a lecture to the Garrison Officers’ Club on “Maori Warfare" in reference to fortifications, methods, etc. The non-coms, of the No. 3 A.G.A. wont up to Major Hazard's house on Monday flight to carry home the big shield which they have presented him with, and io be entertained by him. A pleasant evening was spent by the non-coms, the company officers also being present. The No. 1 Battalion Band hold n record ■for secund placft iu military points at quickstep competitions. They have competed. on eight different occasions, and have been second in military points six times, and only once unplaced. At Hamilton the baud was only i a point behind in military points, which is very bard luck, when getting so near to winning the gold medal for highest military points. Col. Reed has obtained sanction for the proposed Battalion trek enmp he purposes t mill Ing from November 7lh (o the Oth. Tiiere. is a provision for 1/0 a day for gallons. H is not settled yet where the enmp will bo held, but It will be announced Shortly. Nor Is It settled yet whether any of the other aipi.v will cooperate with the Battalion during the camp. Il wilt be a pleasant Jnuut if th* weather Is fine.

The No. 1 Native Rifles fired the first of three competitions for a valuable trophy presented by tile Kaiapoi Woollen Company on Saturday. The trophy will be. a handicap one, and competed for on alternate Saturdays. Handicaps will be arranged on the two-thirds’ scheme, and points will be allowed, 5 for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 foe fourth, and 1 for fifth, the member securing the highest number ot points to be the winner.

The marching competition at the Hamilton Band Contest proved to be a very Ciose finish between the No. % Battalion and the No. 1 Bai tai ion Bands. The result was in doubt till all the points were tallied, as the military judges gave both bands equal points for marching, and the pacing being ■a possible for both, the cadence, was the only point on which the bends could be placed. The timekeeper’s card gave the cadence of the No. 2 Battalion 59 seconds «nd the No. 1 Battalion 58 4-5 seconds. The former thus won, by half a point, the closest contest in which the No. L Battalion lias been placed second. ARRANGEMENTS F€»R EASTER, 1909. SKETCH Ob’ THE SC HEME. I understand that the Chief of the General Stuff (Col. Robin, C.B» is sending a circular to the officers commanding district? about the Easter manoeuvres of next year. It is the outcome of the Council’s consideration of the reports on the last Easter encampment, and an attempt is to be made to overcome many of the defects made visible at. that time. It is intended that the Easter training will be more of an instructional character (han this year’s. One notable feature is an attempt to minimise at future manoeuvres the unnecessary hardships undergone by so many troops through want of practice in issue of supplies, use of transport, etc., so evident during the lust manoeuvres, and the cause of much heartburning and hunger! Another matter to receive attention is outpost duty. It was noticeable this year Unit the tactics of outposts, attack and defence were very crude, jtnd reconnaissance was almost neglected, ndvauces and marches being made with HUle regard tp the security of the movement. No real attempt seems to have been made anywhere to bring it bout a decisive attack, or counter attack. The whole atm seemed to be to evade the opposing force tn order to enter a town (us in Wellinglpul, or io bring about some result without fighting. Tills criticism hardly seems to ftpply to Auckland, where fighting was unlimited, There was far too much dispersion on both sides, according to the authorities, and it is pointed uul that this can be avoided

by proper reconnaissance, and use of the mounted troops. Such work is the proper function of the latter—such as locating the enemy, delaying him, and fixing him to such a position as will enable their own force to attack and beat him. Camp management, sanitation, and ambulance service are said to require more attention.

It is considered advisable this coming Raster to carry out training in outpost; reconnaissance, attack and defence, amt marches, with special attention to the cooperation of all arms. Supply and issue of rations to detached troops, and outposts, camp sanitation, communications, mobilization, rail transport, etc., will be under direct command or direction of O.C. dis« triets and their permanent staff. It is considered that the instruction andexperience gained of. the 1903 camp, being followed by exercises during the year, should enable the forces to again attempt continuous manoeuvres of a red and blue force against each other, under their own Officers, in Easter, 1910. With this idea, the officers commanding districts are to be asked to submit as early as possible to the chief of the general staff for approval, a rough scheme of work they propose carrying out. This wili include the supervision and conduct of mobilisation of defence forces in district, from their local centres to a place selected for camp. A general idea of instructional work proposed to ba carried out- has to be prepared, and reports to be presented as to where safe grounds can be obtained. An attack on surprise targets, representing enemj- in a postlion, is to be introduced, the field artillery using slmll, and the rifles ball ammunft lion. This applies to the field force, and the Garrison Artillery volunteers will liava four days' instructional practice in thcic Corts.

At last the Defence Cadets are to be included —with due precautions. It is considered advisable to afford opportunity foe the Defence Cadets to camp at Easter, and they will be placed in a separate caunp» Flven more important is a resolution to Include rifle clubs. The conditions will be pn the following lines: Taking ndvnntage Of the tOO-mlle railway pass, they wilt mefc): One another at selected places, for say, two days, to carry out field firing, necessitating extended order drill. Officers of the Unattached List. mid N.C.O.’s of the Reserve, will probably be detailed to superintend and instruct these riflemen. Free ammunition and a billeting allowance for one night Will be available.

The scheme is aiifficlenny comprehensive, and the only thing which can spoil Ils effectiveness will be the apathy of the Volunteers themselves. The additional interest of field firing with live ammunition, and the Increased number of forces through th* inclusion of .Defence Cadets and sharp* shooters, should do much to make th* manoeuvres a success.