VOLUNTEER NOTES

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 19, 12 May 1909, Page 57

VOLUNTEER NOTES

XBy

RIFLEMAN.

a view to obviating tb* dlffl. • I obtaining suitable and 111 •afe grounds for the holding of battle practice In connection

with Easter manoeuvres, the Defence Department has approached the Department of Lands, asking that suitable areas be set apart for these purposes (says & Dunedin writer).

The newly-formed Highland Riflo s (Auckland) have fixed Tuesday for their weekly parade night. The first parade was attended by a good muster of about forty men. The company hj rapidly filling to its full strength.

It Is proposed to hold In the four centres during the winter season signailing and engineering classes for officers and N.C.O.’s. at is Intended that the classes shall last a month In each centre, and the suggested months are: July, Wellington; August, 'Auckland; September, Christchurch; October, Dunedin.

The prizes earned by members of the No. 8 Company, G.A.V., were presented O n parade last week. The prize for highest marks for D.R.F*., presented bv the company, was won by Corp. Winks. Prize for the best Gin gunner, presented by Mr. L. E. Oliver (late gunner No. 3 Company), won by Gr. Golden. Prize for the best 6 pr. gunner, won by Gunner McCullough.

ivir. Solano, whose target has been recognised and adopted by the British War Office for future use In the Army in a recent criticism of the bull’s-eye target, stated that this form of shooting* had been discarded by every military Power in the world, and was only used by them for a short recruit course. In fact, it was only useful for the purpose of the pot-shunter, for under no conditions of active warfare would a man be called upon to shoot at black against white—all would be of neutral colours.

Some of the Otago volunteers had a rather unpleasant experience during the recent manoeuvres. It was about 6 a.m. before the Red force was dismissed to its tents. This being a flying column, no straw was brought, and remembering their experiences at Goodwood last year half the men did not bring their waterproof shirts. The great black mass dissolved sleepily,» and the ghostly canvas swallowed it in detail. Soon there arose from the tents a sound of lamentation, and. behold, the camps had been pitched upon thistles. There wore hosts of them in tall, spiked, vicious masses. There were as many as fifty and sixty to a tent, and each man, as he sank to rest, leapt up again with alacrity.

Those interested in artillery work in Auckland read with interest, mingled with surprise, the Prime Minister’s announcement that the construction of new forts is being rapidly pushed on at Auckland and Wellington. In conversation with one who is well - versed in defence matters, I learned that the mounting of two Mark VII. Gin guns on North Head is proceeding, and possibly this is the fact on which the Premier’s announcement is based. These guus arc really fine weapons yet though they were imported about five years ago, and, at the present rate of progress, according to my informant, the mounting should be completed In from two to three The two guns are fitted with telescopic sights, have a range of 10,000yds, and can discharge six 1001 b

shells to the minute, a rate of Are far higher than the six inchera at present In use at the forts. The French engineers and scientists who are constantly leading the world hi the production of new descriptions of lethal weapons, but which are seldom taken up by thetr army and navy with that zest and rapidity that might be expected, or If taken up. persevered with until perfection is gained, are once more ahead of other countries In the development of a torpedo which can be controlled by means of Hertzian waves used In a “wireless” system. Such a system (says the “tTnited Services Gazette"), if perfected, could not fail to have a far-reaching effect, for It would enable those In charge of shore defences, against the attack of a fleet, to hit back with even greater accuracy than could be done by means of Submarines. Whitehead torpedoes controlled by means of a wireless system of electricity by operators from the white cliffs of Dover, for Instance, would enable a few men to en'tlrely command the straits, ami prevent hostile warships passing through these narrow waters during daylight and in clear weather.