VOLUNTEER NOTES

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 58

VOLUNTEER NOTES

i

RIFLEMAN.)

THE members of the Highland Hides are showing great enthusiasm in their work, and their weekly parades show good musters. It te intended by the company to organise u signalling section. The pattern of the new bayonet for the short .303 ride has at last been fixed by the British Army Council, and its manufacture is to be proceeded with at once. The bayonet wifi be 17Jin in length, or Bin longer than that now in use, and it weighs Ifiiost, with a 7oa scabbard. It will be •ingle edged, and one end of the ereespieee will be hooked. The apostle of military training (Mr It. McNab) will have a gospel that will not be preached 01; behalf of any particular party, as he will explain when he takes the platform in Auckland. He is concerned with a department which was under his own ••barge, and ie preparing remedies for the deficiencies which he noted. His party wilt be the people of New Zealand, and he hopes to coialnec all reasonable people that they have a country worth defending, and a • ountry that can be defended without imjosir.c any crushing burden on the shoulders of any class. A vvocdwb-b correspondent states that tl,c new 12!n Wire breech-loading naval gnu, Mark XI., which will have the highest velocity of any gun vet made, has emerged with credit from its tests, it has given complete satisfaction in official quarters, where It is regarded as the finest weapon In the world. It is understood that orders will shortly be placed for a number of these weapons, and some will be manufactured at Woelwicb Arsenal. They will eonFtitnie the principal armament of the latest ships of the Dreadnought type. The present 12in gun has a range of approximately 16 miles, but the new weapon is to be effective at 18 miles.

1 was pleased to learn of the excellent x\crk accomplished by the 3rd Regiment AM.It. during their recent camp. The regiment has recently been under canvas for 14 da vs, divided as follows: Seven days’ capitation camp, three days extra for dismounted parades, and four days’ manoeuvres. The O.C. district attended during the manoeuvres, and acted as director. The work was continuous, and eonFisted of reconnaissance, attack and defence, and an attack on a convoy. Three squadrons took part—the Marsden, Otainatea, and Mangakahia M.R.—and the work of all ranks was highly creditable. A feature of the manoeuvres consisted In the < o operation of signallers, and the staff f« rgi ant-major for signalling was present. Most of the officers showed a considerable grasp of their work, and the rank and file worked cheerfully and well. There was an absence of unreal tactical situations, and altogether Lleut.-Col. Eccles, who is « keen officer, Is to be highly congratulated cn the state of his regiment. The Ist Infantry Battalion has decided to enter a team for the Empire Challenge rep cn Saturday, May 22. The team consists of 40 competitors —few of the good of the battalion will be left out. Only two officers and four sergeants can take part In the match. The conditions arc: First stage—Five shots each 400 and 000 yards, two minutes allowed each distance ft figure target, standing on ground in front « f butts, counting five points each hit on the figure. Second stage—3oo yards; as many shots as possible up to 15 that can he fired tn 45 seconds on a 4 x 4 target, with Invisible bull and centre, counting 4, F. and 2 points; single man firing. Targets for the first stage are green, brown, or grey; while for the second stage, half green and half brown. The following »w mlttee have the arranging of the match: Captains riwgge and Cox, IJcuts. Atkinson rid Krets.-hmnr. The match is open to the PrUlsb Empire, and carries three sets <•! medals and 1175 in cash. The battalion Fhv'./id Lave a fairly strong team.

It have been noticed that the Government bus received advk-o that twenty*lgbt rifles, bearing the New Zealand stamp, have b< eu taken from the rebel hill ■tribes on the north-west frontier of India. The Dvfem e Department about two years age deemed it advisable to realise on a large stock of old Snider and Martlnitivni*y rifles? which had been superseded ly later pattern arm«. and had been Fi-cred for a number of years tn the Defence Flores in Buckle-street. Tenders were called for the purchase of the old rifles. one provision being that they must go to England, the idea being that if they were sc’d Indiscriminately, they might be used by turbulent people opposed to the interests of the Empire. The purchaser of the greater number of rifles gave an assurance that tl.fy \v« re being seat to Birmingham, preFumnbly to be taken to pie. es, and some of the parts used for more modern rifles. It Is .well known that the Persian Gulf is being rontiaually watched to prevent ship loads of arms being landed for the use ft the belligerent Afghans, and the numerous hi’l •tribes. No su« h arms may enter through the well-guarded Khyber Pass, yet the rifles whkh were sleeping peacefully in Bu«kle-street a couple of years ago, are now bedtig used against our own troops In India. In some quarter* it is claimed that there has been a lack of common prudence In the disposal of these arms, that they might have come hi very handy In the event of universal military training being adopted. for many old riflemen sw«r by the Raider a* an effective weapon to C4«O }ards. The news r ecads an Incident which

oceurrred al Buva during the excitement of the Boer war. The white people there had formed a company which had been supplied with .303 rifles. After peace was declared the Hfe faded from volunteering in Fiji, and, when a year later the Government called In the arms, it wae found that with few exceptions, the rifles had been sold to the Samoan rebels. GORDON RIFLE®. The Gordon Rifles 1 annual general meeting iu the Lecture Room, Drill Hall, was attended by about 50 members of the corps. The annual balance-sheet showed the corps to be in a strong financial position, there being a credit balance of £449 13/11, Including over £lO In the bank, but not Including any of this year's capitation allowance. The members took a very keen interest in the affairs of the corps, and eight nominations were received for the shooting Committee, Col.-Sergt. Martin, Bergt. Graham, and Corporals Johns and MeDeath being declared elected amidst applause. There were four nominations for the Finance Committee, and as there were only two vacancies, another election had to be held, which resulted in Privates Lee and Jackson being elected members. Sergt. L. G. Ashton was appointed to fill the position of lion, secretary vacated by Lieut. R. W. Cumming, on his promotion to the adjutancy of the battalion. Lieut. Cumming will, however, still keep as far as possible in touch with his oid corps, and has kindly consented to retain the position of hon. treasurer. Capt. Kay, In asking the members to aeeord the retiring hon. secretary a hearty vote of thanks, reminded them of the invaluable services rendered to the coins by Lieut. Cumming during the •seven years he has Ailed the position. The past year has been a very successful one ail round, 25 recruits having joined the corps, the men being of a very good stamp. This is the largest number that have joined in any one year since the formation of the eerps, and is distinctly a matter for congratulation, and only a few more good men are needed to bring the corps to full strength. This year the eorps departed from their usual practice of holding a smoke concert after the business of the evening was concluded, as contemplation of the good time to come caused the members to hurry over the business, while It also considerably shortened the concert. After a hearty vote of thanks had been accorded the skipper, the meeting was adjourned until Friday, May 21st. After the meeting Captain Kay was presented with a handsome marble clock by Lieut. Cumming - , on behalf of the officers and men, on the occasion of bls marriage. The Captain, who was completely taken by surprise, acknowledged the gift iu feeling terms. An afljeurnment was then made at the Captain's invitation to drink the health of Mrs Kay. The evening was brought to a close with three cheers for Captain and Mrs Kay.

GARRISON ARTILLERY CLASS FIRING. The following are the results of the annual class-firing carried out by the New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers: — Q.F.

AU the above companies were classified in the first class except Canterbury No. 1, which was not classed. Auckland, No. 1, was awarded the Hudson Cup for Q.F. shooting. Auckland, No. 3, was awarded the Coast Artillery Cup for B.L. shooting. Westport, No. 1, fired under special conditions from 6-pr. Q.F. guns on field mountings. The order of merit Is as follows: — Sin. B.L. —No. 2 Company, Canterbury, 1; No. 2 Company, Auckland, 2; No. 1 Company, Wellington. 3. din. B.L.—No. 3, Company, Auckland. 1; No. 1 Company, Wellington, 2; No. 1 Company, Otago, 3. Light Q.F.—No 1 Company. Auckland, 1; No. 3 Company, Auckland, 2; No. 2 Company, Auckland, 3. For AU Shooting.—No. 3 Company, Auckland, • ; No. 1 Company, Auckland, 2; No. 2 Company. Wellington, 3.

ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANS. The following return shows the standard of efficiency of New Zealand Company, Wellington Division, N Z.G A.V. 'Electric Light Company):—Staff SO, electric lighting 51.1, engine driving 60.53, signalling 93.5, trumpeters 10, attendance 09, total 884.13, percentage 78.4. The average percentage of marks awarded to Electric Light Sections la as follows:— No. 1 Company, G.A.V., Otago Division, 79.4 (section of 11 men); No. 1 Company, G.A.V., Auckland Division, 77.3 isectlon of 10 men); No. 2 Company, G.A.V.. Canterbury Division, not examined. It Is Impossible to compare No. 8 Company. 6.A.V., Wellington with the other sections, aa with the latter the average marks are uased on the works of the whole company. It is the only Electric Light Company in New Zealand. GARRISON ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. The following are the principal features of a return showing standard of efficiency of the Ne w Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers for 1906-9: —• Percentage of Increase in Effi- Order Efficiency cleney since of

CYCLE AND SIGNALLING COMPANIES. By a revocation of Regulation 3 if) with 1 its amendments, and the substitution of a new regulation, the establishment of a cycle and signalling company is fixed as follows: Maximum. —1 captain, 2 lieutenants. 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals,’ 50 privates, 1 bugler. Totals: 3 officers, 6) N.C.O. s and men, total 63. Minimum.—2 officers, 40 N.C.O.’s and men total 42.

wm undergoing, frequently recommen*. ed me to try Zain-Buk, but after using so many other remedies in vain I naturally did not place much confidence is it. Continuing to suffer untold agony, however, I eventually gave Zam-Buk * trial, and I am happy to say that after a few applications the wonderful easing and soothing effect wae very comforting. Persevering with Zam-Buk, using in all about three pots, the piles went completely away, and I ean confidently say, that I am now perfectly cured.” Zam-Buk is without equal for cute, bruises, burns, scalds, abrasions, and all injuries to the skin; and promptly cures boils, pimples, running sores, ulcers, ringworm, barber’s rash, swellings, and all diseases of the skin. Zam-Buk is obtainable from all chemists and stores at Is, fid. per pot, and 3s. Cd. large family size (containing nearly four times the Is. fid, pot).

Guns Total Fig. of Merit. 6-pr. Figure Division and Sin. 6-in. and Of Company. B.L, B.D. 12-pr. Merit Aeklnd. No 1 — 1.111 1.738 1.319 Aeklnd. No. 2 . 0.877 0.085 0.946 Aeklnd. No. 3 — 1.381 1.400 1.417 Wgtn. No. 1 . 0.017 1.203 0.774 0.863 Wgtn. No. 2 — 1.170 — 1.170 Cutbry. No. 1 . 0.544 0.546 0.389 0.493 Cntbry. No. 2 . 0.918 1.070 0.678 0.888 Otago No 1 .. Otago No. 2 .. 1.196 0.643 0.745 1.011 0.745 West port No. 1 . — — 0.700 0.7<X)

Division. Auckland No. 1 ••A” 15. It 4th Auckland No. 2 ••A” 2.7 8th Auckland No. 3 "A” 11.00 7th ■Wellington No. 1 •A” 0.2 2nd ■Wellington No. *2 "A” 1.02 1st Canterbury No. 1 "B” 2.5 16th Canterbury No. 2 "A” 3.56 5th O'tago No. 1 ** A** 3.74 3rd Otago No. 2 “ A r. 0.7 Gth Westport “A. ■ 9.5 Otn FIELD ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. The results of efficiency examinations of the New Zealand Field Artillery Volunteers for the year 1908-9 are shewn in another return: a - £ . .»-< a Battery. •S H 2a •c £ g E 3 p e * H V’w cs A.—Auckland 80-2 1st A •B.—Dunedin 05.06 1st A D.—Wellington 05.61 1st A. H.—Christchurch 840 2nd A H. —Nelson 76.36 2nd A. •Awarded Challenge Shield for 1908-0.