VOLUNTEER NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 22, 1 December 1909, Page 10

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

(By

Rifleman.)

The No. 3 NntivPß, suibnltornfl and ff.C.O.’*, went through their examination •for <he biittalbon efficiency shield, last Weak, and Boomed to do very weM.

Lieitts. Jackaon and Einch, of the No. 3 Garrison Artillery; Lieut. Mclntosh, No. I Natives; and Lieut. K re Lach mar, No. 3 Natives, all started their volunteering in the Victoria Rifles. There was a good muster at the Auckland Domain last week of the First Battalion, under Lieut.-Colonel J. R. Reed, the occasion being a portion of the test for the Efficiency Shield. The men showed a marked improvement in the march past. The Auckland Highland Rifles made their first appearance in their khaki uniforms last Saturday at the battalion parade. There was a good muster of nearly 40, under Capt. Melville, and the corps’ smart appearance was most favourably commented, upon. As the due date for free issue of pullthroughs will shortly be approaching, officers commanding are reminded in District Orders that no free issue will be made until the brass ends are returned per parcel post to the Defence Stores, Mount Eden. A committee was appointed some six months ago to arrange a competition for the Buchanan Cup (First Infantry Battalion), and it is expected a match will shortly take place. The cup has not been fl red*'for for the past three years, and is held by a corps outside the battalion. The promotion of Lieut. Bruce S. Hay to be captain. No. 3 Squadron. Waikato •M.R.V., is approved in General Orders, and among appointments approved are those of Hon. Lieut. Charles P. Cowley, 2nd Regiment Auckland M.R.V., and Acting-Lieut. J. F. Atkinsc::, A.M.R.V. Auckland marksmen who intend competing at Trentham, are requested in District Orders to semi in their forms to the local Defence Office in sufficient time to enable them to be forwarded to headquarters by February 10th. Early application must be made for the necessary passes to attend the meeting. The Seddon Horse rifle range at Kaukap»kapa has been opened. Vet.-Lieut. Kiterloch, who fired the first shot, scored a bull’s eye, and afterwards declared the range open for shooting. A match, Volunteers v. Civilians, which had been arranged, resulted in a win for the Volunteers by 32 points, hi spite of the incessant rain, some very fair scores were made on both sides, there being some very promising shots in this district. Many curious and ingenious contrivances were noticed in use by the troops at the recent autumn manoeuvres in England. For instance, the scouts of the 19th Hussars were provided with homing pigeons, which were carried in light wicker baskets strapped to their backs. There, when liberated, made straight for home, which was connected up with the divisional headquarters by a light field telephone wire. The reports thus sent tied to the birds were quickly communicated to the general officer directing the operations. A Squadron, First Regiment A.M.R., have completed the two-match aggregate for Messrs Grey and Menzies’ trophy. The match was a handicap one. The last range caused some little excitement, and, after a good contest, Lieut. H. Holden carried off a very creditable win, practically proving himself to be the squadron’s leading shot. The following is a complete list of the leading men’s scores:— Tl. Lieut. H. Holden, first match 58, second match 82 (handicap 5) 145 Capt. J. Totter, 53, 89 (scr.) 142 Tpr. J. F. Potter, 49 81 (8) 138 Sergt. Major Ellingham, 59, 68 (5) .;.. 132 Lieut. J. F. Atkinson, 57. 74 (scr.) .... 131 Tpr. Jack Morgan, 52, 70 (8) 130 Tpr. Jim Morgan, 48, GO (20) 128 The annua! training camp of the A Squadron, First Regiment A.M.R., was held at Te Henga, West Coast. On Friday morning the camp was struck, and the squadron made a start for home. When they arrived at Henderson they were inspected by Major Bloomfield and Captain Nutsford. Before the squadron was dismissed Captain Potter thanked the men for the splendid way in which they worked in camp. The marriage of Captain T. H. Dawson and Miss Kathleen Shera (sister of Captain Shera, of the Engineers), which took place last week at St. Mark’s Church, Rem u era, was not allowed to pass by the College Rifles, without showing their appreciation of their skipper. About thirty of the men, provided with Maxim drag ropes, unhitched the horses in the wedding cariage, and dragged the Captain and his bride from the Church to the bride’s residence. The Rifles’ present was a valuable marble clock, and the Officers’ Club gave Captain Dawson, who is one of the most popular officers in the district, a silver entree dish. Some notable achievements in transport work during the recent German Army manoeuvres are reported. It is stated that in taking the Army back to their quarters from the scene of operations, 85 special trains were running between midnight on September 18. and 11 o’clock in the evening of the 19th, and in them there were conveyed 97,000 men, 2800 horses, 179 wagons, and about 632 tons of impedimenta. The time-table was somewhat upset by the failure of some of the columns to arrive punctually al stations. It is said, however, that the ordinary traffic was maintained without interference, but this opinion is not shared by some a-t least of the ordinary paeKengers travelling in the neighbourhood on that occasion. Amendments to “Infantry Training” have been published dealing with the general characteristics of machine guns, the organisation and training of their sections, and the general principles of their employment in war (states the “Military Mail’*). The effective range of machine guns being the same as that of the rifle, they are not suited for employment in place of artillery; on the other hand, their fire effect is very great, and .. at close infantry range it might be' auaihiiut ing. As the action of the mechanisui Is liable to temporary Interruption by jams, it has been decided that machine guns are to be organised in sections of two guns each, and that, under normal conditions, the guns are not to be used singly. Surprise and concealment are emphasised as being very important factors in the employment of these weapon*.

the effect of which is much Increased by sudden bursts of fire from concealed positions. The Victoria Rifles will hold their jubilee on the 17th April being 50 years since their formation. The application papers sent In by the late Major Derrom and others to Col. Belnevis are still held by Lieut. Derrom. No. 5 Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, was the first name of the corps, and in March, 1872, No. 5 was struck out, and named Victoria Company. The army list shows the date of formation as 15th February, 1866, as in 1865 all volunteer corps were disbanded, unless fresh application was made to carry on. The Victoria did apply, and were given the date of the new application. . Their present 0.C., Captain Cox, applied some time ago to have their proper date of formation shown hi the army list, but received a reply that, as 41 years had elapsed without any protest, his application could not.- be recommended. The O.C. or. the secretary of the corps, Lieut. V. C. Cooper, would be pleased it ex-members of the corps would communicate with them, care of District Officers’ Club, so that invitations may be sent them.