PRIMITIVE DRILLING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1544, 28 April 1887, Page 2

PRIMITIVE DRILLING.

TO THB EDITOR OF THE DAILY NORTHERN ARGUS. Sir — Being an old volunteer, I strolled into the drillahed last night, and found it ooonpied by about twetiby five young fellowß of the Naval Artillory, but who seemed to me to be somewhat touched by the new moon, for they were playing some extraordinary capers with several forma aad benches. As the movements were directed by a most energetic officer, I thought there might possibly be some method m their ma^neaa and coon found out that the form? w^ro placed to represent a 6 inoh muzfcle loading gun, and this was- the only means ihis fine oorpß had of learning their heavy gun drill. I am an old artillery volunteer, and waa highly amused at the anticß out with poor forms ; fanoy trail right, trail left, elevate, depress, etc., etc., bat the cream of the joke was serving the vent. I shall never forget the eomioal expression of No. 4 with hfa thumb on the supposed touoh hole, for the moment he seemed as though the life of the whole detachment rested on the way he preiaed that thumb down on the six foot bench. What a scene for a Ruaaian spy, or even a Chinese Commissioner ! The only Naval Artillery corps m the Colony reduced to practioe heavy gun drill with four wooden forma ! Should you doom thia worthy of Insertion, I think it would perhaps be as well to omit Bending the usual oooy of the ." Argus "to the Czar. Yours, etc, Corrigenda, Bockbampton, March 30th, 1887. I hope, for the Bake of the Onion Jaok they will lnvo something better to handle at their grand fats. After the spell of wet weather we've had, the fever has begun to show itself, but not to an alarming extent. The beat preventativa is Temperance, for I have taken notice, that any man who drinka, is more liable to take it, than one who don't drink. A novel way of advertising has been started hero. An entarpriziQg firm have started a paper, it is full of literature, science, gossip, and Detroit news, but under every column, are their own advert!sementß. The paper is supplied gratis, the firm thinking that by getting mot-? custom it will rcoojp them for thtir trouble, Tha sandfliea and mosquitoes are keeping life lively, so I will close my moaquitoe net and go to sleep. lam, etc. , Sandy MoNab. Rookhampton, April 4.