THE VOLUNTEERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 431, 13 February 1909, Page 13

THE VOLUNTEERS.

, - SIGNALLING TESTS. : •: ' : The results of the examination of the signalling eeotion of the Post and Telegraph Kiflo Volunteers held on January 29 and February 6 show that the. non-commissioned offloera and : men examined' showed, according to the examiner's report, a thorough knowledge of the heliograph, and answered very intelligently questions in the theoretical'portion of their test. : ..'.A ,, collective ••test, based on a simple Mheme of operations, in which the whole of the seotion took part, waa carried .out with lamps. Two terminal and one transmitting station were established, two service messages of 200: letters eaoh: being'sent eaoL way.- In the sending of the first message, sta.tions wore required to open up communication properly; this-was done smartly, 'the; methods adopted being very good.. The time 'occupied 'through all the stations was ten minutes, there being no mistakes. The time for, the second message. was eleven minutes, a 1 slight delay, caused by the receiving terminal station;checking an error,,ocenrred. , bore;, the method of checking was good. The station oipline' was excellent, and a thorough knowledge ■> of■ the duties was ..exhibited. , . Collectively, concludes the report, the section is in: a high : state of efiiciency; ' ■"■"/■ '.".■-, ; v v : ; : ..The results ehow that three gained 100' per cent, of marksj two 09.7, two 99.2, one 99, one 99.8, one 99.5, two 98, > two 97.5, One .918, and one 90. -Twelve qualified for personal.payments of £1 each, and! a signalling badge. Therewere only-two failures, both-being recrnits of three months' experience.- : This efficient 6ection of signallers. has been : instrnoted: throußhout by its non-commissioned officers." • The examination this year was a severe one,, the chief-staff instructor, Lieut. Dnigan, insisting upon a high ■ standard of/merit in all-ranks.;. A syllabus has been drawn up for 1909, and those who pass the examination will be entitled-to rank as.firstolass.Bignallera.:;.. .• y .■::>•/;;<;:■: ; ; </ ■■ •.-. ■■•.. ■The ranges and targets for. to-day's ehooting at Trentham are :as followi—. ; '■■: ■!'.:, : : •. . ;■: Seddon Range, 900 and: 1000 yardn-rPetone Rifle Club, 1-1; Permanent Force Eifle Club, 5-6 i- City Rifles,' 7-8 j Guards, 9-10; Post' and Telegraph 'Eiflee, 11 j Karori-Eifle Club, 12-15. Sommerville Eaiige, 500 and 600 yards—Highland Eiflea, 3-s;vHutt Valley Eifles, 6-7--D Battery, 8-9; City .Eifles,: 10; Guards, 11-i2; Post and Telegraph Eifles, 13-14; Colloce Eifles, 15-16; Zealaridia .Rifles, 17-18. ■■:-"'. y. .