THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 824, 24 May 1910, Page 2

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

HOWITZER GUNS. Some discussion Ims arisen over the statement mado in The Dominion recently that part of the new armament for the New Zealand Territorial Force would include howitzers for the artillery. Lord Kitchener, in his suggestions for the Australian defence scheme, pro. vided for "seven 4-gun heavy and howitzer butteries/' in addition to "49 4-gun field batteries" and the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) in his covering letter to tho Field-Marshal's report' on the New Zealand defences, indicated that " . . . one-fourth of tho brigades, regiments, field an/1 howitzer batteries, and one-fourth of the total number of

guns . . . recommended for Australia, would give as nearly as possible the numbers required for New Zealand. The statement subsequently made in Tuk Dominion that "howitzers would no doubt be provided for hilly country, 14 has since been objected to, on the grounds: (a) That the howitzer is by far tho. most expensive of movable guns . . ;

(b) that the. weight and immobility of the howitzer makes its employment extremely difficult except in easy country, with good roads; (c) that howitzers are only used (1) against fortresses, or, (2) against field positions tantamount to fortresses.-

lhese objections a few years ago would have been thoroughly incontrovertible. But modern science in the manufacture of war armament has since been at work on the howitzer,, with the result that this exceedingly valuable aid to the artilleryman, who wishes to have at hand an effective weapon for high angle fire, has been vastly improved upon in the direction of increased mobility. The latest howitzer is a four-inch quick-firer, field mounted, * and can be taken anywhere, practically speaking. \ NEWS AND NOTES. It is understood that the military authorities are seriously considering the question of moving the saluting base from Fipitea Point to Kelburub Park. Firing across the harbour, from a height sufficiently above the houses on the terraces below to reduce any possible inconvenience to the vanishing point, tho guns in this new saluting base should occupy a much more commanding position for official salutes, and at tho same time be a distinct improvement ornamentally speaking, to Aelburue Park. The old bronze guns at present in use, will, it is expected, be transferred, as they are still good enough, for saluting purposes." ' Colonel H. D. Tuson, Adjutant and Quartermaster-General of the Forces whose term of engagement has now expired, left "Wellington for Auckland last baturaay, en route for England, where he will rejoin his regiment-the Duke of Cornwall's. Light Infantry. The ex-adjutant-ge'neral was very highly respected among the members of tho New Zealand forces. He was quiet and unassuming, courteous and obliging, and regarded as a capable administrator. The du« ties of his department are at present boing carried out by the Chief of fhe General Staff (Colonel A. W. "Robin, C.B) It is understood, however, that the appointment will be-conferred upon Lieut.Colonel E. YY. C. Chaytor. who is at present carrying out the duties, of Direc-tor-General of Military Education, pending the arrival of a staff officer from tho Imperial General Staff in England. At the Garrison Officers' Club last evening, the postponed lectures on "The Battle of Spieperon" % Lieut-Colonel A. Bauchop, C.M.G.), and "The Organisation of the British Territorial Army" (by Captain G. S. Richardson) were given before a good attendance of officers. Tho lectures were, attentively listened to, and each of the speakers was accorded a very , hearty vote of thanks at the close. Tho next lectures are fixed for June 2. Lieutenant Price, of the PetoneNavals, ; will shortly resign his appointment in , that crack gunnery corps. This step has : been made necessary by the transfer of his civil activities to Dunedin, where he will take up the" position of chief cleric of the District Public Trust Office in the southern city. • . . - The social evening and presentation of prize's at the Non-commissioned Officers' Club, postponed on account of the death of his Majesty King Edward VII, - will take place to-morrow evening, at" the Garrison Hall. Captain G. S. "Richardson, Chief Instructor of Artillery, will give a lecture during the evening/