MILITARY NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 14 October 1911, Page 12

MILITARY NOTES.

f (Edited Bt Echelok.l ORGANISED GAMES FOR JUNIOR CADETS. NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA. Tho Commonwealth military author.! ties aro taking a keen interest in tho big relay dispatch ride between cars, motor : cycles and bicycles, which the Dunlop ; Rubber Company arc organising from : Adelaide to Sydney, a distance of 1149 miles. Senator Poarce, Minister for Dc- , fence, has deputed Colonel Mackey, tho [ Officer in Command of tho Australian In- ' tolligenco Corps, to confer with the proI motors and discuss and arrango with them , tho details of the contest i In view of tho recommondafjon mado in i the recent report of Major-General Rirkpatrick, Inspector-General of the Commonwealth military forces, that tnoro usa 6hould bo mado in this country of motor cyclists for dispatch and other purposos, it is interesting to note that tho 25th Loudon Cyclists' Battalion now has amongst its equipment several Maxim guns mounted on motor tricycles. During recent manoeuvres in Sussex theso guns proved the most mobile and effective in tho British Army. This is tho type of gmimountiug that should give splendid results in this for a powerful motor-tricycle can go almost anywhoro where there is a vehicle track. Tho very vehicle for tho purpose is now to be seen running around Melbourne, doing good work for tlw postal authorities and several commercial houses—it 5 to G h.p. outocarrier, which can propel a load of 0 cwt. (besides driver) at a smart pace over givc-aud-tako roads. ■With the new mftlitary system demanding many new officers, the Commonwealth Defence Department has boon hard put to it to find enough oapablo men to accept commissions. A new district order issued rcoontly provides that when a vacancy for a commission exists in a unit and no applicants comply with tho conditions, applicants non-commissioned officers and mon serving in tho unit. Should a conimandiiur officer not consider any such application suitable ho must communicate his reasons fully to district headquarters. Mistaken outbursts of disapprobation have accompanied tho inauguration of tho new defence system in Queensland and South Australia (reports In both Stales clergymen havo 'protested against the compulsory attendance of cadets at camps during Easter, and a Brisbane canon has even counselled parents to refuse to allow their boys to attend any drill on holy, days. The fact is that cadets will bo taken into camp neither at Easter nor at any other time. "The reference of Canon Garland," Btated tho Minister for Defoace recently, "is to a .-supposed regulation requiring cadets to attend compulsory camps at Easter. No such regulation exists. Thoro will bo no camps of cadets at Easter or at any other time. If ho refers to camps of adults, Baster camps of adults havo been held for fifty years without protest" The military advisors of tho Federal Government will not admit that tho son vice rifle about to be made at Lithgow can bo successfully challenged by tho Ross rifle. Tho manager of the small arms factory, in tho course of a report laid before Parliament the other day by Mr. C. Frasor, M.P., staled that he had not read the article in the "Nineteenth Century," in which Major-Gcntral ■ Sir William Knox had .declared that tho British army was armed with "tho worst military rifle in Europe," but after giving close study to all modern military rifles during tho last four years, he was of opinion that tho British Lee-Enfield Mark 111 rifle was by far tho best activo servico riflo'in existence. As an active service weapon, the Lithgow manager considers it much superior to tho Ross' rifle, which is used by Canada. It is proposed to at present manufacturo, for tho arming of the Australian dofoneo forces, the short magazine Lee-Enfield Mark lIL A return giving a summary of tho results of the musketry oourso performed by tho military forces of tho Commonwealth for tliu yoai ended Juno 30, ISU, has been issued by Major Heritage, Commandant of tho School of Musketry. It shows that out of a total of 18,378 men of the foroes in tho Commonwealth U.IGS, or 79 per cent., were fully exercised, while 1330, or 7 per cent, were partially, exercised, tho remaining 2853, or 1G per cent, doing no musketry at all. Of those who wero fully exorcised, 3923, or 28 per cent., failed to roach qualification standard, and the remainder produced 97 sharpshooters and 203 marksmen under table "D," tho most advanced course, ursA 260 marksmen, 518 first-class shots, and GO! second-class shots under tablo "C." In the current issue of tho Public Instruction Gazette teachers aro instructed iu tho new duties laid upon them under the Defence Act in connection with the training oi junior cadets. Few subjecta havo caused teachers so much worry and anxiety, and tho issue of definite instructions will be welcomed: How far tha self-taught parent, who bolicvcs in restricting education to tho "three R's," will appreciate tho new departure is not so clear. Fortunately, however, tho majority of parents recognise the supremo importance of physical well-being. From now every boy between the ages of 13 and U must devote two and three-quar-ter hours out of tho 25 school hours per week to physical training, and the Department's instructions to the teachers, are that the boys ore to receive fifteen minutes' physical drill evory day, and half an hour's marching drill each. week. In addition to this ho must spend ono hour per week or two hours iwr fortnight, iu any two of tli0 i follcwing:— Shooting, swimming, running, ixcrcisos •in organised games, or first aid. . Tho optional subjects must bo reported to tho inspector, and tho training in thorn must be carried out under tho supervision of the school staff. Time-sheets should bo kept showjng accurately the expenditure of time by each boy on tho optional subjects. It is not necessary to keep time-sheets except for boys of the ages of 12 and 13 years. It is impressed upon tho teacher that "by no means tho least service a school can render is to implant in tho children a lovo for healthy and wholesome play." Tho recreative and educational cftccts aro touched upon, for, says tho introduction, "tho'faculty of initiation is developed, and tho habit of obedienco encouraged, while even littlo children can learn unselfishness and self-control. The games should bo played when possible iu tho open air, and should be such as employ both sides of tho body equally. Among tho authorised games aro "Cat and Slouso" (in which children join hands iu a circle, with the cat ontsido and the mouso inside. On tho word "To!" the cat then tries to catch the mouse); "Two and Threes," "Fox and Geese," "Borrow a Light," "Hawk aud Doves." These are running games, while "Stepping Stones" and "Leap Frog" are included in tho jumping organised games. A number of ball games are accurately described, while "French Blind Mans Bluff" and "Nino Pins" are also mentioned. At the end of tho circular is a Email note to tho effect that "to the above may be added such games as cricket, football, lacrosse, and tennis, carricd i out under proper supervision and direction." Full instructions aro given in connection with the keeping of records and accounts. The area officers havo been instructed to render the head masters every assistance, and tho training is to bo proceeded with immediately irrespective of medical examination; tho usual precautions being taken to exempt boys who are considered cither by teachers or parents to be physically unfit. Where miniaturo ranges have been erected, ten Fralicotto rifles for ovcry 100 junior cadets will bo issued on requisition.