MANNING HARBOUR FORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1382, 7 March 1912, Page 2

MANNING HARBOUR FORTS.

f FORT KELBURXE. At midnight oil Tuesday Fort Kclburne was suddenly aroused by the call to arms, and men and officers sprang from their comfortable quarters, and the guns were speedily manned by detachments while others, acting as infantry,, formed a (lank protection, using blank cartridge. The Officer Commanding reports that the Company turned out of barracks nml into the pits in quick time, without any confusion or hitch. In the routine work the squads nre .showing marked improvement. To-dny the usual s.yllabus will be gone through! in the morning, and in this aflenicon the Company will entrain for I'ctone for infantry drill on the Recreation Ground. The 'drill will be followed by h sports ' meeting. On Friday and Saturday, the . Company will have their first taste of powder and practice-firing with the bis i guns will be carried out. This no dcubt will prove the suinmum boniim-uf the ■ wrek's work, and keen interest is ■ anti- . cipated. Yesterday Liout.-Colonel Beg', visited the camp, and on Saturday the cump will be on the qui viv«, for tlie general inspection by Major-General Godley' Fort Dorset. The Officer Commanding at Fort Dorset reports that work is progressing rapidly under the instructors, whu are sparing no pains in order to turn thp recruit into an accomplished gunner. The Company is divided into squads, and competitions in gun-inciinling have made the work mi interesting thin?, b be earned on sniartlv, orderly, and without error. Ihe men. ■ indulged 'in.a little surf bathing yesfrr- , dav. and enjoyed a good dip after Uia heat of their work. The camp wns in- • snected In- Colonel G. X. Johnston, Colonel <■ r. C/Campbell, V.]).. AlaJ"'" J -, *" ' Hlime. Major V. J. Crurtnoy, and Cnnram . ,1. S. Maidlow, all of whom were pleased with the progress made, and a It tie surprised at. tin; proficiency so miickl> at,e< I v recruits. Last n?" die men manned the forts as for action, and I"o "ow Uiev will practise gun evcllinj mid. aiming «'ith rifle attachment. Fort Ballance. The' Officer Commandin? reports that wCTk is procerding smoothly :it Fort JJallance. Excellent work was put in y«terdav on gun levelling and aiming. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell inspected the Comnanv, and expressed himself well pleased 'with the operations. To-morrow night the Company will have their fust efsoii in searchlight drill—n very interestins .part of a garrison gunners Irmmiis. Before the camp breaks up, some practice tiring may be done, but as yet nothing Iβ settled.