TRIAL GUNNERY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 3

TRIAL GUNNERY.

AT FORT KELBURNE. TARGET SHOOTING AND RESULTS. Conditions were perfect for the gun practice carried out by No. 5 Company of Garrison Artillery at Fort Kelbunic yesterday morning. Tho ofher two companies (Nos. 3 nnd 9) from Forts Dorset and Ballance camp over in the .Tanie Sedrton to watch tho shooting. This is the first timo that tho tlirco' companies comprising tho Wellington division of (he Garrison Artillery havo been (ngollier. Thfte were about 300 men at the fort yesterday. The remainder were left to guard the vacated forts across (ho harbour. Before mentioning tho shooting, it may bo well to explain that the target represents, a section of a ship 200 ft. long, liOft. beam, and 30ft. freeboard. The two lions-Kong targets are taken as the bmv' and stern of tho imaginary ship. This is towed behind a tug, and it is tho gunlayer's business to endeavour to lay the gun so as to hit as closo to the middle of the lino between tho two "llong-Kongs" as possible. The visiting companies arrived nt 10 o'clock, and, marching through tho i'nrt, settled themselves comfortably on the rising ground to tho north of tho forts, where they could get a view of tho guns and target. Shortly afterwards the firing squads entered the gun-pits, while the space between the two guns was dotted witii various senior and staff ollieers, who wcro to criticise tho shooting. Among these wero Colonel (.{. N. Johnston (Director of Ordnance), Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor (officer commanding tho district); Colonel Campbell (Coast Defence Commander); Majors Cochrane and Hume; Captains Ross and A. F. Roberts, and tho officers of Nos. 3 and 1) companies. The tiring commander and unipiTe was Major Courtney, assisted by Major Menzies.and Lieut. Kichraond, R.N.Z.A. First Shot—"Clean Between." At half-past ten tho red flag was hoisted, the call Bounded, and the battery commander, Captain Bevan, entered his "shelter," while his officers took up their positions on their respective guns. The interest'increased when tho gun group commanders nnd gnn layers began the orders. And then, without further ado, the slim green Gin. gun on tlio Wellington side belched forth its steel chargo with a short flash of flame, and disappeared again to its pit, while the shot wenri moaning through the air. There was a short pause, with not a sound but the rush of Iho shell. Then came a howl of delight as tlio water spurted m> clean between the two "llong-Kongs"—and with a perfect hit the firing began. At the finish of the first series of twelve rounds (six each gun) till were hits, and tho gun squads trooped from thfir .nils with a look of excitement and pride, '['he group commanders in this series wero Sergeants Ferguson and Knight. Second Series—Not so Good. In the second eoi'ic-s tho Bliooting was not quito-so accurate, and was twice interrupted by passing ferry boats. Out of the twelve shots, ten' inen registered as hits, and one—the sixth—was so accurate that it cut tho rope uetween the two "Hong-Kongs." This of course made the following shots more difficult, botli for firers and umpires. In this series Lieutenant Matthews relieved Captain Bovan as battery commander, and was assisted by Lieutenant Hollis. ■ Adjutant-Sergeant Cairns and Corporal Betliti were the gun group commanders. The Cannoniers' Mentor. After the ''Cease fire" had been called the men assembled, and were ■addressed by Colonel Johnston. The colonel remarked that he was thoroughly pleased with tho practice which ho had witnessed, and also with the general progress made by the men. So far, ho continued, the. company had the .record for camp attendance; and next year he hoped that they would 1:3 engaged in firing coijijiftftions with the other Dominv-in garrisons. This information was received with pleasure by members of the company, especially the older men, who had imagined that the competitions would hi abandoned under the new scheme. The shield was last competed for in October, 1910. when it .was won by the Petone Navals, who had he'd it for liic previous six year.-. , The event of the day being concliulsd, the Nos. S and !) companies formed up, and marched together as far as K:iiwarra, whom the Janie Seddon was to pick them up. General's Inspection.' To-day Major-Gcneral Gotlley, CD., will make an official inspection of the three forts, commencing with Fort Kelburne at 10.30 a.m.. where service parade will be again carried out (2-i round*). Major Monzies will act as fire commander mid Sergt.-Mn.ior Mrade will detail all recorders. In tlu> afterncou I'orts Dor.-H nnd Ballniice will 1:3 inspected, and the Director of Ordnance may direct a lew rounds of instructional service practice to be fir?d at the former. No. i) Company (Captain Hume) will carry out service practice (DO rounds) from the 'two six-pound guns. S-crgt.-Major Cock will arrange for the necessary recorders for the six-pounder practice. Ihe 0.0. companies will arrange for medical officers to bo in attendance.