NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2427, 5 April 1915, Page 9

NATIONAL RESERVE

CONSTITUTION AND ORGANISATION OF UNITS DRILLS AND PARADES No. 5 group (Wellington and Suburbs) of the National llosorve, wbicb lias been forming gradually during tlio past tlireo months, is now a properly constituted and thoroughly organised body. Exact--I.V what the constitution of the National Reserve is lias not perhaps been made clear to the general public. It is made abundantly manifest in a memorandum which has been issued in connection with Group o under the signature of Colonel T. W. Porter, C.8., Commandant of tlio Wellington Military District of the National Keserve. Under tho heading of the "Organisation of Units .and Distribution" it is sot out that tho Heserve consists of a headquarters staff, un engineers corps, infantry regiments (two), anny service corps, medical corps, chaplains' department, and honorary reserve, 'liio headquarters staff consists ol two officers commanding regiments, an adjutant (Captain R. M. M'Leod), and a quartermaster-general (Major J. W. Henderson). . Thp engineers' corps consists of the New Zealand Railways Wellington section, with an establishment of one major (officer commanding), one captain, two first and two secona lieutenants. The two infantry regiments each comprise four companies, as follows First regiment—A Company: Wellington Central, Thorndon and Wadestown; B Company: Wellington East; C Company —Wellington South, Brooklyn, and Vogeltown; D Company: Northland, liarori, Kelburn, Khandallali, Johnsonville, Ngaio, and l'orirua. Second regiment—A Company: leland Bay, Otago High School Old Boys; B Company: Hataitai, liilbij-Txie North, Eastbourne; C Company: Kilbirnie South, Lyall Bay, .Miramar, Seatoun, and Karaka Bay; D Company: Petone, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Taita. Each company is divided into four platoons and matchine-gun sections, and each platoon is subdivided into four sections. The establishment of each company is as follows:—Major commanding, captain (second in command), four lieutenants (platoon commanders), four platoon sergeants, four sergeants, eight corporals, and four buglers or drummers. The machine gun section has one lieutenant, one sergeant, one corporal, 13 privates, and two drivers. The Army Service Corps is commanded by Major Edward Tregear, and consists of one motor-car, two vehicles, and three motor-cycles. The establishment is as laid down in Transport Regulation's. Medical Corps. The Medical Corps is divided into three seotions:—l, Field Amlflilance; 2, St. John Ambulance; 3, Military Nursing Service. The establishment consists of a director of medical service (with tho rank of major), principal medical officer (with captain's rank), and tho three sections named with their several commandors or matrons. Chaplain's Department.—All denominations posted to the several company units with rank in the National Jieserve as majoru and captains. Bands are to figura in the constitution as. follows:—Headquarters' Band., Wellington,_ Tramways; _ Regimental Bands, Natives' Association (1), Central Mission (2), and Jupp's (3). Honorary Reserve. An honorary section of tb> reserve is being set up, with Captain H. Price, late Royal Marines, as organiser. This branch is being established to enable many to enrol who desire to become donating or subscribing members, but who for various reasons are unable to attend drills or undergo arduous training, yet are willing to act departmentally if required. Appointment of Oflioors. (1) Officers appointed under this organisation will hold acting rank only, excepting where they already hold substantive rank, as shown in the New Zealand Army List, or are ex-officers of tI.M.R. Navy, Army, or- Auxiliary Forces. The rank held will be subject to approval for substantiva commissions should tlio reserve be called upon foractive militia service. (2) The higher commands to regiments and companies will be made oy tho District National Reserve Commandant. (3) Officers ,of units ,up to the rank of, captain shall be elected by their several units. - No appointment can be approved unless tho candidate has been duly elected by the votes of not less than one-half of the enrolled members of the unit he is to command. - (4) Committees will organise arid conduct 6uch elections, and submit the names of those duly elected for the a]>proval of Headquarters. : Drills and Parades The officers commanding companies will direct and supervise all drills and parades of the platoons and sections under their command, and cause to be furnished to Headquarters through the adjutant a monthly state showing all increase or decrease of strength, also the average attendanc at drills. Drill Routine. —(a) The duration of drills should not exceed one hour except under special circumstances, and drills should, not be hald more than twico weekly, as it is not desirable to tiro by over training, (b) Routine squad drills," Chap. -11, Parts 1 and 2; also section and Platoon drills, Chap. 111,. "Infantry Training, 1914." ( c ) Musketry andi firing instruction, as laid down in Part I, Musketry Regulations, viz.: (1) General description of the rifle and ammunition used. (2) Instruction in caro of arms. (3) Tho theory, of rifle lire. (4) Aiming and firing. (5) Judging distances. (6) Field firing, control, and skirmishing; also signalling by flags, whistle, signs, or bugle. Ed drill instructors will hold in the National Reserve the rank of sergeantmajor. Tho more advanced training in company and battalion movements is not at present deemed necessary. SOUTH WELLFNGTON SECTION. The Wellington South section of the National Reserve lias been granted the use of the gymnasium at AVellington College for drill purposes, so in future both Saturday afternoon and Tuesday night parades -will be held there. This company is fortunate in having such fine facilities for either indoor or outdoor drill, and as they also have the privilege of using the armoury and rifle range, these, with the enthusiasm that the men have for practice, should soon convert them into proficient marksmen. ' The company is now under the instruction of Sergeant-Major Martin, and tho lueii aro beginning to realise what instruction with discipline can accomplish. No junior officers have as yet been appointed. An instruction class has been started, and is being attended by some twenty aspirants. It is the intention to appoint the best of these in about six weeks, so the company will luiow that they will bo officered by those most ablo to take charge. i No parade will bp hold this afternoon, but a full muster is wanted next Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Wellington College.