BIG GUN PRACTICE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 127, 22 February 1921, Page 6

BIG GUN PRACTICE

SUCCESSFUL WEEK-END CAMP.

Gun practice from the 6in. batteries at Fort Kelburn, Ngahauranga, was carried out by No. 5 Company, New Zealand Garrison Artillery, between 5.30 and 6 o’clock yesterday morning. A "HongKong” target, representing a warship 200 ft. in length, with a free-board of 30ft., was towed by the Janie Seddon and some good shooting was don 1 . Twenty rounds were iired, the first four being "ranging” shots. Sixteen consecutive hits were afterwards registered, and this was considered to be a highly creditable performance.. The practice was witnessed by Lieutenant-Colonel M. M. Gard’ner. DS.O. (Director of Artillery), Lioutenant-Colonel W. 11. L. Burgess, C. 8., C.M.G., D.S.O (artillery staff officer for the central military district), and Major W H. Johnson, M.C. (Commander O'f the Wellington Garrison (Artillery Division). The practice concluded a successful week-end camp held by the company, of which over seventy were preset’t. Gaptain B. C. Kirk, M.C., was in command, and he was assisted. by Lieutenants M. C. W. Mason, 11. Martin, and IL Pearce. On Saturday night, Major AV. Tlardhaju, V.C.. visited the camp, and gave an interesting lecture on the company s history, as well as some excellent advice ns to how to maintain the standard set in the past by the Old I’otono Navals, the forerunners of No. 5 Company, of which the major was for some time e member. On Sunday Divine sendee was conducted by Canon T. Feilden 'Taylor, Chaplain to the Forces, 3rd class, and in the evening an interesting lecture was given by Captain W. G. Stevens, R.N.Z.A.", on coast defence actions which took place in the late war. The discipline maintained during the camp was excellent, and tho troops entered with vim into the physical training work.