TERRITORIAL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 11

TERRITORIAL NOTES

| By Skirmisher.] BATTERY CAMP. At 5.30 p.m. on Saturday last 14th Medium Battery (6in Howitzer), N.Z.A., consisting of four officers and 123 other ranks, returned from Matarae, where a very instructive week had been held. The weather during this period was somewhat varied, as on tho night before arrival tho district wms drenched by a heavy thunder storm, which considerably refreshed the parched countryside; and again on Monday, after dawning hazy, and about 11 a becoming very oppressively hot, the wind suddenly veered to . the soian-u _ bringing with it a drenching rain, which lasted till 4 p.m. This was the only rain experienced during the camp, but tho tempers of all were somewhat tried when, during the night of February IG-T7. the Strath-Taicri Plain was swept by a nor-’wester, which, in spite of valiant efforts to save them, razed to the ground the Y.M.C.A. marquee, the sergeants’ mess, four mess marquees, and numerous bell tents. During the early part of the week concentrated training was carried out in gunnery, horsemanship, battery manoeuvres, stable duties, signalling, Lewis gunnery, etc., culminating in tho annual shoot, which took place on Thursday and Friday. The work of the eight-horse gun teams was a great improvement on previous years. This may be attributed to the fact' that none but trained horses -were used; consequently tho battery was enabled to extend its tactical manoeuvres so as to exploit the long range of its guns. The battery, which already has the distinction of being the first Giu Howitzer battery to shoot in New Zealand, has nmv the added credit of being the first artillery unit to carry out a calibration series, thereby obtaining accurate data as to the muzzle velocities of its guns, and also of being the first to carry out a predicted survey shoot in which the survey and consequent calculations were made entirely by the battery officers. Great praise is due to tho gunners, who so correctly and consistently carried out their duties that the intricate calculations in,connection with the bearing of the line and the range necessary with a weapon of precision were accurately applied. The signallers, or “spooks,” as they are nicknamed in the artillery, are also worthy of praise for the excellent manner in which they kept open communications; as also are the_ Lewis gunners, who provided protection for tho gun positions and wagon lines against hostile aircraft and possible cavalry flank attacks.

On Saturday morning _ sub-section competitions were held, being won by B sub-section, under Sergeant Robertson, whose admirable leadership materially assisted his team to victory. Points were awarded for quick turn-out and hooking in, deductions being made for any incorrectness in harness or procedure. Then each team had to move into action, lay out its line from an aiming point, fire a scries, and come out of action. Points were again awarded for correct drill, procedure, the fire orders of the No. 1, tho laying by No. 3, and the driving of the driver. Owing to lack of time it was not possible to hold the usual competitions for gun laying, driving and harnessing, and Lewis gunnery, but these will take place later in town. All ranks owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Postgate, of the Y.M.C.A., who so ably catered for the spare time of the troops by providing writing material, papers, magazines, and games, such as ping-pong, quoits, etc., and for organising two most enjoyable concerts. Padre Scott is also to ,be thanked for looking after tho spiritual welfare of tho troops; as is also Dr Stuart Moore for his services to the halt and lame.