DEFENCE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 14

DEFENCE TOPICS

■ quarterdeck and parade GROUND [By Sam Browne.] naval reserves GENERAL TRAINING The Otago Division, R.N.V.R., assembled as a whole on Wednesday, and was exercised in the various phases of its work, alter which it was assembled lor an enlightening and interesting address by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart on international affairs. The division will assemble for a combined parade on Wednesday next, when the syllabus for the first Wednesday in each month will bo proceeded with. WIRELESS AND SIGNALS. The wireless and signal ratings continued practical visual and wireless signalling in connection with the control of conveys and minesweeping operations .011 Tuesday, while the senior wireless ratings carried out practical wireless communication exercises with H.M.S. Philomel and other R.N.V.R. divisions. The result of the R.N.V.R. signalling exercise conducted by H.M.S. Philomel •luting September was another win for tbo Canterbury Division, with Otago second. The position in the competitions remains the same—Canterbury lirst, Otago second, Wellington third, and’ Auckland fourth. SMALL-BORE SHOOTING. The ladder competitions and shooting for the various cups and trophies were continued on Monday last. Preliminary instruction in aiming and ■ trigger pressing in preparation for the annual musketry course was also given to ratings who had not previously been instructed. Tbo range at headquarters will bo available for further practices to-night, when the monthly firing for the White Sports Cup will take place. SPORTS. The annual Rugby football match between the 12th Battery, N.Z.A., and Otago Division, R.N.V.R., took place at Tahuna Park on Saturday. MOUNTED RIFLES BIVOUACS Week-end bivouacs will be held at Gore and Lawrence by the troops in those districts during the Labour Day week-end. The programme for the Lawrence troop will include a dance and shooting match against the local rifle club. Good progress is being made by the various country troops, and the annual musketry course is under way. THE OTAGO' REGIMENT LECTURE ON PROTECTION At the parade of the First Battalion last Tuesday Captain P. W. G. Spiers, M.8.E., M.C., delivered a lecture to the officers on rearguards, flank guards, and outposts. The functions of tlie.se protective troops were discussed, and.their actions under different conditions explained. BIVOUAC POSTPONED. The week-end bivouac; for the Oamaru Company has had to be postponed till November 7 and S. The arrangements for the other bivouacs, however, have been completed. A bivouac held by the members of the Port Chalmers platoon was attended by one officer and 16 other ranks. UNIVERSITY COMPANY MEDICAL TRAINING

Members of the Otago University .Medical Company will undergo medical training at a bivouac to bo held at the Drill Hall on October 16 and 17. Lieutenant-colonel R. A. H. Fulton, N.Z.M.C., will bo in command. THE CADETS COMPETITIVE SHOOTING The shooting section of the Otago Boys’ High School cadet unit has now settled down to practising for the Victory Challenge Shield competition. H.M.S. SUSSEX IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Those who made friendships among the ship’s company of H.M.S. Sussex when she was at Port Chalmers last year will he interested to learn that she is now in the Mediterranean. She has been stationed at Alexandria for the last 10 months, with an occasional trip to Malta. The Sussex also assisted in tho search for the air liner which crashed in tho sea when making a landing after dark at Alexandria. Latterly she was sent to Haifa in connection with tho Arab disturbances. At that port pom-poms and 3.Tin howitzers were landed and mounted on motor lorries which travelled inland for about 80 miles and were in action against the Arabs. So hot was it at Haifa that the water reached a temperature of Sodeg.