NEW MUSKETRY REGULATIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 120, 10 May 1888, Page 3

NEW MUSKETRY REGULATIONS.

V^ The following circular has been aent to the various officers comtnand- _ ing districts throughout the olony : — Defence Office, Wellington, 20th April, 1888. Circular No 19.

(1) The target practice required to qualify for capitation will, until further orders, be as follows : — (2) 40 rounds to be fired in Ist and 2nd periods of individual firing, and each volunteer to pass into or fire in second class 10 rounds independent firing —target, 6x6 distance 200 yards. — front rank kneeling, rear rank standing; 10 rounds volley firingtarget, 6 x 6— distance, 200, yards — front rank kneeling, rear rank stand" ing. (3) The two last practices are invariably to be carried out under the personal superintendence of an officer of the paid Permanent Staff, and the figure of merit of corps will be computed from them. No corps will be awarded a figure of merit unless at least £ of the enrolled strength, excluKve of officers, are present at the practices on the day appointed. , (4) The pouches of men are to be examined and em j-ti^d before these practices commence. (5) Should the number of hits on the target at independent firing be in excess of the number of shots fixed the corps will be disqualified. (6) Independent and volley firing to be by squads not less than five or exceeding twenty men. (7) Targets to be compared by officers of permanent staff and officer of squad, and diagram showing each shot to be marked off before the targets are painted out, which is always to be. done under the personal supervision And to the satisfaction of the staff officer. Targets are always to be examined before the practice commences, by the staff officer. (8) No person to be allowed in marker's butts during these practices, and nq other firing to be allowed on ranges while they are being carried out. (9) Men who do not fire with their companies will be permitted to fire by squads as may be directed by the officer commanding the district to enable them to qualify for capitation, but their scores are not to be entered or computed in the figures of merit. (10) Independent and volley firing will take place on the last quarter of the Volunteer year, at such time and date as may be appointed by officers commanding districts. (11) The prizes hitherto awarded to corps will, for the future, be determined by the figures of merit made in' the inde pendent and volley firing, and the conditions under which tliej will be competed for are contained in paragraphs 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this circular which must be strictly adhered to. No practice at which an officer ot the staff is not pre sent. will, under any circumstances, be allowed to reckon towards these prizes, and any deviation from the^rules above refened to will, carry disqualification with it. The diagrams after being signed by the several officers, are to be at once "forwarded to the Defence Office, Wel» lington. \V& firing in the third period (l»t '&- class) will, in ..'future, , be optional, but marksmen's badges will be issued to men w h;o i^ualifv by obtained 4i} points (13/ Diagrams, when printed, will be circulated.