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Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 325, 28 January 1902, Page 4

Continued from page 3. COMPANY DRILL. Compstiv to fall it) as detailed in Infantry 'Drill 1 WOO, only in single ranks. On completion ot inspection by the captain, the intervals between sections only to be closed. The two half companies will then be numbered as in battalion drill Nos. 1 and 2. The company may also fall-in by comma of sections’. This will be found very convenient in streets. Also if required in line, with intervals between the half companies and sections. The captain will act as the commanding officer. and the lieutenants and guides give the necessary commands. . FORMATION OF FOURS. The senseless and obsolete movements as shown in Infantry drill 189 8 to be done away with entirely. They ought to have been so years ago. Guides to number their sections by fours from right to left. No. 1(2, 3, or 1) section number. In wheeling by tours to the right it will not be necessary to complete the rear incomplete four of anv section. In wheeling to the left the last four men of any section will wheel together. The odd men of any section are useful as scouts, etc., or filling any gaps in the

section caused by casualties or by men falling out. Tins will not necessitate tiie constantly re-numbering of sec'.tons and will enable the other fours to remain unchanged, as if is advisable as much as possib.e for the same four men to act together. If the men are turned to the rear, or the order much as possible for the same four lien will still act together. Nos. 1, 2,3, and 1 will then he Nos. 4,3, 2, and 1 respectively. In fact when once Ihe sections have been numbered on parade there ought, to be no occasion to re-number the men, although the leading fours must he complete. Broken fours may be in any part of the section. The section commanders may at any time, when moving by I'curs, order up any man, or men, from an incomplete four to fill the vacancy or vacancies in any four. The men will then at once see at a glance what their numbers are. But men irom one section must not be removed to another section unless by tiie captain’s orders. In certain instances tiie men should be taught to lill any gaps

themselves. For instance, should casualties occur in any adjoining fours the men in the rear will at once step out or double and fill the gap or gaps ol the one in front. MOVING BY FILMS. Every two men will constitute a tile. • PASSING OBSTACLES. As it is essential that every volunteer should he taught to act by himseli, the men will without word of command turn to their right or test according to the nature of the ground, and as soon as the obstacle is passed regain their proper positions, either by stepping out or, if necessary, by doubling, in rough ground it is preferable to extend the men. SKIRMISHING. Only half an hour should be devoted t,> drill, the other half hour or hour to skirmishing, as this is one of 1 lie utmost importance in actual warfare. No. 1 (right half company) can act as the advance line, No. 2 as the support, or else No 1 section, the advance, No 2 section the support, Nos. 3 and 4 the reserve under second lieutenant. Senior lieutenant in front of the support. The support should extend the same as the advancing line

and the reserve, if under lire, should also he extended as its commander may deem necessary. Officers and sectional commanders must hear in mind that 'it is their duty to indict as great a loss as possible on the enemy with the least possible loss to themselves and men. An officer who purposely exposes himself and his men without occasion just, in order to sho.v ins pluck, is equally foolhardy and senseless as a man who throws hullself down from a steeple to prove to a crowd below that lie lias courage. Skirmishing should frequently he practised by signs without words of command. The captain directing by ins arms as in Intanlry Drill lo.jb. DaiK nights should also be occasionally chosen, and strict silence maintained. Orders to he passed in whispers. When tiic movements of the advancing line cannot he clearly lie seen, trie office]' in command of the supports is responsible for keeping the touch. This can 'he done by men (feelers) extending ironi the support to the centre of the advance. Ji necessary ropes can lie used. These feelers- can carry hack any word from the captain to the sunport., and so on to the rear. The officer in command of the reserves to he responsible for the touch of the supports^

” BUSH TRACKS. In advancing through the hush the captain should lead, the lieutenant bringing up the rear. If there are two lieutenants, the senior to lie in iearof his half company. Sectional commanders to lead their sections. PREPARING FOR CAVALRY. Jf time permits the company should he extended two paces between each mail. 'Hie men at once, without word of command, to kneel. Bayonets can be fixed while extending. It lS impossible to take good aim standing The men should then be instructed to aim only at the men. Kill the men first, and they have nothing to fear Irom the horses. Few horses w.ll gallop over a mail if they have sauce "to avoid him, which they will have if the men are extended. Besides men extended and kneeling offer a far less mark for the enemies’ bullets. Should the cavalry halt and the men dismonut. then a couple of rounds should he aimed at, the horses, and the men he ordered to lie down, and lire only when they see a chance of hitting their mark. Every man kneeling, so long as he keeps a cool head on him, should easily account for three of the enemy before they can reach him. BA V'O.NET EXERCISE.

Should be performed only m column or column of sections. In column the men to be extended two paces from either the right, left, or ccnlit. i,Vurs in rear of their sections, in ccn’jin of sections, to be extended from right or left only. Subalterns, guides, etc., to be on the reverse flank facing the column. Their duties are to note anyone who does his work badly or slovenly. FIRING EXERCISE. VOLLEY FIRING OBSOLiVi E, Should a captain require a round or rounds to be lired simultaneously, tiie command will be, “ Taking the time from me—fixed sights—at—lire—(say) 2 (or magazine) rounds.” The me i w;,i at once come to die ready—Captain : “ Present,” the mm at once to come to the present and fire their rounds as soon as they arc sure of their aim. Then come to the ready position. The present practice of voiiey bring :s and should have beei. obsolete long ago. For the men to wait for the word “ lire ” and then to pull the trigger whether they haw taken aim ov not. is not only senseless hut an utter waste of good ammunition. FORMING SQUARE.

Should there ever he an occasion to form square, on ihe order from the captain lo form square, the senior lieutenant will rrder his Hanks to dress back. The recontl lieuteiuut will advance his men .it the double '.o half column distance and halt. The men will at once nee outward!/. The flanks will, before halting, form inwards and join tie flank men of No. 1. A complete ova: will thus he formed, Officers, guides, etc., being in the centre.

GUARD MOUNTING. To ensure sentries be ng made accustomed lo their duties, it is a good plan when a pirade falls in (except church parades) at a drillshed with the intention of returning to the sned before being dismissed for a guaru (corporal and three men will suffice) to be posted. The sentry should he posted outside the entrance and relieved every half-hour....Tnis will give each man a turn of sentry go. The others should remain just inside ihe entrance, and are responsible that no cuie tampers with anv of the goods left by the men. The sentry should have strict orders not to allow any civilian (school cadets to be treated as civilians) to enter without permission of the commander of the guard. This order will not apply to civilian or civilians who are in company of an officer or non-com. To be continued,