VOLUNTEERING. OFFICERS’ INSTRUCTION CLASS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2096, 23 January 1908, Page 1

VOLUNTEERING. OFFICERS’ INSTRUCTION CLASS

Colonel Bauchop, officer commanding the district, arrived in Gisborno yesterday morning ill connection with tho instruction class for officers and noncommissioned officers, tho first or which to be held here, took place at the Drill Hall Inst night. When seen yesterday by a reporter, the Colonel gave an idea of the work to be done. The classes are, lie said, to give tlio officers an insight into the work as outlined by the new Defence Council. The work, from start to finish, deals with tlio practical side of soldiering in the new formations which have been adopted in England since the Boer war and which have been; strengthened by tho lessons of the Russo-Japanese war. Tlio methods were authenticated by Staff Officer lan Hamilton and, it was not new in any way, but it refers to the different methods of attack and the area of enveloping fire, enfiludo fire, and really deals with the co-operation of all arms, mounted, artillery, and foot in a general attack. It as hoped to get the men to take an interest in tho study of soldiering, as a study. In Now Zealand tlio majority of the troops aro well-educated, and it is ielt more than ever that more study should be taken up. The men should bo taken out of their simple movements and given an idea of wliat was better and greater to encourage soldiery. Tlio Colonel has an instructional staff in Wellington and a ton days’ class was held recently and they aro to ho held over the district which includes Wellington province, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay lain! districts. Tho Easter encampment was mentioned and it wus stated that tho manoeuvres had been:, outlined and troops from here and other districts would take part. It will be held on the West Coast in the vicinity of Wellington ami south of the Alanawatu River. A raiding party will be landed by cruisers and altogether there will be about 2500 troops on both sides. The time will boo o clock on the 17th April and both sides would go on without intermission until they left for their homes throe days later. There will also bo a “running pass scheme,” making an attack on- the forts and the whole forces of the district will be engaged. Payment will be made in terms of the regulations. As to transport of the men and horses, this will bo arranged with the officers of tho different corps. The men will not bo orlled upon to .pay tire ■Tirose'manOfrirvrcS ‘will be tho biggest held in New Zealand. The Colonel is running tills as the most up «to date and practical method of studying soldiering. Asked whether the failure of these manoeuvres would result in some system of conscription or universal training, the. Colonel stated that lie could not givo an opinion on that matter. Tho party consists of Colonel .Bauchop, Capt. Hislop, and Staff-Sergt.-Major Williams. They will be hero till Saturday, when they learm for Wairoa and commence there on Tuesday night. " THE CONDITIONS OF VOLUNTEERING. A local volunteer expresses the following vieivs: The Trontham meeting was supposed to encourage tho men in shooting and it was self-supporting, but here the position was different and the inducement was less. The officers had to find •amusement for tho men in the way of prizes for shooting and people had to be apperied to for this purpose. Regarding clothing, if they wanted overcoats thev had to be paid for out of their own pockets and then they became tlieproperty of tlio corps. About the drill shed there was a grant for tlio ground. They had an offer for tho old lilac© and that price would coyer the amount required for the building, but instead of that, the Government took it over and allowed them about two-thirds of the price they could get and they could raise tho remainder as they liked. To make volunteering a success, there was no doubt that the Government would have to clothe them properly. A man going to Wellington must liavo a military* coat. The corps could non afford to give it to him and then some, of the men looked like a “job lot.” With regard to fining, lie said tho men could bo fined for non-attoiul-anco, but that discouraged them aiul thev could now leave after 12 months’ service. The fine system was not satisfactory, it was not the fines that were wanted but- they wanted them trained. Fines would not make volunteers hut training would. Last night Colonel Bauchop conducted a class for officers and noncoms. The first subject was “The Company and the Battalion in Attack.” Other subjects dealt with were “Senianhorc Signalling” and To-night, lectures will be delivered on “Musketry,” “Mutual. Fire Support of Infantry and Cavalry,” and “Protection of a Force at Best. ’ To-morrow night further lectures will be given. On Saturday * a “Sian -Hide will bo held. In this all tho officers m the district will participate. I ho

idea is to have tile officers in the hold, and to make them make certain dispositions of suppositious troops. Including tho staff officers about nine officers will he present. With Colonel Bauchop are Lieut. Wilson and Captain llislop, Adjutant of the Battalion, and' Staff Sergeant-Major Williams is also in the company. On Friday further lectures will be given, and. it is hoped that the .subject will bo of a popular nature.