NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1930, Page 3

NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE

ANNUAL TRAINING BEGINS SHORTLY.

A WEEK ,1N THE SO UNDS

Members of the Royal Naval Volunteer ue,serve are eagerly awaiting the arrival in their home ports of the training ship VYakakura. This minesweeper left Auckland yesterday and is scheduled to make a series df long visits to the various ports concerend in connection with the annual training of memoers of the Naval Volunteer

deserve. She will visit Wellington l.yttleton and Dunedin in turn and will take on hoard instalments of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for their week in training in all the practical phases of their work. In the case of Wellington there are two full divisions, each containing 60 men, to be trained in this manner. Owign to the fact that only 16 at a time can be accommodated on board, in addition to a skeleton crew of trained 111 on, it will lie necessary to. spread the programme over nearly two months. The first section are to embark on March 25). Others will follow week by week and it is hoped to have the programme completed by the end ol May, so lar as Wellington' is coneeroned.

A WEEK IN THE SOUNDS.

Dor the training of the two Wellington division the vessel will proceed to Marlborough Sounds for the week’s training. By doing this it is hoped to obtain not only fine weather, but also calm waters tor the necessary instruction. Assisted by the skeleton crew the voulnteers will carry out all the work of the vessel itself. Moreover they will receive expert instruction into all phases of life at sea as applied to the technique of life on board a minesweeper. Instruction will be given in seamanship, boatwork, gunpraetice, including firing at a target anchored out at sea, and elementary aspects of coastal navigation. During training members of the Volunteer, Naval Reserve will receive the full pay of the 'ratings to which they are entitled.

POPULAR FORM OF TRAINING

Discipline is strict not only during the 42 ' preparatory drills carried out at intervals during the year, but also during, the weeks’ annual training. Possibily this is partly responsible for the extraordinary popularity of this branch of training which, of course excuses those who participate from the normaly military curriculum. Residents of the city are reported to be only too anxious to get their sons into the Royal Naval Reserve for their training. As a result there is a waiting list in all centres olf over one hundred prospective candidates. In many eases lads of fourteen and fifteen are being put down on the wanting list so that when they reach the minimum age limit of 17-£ to 18 years there may be a chance of being able to join.

Service extends for a term of four years from the time of joining which in exceptional cases, may be as late as 25 years old. During that time instruction is given in every phase of practical seamanship and minesweep ing, coupled to the steadying influence of . physical training and ceremonal parades. Although the scheme was started .in Auckland in 1925, and only two years ago in Wellington, thanks to the organising ability of their director, Captain h T C Middleton. R.N. (retired) it is anticipated that in 1935 New Zealand will have at least 1000 trained men ready to put to sea in minesweepers and other vessels at short notice and without and lengthy preliminary training.

NEW WHALERS BEING BUILT.

An additional attraction this year will, be four now 27-foot whalers complete with sails, oars and centrehoards. These are being built at Auckland at a cost in the vicinity of CIBO each. It is hoped that they will 1)0 ready next month. One will he issued to each of the four centres at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttleton and Dunedin for instruction in rowing and sailing.