Among the "Tommies."

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 161, 1 August 1903, Page 22

Among the "Tommies."

The southerly was too much for Tommy Atkins on Friday, 24th. a Civil Service muster of about b and fair total of 32 Post and Rails found the shed. The latter were si™ at starting work, and the result of then efforts at firing exercises was not satisfactory, the men getting into some very awkward positions quite distinct from those intended to be taught. The kneeling position was particularly noticeable, the right leg sprawling behind in an unsightly fashion, and the right arm drooping like the nine of a shot bird, whereas the leg should be so placed that the foot forms a seat for the body, and the arm so that the elbow is nearly level with the shoulder Erratic positions should not be allow e<l to pass without checking. X * * * Steadiness while at attention is conspicuous by its absence, in many cases at all company parades. Men will fidget about, twisting thear necks or adjusting some of their gear. These little items should be done before falling in. With some men-the first partioularly-a lot of trouble would be avoided. The Civils did no work of any kind. Why those present did not avail themselves of the Post and Telegraph parade, and drill with them, re a matter for surprise. • * * The Non.-corns.' Club is an enterprising concern. Out of a membership of soL 40, the lecture for the 24th on '•Musketry " was attended by one. Lecture postponed. * * * On the 25th, class-firing was continued by Kilties, m company with a few Zealandias , ranges 100 and 200 we got in by about 14 men. The shooting altogether was faar— in one or two cases (Zealandias) good. From reports, the range is in a very bad state, rapidly getting worse and for want of attention at present a large sum of money will have to be spent to put it in order if left as it is much longer On the lower range the water has ruined the trench and tinped get shed into its bed, while on the upSS, the track is blocked by slips from the left bank, and m places the neht side has slipped into the stream, lhe approaches to both ranges are merely muddy tracks worn by the men. with the help of various stra.y cattle roaming on the range. *■ * ■* At the head of the range things are not conducive to the comfort of the markers. A nice slushy trench with a floor of water, keeps them cool. What was once a substantial hoarding behind the targets, for protection against

back splashes, is now shot away to less than a fourth of its original size, and affords lots of space for showers ot mud, etc , to bespatter the unhappy marker till he looks more like a streetsweeper on a wet day than a reputable colonial Tommy. Under the circumstances, the zeal of volunteers who use the range is to be commended. * Monday, 27th, saw musteis of 33 Cities and 25 Zealandias, some of both corps undressed— to slip on a paar of leggings is evidently a hard matter. The roads being in a filthy state, it was decided to confine operations to the shed The former, under L apt am Duthie and Lieutenant Jones, were very late in getting off the mark but set a good example when they did ot what indoor work should, to a great, extent, be— setting-up drill. The two halfcompanies, each under a non.-com.. on the whole gave a creditable exhibition of the physical exercises demanded. * + + There were, of course, a few whose biceps and erector spinae muscles ane nab as well developed as those of their fellows, but at the present rate of progress the team if one is selected from this company for the tournament, will be very hard to beat Of the instructors, one was goor l but the other will have to improve m practice also, in command. Remember, "froat 1 " is done away with. * * * Zealandias followed suit, with physical, and also practised a section in firing drill. Both sections did their work fairly well, but in physical, in one instance, were misled by faulty explanation. Both the above companies underwent careful rifle examination, and doubtless the value of this will be appreciated at the end of the year. * * * The Bugle Corps, as usual, was shunted outside, and had to do duty under very unpleasant conditions, but I understand the boys are shortly to be accommodated in a shed attached to the drill hall, and so enabled to practice thoroughly, and attain a degree of efficiency hitherto beyond them. * *• * The non. -corns, again failed to attend on the occasion of a lecture by Colour-sergeant Davis. They are reminded that on A u crust 3rd Col Webb is to deliver an address on ' Discipline."