BATTALION SHIELD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 63

BATTALION SHIELD.

The Battalion Shield competition, was con* eluded last Saturday afternoon, when A, F, and H the companies left in for the final, paraded, and marched off from the Garrison Hall within half an hour of' eacfi other, commencing at 3 p.m. The firing took pvaca at Tomahawk Beach, the objective being " head and shoulder " targets, backed by the cliff. The ranges were 400. 600, and 809 yards, and the length of the march was six miles. Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham, 0.C., Ist Battalion Otago Rifle Volunteers, was present, and Cxptains Hickey, D.5.0., Barclay, and Wolatenholme were the umpires. The Dunedin City Guards did not seem t<* coi sider the occasion of sufficient import* ance to trouble about for, though only hal<[ the strength on parade was essential, thi< company was disqualified because it wa& short of even this number. Those of th# company who did appear on parade complete^. the march and did their shooting, thus show* ing their absent comrades that they, at alt I events, were willing and able to do their 1 duty. Conspicuous among the absentees were the alleged crack shots. It has been asceri tamed that the bulk of the City Guards' absentees cotild very easily have been oni parade on Saturday had they so desired. No doubt the matter will be made the subject of an inquiry by the officer commending the company. By the disqualification of thi? company the competition rested with the Wakari Rifles and the Green Island Rifle*. The turn-out of the former was excellent, and as they received two points for each man present over half strength this company! commenced with 25 points to the good; Green Island second, 1 point in this respect. The route was via Anderson's Bay road and the Queen's drive to the bluff beyond Tomahawk Beach. The dress was '" marching order," lead being carried in the haversacks to represent rations, and extra ammunition also added weight. The marching of the mem was excellent. A strong wind made shooting] difficult. The shield was won by the 'WaTcari Rifles, with a good margin. The Green Island) Rifles lost points in judging distance, thought thei*- shooting was superior to that of th» shield winners. On the whole the proceedings formed a good Test of endurance, discipline,' and shooting, under conditions other than! those prevailing in a drawing-room. The resmTs were' as follows: — Wakari Rifles. — Judging distance, 67; en« trlenchments, 95; marching, 100; shooting', 27.03; attendance, 25;— total, 314.03. Green Island Rifles. — Judging distance, 26;; entrenchments, 104; marching, 100; shooting-, 38.88; attendance, I;— total, 269.88. City. Guards. — Judging distance, 59; entrenchments, 106; .-marching, 100; shooting, 21.42; attendance, nil. Remarks: Disqualified for being under half strength on parade. This year two of the companies- were unabta to enter, being below minimum establishment, and those not competing- on Saturday were disqualified at the Other tests. The Quartermaster " (Lieutenant MoncriefJ assisted the O.C. in supervision of «Jl arrangements, and Surgeon-captain Butemenf was in attendance. A warrant officer, anf N.C.0., end four men of the permanent forced were- on duty at the firing point. I»ieutenant-co!onel Stoneham, on. behalf o{ the batallion, tenders thanks to Mr Smailf for affording them the use of his- property^ which was admirably suited to the purpoie.

The land hunger is very acute in tha Cromwell district (says the Argus), anrj one young man, a native of the place, who has been trying to secure a home for some years now, stated that he recently visited the Land Office in Dunedin, and found! the only land open in Otago was the Otekaike blocks, and he is in for two of- tho sections there. It is rather an expensive proceeding chasing these ballots when ona is so far inland, and several local applicants have complained about the cost of firsH visiting the land and then having to gof back again to be examined.

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