THE TERRITORIALS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 50, 30 October 1913, Page 8

THE TERRITORIALS.

RECENT DISTRICT ORDERS. Tho following extracts from District Orders recently issued by Colonel Chaytor, commanding the Wellington district, should be of interest to members of the Territorial force:--

In the Army entrance examination there will be two tests in freehand drawing. In the first a photograph or other representation of ft landscape will be set before the candidate, who will be required to make an outline sketch of it (without shading), showing the profile of bills and rising ground and nrty prominent towers Or Other landmarks. 11l the second test candidates will be asked to draw from memory some common object such as a chair or a saddle.

Tn exceptional cases where range accommodation or rifles are not available, Senior Cadets may fire the course with miniature ammunition; but no effort must be spared to carry out the course on a full sized range. His Excellency the Governor lias been pleased to abolish tho existing designations of the uudermentionde units, and to approve that such units be redesignated in tho manner as set forth hereunder:—New Zealand Signal Corps to be redesignated Mounted Signal Troops and Divisional Signal Companies, and to form part of the corps of Xew Zealand Engineers. Xew Zealand Railway Corps to be redesignated Xew Zealand Railway Battalions, and to form part of the corps of New Zealand Engineers. His Excellency the Governor lias been pleased to abolish the existing designation of "The Xew Zealand Army Motor Reserve of Officers," and to approve of its being redesignated "The Xew Zealand Force's Motor Reserve of Officers." It has been decided that in Territorial regiments and battalions, a subaltern officer of the Territorial force will be appointed Assistant Adjutant by the Commanding Officer, to generally assist the Permanent Adjutant. He will be exempt from other regimental duties when performing, his special work as Assistant Adjutant, but at other times he will be available for any duty. The qualifications required for this appointment are:— (a) Not less than wo years' commissioned service, (b) Qualified for promotion to the next higher rank, (c) Qualified in musketry.

It has been decided to equip the Garrison Artillery. Eield En&ineers, and Signal Companies with Mill Webb accoutrements, consisting of waist belt, frog, 2 pouches, 15 rounds each, and web sling, " This will'also, apply to the Railway, Engineer, and Post Office corps. The'leather nccoutrempii.s, with slings, at present' von issue, are to be retu'rhd to iJefence Stores, Wellington. All leather slings are to be called in from infantry and mounted regiments, and replaced with Web slings. The leather slings returned to Store, will be used for issue to. Senior Cadets, who will be armed shortly with long- M.L.E. rifles.

With a view to encouraging 'a more active and general interest inmusketry, the Officer Commanding the district, on receipt of applications, will authorise the issue':.of railway passes to officers, N.C.O.'s and men of. the Territorial force and Senior Cadets and members of the General Training Section, on holidays or half-holidays to and from the nearest rifle range for the purpose of shooting.

A sum has been' allotted to the district for prizes for group rifle, meetings for Territorials, Senior Cadets, and members of the General Training Section. Group officers wishing for an. allotment from this sum will forward their proposals to District Headquarters with a copy of .the proposed programme.

The convictions against each Territorial and Senior Cadet are to he entered in the man's personal recordhook.

The Director of Equipment and Stores reports that a supply of rifles, Jf.L.E. long, is expected by the Corinthio, which is due to arrive in Wellington on the 27th October, 1013. This will enable the sale of rifles to members of rifle clubs to be resumed about the first week in November. A supply of "Sam -Browne" belts is on board the Kimutaka, due in "Wellington about October 16th, which will enable issue to be. made about 23rd inst.

It must he clearly impressed on officers commanding units and companies, that all charges for repairs and fittings of small arms for the ensuing years will bo strictly enforced. Copies of the Armourers' inspection reports are issued to companies immediately after inspection and there should be no difficulty in tracing individuals who have neglected their rifles. Instances have been noted where rifles have been found in company stores, which have apparently been, there some time, and have not been regularly oiled and examined, and other instances have also been noted where pull-throughs and oil bottles have not been issued from regimental stores with tin- rifles. This all goes to show that sufficient instruction is not given to eor.ipatn-s regarding the preservation or their arm-;, and that sufficieni emphasis is not laid on the necessity for keeping rifles in a thoroughly serviceable condition. Officers commandinc brigades and units and group officers will please issue the necessary instructions, therefore, id ensure thai periodical instruction in the care of anus is given to all companies, etc., and Frequent inspection of rifles to check any laxity in their care. Any neglect to ensure proper care of arms or equipment should al once be brought under the notice of officers commanding units, so tha! steps may be taken to deal with such cases. All officers of the \.Z. Staff Corps anil members oi the Permanent Stall' must idve special attention U> tin; matter. Tha Staff Quarteraait-

er-Sergeants particularly are held responsible in this connection. The X.C.O.'s were given a course of instruction in care of arms and elementary armourer's work, so that their services would be fully available in this respect.