Volunteer News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7713, 16 January 1905, Page 2

Volunteer News.

Cainp of Instruction. Work at the camp on Saturday consisted of skirmishing by the Hides aml company drill by the Guards, in tho morning. In the evening more company movements were taken. On Sunday morning the corps ami Garrison Band were paraded on the terraces for divine service, which was conducted by the Rev. F. G. Evans. In the afternoon there was a good attendance of the public, who were entertained by the men at afternoon tea. The band played a number of selections, adding to the enjoyment of those present. Lieutenant Messenger will be oflicer of the day to-day.-To-morrow evening LicutenantColoivel Woljiy, officer commanding tho district, will pay an official visit of inspection. G-OVBItNMENT MEDALS FOR RIFLE SHOOTING.

General orders recently issued by the Defence Department include the following : Government prize medals for rifle shooting; for year ending February 28th, 1905.—(1) Tho following medals shall be given (a) A; gold medal for the best shot in each Island ; (b) u gold-and-silver medal for the second 'best shot in each Island ; (c) a silver medal for the 'best shot in each volunteer district, excluding the holders of the medals («) antl (b) referred to. The medal in each case to become the properly of the highest scorer. Medals shall not be worn whilst in uniform-. (2) Only those colunteers who are classified as marksmen for the year ending Feljruary 28th, 1905, and who must also 'be efficient volunteers for that year, shall be eligible to compete for these medals. (3) Rifles on issue to the company, for service purposes shall be used in tlie competition. (4) Colonial Ammunition Company's ammunition, as manufactured lor the Defence Department, slrall be used for the competition. (5) Conditions of firing shall be as follows : —2ooyds : Third-class vanishing head-aivd-shoul'ders target ; seven shots, independent;- any military position ; firing from behind cover ; target exposed four seconds. 500 yds —Second - class vanishing target ; seven shots, independent ; any military position ; firing from' 'behind cover ; target exposed six seconds. 700 yds : Second-class target ; seven shots, independent ; any military position. ((i) Value of hits as laid down in course for 'target practice for current year. - (7) Ties shall be decided as follows :—(l) by the fewest misses (rirhuchets will be counted as misses). Then, if still a tie—(2) by the fewest outers. If still a tie—(3) by the fewest inners. (8) All competitors shall fire in drill order. (9) Firing shall be under service conditions. Printed sights or orthoptic s shall not be permitted. (10) The competitions tjfe colony shall take place between February'2Bth, 1005, and May 31st, 1905, on such day as may be appointed by the oJlicer commanding the district. The competitions shall in all cases be under the personal superintendence of an officer of tile permanent stall or an officer on the statT of a battalion. Mile original scores, -giving regimental number, Christian name (in full), anil surname of competitors, aw', the name of the company and battalion, shall lie signed, by the officer superintending the firing, and shall be forwarded by the first mail after the competition lo the officer commanding the district, who shall forward the detailed scores of I hi.- six competitors making the highest scores in the district to the Chief Stall Officer, Headquarters, not later than June 20th, 1905. MILITARY EXPLOSIONS' ~ MINED AMMUNITION. On all occasions when live charges are to be exploded tile officer in charge will notify the date to the t.illicer commanding tin; district, who will arrange with tho Principal Medical Ofiicer for a medical officer to attend. It having been reported that cases containing] both ball and -blank ammunition 'have been issued to volunteer corps (the nature of the contents being marked on the outside), careful examination of ball, ammunition on issue to volunteer companies should be made, and where ammunition has been found to he mixed it should be repacked separately.