DEFENCE NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 15 August 1907, Page 4

DEFENCE NOTES.

(By '•Artillery"). j The hcadipiarlers companies are busy I gelt in;; through their class-firing, so as to have the coast clear for prize-liring i competitions.

There is a great: slackness In we matter of enforcing the wearing of uiiifui'iii correctly. The other day I noticed a niiin in uniform., but wearing a skull cap.

The rillc range at the Waiwakuilio is worth a visit just now. The gorse is Dowering magniiiccnlly. I'niorluiialely the property doesn't Seem under the control df the Noxious Weeds Inspector. Apart from nature's floral decoration, there is another object of interest. It is the marker's trench, which is in a dangerous state. If there are many ranges like this, one in New Zealand it is surprising that there are so few rillcrange fatalities. due of the most important features of the veal military life is the construction of entrenchments for defending a position. I should like to see 'the 0.0. companies here to try and arrange for instruction in this particular branch of

training. The term for enrolment in the volunteer force has been reduced from three I years to one.

It is suggested that the battalion uliileers should endeavor to arrange for a I field day in conjunction with the Wan-

Iganui battalion. llawera would be a convenient rendezvous, and the King's birthday (»th November) a suitable date. Field work is doubly interesting, for in addition to its usefulness there is the tact that the men arc taking part in such manoeuvres as these would be able to put in two paid parades in one day. On Friday night last Sergeant-Major Amiitage gave a lecture on the changes lieccssilutcd by the adoption of the new infantry training. To-night he will give instruction in the care of arms and theoretical musketry.

A proposal is atoot to arrange a rille match between the Taranaki Defence liilie Clubs and the Taranaki (4th Wel-

lington) liattaliuu,' to be tired on the Itewa Kewa range. As the clubs have some capital riflemen coining on, the match should be a good one.

A course of instruction under tin* General Instructional Stall', for ten days continuously, will be held in Wellington, commencing on September O.C. districts to make the necessity local arrangements. Thirty-nine ollicers have promised to attend, including about live from New Plymouth. The following are the detailed icsults of the rille shooting in the North Island for the Government medals; —Gold medal for best shot in North Island: Private C. Guy, Wellington Guards, 200 yds 14, 500 yds 14, 700 yds 2r>, total 53; gold and silver medal for second best shot in North Island, Private G. .Monk, Victoria Itilles, 14, 1:1, 24, total SI; silver medal for best shot in Auckland district, Ft. S- W. Clark, Ohinemuri' Kitles, 14, 14, 22. 50; sil-. vcr medal for best shot in Wellington district 14, 13, 21—48. The results of the magazine volley and magazine independent firing for the year ending 28th February last, are published. J.n the Wellington district Dannevirke is first on the list, with nineteen men firing, and a. total of 312 points. The percentage of hits in magazine volleys wis 81.1, and in magazine independent 83.3. Then came Wellington Highland Killes, Wangiinui Highland Hides, and tile Pnhiatua Killes. The Taranaki Itilles came fifth on the list. There were- 37 men tiring, making 528 points, the averages being (i!l.l and 7(1.3. The Eltham Itilles (13th) are the next Taranaki corps on the list, 32 men firing, tolal points :«)8, averages 0:i.4 and (10.!). llawera lies 14th, with Ifl men firing, t.otil 234 points, averages (i<>2 anil 50.5. W'aitar'a Killes occupy 20th place, with HO men tiring, total 350. averages so.fi and

;(>}.(>. l'atea. two places lower down, averages M.I and li2.:i: Strafford Rifles 151.8 and lit).!); In;:lewood 2Mli. a.vorapys 47-!) and 02.0. The Guards arc 301 hj, with, i! 4 men firing, total :!20. avcrnso percentages 41.7 and 50.2. llawra Jfonnleds are 4!ltli. and the percontapes are 20.3 and 2n.fi. and Stratford Mo'ir.teds Mth, averages 32.0 and 23. R. The licst tisnres in the colony \vrrc tlivsp of the" Hanraki P.iflcs (Auckland). .?« men liriiiji. total points 7(10. averages »i.."i and 87.:!. Auckland also provides I the lowest scores, the Matata Mounted I Hilles. willi 48 men finV/. pnttiii" up io-Iy 10V points, and averages of 1072 and 17.3.

The Litbgow Progress Association (New South Wales) is vigorously prosecuting a campaign with a view ol securing the adojiiioii of a national scheme lor Hie housing ol the working classes, itiicl it has sent circulars throughout the Stale inviting tin; co-operation ol' kindred bodies, and lias just forwarded auotlii'i' circular to each member ol the Legislative Assembly, urging favorable consideration ol' the movement. The secretary of the association states; — "Now that the settlers have received a measure of justice, it may be opportune to urge that the town workers stand in need ol similar help, and are no less entitled to receive it. Subject lu the regulations of Hie advance department 01 the Government Savings Bank, a settler may receive assistance iu the shape of a loan to pay oil existing encumbrances, tu purchase the land, to make improvements thereon, or to build his home. Aly committee hold that legislation which would give the town workers similar privileges would be merely an extension of the principle already established. There is nothing new or revolutionary in this kind of legislation. The Sydn y Aiorung Herald recently pointed out Luat in tireat Britain nearly 20 enactments had been passed since 1851. These dealt with unhealthy areas, unhealthy dwelling-houses, work-ing-class lodging-houses, and improvement schemes. lu the city of Cla scow the death-rate has been reduced by nearly one-half. The number of houses owned by the improvements department iu 11)04 was stated to be lu'JO, which provided for a population of about 10,000.'''