VOLUNTEER CLASS FIRING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 16, 25 October 1871, Page 2

VOLUNTEER CLASS FIRING.

We understand that instructions have been given to the Officer Commanding the District, by the Government, to institute a system of class firing amongst the Volunteers, and are able to give a statement of such instructions, which are as follows : “ Militia and Volunteer Office, “ Wellington, Oct. 2, 1871 “ Sir, —As it is necessary that some general rule should be laid down in regard to class firing for the whole of the Volunteer Force, I have the honour to inform you that, for the current Volunteer year, the following will be the regulations for the guidance of such, corps as are desirous of going through the course. IN THE THIRD CLASS. No. of Ranges. Targets. Position. Rounds. 150 yards Gx4feet) fi ve at 200 yards centre, 4x2 standing each 200 yards bulls 2xl ( rang e. 300 yards eye [ ; Minimum points to be obtained to pass in second class : 36 points. IN THE SECOND CLASS. 400 yards 6x6 feet j 500 yards centre, 6x 4 I kneeling ditto 550 yards bull s , I 2x 2 I 600 yards eye | ] Minimum points to be obtained to pass into first class : 30 points. IN THE FIRST CLASS. 650 yards 6x6 feet ) 700 yards centre, 6 x 4 I - ditto 750 yards bull sJ, ,( J 800 yards eye ( ' J Minimum points to be obtained marksman's badge : 22 points. “ Where the range available extends only to 600 yards, Volunteers firing in the first class may—if they wish to obtain the marksman’s badge—fire ten rounds at 550 yards, and ten rounds at 600 yards, at a third class target (viz : 6 x 4 feet; centre, 4x2; bull’s eye, 2x1); any position. The result of last year’s District and General prize firing proved that in those districts where the course was adopted, a very much higher average was obtained. And you will be good enough to point out to the several corps under your command the benefits to be gained by a steady course of practice and class firing, and thus endeavour to increase their general efficiency. The advantages to be derived are so apparent, that in the event of any prize firing taking place during the ensuing summer, it is contemplated to offer some special prizes for such districtTepresentatives as have completed a course ef class firing, and have become marksmen.—l have, &c., “ PniLir Harrington, Lieut.-Colonel, “ Inspector of Militia and Volunteers. “ The Officer Commanding Militia and Volunteers, Auckland.”