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Rifie Ranges. —The Penrose Range is now available for the Auckland battalions. Thefwant of this range has been long felt, and no doubt now that it is available advantage will be taken of it. The Onehunga Cadets have their own range, and to this must be attributed in a great measure their success in the shield competition. Nelson still requires a range, and it is to be hoped that the one proposed will be soon available. Other places are arranging either for the construction or use of a range. Colonial Ammunition Company's Prizes. —The Colonial Ammunition Company has presented four solid-silver cups for rifle competition among the cadets in the following districts under the following conditions : — Distances and positions to be same as laid down in " Target Practice for Public-school Cadets, 1905," viz. : 100 yards standing, 150 yards kneeling, 200 yards lying. Number of shots at each range to be seven ; one sighter to be allowed at each range. Ties to be decided, firstly, by the highest score at the longest range ; then, if still a tie, by the highest score at the previous range, and so on. The cadet in each of the combined districts making the highest aggregate score in four matches fired during 1906 will be the winner, and his name, corps, and score will be engraved on the cup, which is to be held by the corps for one year. Adult officers cannot compete. Target registers to be attested, as in competitions for shields, and all four matches to be finished and registers posted before Ist December, 1906. Ammunition to be provided by competitors (cost, 4s. per 100 rounds). For the first competition the cups will be awarded to education districts as follows, viz. : One to Auckland and Hawke's Bay ; one to Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wellington ; one to Marlborough, Nelson, Grey, Westland, North Canterbury, and South Canterbury ; one to Otago and Southland. The " Weekly Press " Prizes. —lnformation has just been received that the directors of the Weekly Press have offered to present two challenge shields or cups of the value of fifty guineas each, one for the North and one for the South Island, for annual competition in rifle shooting by cadets. Details in regard to competition for these prizes have, of course, not yet been arranged. Every one solicitous for the welfare and usefulness of the cadet movement will heartily appreciate the liberality of the directors in making so handsome a presentation. Army Signalling. —lt is pleasing to report that this is being largely taken up, and the first corps in the colony to present its signallers for examination was the Westport District High School, where one lieutenant (a cadet), one corporal, and three privates passed their examination in reading and sending test-messages in accordance with regulations. v Uniforms. —With the exception of a very few corps in the Otago and one in the Southland District, which have been directed not to renew the " sailor suit," every corps in the colony is in the regulation cadet uniform. Sergeants' Sashes. —Every corps is now in possession of these. Recognition of Officers. —There is every hope that at a very early period provision will be made for the recognition of officers on their passing an examination similar to that laid down for the Volunteer Force of the colony. Battalion Bands. —The military band of the Ist and 2nd Wellington Battalions is progressing in a most satisfactory manner under its bandmaster, Mr. H. Moschini. It appeared in public before His , Excellency the Governor on the Ist August last. The 3rd Wellington Battalion will also possess a band, being the one in connection with the Weraroa Boys' Training-farm, the corps of which forms a company of the battalion. It would be a great assistance to the bands if an annual grant for their upkeep were made. Buglers and Bugle Bands. —Volunteer corps still continue to avail themselves of the buglers on their leaving school, and no doubt in time they will supply all corps where cadets exist. The North-east Valley, Hawera, and Weraroa Cadet Corps possess bugle bands, all of which play in a satisfactory manner. Ambulance. —Nothing in this direction has been attempted in connection with corps, but certain schools instruct their boys and girls in " first aid " work. Camps of Instruction. —A portion of the 3rd Wanganui Battalion, under Major Saunders, and the Ist and 2nd North Canterbury Battalions, under Major Sandford and Acting-Major Adams respectively, went into camps of instruction for a week's training. After a personal experience in both camps it was apparent that nothing tended more to complete the cadets' training than the holding of these camps. From the time of marching into camp till their breaking-up perfect discipline prevailed, and it is pleasing to report that not a single case of a breach of the rules had to be dealt with. The keenness displayed by the sentries truly showed they were " alert on their posts." At sham fights, too, it was gratifying to see how orders were carried out and how every advantage was taken of cover, all ranks exercising their own judgment. In the case of the Canterbury training camp the scouts of the opposing force were ambushed through the action of the lieutenant (a cadet) in command, and were put out of action in consequence. Provision was made on the estimates for 1905-6 for paying half of the cost of camps. Provision has also been made allowing schools to count the time during which their cadets are in camp towards the daily average school attendance. General wet weather prevailed at both the above camps. The tents were pitched by the cadets in so satisfactory a manner that not one had to be struck to be repitched. None of the cadets were allowed to go out of camp without being properly dressed, and their behaviour in the town was excellent. Thanks were given to those who billeted the cadets at their residences at Ashburton when on two occasions they were compelled to quit the camp through heavy rain. Thanks were also given to those who sent vegetables, &c, for the use of the cadets, and to Colonel Bauchop, Officer Commanding the Canterbury Militia and Volunteer District, for sending two staff sergeants-major to assist in the instruction. Captain W. S. Kinsey, adjutant of the 2nd Wellington Mounted Rifle
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