THE " SPECTATOR " EXPERIMENTAL COMPA NY. go THE EDITOR
or TUB "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—I trust that you will permit me to state for the informa- tion of your readers that the Company commenced its course of musketry at Runnymede Range on Wednesday, with results which I consider fairly satisfactory, considering that it was the first time the men had shot on a real rifle range.
Relying upon the constant instruction the men have received with the " Wilkinson Sub-Target," in the miniature range, and also to a small extent (20 rounds) with service ammunition on the 90-yards range at the Hounslow Barracks, I have ventured to dispense altogether with the very costly Recruits Course, Table A, and to commence forthwith the " Trained Soldiers Course— Table B."
Nos. I. and IL Sections, numbering 54 privates, fired to-day the first two practices,-15 rounds (10 lying down and 5 kneeling) at 200 yards. No. I. made an average of 3713, and No. II. 37.32, out of the possible 60 points. But for the poor performances of half-a-dozen already ascertained bad shots, the results would have been very good. Some, at all events, of these men will fail to "qualify," and the results in the further practices which count for classification will, I trust, be correspondingly improved, owing to their elimination, final or temporary.
Hitherto, as you are aware, we have not contemplated facing the expense of firing a complete course ; but in order that our men may be compared fully with Regulars, I am now strongly of opinion that a full course should if possible be fired. But there is the question of expense. Unless we abandon the idea of occa- sionally conveying the men by rail to and from fresh training grounds, according to our present intention, we cannot afford to pay for the extra ammunition necessary for a full course, or the increased number of railway fares to the rifle range. Meanwhile,
I am glad to say that the London and South-Western Railway Company has kindly consented to convey us by rail at a single fare for the doable journey. The cost of completing a full course of musketry—" Table B' for trained soldiers—would be about £100, ammunition and railway fares included.
It may be said that we might march to the rifle range. True; but a man who has marched fourteen miles (seven miles each way) in the day, without taking count of the time actually spent upon the rifle range, has not time—even if he were not more or less tired— to perform any other training within the same twenty-four hours. In other words, font- hours a day spent solely in marching along a
road would be sheer waste of valuable time. Moreover, even if we save by marching the cost of conveyance by rail, there remains the bill for the ammunition. We have bought and paid for 10,000 rounds, of which number not quite 7,000 remain; we should require.about -18,000 more ito complete the individual practices alone,—after making due allowance for " sighting shots." No sighting shots have been fired to-day. We shot in pleasantly dull weather, but with a moderately fresh as well as shifty wind.
Hounslow.
—I am, 'Sir, &c., A. W. A. POLLOCK, Lieut.-Colonel.
IA correspondent who desires to remain anonymous writes to us that he would like to present a pair of field-glasses, value £2 2s., for the use of the Spectator Experimental Com-
pany. The corporals who are now to be promoted to section leaders will, be notes, require field-glasses, and he trusts that other supporters of the Company will follow his example. We are most grateful for his kind offer, which we gladly
accept, as well as for his helpful suggestion. The glasses are, no doubt, a most valuable aid to training, but the need for meeting a considerable number of :unforeseen charges makes it impossible for us to spend money except upon the actual necessities of the Company.—ED. Spectator.]
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