270 
MILITIA ARTILLERY COMPETITIVE PRACTICE. 
I am glad to be able to report tlie competition has brought about a 
great improvement in the drill and markedly better results in the skill 
and accuracy of the practice. All the tedium and consequent per¬ 
functory manner of carrying out the drill and practice died away and 
an earnestness and eagerness pervaded all ranks in their search for 
knowledge and desire to excel. 
A fresh interest was found in acquiring experience of the details of 
ammunition and fittings, in the adjustment of accessories, in the drill 
of the adjuncts, etc. The officers became critical on the value and age 
of ammunition, on the shortcomings in the guns and fittings, and even 
in the method of working the forts themselves, realising the influence 
for good in the care of details and necessity for great attention in 
observation and quickness of decision on their part. They, in their 
turn, took care that the men were well drilled. 
To insure a practice going straight through at a useful rate of fire 
requires much knowledge, experience and drill. This, I hope, is now 
being understood, though much remains yet to be done to bring the 
practice up to the mark of what is possible. 
This competition is merely a trial, a start, but I hope a real start, 
which will not be lost. Yearly improvements on fresh lines under ever 
shortening conditions for competition will cause the militiamen to be 
treading on the heels of the regulars in their endeavour to take 
their place in the front line on the day of action. 
The remarks of the several colonels and adjutants all combine to 
acknowledge the benefit of the competition which excites the officers 
and men to learn more thoroughly the practical details of their arm of 
the service and I can strongly recommend that the competition be 
continued annually and the kind offer of the honorary colonels com¬ 
manding the regiments to present a challenge cup be accepted. 
The Clare and Waterford Artilleries trained at Fort Carlisle for 27 
days only. 
The Cork and Limerick Artilleries at Fort Camden for 41 days. 
The last named regiment, however, encamped in Fort Westmoreland, 
Spike Island, for the first fortnight, which meant they had very little 
gun drill during that period, but the longer training certainly told on 
the results. 
POSTSCRIPTUM. 
Since the above report was compiled, the honorary colonels of these 
Regiments— 
Lord Bandon,, 
,, Gort, 
„ Inchiquin, 
,, Roberts, 
have presented a handsome challenge cup for annual competition. 
The continuity of the effort in this district is thus assured and, I 
hope, may be initiated in others. 
It is therefore worth while mentioning where I should propose, 
from the experience of last year, to alter and amend the regulations 
for competition. 
