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COMPETITIVE PRACTICE IN THE GARRISON 
ARTILLERY AND ITS EFFECT ON THE 
TRAINING OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 
BY 
MAJOR P. SALTMARSHE, R.A. 
Previous to 1891 shooting competitions in all branches of the artillery competitive 
were, as we know, confined to individuals. A written examination was 1p te, 
held and the six N.C.O.’s and men who obtained the greatest number 
of marks fired so many rounds a-piece at a standing target, the results 
were added to those obtained in the paper work and money awards 
allotted accordingly. 
Except among the competitors themselves these proceedings evoked 
no great interest, and this kind of prize shooting had but little effect 
on the training of the battery generally. 
The introduction of the present system of Competitive practice in Itroauction 
1891 was certainly a happy thought, and the Regiment is much reser? 
indebted to the officer to whom it occurred in the first instance. 
Since its introduction in 1891 two important amendments have been Alterations 
made to the rules for carrying it out in the Garrison Artillery. inthe syste 
In 1893 it was ordered that half the gun-layers employed at the 189. ie 
practice should be selected at random by the chief umpire from all the 
paid gun-layers of the company, which the battery had now become. 
In 1895 it was further ruled that as many gun detachments as 
possible were to be formed, out of which the chief umpire was to select 
four at random. 
In addition to the above changes, I may mention that, whereas in 
1891 and 1892 the Competitive practice was almost invariably carried 
out when possible at a Hong Kong target, the number of hits ona 
battle-ship being estimated, since then a Record target has generally 
been used, and this year, of course, the regulations have enforced the 
use of the latter among companies competing for the D.-A.-G.’s cup, vantages 
T propose now to discuss, first, the effect of the system generally aay dent eee 
the training of the personnel of the Garrison Artillery and then deal Tienes 
with the alterations alluded to above. 
12, von, xxtir. 75 
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