RIFLE TRAINING.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
have shown great interest in questions of national defence, and particularly in the efforts now being made to spread a knowledge of musketry among the rising generation of Englishmen. You may, therefore, be willing to giTe publicity to the unexpected difficulties which attend such
efforts, owing to the apparent indifference of some of our military authorities, to whom it would be natural to look for sympathetic encouragement. Our boys are drilled weekly, without arms, by a sergeant-instructor from the local barracks, and though unable to support a fully equipped rifle corps, we proposed in the case of the elder boys to form a musketry squad, and to teach the elements of rifle-shooting. Having planned a Morris-tube range for practice, we applied to Government for the loan of a few disused (D.P.) rifles. The application was strongly backed by the officer commanding the regimental district, knowing all the circumstances of the case. The reply is not encouraging :— "The issue on loan cannot be entertained, but you may obtain them from the War Office by purchase." If it be of national importance that every young Englishman should know how to shoot, surely the application deserves a different answer.—I am, Sir, &a.,
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