MR. HARMSWORTPI (Caithness)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state whether the reward received by the late W. Grounds for his proficiency in the prize firing in 1901, whereby he was proved to be the best shot in the Navy, was the sum of 1s. 9d.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.As I informed the hon. Member for Devonport on the 15th April last, a sum of £21 15s. 0d. was provided for prizes for shooting with heavy guns on the occasion in question, the distribution being left entirely to the discretion of the commanding officer. Of this amount £1 13s. 9d. was awarded to the Gun's crew, of which Grounds was captain, but I have no information as to the amount of his individual share. It may be of interest to state that at the prize firing referred to, the gun of which Grounds was captain made nine hits in ten rounds. Another gun made eleven hits in eleven rounds, and two others ten hits in ten rounds. Equally good results have been obtained by particular guns in other ships. While, therefore, the Navy has to regret the loss of a very excellent shot in this petty officer, it would be a mistake to suppose that there are not many other shots of the same class still serving in the Royal Navy.