The Evening Star: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 244, 20 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1870.

Tt is not "Volunteers alone that will, -feel an interest in the announcement that the Rifle contest of 1871 will be held.in Auckland* As a mere fete a good match with rifles is exceedingly attractive to the general public;' the semi-warlike interest excited by the distant din >of'arms in Europe, the growing importance attached to the sole remaining defenders of the country—the citizen soldiery—a sense of duty impelling to encourage the Volunteer movement, and a spice of local jealousy and pride in seeing our fellow-citizens contending by skill in arms for the honor of Auckland, will inevitably invest our Tir federal with quite an absorbing interest as the time approaches. Pleasure per se is doubtless agreeable enough; but when to all the pleasant features of the occasion, there will be superadded the fact that in crowding in thousands to see the contest, we are evoking the spirit of national manliness, and contributing to the safety and independence of" the land of our adoption, it will require no appeal to rouse our citizens to an interest in the interprovincial competition taking place at our own doors. Our representative Volunteers in matches hitherto have told us that they have contended with odds against them; now. our sharpshooters will have an opportunity of proving' their prowess, or something better than equal terms; and if our Volunteers do not carry off the highest prizes, we shall listen to their complaints no more. '1 he first step must be to put the new rifle range in perfect order. No time should be lost in tin's, for the sooner the work is done, the longer will be the time for practice previous to the competitive firing in March. The contest will give our, local Volunteers a new interest in 'the eyes of citizens, and we have no hesitation in saying, that if money now is Wanted for putting the rifle range in order, it will be cheerily given by citizens if they are asked. "We would strongly urge that a movement be at once in-, itiated. If a subscription list is prepared, we do not think that any one will refuse to help. But it must be promptly undertaken. We are all :p.leased at the news of the match, talcing place at Auckland. Let us be taken when we are in the humour, and the boulders of scoria will melt away like snow before tie sun. And now is the time for those who wish well to Volunteering to press it's general claims on citizens. The interest will deepen as March approaches:; and then the Volunteers will be the lions of the Tiour.! The opportunity sh'bulct be: taken, and a great impulse may be given to a movement of which even the most pteace-loving must approve, for its motto is "Defence, not defiance."