DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 717, 24 September 1892, Page 14

DEFENDERS

Ponsonhy Naval Artillery and H.M.S. Bingarooma men are to i fire a match this Saturday. A strong effort will be made to raise the strength of one or two of the local rifle corps in the coming year. And none too soon, either. The City Guards badly require life to be galvanised into the corps. The Victorias considerably outnumbered them at the inspection parade. Two sergeants of tiie Masterton Bifles will probably take part in the New South Wales shooting competition at the next Association Meeting. Lieutenant . Graham had a very decent muster of the Ponsonby Navals at the Government inspection the other night. I hear the company is becoming quite efficient in the big gun and torpedo drill. An instructor is to go to the Thames fortnightly to give the Naval Artillery of that place instruction in heavy artillery drill, so that they may be qualified to go into the forts at any time, if desired. The firing for New South Wales representatives is going on. McCarthy, Taylor, Greenshields, Tobin, and Webster are the highest five, so far. If Tobin and McCarthy go acroßS, I hope they won't quarrel this time, again. Colonel Fox, commandant of the New Zealand forces, has, says the N.Z. Times, stated that the non commissioned officers are the weak spnt in the volunteer forces in the colony. They neither app reciate their responsibility nor seek to make themselves efficient. Mort Fairs won the Schapp belt in the Victoria competition, with a score of 90. This, too. in the face of the fact that he only got 9 out of a possible 35 at 500 yards. The shooting at the longer distance was not good. Theo. Fairs, who came second with 87, carried off the same trophy one year with 114.

On Friday evening, the 23rd inst., the first annual social of St. Patrick's League of the Cross will be held in the Catholic Institute, Wellington- street. It is notified by Mr P. Buckley, the hon. secretary, that admission will be by invitation only.

A meeting of those interested in the Jubilee reunion of old settlers and their friends will be held in the V.M.C.A., Wellesley- street, this (Thursday) evening, Sept. 22nd. at 7.30. A large gathering is requested, as very important business will be brought forward.

On Monday afternoon, we attendtd iho practice of two of Herr Schmitt's youthful pupils in the Choral Hall. Miss Milly (violinist) and Master A. Peak (pianist), aged fifteen and fourteen respectively, played a pretty fantasia, by Sengelie. The correct position of both violin and bowing was a noticeable feature. Powerful tone was also produced, at the same time keeping perfect time, with nice expression. The double stopping, being in excellent time, was really surprising in a child having co few years' tuition. Master Peak played the accompaniment with great taste and precision. This talented young couple exhibit promise of making a name for themselves in the world of music, and reflect great credit on Herr Schmitt, their tutor.

We understand from Mr W. Gray, of Cook and Gray, in reference to our remarks on the assignment of estates, that the one in question was assigned to them, and that in all their assignment deeds provision is made for preferential payment of wages claims. This will be good news to the hands to whom the estate is indebted. Mr Gray also says . the assignment process is not nearly so costly as bankruptcy proceedings, so that the creditors have reason to be satisfied that the best has been done in their interest.