Rifle Clubs

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 119, 28 May 1885, Page 2

Rifle Clubs

Our Defence Minister is suffering from an embarras de richesse, in the shape of about a hundred corps of Volunteers eager to defend the colony against foreign invasion, but whose services cannot bo availed of becuuso of the lack of the " sinews of war," We do not mean the scarcity of arms and ammunition, for that could soon be got over, but the depleted condition of the public cheat, already subjected to severe strain by the heavy expenditure on harbour defences. In these circumstances, it appears to uo the Government might well consider the advisability of encouraging the formation of Rifle Clubs similar to those which have been established' in Victoria. These cluba are independent organisations, but they have a powerful influence in training men to the skilful use of the rifle, and the cost to the Government is a mere bagatelle. The members of these clubs receive do capitation allowance, the only Government aid consisting in the supplying of ammunition and rifles at less than coet pries. That the independent and untrammelled nature of these organisations is well-suited to these free Colonial communities is prayed by the fact that there are over 5,000 members of such cluba in Victoria, who have purchased 4,000 Knfield rifles, 1,500 Martini-Henrys, and a million rounds of ammunition. We have that faith in tho patriotic spirit of New Zealand colonists that wo believe, if the Defence Department offered reasonable encouragement, those hundredorsovolunteercorpst?j posse towhich we have alluded, would very soon become prosperous Rifle Clubs in csse. Such clubs, while free from Government control in times of peace, could easily, on any crisis arising, be incorporated with the Volunteer force, the uniforms being, of course, supplied ,by the • Government, and the members, during active ': service, being 'jJlfliipd on the same footing as the Voluntca'rfi, Thus, at Melbourne recently, Mr Service (Piemier), Mr Kerferd (Attorney-Genoral), Mr SaNgood (Minister

of Dofonco), md several military oHicerej hold a conference with dolegatas from sixty rifle clubs on tho subject of proposed regulations for the affiliation of the clubH to the Militia. It wan then elicited that a great many of the members of rifle clubs wero batter shots than the regular Militia, and that a number of them wero possessed of horsos, and would form a splendid force of mounted scouts in the ovont of thoir Bowioes being needed. The proposals of Government wore most favourably received, though some of tho delegates objected to boing affiliated with the Militia, and expressed a preference to boinc embodied as Volunteors. It was also suggested that 4,000 members , might turn out and take part m the military display on the Queen's Birthday. Those Rifle Clubs we believe to be well muted to the free, patriotic, and adventurous spirits of New Zealand, and wo commend the idea to the Minister of Defence.

The Pacific mail ateainer Zealandia, with colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on 19th May, timo-table date.

Sir George Whitmoro and tho Hon. W. J, M. Larnach, Minister of Mines, wero passengers by the Hinemoa, which loft Oneironga for Wellington this morning. Mr Larnach was culled suddenly to Wellington in consequence of tho dangerous illness of his daughter. Tho steamer will call at Now Plymouth, and it is quite probable that both gentlemen will procood overland from there to Wellington. Tho flags of tho various vessels in harbour wero at half-mast today out of respoct to tho memory of tho late Mr Robert Graham.

In consoquonco of thorocoiptof nowßthat his daughter is seriously ill, tho Hon. Mr Larnach abandoned his intention to romain a few days longer in Auckland, and accordingly loft to-day by tho Hinemoa for Wellington. Mr James Hurst has brought undor tho notico of tho defence authorities an idea of his own for tho manufacture of riflo bullets, the principal ingredient of the compound from which tho balls avo made being Onoliunga ironsand. Mr Huwt c-loinm that bulletH mado from this material will be choapor than leaden or Muntz metal bullets, and thoy will posses equal density and elasticity. St6wort, who got into trouble yostordny through a pugilistic onoountor, wishes it atutoutlmt no was never in guol in his lifo. He appears, from tha polico statement before tho Magistrate yesterday, to be an innofl'ensive man, who had got into a scrape in consequence of yielding to tho temptations of tho bottle.

To the Editor: Sir,—As tho Board of Education aro about araonding Bomo clauses in Education Act, I would humbly suggest that thoy drop the word " householdor" from the Act, and introduco "lawful guardian " of child or childron undor tho ago of say 18 years. Thus, if marriod pooplo without childrou, or middlo-aged badiulors, wished thoy could qualify thomsulvoN by adopting any of tho poor waifs at tho homos. Evidently tho law is right in punishing not tho householdor, but tho guardian, for misdeeds dono to childron or often by childron,

and I fail to boo tho loni-i stamli of anyone not responsible. — Yours, ote., JoSEI'H Mayo, Drury.

Tho sales at tho Oriental Fair yostorday realised the handsome sum of i'l7o, bringing tho total rocoipta so far up to £810. During tho evening sovoral tableaux were porformod, and amongst othor attractions was the acting of an original fared, "The Boots at tho Swan," and a concert by mombera of St. Thomas's choir. To day the Fair opened at noon, and at throe o'clock thoro was to be a soloct concert in tho Royal Egyptian Theatre. To-morrow afternoon a gymnastic exhibition by " Youths from Turkestan" will bo ono of tho principal attractions.

By tho return of tho Awhina, wo loam that salvago operations aro proceeding aatisfactorily at the wrock of tho Thomas Russell. All tho machinery has boon takon out of the vessel and placod in t)io scow for removal to Auckland, and tho mon aro now waiting for v couple of fino days, iv ordu'r iogot^hofcojlef out. The screw shaft and propeller have not bopn' takon out yet.

Tho Collcgo KjHos had a dri(l Joet ovon : Ing in the Drill-shed, whon thoro wore fi<> prosont, under ('uptain Sloman. Tho men appoared for tho first timo iv tjioir now Khaki uniforms. Sergeant Birloy put the Company through nomo manual oxoroiso, and Colonel Lyon, who was presont, subsoquontly addrcpsod a few remarks to thorn.

Tho weokly drill of.^jJ^ftJiHWte^ Dormer .instructed tho recruits, whilo tho main body of tho company was put through manual oxorciso by Sorgoant-Major lluslam, and then handed ovorto Lieutenant Bennett, who, it must bo admitted, acquitted himself most creditably in handling the men. Colpnal Lyon was prosont during the drill,

An inquooj; was hold yesterday at tho Lunatic Asylum boior.a Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury on tho body of-jampu Brown, who dlod on tho provious day. A voruicfi of "Death from natural causes" was re: turned,

Last night tho children attending the Primitive Mothodist Sunday school, Richmond, had their usual annual ton. Tho ovoning was beautifully fine, and a good number of happy young pooplo eat down, ,thoir wants boingattendod to by tho toachors and friends. Ample justice having boon dono to thio gofid |t))inKs providod, the rest of tho ovoning was dovotoa U) amusomonts, etc. A numbor of songs wore rendered in a pleasant manner by a number of frionrie, tho church organist presiding at tho instrument, and altogothor a vory pleasant ovoning was spont'.

It was oxpected that Mr C. Hawkoswood, who is soriouuly ill at Oreti Point, would havo roturncd town in tho Awliina, but it appears that ho refused to do so. He is suffering from an aggravation of an old complaint with which ho was troublod boforo ho loft for tho wreck. Dr. Walker, who wao sont for to attend Mr Hawkeawood, roturnod by the Awhina.

Mrs A. Watson, of Wolloaloy-stroot, slippod on tho staircaso loading to tho R.AI. Court yesterday, and fell down about a dozon stops. Fortunately clio sustained no serious injury, and was ablo to be removed homo in a cab.

Tho children attending tho Baptist Sunday-school voro last night entertained to tea in tho large school-room attached to the Tabornacle, when about COO were present. The Superintendent of tho Sohqol, Mr F. Buttfey, presided, and gave an agp/Top.-iiitp address. Rev. T. Spurgoon also1 "spoke pout effectively, and a number of the teachers cr.d pcbolcro gave readings and rocitations, ynile'tho<;hiicFron, led by Mr R., Tudehopo, sang jn a pleasing manner a pumljgr of hymns.

In Howick Public Hsll ou Monday night a soiree and concert took place on behalf of the funds of tho new Church of England parsonago. There was a crowded attondnnoOj and the concert which gave overy satisfaction, comprised songs, recitations, andZinstrumentalsplpctjpnß, the porformors boing: — Meßdamoa Litten, Irving, and Fortune t Misses Arnaboldi and' Irvine, and Messrs Blinn, J'itzpatriak, Bouse, Reynolds, Dovett, Cockerton, and Hasoltlino. The Rova. Thomas -Farley presided, and llov. Messrs Stool and English wero also on the platform.

Mr Douglas McLean, son of tho lato Sir Donald McLean, has lately Bent out to Napier a batch of immigrants from the island of Tiree, Argyleshire. These are all young unmarried men, to whom Mr McLean prediota a aucoessful future, Prior to their embarkation, a large number of Highlanders met them in Glasgow to bid thorn a hearty farewell, coupled with a wish that they might succeed in the land of their adoption. Tiree was tho birthplace of Sir Donald McLean, and several relations of his still reside there. His son pays periodical viajfai to the island, and has laid out a considerable euro pf monpy in placing tombstones, with suijablo inßCriptjono, over tho graves of some of his ancestqrs. His grandfather, Mr John McLean, of Kilmalnag, Tiree, was in his day considered to be the strongest man in tho Highlands. He attended the levee of George IV. in Edinburgh, and shook hands with the monarch.

When at Coromandel last week, the Hon. the Minister of Mines took the trouble to mske tho ascent pf tho Tokatea range, and whilo there he visited the Tokatea and Royal Oak mines. He expressed himself as being not only surprised, but very highly pleased at the manner in which thoy had boon and are sfcill being worked, and added that he had soon nothing in any other part of the colony to compare with tho working of these mines, In answer to a deputation which waited upon him to urge a claim to Government assistance, Mr Larnach promised that the Government should, up to the extent of £350, contribute pound for pound in further developing the Tokatea mine. After all this money had been expended, tho Government might possibly bo able to do something bettor, provided, of course, that in the meantime the Company had not been successful in coming upon payable gold.

A series of dissolving viows were exhibited last evening in the Lorne-streot Hall, undor the diroction of Mr Cross. Tho pictures wero clearly displayed by means of oxy-hydrogen light, and were chiefly illustrations of the Egyptian War, including portraits of Gordon, Wolseley, and Burnaby. A ■ selection of excellent pictures represented the most notable buildings in the cities of Soudan and Westminster ; also a ship on her voyage to New Zealand. Mr Cross will exhibit again tonight.

To tho Editor : Sir,—l would like to boo I our Auckland members taking tho hint you gave them a few nightß ago of coming before the electors and giving them an opportunity of hearing what they have to say before thoy go to Wellington. I know it is much desired by many electors, and I hopo they will do so.—Yeura, &c, Sandy. —[Mr T. Thompson, the momber for Auckland North, announces a mooting for tomorrow night, and tho other members, wo may hopo, will shoi Uy :ulnpi'< a similar course.—Ko. K.H. | Alen.«rs ThpinaH Buddie and D, .1. McLeod announra their candidature for the vacancies nn tho Bnnrd of (las Company directors, Messrs E. Isaacs and T. Peacock, M.H.R., being also in the Held, tho election is excit-

'"(? K>'eat interest. Ono or two errors occurred in Mr Pond's report on the Te Aroha waterH aa printed_

in lost night's Stak. Tho temperature of No. 1 bath was misplacod 150- instead of 105", for "Chlorido of Soda," should be substituted "Chloride of Sodium," and tho Lithia should bo a " Carbonate."

Extraordinary intorost in takon In the local option question by tho Waitakerei and Waikomiti Liconsing Districts. Mr Seaman yostordny spont tho nine weary hours at tho Hendorson Poat-oflico, and received only fivo votes, viz., two for, and throe against any increase of either publicans' or accomodation licensoß, and to-day, at tho Waikomiti Station, ho was tho rocipient of only tlirco votes, all agninat any incioaso of thoso liconsos in tho Waikoraiti District Tho number of voters in tho former district is 208, and in tho latter 152.

Aftor 18 months' deliberation, and jus! ■lion all detail? were satisfactory arrangod.

St. Thomas's Vostry havo decided not to havo thoir building fund enlarged by tho sacriligious performance-of gcod music, &c, &c. ; and after me parts havo been allotted, and arrangements made with Horr Curl Schmitt to act as conductor, they have caused tho idoa te fall through. For some tiuio tho wish was oxprossod by a number of ladies and gentlomen to form an Auckland Amateur Opora Company. Thin has now boon dono, and tho affair com prison the boat voices in the city for solo parts and for chorus, whilo thore is an exoellent orchestra, tho wholo being undor tho inimical directorship of Uorr Schmitt, whilo Messrs J. Hanna and P. Duforo aro acting as joint soorotarioa for the company. It is intended to inaugurate its career with tho

" Sorcoror," aB alroady a numbor of tho soloists havo studiod their respoctivo parts. This opora will bo followod by the " Contrabandiste," and after that " Maritanu" will bo produced.

At the conclusion of the WollingtonMacgrogor inquiry yesterday, counßol for tho several parties addressed the Court. Mr Cotter contended that tho mate of tho Macgrogor Bhould havo soon the Wellington's maut-hoad light soonor, and pointed out that thoro was no man on tho look out on the Macgrogor to chock the mate, while thoro was one on tho Wollington. He hold that tho mate of the Macgregor hnd boon mistaken in the time. Mr Coopor submitted, on the other hand, that the mute of tho Wollington should have given tho order "hard uport," instead of losing his prosenco of mind, and thus causing such a lamentable loss of property. Mr Williamsou commented on tho fact that the Macgrogor was not supplied with a tologranh to tho ongino room, whilo thero should bo further assistance allowod te tho ongiroor. Ho thought that if any costs wore ordered thoy should bo paid by tho Company. Tho Bench promised to give their judgment on Friday, and tho Court adjourned. Tlio results of tho rocont Civil Sorvico examinations show the youth of Auckland district in a very favourable light as compared with thoso from other parts of the colony. In tho Junior Examination 60 candidates wero oxaminod, of whom only 21 passed; and of tho latter number eight wero from thisdistrict, vip.:—G. M. Culvert, Thames (who heads tho list with 1,8-10 marks); A. A'.nem Hough, Ponsonby, I.GG7; B\ .1. Carter, 1,683 ; A. V. Burton, 1,5 C»; P. V. Battley, I.KHS : K. B. Vailo, I.II'IO j \V. M. Jackson, 1,219; Amy Constance Phillips. Thames, 1.-JO4. In the Heinor onu di tnu «m who passed the lolfowing four wero from this district:—H. J, Carter, 2,804; G. M. Calvort, Thames, 2,408; A. .Eneas Hough, 2,128 i and C. H. Bmith, 1,070. Tho following who passed the Sonior Examination wore from tho Auckland Collogo and Grammar School:—H. J, Carter, G. M. Culvort, A. A. Hough, C. H. Smith. Juniors :G. M. Calvort, A. A. Hough, F. J. Carter, A. F. Burton, P. F. Battloy, E. E. Vailo, W. M. Jackson. H. J. Carter and C. H. Smith pnsßod tho Junior Examination a'year iigo, when thoformor wasplacod lßt. All tho above aro still attending tho sphool oxcopt Hough, who has not attended any school sinco leaving! and all exoopt llattloy, Vaile, and Jackson hold, or havo hold District Scholarships, or certificates of proflcioney. Tho choir of tho church of St. Thomas aro roquostod to moot for praotico on Friday ovcnlntf, at 7.30. Owing to 'ho Oriental fair, no praotico took plnco on Wodnosday last. A concert in connoction with the Kogo of Eclon LodßO tokos plneo In Walto's Hall. Mount hdon. to night, and w|U bo followod by a soloot quadrille party, In our advertining oolumno will be found tho programme of tha annual publlo mooting of tho Young Mon's Christian ABBOolatlon to bo hold tomorrow oyonlng in Iho looturo hall. Tho Hoy. J. a. Hill. President, wUI glvo tho llrst nddrees. whon ho may bo oxpootod to give Boma Interesting Information In oonnootlon with tho propofod now building. Tho Roy. O. Worboyn will spoak upon somo "Important Klomouts In Christian Character," tho Hoy. R. Bavin will follow with un aridrura on " Some Inducements to Chriotlan Sorvico," and Professor Aldls may hn oxpreted to deliver an intorostlng addros?. Tho public aro cordially invited.

|.'o d.iy'B " Spncfcfttor'! contains :—Tho Spui-goon Incident Treated hy ''Tho Antiaoctarlan,"!'Cßto 1 11 &o.; Hoy. MudßOon'siA bouth Hoa Ilurrloano (a supor-carao'a yarn); A Plimsoll Wanted ; A Groyboard's Xovo Son* an Idyll of tho Wootorn Park; A Gum Prinoo's Morality.v true statement of vlrture (!) In Auckland; Wretchod Stianißhip Aoooromodutlon; Whines of the Pooplo; Out and About; Tho Orloutal Fair, by tho Bilont Spectator) A Lady's J.cttcr to Hor Melbourne Friend; Bric-'a-Urao; 3'uri Topics; Willow tho Kinor. a Crlakotor's Idyll; Aquatics, Football. &o. Full particulars of tho Coursing Stakes,—[Advt,]

Chambprs's celebrated sowing machinos, 20,Queen-Btreet, '