COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1900, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WAIKATO GUN CLUB

The opening meeting of the Waikuto Gun Chi') was held at Frankton on Saturday afternoon. The Club has a roll of- about eighty members; but the weather was most unfavourable, although it cleared up during the afternoon, and about 30 members only were present. A number of-ladies {who were also on the ground evinced in keen interest in the shooting". Two | sweepstakes were fired and both were j won by Mr F. Seecombe, oft Raglan, i who proved a trifle too good for our I local sportsmen. Jn the first contest Mr Thos. Jolly, who put up the best jreeord during- the afternoon, seven consecutive birds, tied with Mr Seceombe; but in the' fire oil' the latter; j won. In the second contest Mr E. J,! jOwynne and Mr S/iccombe tied with! four a-piece, but in the fire oil the former failed to bring- down his bird, ; Seccombe again winning-, [n future a handicap will be made, and this should make the'whole of the shooting1 more interesting. A number of the Frankton ladies provided afternoon tea on the ground, which proved most acceptable to the hungry sportsmen. Great interest is being taken in the Club, and there seems every probability that it will boom. Wednesday afternoons have been set aside for practice, and on those days Mr Rowlands will be present to infee charge of the traps. WAIKATO MOUNTED RIFLES; The Uisual monthly inspection of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, No. 1 Company, was held on Saturday. Heavy rain fell all the morningl, and doubtless prevented many from attending, and there were only about 30 men on parade. Acting-Adjutant Reid was present, and he put the men through a couple of hours' useful drill; TEAMS MATCH. Owing to the rain the Teams Match which had been arranged between the Taupiri and Hamilton Clubs did not come off. It will, however, be played at an early date. HARVEST THANKSGIVING. Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held at St. Peter's Church, Hamilton, on Sunday. The church was nicely decorated, and appropriate sermons were preached by the Rev. P. Latter, of Te Awamutu. He was assisted at the evening service by the Rev. Mr Blackmore, of South Australia. I