VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4585, 4 May 1872, Page 2

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

The monthly inspection of the membeis of tho Volunteer Rifle brigade took placo last night in the Drill-shed. There was .a very large attendance, iudeed much larger than wo have seen for some time past. Major Gordon was both tho inspecting and com« manding officei". After the parade was practised some time at battalion movemeiit, Major Gordon addressed them previous to presenting the silver cup to Volunteer Douglas, the gift of Sergeant Snail. He regretted that Sergeant Soall owing to sickness was unable to bo present, but urged all the Volunteers who could to attend the lectures and instruction of Sergeant Soall on. tho use of the riflo, during the winter months. When the ceremony of piesenting the cup was finished, Major Gordon reminded them that his Excellency tho Governor had expressed his intention of being present on the occasion of the review on tho 24th, and had offered to render them any assistance on the occasion that he could. The Champion Bolt of tho battalion \r«o nab j'tjfc jwesented, and his Excellency would present it to the winner on that occasion, a statement which was received with applause. He also intimated that the membeis of the battalion would assemble at nine o'clock in tho Alborfc Bat tacks for church parade. Tho sorvico commences at half-past nine o'clock. Ab the close of the parade and after the musterroll had been called, a supply of ammunition was served out to those present. After the parade a meeting of the members of the No. 4 Company was held in one of tho rooms of the Drill-shed for tho purpose of electing a sub-lieutenant. Captain Morrow occupied the chair. Mr. Alfred Nathan was elected to tho vacancy. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated tho proceedings. Our Waiuku correspondent writes :— " On Monday last tho firing for Major Lusk'a Champion Belt by tho Volunteers of the Wahiku Militia district took placo at tho Waiuku and Mauku rifle ranges. Owing to some slight misunderstanding, the Volunteers of the cavalry were allowed only to compete for the money prizes. The weather was all that could bo wished for, and I believe fair average shooting was made. Twenty-two competitors put in an appearance at the Waiuku butts, but by the time they reached the third range several had withdrawn. At the Mauku butts 12 started, but before the closo tho number was reduced to 10. The competitors at Waiuku were under the charge of Captain Hensen, A. ntf., with. SergeantMajor Mowbray, of the Waiuku district, in the butts ; those at Mauku under the charge of Major Lusk, commanding the district, with Sergeant-Major Holland, of Waiuku, in the butts. The conditions were, five shots each at 200, 300, 500, and GOO-yard ranges ; position in the first range standing, the second kneeling, the remainder at any position. Tho target at 200 and 300 yaids was 6x4, with centre 4x2, and bull's-eye 2xl; at 500 and 600 yards, 6x6, centre 4x4, bull's-eye 2x2. As will bo seen by the annexed scores, Private H. Williams, of tho Waiuku No. I Company, was che winner of Major Lusk'a Champion Belt. "Waiuku ßange: Captain Hamlin, W.R. V., No. 1 Company, 55 ; Ensign King, W.R.V., No. 1 Company, 38; Private W. Codler, W.R.V., No. 1 Company, 36 ; Private H. Williams, W.R.V., No. 1 Company, 56; PrivatoT Hickoy, W.R. V., No. 1 Company, 18; Trooper W. Barriball, R.C.V., 48; Trooper A. M. Baniball, R.C V., 34; Private J. Cardon, W.R.V.,No. 1 Company, 30 ; Private T. Codlin, W.R. V., No. 1 Company, 40 ; Private W. Watts, W.R.V., ]No. 1 Company, 36 ; Trooper W. Currie, R.C.V., 32; Trooper A. J. Barriball, R.C. V., 28; CornotS. Barriball, R.C.V., 40; Private J. Plowman, W.R.V., No. 1 Company, 35. Eight others retired before reaching the long ranges. " Mauku Range : Corporal J. Crawford, Forest Rifles, 50; Private J. I'reBton,P.R.V., 43 ; Private C. Lyon, F.R., 31 ; Private H. Page, F.R., 37; Private R. Frazer, F.R,, 28; Private M. Kendall, F.R., 43: Private J. Bowden, F.R., 42; Private Brownlie, P.R.V., 35 ; Lieutenant Mellsop, F.R., 54; Ensign Crispe, F.R., 35. Other twa retired before the completion of the match. "A few of the No. 2 Company of the Wauku Volunteers commenced the contest; well, but retired for some unexplained reason." To the Editor: Sir,— l entirely endorse the desire expressed in a recunt leading article in the Cross that the forthcoming review on the Queen's Birthday should be held in the Government Domain, and not at that inconvenient distance — the racecourse ; as, however suitable it may be in summer for military evolutions, it is at a most inconvenient distance in winter during the short days. I sincerely hope the authorities will defer to the public wish, and give the million au opportunity of seeing the progress our defenders have made since their last annual gathering, without the discomfort of going such a distance as the racecourse, where, the grass being long and the ground little better than a swamp, it would be most probably anything but a pleasure trip.— l have, &0,, Progress.