OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1898, Page 6

OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

THE FEDERAL TEAM. The personnel of the team since its original selection has been considerably altered, several objecting to go on the ground that payment of passage money is not sufficient, while business engagements prevent others who would be only "too willing to go if they could. The loss of Arthur Ballinger, Kirk, Williams, Howe, Simpson, and Kruse will weaken the team very much. Lester is also unable to go — in fact, none of the Canterbury men will go under the conditions [ offered. The team will now probabty conj' sist of Hawthorne, Hales, King, M'Gregor, Winslade, Webster, Spinley, Richardson, Purnell, juu., Cox, Hughes, and another man to be selected. This is regarded as only a fair shooting team, and not such a first-class combination as should represent the colony. Lance-Corporals Dowland and Tulloch (21 each) and Private Gellatly (21) were the winners of ammunition prizes at the Zealandia Rifles' Morris-tube competition. Captain Davis was in charge of the parade of the Kelburne Hifles last night. A course of drill having having been gone through, the Shooting Committee met and made arrangements lor the class-firing, aud also for the competition for several trophies on the Bth prox. Colour-Sergt. Davis aud Sergt. Bunckenburg have been elected by the City Rifles as their delegates on the Wellington Rifle Association. Seventy members of the Petone Navals were inspected last evening by Lieut.-Com. Kirk, Lieuts. Fanning and Smithies being also present. The new Martini-Eniield carbines were served out, Lieut.-Com. Kirk cautioning the men to observe the greatest care in using the arm owing to the extreme range. Target practice was strictly forbidden until further orders. This evening a Morris-tube match will be fired at Petoue between teams of the local corps and the City Rifles. To-morrow evening the company's second. Morris-tube competition will begin. At the parade of the D Battery last night there were 60 of all ranks present, Lieut. Hume in commaud. Owing to the death of Sergt.-Major Jeffre3 r s all drill for the evening was cancelled. Universal regret was expressed by the members at the somewhat sudden demise of their late much-respected N.C.O. and comrade. Mr. \V. H. S. Moorhouse was unanimously elected Captain of the Battery, which is to be congratulated on securing an officer possessed of such experience and knowledge in military matters. The following crews have been picked for the annual cutter races for the, Wellington Navals: — Gunners Dawson, Shaw, Green, I Campbell, Braf.ley, Browne, Smith, Putley, Williamson, Greathead, Stewart, P.O. Rabe, cos ; L.G. Naylor, P.O. Petersen, Gunners M' Williams, M'Farlane, M'Leod, Burns, Kay, Jansen, Jones, Cruickshank, Marsh, L.G. France, cox ; Gunners Powell, Francis, Hutchings, Anton, Bowater, Jaffray, C. Nelson, A. Baker, Symons, Pedder, Clark, L.G. Broomhall, cox ; Gunners Caiman, Baker, Wilson, Bulford, Arnold, S. Evans, Sloane, Turner, Stott, E. Nelson, Cooke, Sparke, cox. Lieut.-Colonel Newall, who is at present in Marton, is to inspect the Hawkes Bay Volunteers next week.