VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 7444, 13 February 1888, Page 4

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

In a memorandum addressed to tiie North Canterbury Volunteers Majoi-geucral Whitniorcsays:—

The f iovcrnment has already notified that Volunteers must be prepared for extensive economies in the public expenditure on the force. The provision made during the past three years, which has slightly exceeded that granted before, has enabled the Volunteers not only to complete their clothing, but even to purchase necessary equipments, such as greatcoats, haversacks, gaiters, etc. This proves that the funds of corps have been prudently and carefully administered, and that until the Colony cm make a more liberal allowance the force will not be able to maintain its present efficiency evcu with a small capitation. The Colony owes much to the Volunteers, who in performing the highest public duty not only deprive themselves of the few hours which remain to them after they have fulfilled their ordinary avocations, sacrificing the rest or recreation others can enjoy, but also have in all corps to provide from their own pockets much of the expense of making themselves efficient for the defence ol the country. This sell'-uaoriliee is so honorable that no title to the regard and m.pcot of their fellow settlers can be higher than that of nerving in their ranks. The New Zealand Army to not ouly the cheapest in the world, but relatively to its cost the most efficient, and the Majorgeneral trusts that whatever the necessities of the Colony, or however small a portion of the cost the public may at present be able to provide, the same spirit of manly selfsacrifice will induce the Volunteers to continue to render the same services to the State during the present period of depression that they have hitherto done with more assistance from the Government in times gone by. Nothing now remains to be done to make the Canterbury Volunteers effective, except what will follow as a matter of course in case of public danger. A fortnight or three weeks continuous training or camp would, with what they have already acquired, make the Volunteers able to confront any troops in the world of equal numbers with the fairest prospect of success. European news is far from reassuring. The Volunteers may now any day be called upon to defend their hearths, and nothing is more certain than that they will respond nobly to the call. The Major-general that thic should appear to impend at tn*> moment that ht? ?j

.about to cease to be officially connected with the force; but he has every hope that if still in New Zealand he will be permitted to share their dangers and their laurels if actual warfare should break out and New Zealand be threatened by an enemy.

DUNE DIN v. PORTOBELLO RIFLE CLUBS. On Saturday afternoon a very interesting match came off on the Mornington range between teams of ten men a-side representing the above riile clubs. Ranges, 200 yds ami 500 yds; seven shots at each range. Both teams were equipped with the long Snider rifles and Kynoch's ammunition, aud a wellcontested match resulted in favor of the Duncdin Club by 23 points. Several of the competitors in each team put on good scores, considering the changeable light and strong wind across the range. The return match, which was fixed for Good Friday, on the Portobcllo range, will no doubt be looked forward to with interest. Subjoined arc the scores made by the respective clubs :

Captain Sommervillc is now at Oamani making arrangements for the forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, which commences on the 28th inst. Buchanan, the well-known Midland cricketer, will shortly leave Christchurch for Australia. Owing to want of funds, tho Lancaster Park Club have had to dispense with the services of W. Frith as their professional bowler.

UUNKMN KIHiE CUUB. 200 500 Jd«. yds. Tl. MrJ. C. Oow 2!) 23 - , r i8 Mr Jo.'uph llealley ;;» 23 - 03 \lr T. Mon/.ici 28 2 J - 62 MrT. A. Wallace 2S 23 — 51 Mr R. Rutherford .. 25 21 - 4fl Mr J. Hardy 23 Hi - 3!) Mr G. Uddcll •20 14 - 34 MrP Y. Wales 27 7 - 34 Average for two men absent 92 Total 461) I'ORTOliBLLO K1KLB UliU Mr W. Geary "% 2(i - r>2 Mr W.Dickson 5!) 22 - 01 Mr A. Dickson 2!) 20 - 49 Mr J. P. M'Uartiicy 21 23 - 44 Mr A. Younif 1!) 21 - 43 Mr J. Lewis 21 17 - 41 Major M'Cutncy .. 24 1G - 40 Mr P. Ryan 24 10 — 40 Mr A. Dickson 23 Hi — S!) Mr W. G. M'Cartncy 25 12 - 37 Total 430 Maj 'rity for Uuncdin Hide CUil) 23 poiut J . "~