OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, 23 March 1900, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

RIFLES' SOCIAL. The annual social of the Napiev Kifles ras held at the Cafe" last evening, Lieut, tfillner, lieutenant commanding, being in ;he chair. There was a full attendance >f the company, and the visitors included Major Chicken, commanding the East ioast Battalion; Lieutenant Bingland, )f the Napier Guards ; Captain Thomson, Honorary Reserve, and late captain of the Rifles ; Mr C. G. F. Kagar, lieutenant of ;he recently-formed Ranfurly Rifles, anJ Many others. The catering was of the aest, Host Lang surpassing himself by ;he excellence of the spread provided, rad the tasteful manner in which the iables were decorated. The following toast-list was honored in hearty fashion:— "Queen," "Governor," proposed by the chairman ; " Army, Navy md Volunteers," proposed in a patriotic md stirring speech by the Very Roy. Dean Hovell, chaplaiu of the corps, and responded to by Major Chicken; "Staff of the Battalion and other companies," replied to by Major Chicken, Dean Hovell, and Surgeon-Captain Locking, on behalf of the Battalion, and Lieutenant Kingland, of the Guards, for the other companies. " Donors of Prizes," proposed by tho chairman, and replied to by Mr tr. I. Clarke, who said that it took something more than shooting to make a soldier, and as most of the prizes wore given for shooting ho would have much pleasure in presenting a trophy for competition during tlio ensuing year, to be awarded to the member best in drill, open for competition amongst the privates of the company only. Lieutenant Millner, on behalf of the corps, thanked Mr Clarke for his generous offer, which he hoped would be an incentive to the company to perfect themselves in every detail of their drill. " Captain Thomson," proposed by Major Chicken, and responded to by the late captain of the company. " Our Comrades at the Front," proposed by Lieutenant Millner, and coupled with the names of Corporal West, Privates Hawthorne and Heifford (2). "Our accompanist, Mr Eagar," " Visitors,'' and " Host and Hostess." The presentation of prizes won at the annual class-firing was made by Dean Hovell, and Major Chicken, in a few wellchosen words, said the champion belt for the year together with a gold medal, and first prize in tho handicap, was won by Private Hawthorno, now forming one of tho Second Contingent in South Africa, and the announcement of this member's wins was recoived with cheers. The other prize winners wore as follows:— Silver modal (presented by Mr G. I. Clarke) for second place in the bolt match, Lieutenant Millner; second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh prizes in the Class A Handicap were won by Private E. Bickerstaff, Sergeant Gleadow, Bugler Chicken, Private Grindell, and Private J. Eddy respectively, the last-mentioned prize having been won by Lieutenant Millner, who, however, generously waived his claim in favor of the next on the list. In Class B Handicap the prizes in the order named fell to Private Simmonds, Bugler Robson, Privates Boyd, S. Eddy, and Burton. Captain Thomson, on behalf of Mr S. Carnell, presented the company with a very handsome framed photograph enlargement of the team which won the Coleman Shield last year. The speaker referred to the impetus given to shooting by having such a splendid trophy to shoot for, and said the Bides were in the proud position of having won it three times, each alternate year since it had been presented. Since the various corps had been formed into a battalion the competition for the possession of the coveted prize bad become keener, but ho hoped the Rifles would again have their name engraved on the shieW at the next contest. As a battalion he thought they ought to be proud at having residing in their midst many who took a deep interest in volunteering and who accorded it all the encouragement they could. Not only had they this splendid trophy to foster expert marksmanship, they had also the honor of being the fir3t battalion in New Zealand to march through the capital city of tho colony with their colors flying, and for the presentation of these colors and for the imposing ceremony in connection therewith they were indobtod to Dr. de Lisle, whose absence that evening 'they all regretted, bo accustomed as they were to see him at' all gatherings of volunteers, A vote of thanks was heartily accorded to Mr CarneU for his gift, Songa and.

I reoitations were contributed by Messrs Trask, Kingland, Renouf, E. Williams, Elmes, Millner, Clarke, Wright, Eagar, Bants, H. Bear, and Godard. Messrs Eagar and Wright played the accompaniment!). A most successful sooial was brought to a dose with the National Anthem.