KING'S PRIZE WINNER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 73, 10 March 1913, Page 5

KING'S PRIZE WINNER.

WELCOME TO RIFLEMAN JAMES. Rifleman F. J. James, of the Okawa Rifle Club. Hastings, winner of the New Zealand Championship Belt at the Trentham rifle shooting meeting just concluded. was accorded a publie reception on the arrival at Hastings of the express train from Wellington on Saturday evening. The station platform was densely lined with people, including a large number of Territorials, and. as the train steamed in. the Hastings Town Band struck up the strains of “ See the Conquering Hero Comes.” James was officially received by Mrs. T. H. Lowry, patroness of the Okawa Rifle Club, the Mayor (Mr. Garnett )and leading citizens and formally welcomed, and was promptly seized by his clubmates and carried shoulder high to a motor car. A procession of motor cars containing the officials of the Okawa Club, the Mayor and representative townspeople, and headed by the Town Band, then moved off. proceeding to Heretaunga street via Queen street and Karamu road. After traversing Heretaunga street as far as Roach's corner, the procession returned to the Grand Hotel, from the balcony of which speeches of a congratulatory nature were delivered by the Mayor, Colonel A. H. Russell and Mr A. L. D. Fraser. The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Hastings, congratulated Rifleman James on his brilliant achievement, in winning a prize which was coveted by every shootist throughout the Dominion. James was justified in feeling a proud man that night and he (the speaker) was also proud because James belonged to a rifle club which had its headquarters in Hastings. The winning of the belt was not merely the work of a few days—it involved years of practice, perseverance and selfdenial, and he did not think there had been a more popular win in the history of the trophy. 'Ai»plause). * Colonel Russell apologised for • the unavoidable absence of Mr. H. M. Campbell, ALP., who, he said, was heart and soul in sport of every kind, and also for the absence < f Rifleman J. D. Rivers, who-.- first ambition, next to winning the belt himself, would be to congratulate Rifleman James. Colonel Russel! offered his congratulations to James on behalf of the Territorials, who. though they had so far not been /able to annex anything like the championship belt, would be heard of in the near future. Without wishing to open the question of service shooting, he held that coolness, of nerve and self-control under trying circumstances- were qualities which were especially valuable in military work, and probably in none more than in service matches. He had no doubt that it was the possession of these qualities which enabled Jame to attain his present position. L. D. Fraser welcomed James on behalf of the Okawa Rifle Club. He said that James' victory presented a great object lesson, not so much in winning the belt, but in the example set to younger generations. The function in their guest’s honour was not the result of any parochial jealousy—it was a citizens’ welcome to one, who, by great perseverance and pertina city, had obtained the highest position it was possible to achieve in the Dominion’s rifle arena. Rifleman James’ success had been educative to the people of New Zealand, because on taking up that morning’s newspapers, they would see at the head of the prize list, Okawa, Opaki. Ohura, and many might add “O Hades!" (Loud laughter). James’ triumph would be educative also from a gccgraph’cal standpoint, and the people of the Dominion would learn that Okawa was not only a portion of the fertile lands of Hawke’s Bay and situated on the outskirts of a busy commercial centre, but also that it was the home of a lady who graced the club with her patronage, and who tha: • night personally welcomed the King’s prizewinner. (Cheers). In [ conclusion, he trusted that James’ | future prosperity would be <ll I bull’s eyes and he desired to wish him many many happy returns of the day. (Applause). j James was greeted with a salvo of cheers when he stepped forward to reply. He briefly acknowledge- <1 the high compliment which h"d been paid him, and expressed 1:: warmest thanks for the welcome and | congratulations extended to him. I At the call of the Mayor, tiu. e hearty cheers were given for • champion and the proceedings t. minated.

CHAMPION ENTERTAINED EY MRS. LOWRY.

Rifleman James was subsequent!', entertained by Mrs. Lowry at the Grand Hotel. The Mayor preside', and among those present were the Mayoress, members of the Hastings Borough Council. Colonel RusscH. Major Chicken. V.D.. members of the Okawa. Rifle Club, the Town Band, and a number of prominent citizens.

The health of Mrs. Lowry, patroness of the Okaw a Rifle Club, was proposed in felicitous terms o* the Mayor.

Mrs. I.o«ry. who n piie<l in ;• graceful speech. said site wn% i;t . than proud that ri>.New Z< a!. ■ rifle championship had come •> member of the Okawa Chib. (>k . had recently serurrd championship honours at Auckland with Bobrikoff. now a greater honour was added ; -i the name by Rifleman .Fame*. (Applause). Mr*. Lowry then propo-i d trie health of the champion. am! t ! was drunk with enthn-t;ism. Mr. M . Lane, in a l>ri< f spe< • ' . offersd hi* congratulation' to th ■ Okawa. C!ub »>n the file pertorman -e of one of their number. He (Mr. Lam ) signified hi« iiit entiou • f donating ; belt i>, .‘►aournge rifi ■ .'hooting an*ono the T-r: ; t i Applause). At the - all of H . T. li ....... (!>.■<■»’ r:agi“_ < ht er> w-- .■ t_»s, n t ■ Rifleman -J; m-*. and afirn- a s m.i.ir

cemplimeiu had been pai 1 to Mn; Lowry, a very pleasant little i'mulion terminated.

RECEPTION AT NAPIER

Very eager were the residents of Napier on Saturday evening to do honour to Rifleman James who holds the proud position of chain nion marksman of the Dominion. Shortly before ten o’clock n large crow-t gatheie 1 '.utrilo the railway station, and as the train moved into the station the Regimental Band, under Major Crawshaw. player! ‘‘The Conquering Hero." On alighting from the railway carriage two stalwarts hoisted the King’s prize winner on to their shoulders, and carried him to a motor. The members of he Regimental and City Bands and the Napier knd Railway Fire Brigades formed up and the procession proceded through a cheering populace to the Band rotunda. At the rotunda, the Mayor (Mr. J. Vigor Brown) formally welcomed the rifleman back to Napier on behalf of the citizens. LieutenantColonel Hy-!c;i. officer commanding the Territorials in this district, also added his appreciation of Rifleman .James. On a call for cheers these were given lustily by a large crowd. Rifleman James briefly thanked everybody for the hearty welcome given him.