THE VOLUNTEERS

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8123, 21 March 1887, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEERS

The Kaiapoi Rifles and Cadet Corps assembled on Friday evening at their drillshed for inspection parade. There were present:—s6 members of the Rifle Company and 57 Cadets, under Captain Whitefoord, all the other officers being present, with Dr Ovenden, hon surgeon to the. Companies. The inspection, which was held by Major was very satisfactory, both arms 'and iaccoutrements being found in capital order. At the termination Major Newall addressed the men, informing them of the arrangements made for the Easter encampment, and also mentioned several matters which each company would have to provide for their own convenience. ..The application made to take the cadets down was now under consideration. The senior company last year mustered the strongest on the ground, and their behaviour was perfect, both en route and in camp; indeed, the commander of the forces referred in a most satisfactory way to their appearance and general good conduct. Those members who intended to go to the encampment would have to leave Kaiapoi on the evening of April 7, and would be returned by special train on the morningof April 11. A battalion of four companies were then formed, and were put through steady drill for an hour and a half, all members joining in most heartily. Before dismissing the Company Lieutenant J. L. Wilson called the men’s attention to the fact that to-day was their respected Captain’s birthday. He, on their behalf, wished him many happy returns of the occasion. Three cheers were then given by the Company in a manner which evinced the hearty good feeling existing between the Company and their commanding officer. Captain Whitefoord in feeling terms thanked the men for their good wishes, and announced that a second inspection parade would be held next Friday, when the new overcoats would be served out.

At the annual meeting of the Temuka Eifles, held last week, about 40 members were present. Captain Hay hurst occupied the chair. The balance-sheet, presented by the Secretary, showed the total receipts for the year to be £236 16s 7d, and the expenditure £143 16s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £B4 Os 6d. The question of the capitation was considered, and it was moved by Private Clinch —" That the capitation for 1886 be placed to credit of the Company’s funds,” As an amendment, it was moved by Corporal Levens—“ That 20s be paid over to members who have qualified for it, and the balance of 10s be placed to the funds.” The motion was carried. Captain Hayhurst then drew the attention of members to the success which had attended Sergeant Guy, a member of the Company at the Eifle Association meeting. He was the only Canterbury man who had fired in the last twenty for the belt. He thought some recognition of the performance should be made. Several members spoke in favour of the idea, and after discussion it was agreed—“ That a MartiniHenry rifle be procured by the corps and presented to Sergeant Guy.” Sergeant Guy, on being informed of the resolution of the Company, expressed his thanks in a few words. It was decided to dispose of the piano now in use as early as possible. The following were elected a Committee for the ensuing year : —Lance-Corporal Heap, Privates Beri, Harte, Coltman, and A. Clinch; Lieutenant Findlay was re-elected Treasurer, and Corporal Mason Secretary. Lieutenant Findlay, speaking on general matters connected with the corps, expressed a hope that as many members as possible would make it convenient to go into camp in the park as projected, before proceeding to the Easter encampment. It would be of infinite service to them. He also proposed a vote of thanks to Captain Hayhurst for services undertaken by him for the benefit of the corps outside the roZc of his ordinary duties. The vote of thanks was most heartily received. Corporal Mason proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Lieutenant Findlay, the Treasurer, for his past services, which was duly carried. The meeting shortly afterwards adjourned.

A match took place on Friday morning between the Christ’s College Eifies and the Christchurch Eifies, resulting in a win for the former. The conditions were—lo men a side; ranges, 400, 500 and 600yds; 5 shots at each; Wimbledon scoring and targets j any military position. Giving to want of time the match was concluded at the 600yds range. In the early stage of the match, owing to the intense thickness 6f the fog, and the smoke in consequence accumulating round the firing point, good

shooting was out of the qu® 3 ti'-n. Eventually, when the fog lifted -me good scores were made, notices o that of Private E. Blakiston, 0.C.E., who made 24 out of a possible 25 at 400yds. The following are the scores:— Christ's College Cebibtcetjeoe Bibles Bibles. Private H. Blakiston 33 Corpora] Sandtord ... 29 Sergt,-Mnjor Hanmer 80 Private Dennis ... 29 Sergeant Smith ... 29 L-Corp. Thompson... 2-i Private Bobison ... 27 Sergeant Cole .. ... 25 Lieutenant Mellish ... 24 Private PappriU ... 22 Private Hoskyns ... 21 Corporal Scott ... 20 Bugler Blakiston ... 22 Sergeant Bishop ... 17 Corporal Wright ... 17 Private Miliar ... 15' Sergeant Curry ... 16 Lieutenant Hawley... 13 Private IS. Blakiston 15 L.-Corporal Breon ... 12 Total 237 Total ."210 The match, Christ’s College Bides versus Sydenham Bides, which was unavoidably postponed through the inclemency of the weather last Wednesday, was dred off on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a win for the former by 64 points. Conditions: 7 men aside; ranges, 400yds, 500yds, 600yds, 5 shots at each j Wimbledon and targets; any military position. The highest score made at the three ranges—46—was by Sergeant Hamiliton of the Sydenham Bides. The following are the total scores : . Christ's College Biflea 220 Sjdenham Bifles 156 CANTEEBDBT ENGINEEES. This Company on Saturday afternoon dred a handicap match for one of the cups presented to the corps by Captain Webster. The weather was dne, but with rather a puffy wind. Seventeen of the Company competed. Captain Webster also firing the given number of rounds—dve shots at 200, 800, 400, and 500yds, the Captain, who has not dred for many years, doing very fairly. Sergeant Schmidt, who fired from scratch, won the cup with the very fair score of 64, Corporal Percy, who also fired from scratch, making 51. The following won ammunition prizes:—Sapper Marden, Sergeant Haskins, Sergeant Lawrence, and Bugler Nathan. The following, are the scores and handicaps of over 40 :

_ A contest took place on the Lyttelton rifle range on Saturday amongst those members of the N Battery of Artillery who had not won a prize at shooting. The conditions were five shots each at 200, 800 and 400 yards, and the prize was a silver medal presented by Mr J. T. Brice, of London street. The light was rather puzzling, and there was a steady breeze blowing all the afternoon. The two combined greatly affected some of tbe sbootists. There was a good number of competitors for the prize, and considerable interest was taken in the contest, which was won by Gunner Lewin with a score of 51 points. The following were the principal scorers :

An Inspection parade of the two Lyttelton Companies will be held this evening, falling in at 7.15 p.m.

Handicap. Total Sergeant Schmidt ... ... ecr 64 Sapper Mardeu 13 59 Sergeant Haskins ... 10 58 Sergeant Lawrence 11 57 Bngler k athan 14 52 Corporal Peroj aor 61 Lance-Corporal Partridge ... 4 51 Sapper Harte 18 51 Lance-Corporal Baker 14 49 Sapper Dumeiaoq 12 46

Gunner Jjowin ... ... 200 yds. ... 18 300 yds. 17 400 yds. 16 n. 51 Sergeant Moore ... 18 12 11 41 Quarter-Master Sowden ... 12 IS 8 35 Corporal Arnold ... 15 13 7 35 Gunner Bradley ... ... 10 12 11 33 Bugler Button ... ... ... 11 10 11 82 Sergeant Galbraith ... ... 9 9 10 28