THE CHAMPION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 60, 12 March 1906, Page 2

THE CHAMPION.

Lieut. .Robt., Irvine.-of. the; Waitoea Rifles, is a native of Nelson, his family having for many years followed the? grazing pursuit in the Waimeas. His: kage would be about 36, and i»» is a "non-smoker and total abstainer/5Hi&; win will prove a popular one, not only because he was expected by those who have followed his consistent career for the past ten years as a competitor-at; the national meeting; to come off with the palm at 1906 contest, but because) he has always 'shoAvn such a; practical, hard-working interest in the other and less attractive branches of Volunteering. In the Waimea Rifles, the present champion, woipke'd his way uj* from the ranks : to the position -of Color-Sergeant, and a few years ago was given the responsible but purely honorary position of Quartermaster to the staff of No. 1 Battalion of theNefson District, with the rank of Lieutenant. It 'will be recollected! thai Lieut. Irvine just missed winning the Belt last year, finishing second ta bis rellow-provincialman Milroy; a*»d his; brilliant shooting at Bisley aad? im Canada last year will be readilf calledi ,to mind. This is the third consecutive year in which the. Belt lias gone to Nelson. . ■..■