GENERAL GOVERNMENT RIFLE PRIZE, 1862.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 85, 4 October 1862, Page 3

GENERAL GOVERNMENT RIFLE PRIZE, 1862.

By the subjoined letter, addressed to Lieutenant Colonel Richmond, O. 8., it will be seen that Lieutenant Colonel Balneavis, Deputy Adjutant General, transmits the decision of the Government, which is in favour of Mr. Houlr, of Waimea-south, having awarded to him the first prize and Champion's belt, which he won at the contest in April last, by making a score of 32 points. The delay in awarding this prize arose, as our readers will doubtless be aware, in consequence of Mr. Hoult's score having been protested against because he did not complete his firing upon one day : — Deputy-Adjutant-General's Office, Auckland, September 12, 1862. Sib— ln reference to my letter of the 6th of August, relative to the Government prize firing for 1862, I have the honour to inform you that, having submitted the correspondence to the Government, with my remarks thereon, I am directed to state that, taking into consideration all the reports, evidences, and circumstances connected with the case, the Government have come to the decision, that the firing of member Hoult, of the Nelson Rifle Volunteers, should not be cancelled, and that his score should be allowed, as he could not he justly deprived of the prize, merely for obeying orders,; whilst, on the other hand, the Government fully appreciate the objection made to such mode of firing. The case stands thus, namely— Objection has been taken to member Hoult not firing liis whole number of rounds on the same day, thereby deriving certain advantages orer other competitor!.

In the printed regulations, clause, No. 2, it is stated that competitors are to fire "at such hours and places as the Officers Commanding at the different stations may deem convenient," &c. The case appears to rest upon this question, namely, lind it become too dark in the opinion of the Officer Commanding, for member Hoult to firo his rounds at the third range ? If so, member Hoult could not, in reason, bo expected to fire in the dark, and was pvopevly directed to desist, and fire next flay. In this case, it would be unfair for him to lose his score at the first and second ranges, and begin a fresh score next dny. On the other hand, if it was light enough, and he did not firj his number of rounds at the three ranges, he Bhould forfeit his claim to the prize. Ho should also forfeit his claim to the prize, if he practised between the last shot he fired on the fii'Bt day, and the first shot ho fired on the subsequent day.

The first and third objections taken by the " Auckland Rifle Volunteer," appear untenable, namely — Ist. The opportunity to clean the rifle. 2nd. The renewed vigour of mind, body, and eye. 3rd. The opportunity afforded to practice solely at the distance to be fired on the last day. Any competitor can clean his rifle. Member Hoult, it appears, did not practice. The second objection appears to carry weight •with it. It is a strong one. The objections taken by the " Marlborough Rifle Volunteer " appear untenable : — 1. Not firing off his stipulated number of shots in one day. 2. That he practised every day at the distance at which he had to complete his number of shots. 3. That member Freeland scored 31 points at one firing. It appears from the letters of Captain Lockett, the Adjutant at Nelson, that darkness came on before member Hoult could fire hia whole number of rounds. That he did not practice during the interval, as he had received an injury in one oi" his arms. The fact of member Hoult not having practised, in consequence of an injury, is corroborated by your letters.

It is to be regretted that Captain Lockett should have commenced firing with too many competitors on the same day, which caused member Hoult to be prevented from firing his last rounds by darkness coming on ; but, at the same time, member Hoult should not Buffer, as the case arose from no premeditated arrange* ment on his part, and as he did not practice during the interval. I have, &c, H. C. Balneavis, Deputy-Adjutant-General of i Militia and Volunteers. The Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Kiehmond, C.8., Nelson. RIFLE SHOOTING. The following is a return of the number of points obtained, when shooting for Lieut.-Colonel Richmond's rifle, by the Volunteers and Militia of the subjoined districts : —

Local Steamer.— We are glad to learn that the steamer Lyttelton has been purchased by Messrs. N. Edwards and Co., of Nelson, to replace the Tasinanian Maid as a steam coaster for the Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough. As the Lyttelton draws a foot less water than the Tasmanian Maid, she will be able to ascend the Opawa river to Blenheim, which is a point of great importance in the Wairau trade. The Lyttelton may be expected in Nelson in about a week or ten days hence. Nelson Diocesan Synod.— This Synod met on Tuesday last, and has since sat daily for the despatch of business. One of the questions brought before the body has been the division of the present parish of Christ Church into two parishes, a memorial in favour of Buch a proceeding having been presented by a large body of the parishioners. City Company of Voiunteebs.— The late Captain of the City Company having resigned, a meeting, for the purpose of electing his successor, was held on Wednesday evening last, at the Trafalgar Hotel. There were but two gentlemen proposed for the office, namely, John Sharp, Esq., and Nathaniel Edwards, Esq., the latter of whom was elected. Resebvbd Land at thk West Coast. — Tho Waste Land Board directs it to be notified, that the undermentioned Block of Land has been Reserved, under the Provisions of the Regulations for the sale and disposal of the Waste Lands of the Crown in the Province of Nelson :—": — " All the Crown Land situated on the West Coast, comprised within the following boundaries : commeucing on the North at the mouth of the River Tunipohu, and following that river to its source; thence by a straight line to the source of the River Lyell ; thence continuing down that river to its junction with the River Buller ; thence down the River Buller to the mouth of the River Inangahua j thence up the Inangahua to the mouth of the River Awarau } thence up that river to its source near Mount Buckland ; thence to the source of the River Okari ; thence down that river to the Coast; and thence by the Coast line from the Okari to the Tunipohu, being the point from which these boundaries commenced."

Maelbobottgh. — At a recent rifle match at Blenheim, the highest score made was by Mr. J. Gorrie, who scored twenty-five points. A dinner, to celebrate the announcing of the formation of tho Marlborough Volunteer force, took place at Blenheim on the 18th of September, the Resident Magistrate, S. L. Muller, Esq., in tbe chair. A Volunteers' Ball is advertised to follow.

A Foetukate Pbovinoe. — While some people are questioning altogether the utility of Provincial Governments, the Province of Marlborough it blessed

with two Superintendents and two Executive Councils nt Ibe samp lime. In t lie Marlborough Press of the 19th and 26ih of September, advertisements appear, signed by " W. D. H. Baillie," and by " W. 11. Eyes," both claiming to be Superintendent of tho province. Tlie former gentleman i.-«ues n notice, appointing "C. li. Keene, Esq., and J. Godfrey, Esq., to be members of his Executive;" while the latter calls to his Council "H. Q-. Goulaiid, Esq., and ,T. Sinclair, Esq." Captain liailiie issues a proclamation proroguing the Council ; and Mr. Eyes issues a proclamation, in which lie tolls us thnt — " Whereus, 1 huve been duly elected to the office of Superintendent; and, wherens, the lute Superintendent persists in arrogating to himself the functions of my office ; and, whereas, the subordinate and other officers of the Provincial Government may bo induced to act under the orders of the late Superintendent: Be it, therefore, made known thut I do hereby prohibit all persons whatever from performing any office, function, or work, of whatsoever nature or kind, which requires the sanction or authority of the Superintendent, unless duly authorized by me; and 1 hereby warn all persons that, if they perform any such acts or works without my express sanction and authority, they do BO at their own proper risk and peril."

MAitLBOROiTGn. Revenue and Expenditure.— The Provincial Treasurer's Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure, for tho Province of Marlborough, Bhews the Ordinary Revenue, for the Quarter ending June 30, to have been £7^G 155., the incidental receipts £113 10s. 6d., and the land revenue £4,715 19s. 2d., making, with «84,000 raised on loan to stop breach in Opavva river, a total of £9,626 4s. Bd. The Expenditure during the same period was £16,635 10s. 9d. The Distressed Lancashire Operatives. — A London newspaper devoted to the interests o£ this colony (the IFeiv Zealand Examiner), is of opinion that the funds which are being collected for the relief of the distressed operatives in the cotton districts, would be most serviceably expended in promoting theif emigration to New Zealand. It says: — "The distress which exists at the present moment in the manufacturing districts hns called forth the active benevolence of the charitable. While giving them all praise for their liberality, we cannot but think that tho plan upon which they act, that of giving temporary relief to the most necessitous, is illfounded. Were the greater portion of the amounts so freely subscribed devoted to the purposes of emigration, say to the different provinces of New Zealand, how different would be the result. In the one case, the recipient of temporary relief, by which his self-respect is somewhat hurt, will be found to have sunk lower in the social scale. In tho other, that of the assisted emigrant, a man will be seen slowly but surely rising from the depths of squalid misery into which he had sunk, owing to the timely, but well-bestowed, assistance of hi 3 wealthier brethren. Let us hope that this all-important subject will receive more attention than it has hitherto done."

Wakapttaka. a tj (►> o o I >. o o n ■< I Collins, A. S 9 Gill, Edward .... 9 Wells, William . . . .10 Barnelt, Arthur . . . .10 Wnstney, William . . .11 Blunchett, George . . .12 Blanchetfc, Uriah ... 10 Slater, Daniel . . . .12 Livingston, David ... 6 Lyford, Absalom . . .10 Wastney, John . . . .11 Dodson, Thomas ... 5 Bungate, John .... 6 Page, William .... 7 M'Lachlan, John ... 9 Northam, William ... 6 Westley, William ... 6 Barnett, William ... 5 9 10 4 10 6 5 6 3 8 5 3 7 9 4 1 2 3 3 5 4 9 2 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 2 4 4 2 1 2 23 23 23 22 21 21 20 19 19 39 18 17 17 15 14 10 10 10 MOTUEKA. Wise, Charles . . . .10 Beutson, D 10 Guerin.F. 0 10 Gaseoigne, F 12 Horneman, Frederick . . .10 Horneman, M 10 Delaney, J. .... 8 Saxon, John .... 7 Whirehorn, William ... 9 Greenwood, Alfred . . .10 Duncan, J. .... 8 Saxon, Edward .... 6 Duncan, James .... 5 Burrell, Edward ... 8 10 8 8 5 4 5 8 6 5 1 2 5 4 1 8 4 3 3 5 3 1 4 0 2 3 1 2 1 28 22 21 20 19 18 17 17 14 13 13 12 11 10 Waimea West. Eedwood, H 11 Morse, N. G 12 Tomliiißon, G 12 Thomas, E 9 Kent, W 11 Tomlinson, Jos 12 Tomlinson, II 11 Price, 0 9 Lange, John . . . .10 Thomas, James .... 9 Ford,F. 7 Price, W 6 Walker, M 6 12 8 11 9 9 7 5 5 4 2 3 4 4 11 9 6 9 7 3 6 3 4 5 3 1 0 34 29 29 27 27 22 22 17 18 16 13 11 10