HAMPDEN RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2083, 6 January 1879, Page 3

HAMPDEN RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

The first competition for the handsome medal of the above company took place on New Year's Day, at the new range, under the following conditions: — Targets, Wimbledon ; ranges, 200, 400, and 500 yards ; seven shots at each. The med.il has to be won thrice by the same person before becoming his property. Tlip medal was made by Messrs Harrop and Neil, of Dunedin, and is in the shape of a Maltese cross, with a gold centre. There is also the figure of a kneeling rifleman at the "ready" m gold. Sub. -Lieut. Young was the highest scorer in the first match. The marking and other arrangements, under the direction of Capt. Murcott, •were well carried out. The company is now doing its best to get its standard of shooting raised. The following are the eight highest scorers :—: —

An effort was made by several gentlewen to arrange for sports in the township, but it failed, although there were offers both of money and kind so that they should be carried out. Oamaru and Dunedin present now so many attractions, and are of such easy access, that the intermediate towns flock into them on gala days.

The Gipps Land Times of a recent date states that in consequence of the fear that the Kelly gjing were making their way over the mountains to the south-eastern districts, and that their presence might be looked for in some of the smaller and unprotected towns oi North Gipps Land, measures ha\ c been taken to remove the "treasure" lying in the Banks in the Gipps Land district to the metropolis. On Friday last large quantities of gold, specie, bank notes, and other valuable property were brought into Sale from the Bapks at Bairnsdale, Stratford, Maffi-ft, and other places, and cenveyed by Saturday's train to Melbourne. The same precautions were adopted with regard to the surplus cash in the Banks at Kosedale, and the other towns along the line towards Melbourne. The Waikato Times says :— The scarcity of hands is beginning to be severely felt all over the Colony. However objectionable the employment of Chinese labor may be, that of the Maori is not felt to be so. The Maori puts the money that lie earns into circulation apain, and quickly too ; and white men and Maoris work agreeably together on the same job. Is is said that it is probable that arrangements will be made during the visit of the Ministers to Waikato whereby some Native labor may be employed in the construction of the Ohanpo and Te Awamutu railway extension. Mr Fallon, the contraptor for the undertaking, employed Natives during the progress of the Jiiverhead and Helensville branch, for which he was tl.e successful tenderer, and his experience is favorable to them as woiknien.

Capt. Murcott ... Sub .-Lieut, Young Sergt, Brennan ... Sergt. Dorreen ... Vol. R. Douglas... Vol. W. Stewart... Vol. J. Riddell ... Vol. A. Riddell ... 20 20 21 11 21 17 21 14 <±UV 14 20 20 16 20 19 IS 19 19' 19 13 9 16 11 12 53 59 56 36 57 47 51 33

* Retired.