THE SOUTH.

New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2619, 11 April 1866, Page 3

THE SOUTH.

By the arrival of the new s.s. ‘ Taranaki,’ wo have received Southern files to late dates. The only news of interest is the confirmation of the witness of the newly-discovered goldfield at the Little Grey, accounts of which we give elsewhere. From Wellington wo learn that the Government prizes awarded to the best shots at the late inter-provincial rifle contest, were presented by Mrs. Stafford, on the ground iu front of the Government buildings. 'The first prize was the Champion Belt, with a hag of one hundred sovereigns. The bell is a handsome shoulder-belt, of black leather, mounted in silver, with clasps bearing the names of tlio different competitors who had previously won it, ending with the name of the champion for the present year. The inscriptions tire as follows: — “ Won by Ensign Brighton, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, in “ Won by Samuel Iloult, Nelson Rifle Volunteers, in 1862.” “ Won by Nathaniel G. Moss, Nelson Rifle Volunteers, in 1863.” “ Won by Lieutenant T. Owen, Wanganui Yeomanry Cavalry, in 18G4.” (The Bolt was not shot for iu 1863.) “ Won by Corporal D. Christie, East Taieri Volunteers, in 1866.” A cartouch pouch attached is splendidly set off with a silver front piece, on which are laid in gold two muskets crossed, surrounded by fern leaves in the same metal. The second prize was the silver medal of the Rifle Association —a large and well-cut medal—with a purse containing seventy-five sovereigns ; the third prize a purse of fifty sovereigns ; the fourth of thirty sovereigns ; and the fifth of twenty sovereigns. Shortly before 12 o’clock Mr. and Mrs. Stafford arrived, and we noticed amongst those present, Col. Ilaullain, Colonel Russell, Mr. Paterson, Mr. Justice Johnson, and most of the loading gentlemCli of the city. A number of ladies also graced the ceremony with their presence. Four of the victors soon came on to the ground, the third, Private Beaton, of tire Peatherston Rifle Volunteers, not appearing. T hey were ranged in trout of the table ou which the prizes stood, and Mrs. Stafford having descended the steps from the hall, Colonel ITaultaiu introduced them to her, saying that as Alts. Stafford had very kindly undertaken to present the prizes offered by the Colonial Government to the best shots iu the Colony, he begged to introduce these gentlemen as those who were entitled to those prizes—namely, Corporal Christie, of the East Taieri Rifle Volunteers, who was the Champion, and entitled to the first prize ; Corporal Taylor, of the Dunedin Rifle Volunteers, who had won the second ; Captain Kennedy, of the Napier Rifles, who had won the four.h ; and Private Kitchen,of the Marlborough Rangers, who had won the fifth. Private Benton, of the Fcatherston Rifle Volunteers, who had won the third prize, was absent.