THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1709, 14 May 1869, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE PIGEON-SHOOTING MATCH AT ONE-TREE HILL. Yb<tebdat afternoon, at about two o'clock, hia Royal Highness the Duki of Edinburgh left Government House for the residence of James Farmer, Ktq., One-troa tJill, where a meeting of the Auckland Humley Gun Club had been arranged to take place, und a matoh to be ah&t between the Olob and H.M.S. Galatea. The Prince drove four greys in hmnd, and wa< accompanied by Lioutenant. haigh. the Hon. E. York*, and members of his suite. His Excellency ! Sir George Bowen accompanied the Prince in his own carriage, and a drag with four bays In hand oonvered ten members of the Prinoe'a party ; Oolonol Klliot and the e ffioers of the 18ih Hoyal Irish oocupied a lourth drag. Upon arrival at the residence sf Mr. Farmer, the entire party was entertained at luncheon in a ooupie of marquees upon the lawn, the Royai Standard being run up on the Duke's arrival, and remaining flying until his departure. A Tory handsome turn-out, with four greys, oonreyed Major liamley, president ef the Auokland Bnmley Gun Club, and the members of the Olub to the scene of action. Mr. and Mrs. James Farmer and a party of ladiea and gentlemen received the distinguished guesta with graoeful hoapitality, After luncheon _an aHjournmfn*; took plaoe to the paddock fronting the house, "hero a" ground hud been staked off and everything prepared for a trial of skill. lhe first inatoh to come off was between five members of the Gun Club and H.M.S. Galatea—s birds each, 80 yards' ride } double guns ; -first barrel killing scoring 2; seoond barrel, 1.

. GAI>VrBA. Total The Prince .2 2 1 1 1 ... 6 Liout. Hnijjh........ 2 0 0 1 ' 2 ... 5 Hon. E. Yorke 2 0 0 2 0 ... 4 C&pt-Smith, A..D.U.... 0 2 0 0 2...,4 Liout. Hti&QßgOj H.N. 1 1 2 0 X ... 5 24 One bird on Olub side. ■. 1 25 ' CliCB. Total Mnjor Homley ...... 2 2 2 2 2 ...10 Major Jackson 2 2 0 0 0 ... 4 Mr. Whitaker, ju0.... 2 0 0 0 0 ... 2 Mr. Aitkin 2 2 0 2 2 ... 8 Mr. W.Morrin 1 1 2 0 0 ... 4 28 It will thus ba seen that, after some vera pretty shooting, the Olub was victorious by three points. At the conclusion of this match, there being several tirdsi remaining, a sooond match was made up, and shot between his ttoyal Highness the Duke and his equor/iea, and three other membera of the Gun Olub, with the following result: — • Total The Prince 2 2 1 1 2 ... 8 Lieut. Haigh 2 2 2 1 2 ... 9 Hon. i£. Yorko 0 2 0 2 2 ... 6 23 Thb Club. Total Mr. S. IJorrin 0 2 1 0 2 ... 5 Mr. *f. 11. Gillies 0 0 0 0 2 ... 2 Mr. Walker' 0 0 0 0 0 ... 0 7 Great difficulty was frequently experienced in fording the birds to rite from the trap, in oonacqnence of their having been kept for some time in a large room whilst the required numbers were accumulated. The weather was everything that could be desired, and the day was moat enjoyable, and about forty gentlemen were present. The Dnke will shoot to-day upon Mr. E. Maolean's eßtate, at the Tamaki.