VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5419, 31 March 1879, Page 3

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

THE RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING AT NELSON. The first meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, fermed to compensate for the colonial prize-firing meeting, was held at Nelson, commencing on the 3rd March Tho men arrived on the grounds ?" train, aud formed an encampment of 32 tentc There were about 150 competitors, besides o '"crs. First match (carbines), 400, 500, ana 000 yards.—The highest scorers were—Ok«y (Tar&uaki), 70; Hutchinson (Otago), 70 ; Paynfcer (Stoke), G9 ; Moore (Auckland), 6S ; Ballington (Wellingtou), G7; Monk (Wellington), G6 ; Bowdun (Auckland), Go. Fiftyseven others competed. For the second match the highest scoring prize men are—Reid (Thames), 37 ; Burns (Nelson), 3G, and Feuton (Thames), 36. For the third match, 'I homas (Thames) made the highest score, 37 ; Burr (Napier), 37. Fourth match, Coventy (Canterbury) made 71 points ; Paynter (Nelson), 71 : Purnell (Wanganui), 70 ; Ballingcr (Wellington), 70. Carbine match, No. G, Mapp (Canterbury), 72; Bowden (Auckland), 07; Aruij strong (Thames), GS. Fifth match (rifles), 400, 500, and I GOO yards.—Marshall (Christchurch), 72 ; Coventry (Dunedin), 71 ; Paynter (Nelson), 71 : Purnell (Wanganui), 70 ; Balliuuer (Wellington), 70; Judge (Christchurch), 70; and Kelly (Thame*), 70. Sixth match'(carbines), 300, 400. and 500 yards.—Mapp (Christchurch), 73 ; Judge (Christchurch), 70 ; Coleman (Waikato), GS; Armstrong (Thames), GS. Eleventh match (rifies), 400, 500, and GOO yards. — Cariske. 73: Willcocks, 73; Purnell, 72; Okey, 72; Leigh (Auckland), 71. Seventh mutch (carbines), 200 and 300 3 T ards.—Prowse, sen., 44 ; Stevens, 43 ; Stawell, 42; Bauld, 41. Fifteenth match.—Ladies' prizes. First, ring given by Mrs. N. Y. A. Wales and £5 ; second, £S ; third, £5 ; fourth, £4 ; and two of £3 ; sixth, £2; and twelve of £1. One hundred and twenty-five shots. Ist, Hutahinson (Otago), 73 ; Macartney Coventry (Otago), Richardson (Otag«»), Okey (Taranaki), each "! ; W. Ballinger (Wellington), Cooper (Auckland), King (Oamaiu), Reed (Thames), t-JcLeod (Thames), Feuton (Thames), each GO. The C-irbiue Champion Belt was won by Petty-oificer Gordou, of the Thames Naval Brigade. Carbine Cup North v. South. —Thi3 was the Carbine Match between the North and South Islands, the live highest aggregate pcorers in the Championship belonging to the respective Islands to be the representatives. The North Island won by 7 points ; Gordon, the winner of the championship, also taking the cup. The scores are :— SOUTH ISLAND. 200vds. -lOOvds. 500vds. Tl. Gordou 'J 5 24 74 Armstrong ... 2~» 2. J > 70 Coleman... ... 21 24 22 07 Crapp IS 20 20 58 Grind total oil SOUTH ISI.ANI>. Judge 24 2-'> 21 71 Houston... ... 21 24 2i ON llood ... ... 2'J 23 23 07 Jack 20 21 23 G-l Mapp 20 20 23 03 Grand total ... ... ... ... 3J4 Ride Cup, North v. South.—lu the rifle match between the two islands the South was victorious by J1 poiuts. Smith, the highest man on the winning side, taking the cup. The scores are : — SOUTH ISLAND. 20oyds. 500 yds. COOyds. TJ. Smith ... ... 'Sl 20 21 GO .Richardson ... 25 23 21 GH Willcocks ... 23 25 20 GS King ... ... 22 27 17 GO Coventry ... 25 17 2.'» lis Kennedy ... 22 24 IS 01 Harding 25 25 14 02 John Doige ... 24 22 14 GO Hutchinsou ... 22 24 11 57 Marshall 22 10 1G 51 SOUTH ISLAND. Reid ... ... 22 20 22 70 Okey ... ... 24 25 21 70 Weir 23 24 21 GS W. Ballinger ... 23 25 20 GS J. Ballinger ... 25 IS 22 G~> Monk 24 l'J 20 tYA Cooper 20 23 17 GO Skinner 21 20 17 58 Keller 23 20 11 34 l'uriicll 21 15 12 4S Small-bore Match.—Tho distances were 700, 900, and 1000 yards. The five prizetakers are :— 700 odo 1000 yards, yitida. yards. Tl. F«nton, Thames (Whitwortb) 17 IS 30 .">4 Wilson, Dunedin (InsTnm' .. 21 15 15 51 Somerville. Wanganui (Whitworth) 17 17 1C 60 Purnell, Wan?»anuf (Mitford).. 23 10 \0 40 Gordon, Thames (Whitworth) 23 14 12 49 Second Small-bore Match.—Soo and 1000 yards : — SOO yd?. 100Q yds. Tl. Wilson. Otago .. ..23 lb 41 Gordon, Thames.. ..20 14 34 FVnt r -n, Thames.. .. 21 12 3 J SomerviJle, Wanp.iuui .. 21 11 &2 Skinner, Auckland ..24 S 32 Ballingcr, of Wellington, won the Rill a Champion Belt. •Ve append a statement of the money prizes won by each Provincial District, irrespective of the Champion Belts and Cups :— Auckland : Thames. £133 ; Auckland city, £50 ; Waikato, £1G ; Waiuku, £3 : total, £202. Otago: Dunr-din, £140; Oamaru, £19 ; Clutha, £16 ; Taieri, £11 ; P.»rtobello, £13; Riverton, £4; Invercargill, £2: total, £205. Wellington: "Well in city, £113 ; Wanganui, £5S : total, £171. Nelson: Nelson city. £22; Sioke, 23 : total, £45 Taranaki, £42 ; Canterbury, £41 ; Hawked Bay, £1S ; Westland. £15; Marlborough, £2. 1 THE I'KK.SKNT.VnOV OF PHIZES. I After the firiug was oomph-ted the camp I was struck, and the Volunteer* proceeded by train to town. They paraded in the afternoon under Major L au, near Nelson. The companies mustered in strength. After they were reviewed by Colonel i'acke, the priy.es were distributed by Mrs. Suter, wife of the : Bishop of Nelson, who addressed appropriate . remarks to the prize-takers. On her placing | the belts on the champions, hearty cheers were given for each, and also for the cupwinners in the carbine and rifie matches North Island ver/iux South. Major Baillie, on behalf of the Association, thanked Mrs. Suter for her kinduees in presenting them, and called for cheers for her. The Bishop returned thanks for the compliment. On conclusion, he invited checrs for Colonel Packe, Majors Baillie, Lean, and Noake®, which were warmly given, and also fir Major Pitt. Captain Wilson then ascended the dais, and, ou behalf of the Associatiou, presented Mrs. Pitt with a handsome brooch, being the first bullet fired ftt the meeting, handsomely set in gold. The presentation having been acknowledged iu a speech by that lady, chetrs were called for Lieutenant Paynter, the ex champion, and also for Mr. Stevens, the secretary of the Association, to whom the Bishop referred in a speech, attributing the success of the meeting to his energy. Tho \ olunteers then formed line, and after the march past were addressed by Colonel I'acke, who took occasion to refer to their reception in Nelson, concluding by saying that it was his first vuit to Nelson, but he hoped he would frequently visit- it again. Auckland's wki.co.vk to tiit. cahmne The Auckland Naval Brigade, under Captain Le Roy, and a few members of the Artillery Company mustered at the Drillshed, Wclksley-street, at 0 a.m. on 17th 'March, for tho purpose of proceeding to the railway station, in order to welcome to the city Petty-officer Gordon, of the Thames Naval Brigade, Carbine Champion of New Zealand, and the various district representatives who have latterly been competing at the Nelson ritle tournament. Captain Le Roy went out to Ouehunga to meet the representatives, and in the name of Auckland citz ns cordially welcomed them back tt> the district. It was intended that the Brigade should bo at the station awaitiug the coming of the Champion and his comrades, but throu"h some unforeseen accident some delay took place, and the representatives, tired of waiting at the station, proceeded cityward, and wli*»n in Customhouse-street were met by tho Brigade, and the Champion, amid checrs, was placed on the pun carriage and escorted through the city to I the Dj ill-shed. Captain Le Roy then «ave a general invitation for those present to breakfast at Waterman's Diuing rooms, and after doing full justice to an excellent repast, the worthy Captain, in a few remarks, congratulated Petty-officer Gordon upon beeomiug the Carbine Champion of New Zealand. ■ The feeling among the Volunteers was one of pleasure, when ic was known that the Belt for Carbines had been secured by a representative from the North. The rifle competitors, although not fortunate in securing the Belt for that description of arm, hod done well, and he hoped they would take courage,

and try again next year. He mnst apologise ] for the absence of his brother officers of the Brigade—Lieutenant Chapman and Sublieutenant Parker, who were detained by business engagements, Captain VVildm&n, of the Thames Naval Brigade, on behalf of the Champion, said: —" I thank you sincerely for your congratulations. At the rangy Gordon was always found, and at the ball he was the first to dance and the last to leave off; but he is rather backward now. I thank you also for your kindly welcome. It speaks of a good feeling amongst brothersin arms; but I cannot agree with your captain with regard to the Belt being won by Auckland. Next year I want the Thames and Gordon to win, as it would be his own." The Belt and Cup were then handed rouna the room, and, after fighting the battles of the .Nelson competition over again, the Volunteers dispersed. The Thames representatives left by the s.s. Rotomahana on following morning. THE RECEPTION AT GRAHAMSTOVVX. P. O. Gordon (the Carbine Champion) and the Thames representatives received a hearty reception on arrival. The Volunteer corps, especially the Navals, mustered in strong force at three o'clock. Major Murray presented Seaman Hori Matoui with the District Belt, aud then the whole of the Volunteers on parade were marched to the end of the wharf to receive the representatives. As soon as the vessel was alongside Gordon, weariug the Belt, aud carrying the Champion Cup, was placed in a seat prepared for the occasion, and raised shoulderhigh by four of his comrades, Major Murray at the same time calling for three cheers, which were well and heartily given, with three more for the representatives. The column, headed by the Naval Brigade Band, then moved off*. At the shore end of the wharf the inhabitants had assembled, : aud loudly cheered the Volunteers as they marched up the street. Owen and Brownstreets were thronged, and every vantageplace was tilled with ladies, who continually waved their handkerchiefs. r lhe streets were also gaily decorated with flags, and at the bank corner a large banner, bearing the words, 44 Welcome to the Carbine Champion and the Thames Representatives," w.is especially conspicuous. The greatest enthusiasm was manifested—[Thames Correspondent] DISTRICT PRIZE-FIRING. AUCKLAND. SECOND SET CARIHSKS. The firing for second set of district prizes took piace at the Mount Eden range, on lOr.h March, under command of Major Morrow, with the following result : — 20 'vds. 25Jvils. 300 yds. 400 yds. Tl P. Smith .. 14 13 14 15 ot) Al. Aden .. ..11 14 15 lit W. Kady .. ..13 S 14 4 3t> Fairwcather ..II 13 7 !» 40 t'inlay .. ..0 0 10 15 3/ It. .Moore .. ..12 S S 10 3S Dodds .. ..7 2 2 4 15 itloxulein .. ..11 1U 10 3, t.ipsunmbe G S 3 8 25 ! t.'an'ain Leßoy ..12 13 G S »:» T. 11.-ups .. ..2 C 4 0 12 XV. Tuivs .. .. 12 4 13 1G 4*» 1 Harvoy .. ..4 4 5 5 lb Ilardiuff .. ..13 11 22 15 :>J U.Moore.. .. 14 14 i> y 43 H. McDoinld .. 14 13 8 11 40 .Mouldeu .. .. 15 II 12 17 /.■;> i 'i hw-iites .. .. U 12 U 11 40 G. McDonald .. 12 11 5 11 3D W. lieighway .. 13 13 11 17 ;"»i The first aggregate prize (£2) was won by Seaman Smith. The 2nd, AS I 5-», by Seaman Moulden ; the 3rd, £1, by Gunuer Allan ; the 4th, 15c?, by Gunner lleighway ; and the sth, 10s, by Seaman Hardin*;. The range prizes were won as follows : —2ooyds. : Moulden, Ist ; Moore, 2nd. 250 yds. : Ailen, Ist; McDonald, 2nd. 300 yds. : Allen, Ist ; Smith, 2nd. 400 yds. : Mouldcn, Ist ; Heighway, 2ad. At the conclusion of the match, cheers were given for Gordon, of the Thames Naval Brigade, the winner of the Champion Carbine Boitat Nelson. SKCOXD SKT KIFLKS. The district prize tiring in the second set with rides took place at the Mount Kden range on March 13, under the command of Major Derrom, assisted by Major Morrow. There were 2S competitors. The ranges were 2uo, 300, 400, and 500 yards; live shots at each range. There were 10 prizes, as follows : Ist, £3 10s; 2nd, £2 12* Gd; 3«d, £1 15s; 4th, £1 10s ; sth, £1 03; Gfch, £1 2s lid ; 7th, 17s Gd; Sth, 14s ; Dfch, 14s; 10th, 12s (id. The prizes were won as under : 200 300 4CO 500 V<K yds. y«ls. yds. Tl. It. McLnorl, Vic. .. 13 15 IS 15 G1 W. Hawk./, Vic. .. 15 14 17 15 01 J. Treves. Vie. .. 14 10 IS 13 CI H. Stewart, Vic. .. 17 11 lt> 15 51) J. L unhurt, Hoi). .. IS 11 13 15 57 J IfuzWlt, Vir. .. In 12 15 12 51 A. Kdmomls. Vie. ..IS 12 1G G 52 Ansell. No. a .. .. 10 II 12 11 40 Adcock, Vic. .. 14 13 14 i> 41) J. Comer, Vic 12 10 15 y 4j Out of ten prizis the Victoria Company won eight. There was a rather gusty wind, but on the whole the day was favourable, and the scoriug for the second-class shots was by no means indifferent. Indeed the closeness of the competition between the first three is remarkable, for all made the same numb* r of point", and it was only by taking the Wimbledon rules and giving the decision in favour of those who made highest scores at the long ranges that the prizes could bo ! awarded. The range prizes were as follows : 200 yds. : J. Lambert Company), Ist, lO.s ; A. hVimonds (Victoria Company), 2nd, s<. 300 yds. : Trayes (Victoria), Ist, 10s ; Mcl.eod (Victoria), 2nd, ss. 400 yds : McLeod (Victoria), 10s ; Trayes (Victoria), 5.-*. 500 yds. : Stewart (Victoria), Ist, 10a ; McLtod (Victoria), sa. "WAIUKU. The firing for the Waiuku Troop Champion H lfc commenced on Saturday, Ist March, atthebut'.s here. The condittonsunder which the belt is competed for arc that it must be won three times in succession, or four times at intervals ; 40 shots ; 10 each at 200, 250, 300, and 400 yards. It was also arranged that the district prizes should be tired for on the second day of the firing for the belt, bulls eye. The following are the scores for the belt:— >*aine. 200 yds. 250 yds. 300vds. 40 fl vd p . Tl. A. J. Hardball .. 21) 2U 20 32 113 A. M. Barriball.. 32 27 23 25 107 H.Jlitrriball .. 20 2t 24 32 IUU W. H. Barriball 28 30 24 21 100 J.Walters .. 20 2(5 21 1G 05 W. Coburn .. 20 17 13 2(5 SI Joe liarriball ..25 11) 1G 10 71) G. Marshall .. IS 14 ll 17 GO For the district prizes, the ranges were the same as the above, live shots at each ranee. It will bo observed that] Trooper A. J. Barriball also takes first in the district ! priz?, and A. M. Barriball second. V. m . 200 250 300 *00 T1 yds. yds. yds. y.in. Jl, Trooper A. J. Barriball 14 1:< 15 17 5* Trooper A. M. B-irriball 'G 14 10 10 sti Trooper.l. Marshall .. 17 15 12 12 5G Trooper 11. liarriball .. 14 14 13 14 55 Corp. \V. H. liarriball.. 15 13 12 11 51 Captain Hamlin.. .. M. 12 0 15 50 Trooper .T Walters ..14 14 12 0 4i) Trooycr (i Carrie ..13 0 9 13 44 Trooper W. Watts ..14 8 O 12 43 i Trooper Joo l'.»rriball 14 10 10 S 42 ' Troopfjr W. Cobuurne.. 11 i) 8 10 3S , Trooper<J. iMar.-liall ..10 G S lo 34 i Trooper K. Currie ..11 S G 0 31 | Tioop«r a. ILiinuiond » 6 1) 5 2a Tnjopur 11. Mellsop .. G 2 G 7 51 Troop r J. l)uun .. 10 0 7 3 20 The Troop paraded at 2 o'clock p.m. There was a good muster, under Captain llamlin. Major Harris inspected, and the Troop was drilled by the ollicer in charge, in the absence of Drill-Instructor Hyde. Trooper Alfred John Barriball wis prenented with the Troop Champion Belt by Major Harris, with a few encouraging remarks. The iiring for the Government district prb. s for the Forest Kill-s took place on tl.»; ;2nd March, at the nlle range, .*vi*uku. There were only a few competitors, but borne of the shooting made was really good, especially that or Captain Mellsop at the S(H) yards, and Lieutenant Kiug at the GUO yards ranges. The day was very dull, and much smoke was hanging about from the bush tires around. The wind, also, was gusty, which was very trying to the younger shots. Tile ii ing was under the command of Major Harris, and Sergt.-Major Mowbray marked at the butts. The rauges for the lirst set were 200, 500, and 000 yards ; seven shots at each range ; 200 yards, S inch bulls-eye; SUO and (300 yards, 2x2. I?TItST SET. 200 SCO GOO yd". yds. yds. Tl. Mellsip .. .. 25 27 24 70 King 22 19 27 «3 A. Adolph .. .. fc4 1G 17 57 SECOVD SET. 200 400 500 yds. yds. yda. Tl. A. "Walker .. .. 21 22 IS 01 E. Mowbray.. .. 21 20 18 59 J. iiart .. .. 21 20 15 59 RIFLE MATCH.—PUKEKOHE I". OTAHUHU. On March 22 this match was fired off at the Otahuhu range. The teams were eleven men each side. Major Harris was in charge of the Pukekohe team, and Captain Gordon of the Otahuhu team. Three ranges wore fired at—2oo, 400, and 500 yards ; seveu shots at each range. The day was moderately favourable for firing, but somewhat windy from the right ot the target. The Pukekohe team averaged within four

points of centres, and won by 134 points. The visitors were liberally supplied with refreshments on the ground. This was a retarn match, which, like the first, was won by the Pukekoheans. At the close of the match three cheers were given by the defeated team for the visitors. The following in the result of the firing, two teams firing alternately :— 200 yd«. 400 yds 500 yds. Tl. P. Dal to a .. .. 3322342 4430233 3033320 52 '». Lmxou .. .. 4342433 3232344 2032040 55 !V. McDonald .. 4334444 0334444 2444444 74 Trimble .. .. 2323220 2433333 2023023 4S f. McDonald .. 4342333 3342344 3424402 04 Peterson .. .. 4243353 0333244 6030000 44 W. Adams .. .. 3333313 2343444 3344332 63 McCarthy .. .. 4233333 3442243 3333022 59 W. Proston .. .. 3344344 2234443 3433334 70 Hums 4444302 3344333 2433204 62 T Adama .. .. 3323333 4343434 3233433 CO Wal-h 2333342 3423202 4030333 52 ■l. A<Uuis .. .. 4334134 4432324 0033324 62 Wills 2332333 2223302 3i2u24i 51 Graham .. .. 3343324 0123323 334*403 CO •oms 3232234 2624344 2234300 52 J.Reynolds.. .. 4323333 4430242 2240020 50 iiush 6322233 3»0i24 2000242 44 J. I'rcUon .. .. 3333 43 2333444 2424322 (15 Fisk 3223203 2023230 0330034 40 Jos. Adams .. .. 3333333 0332032 3443442 5S Milgrew .. .. 2333233 3322423 3002320 4S The Pukekohe team made a total of GSS points, and the Otahuhu 554. Mr. Yescy Stewart has received official notice from the Government that the services of the Katikati Mounted Rifle Corps will be accepted, but the Defence Minister states that as at present there are no cavalry Snider carbines in store available for issue, it will probably be some time before it is possible to arm the corps with that weapon.