VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6567, 4 December 1882, Page 3 (Supplement)

VOLUNTEERS.

* The concern in connection with the Hobson Band took place on Is'ov. 8 in the Choral Hall, when there was a very good attendance considering the inclement weather. The programme was a judiciously selected one, and comprised songs, ballads, ducts, aod various selections by the iiobson Band. After the concert, dancing was engaged in, and was continued up to an cariy hour next morniag. Lieutenant Gordon, of the Thames Naval Brigade, has won the Carbine Belt. He was the champion last year, and having now won it twice in succession the belt becomes his own property. Indeed, he had a further claim on it, for this is the third time he has won it. The belt has now been five times won by the Thames men, three times by Gordon, once by Thomas and once by Armstrong. The result seemed to be 7ery gratifying to the Auckland contingent, lor the victor was carried shoulder high by the Auckland and Thames men. Our Thames correspondent, telegraphing on November 8, says : —Gieat excitement prevailed tonight when it IH.-u.unu known that Lieutenant Gardon of the Navals had again won the Carbine Champion Belt for tho third time. It now becomes his own property. The Thames Navals have now won the belt rive years in succession. The total amount won by tiie six men of the Navals is £177.

The dinner to the volunteer representatives and the carbine champion, Lieutenant Gordon, took place on the 20th November, on the arrival of the Rotorua from the South. Ou lauding the volunteer representatives were loudly cheered. Lieutenant Gordon, the carbine champion, was carried up the wharf on a gun carriage, the Hobson Company's and :\ aval Brigade Band playing appropriate music. The dinner was provided at McKeown's cafe, Queen-street, near the wharf. Lieutenant Gordon was carried shoulder high from the gun-carriage to the cafe. Between 50 and UO volunteers, representing the Auckland and Thames Volunteers were present. Captain Payne occupied the chair. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been drunk and responded to, Captain Payne proposed the toast, "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." Lieutenant Clifton responded for the army, Mr. George Powley for tlie navy, and Lieutenant Parker for the volunteers. Captain Mahon proposed the toa3t of " The Carbine Champion of New Zealand, Lieutenant Gordon." Lieutenant Gordon thanked those present for the way in which they had drunk his health. Captain Wildinan, in the course of his remarks, took the opportunity of making a, public acknowledgment of the very great kindness which had been displayed on that occasion —with regard not only to his winning of the champion belt, but with regard to the manner of receiving the Thames representatives when they came back to Auckland. As to Lieutenant Gordon, he was a thorough oilicer, and a good fellow, and never hesitated to assist his comrades when necessary. (Cheers.) Lieutenant Hitchens proposed the toast "The Thames Representatives," which was responded to by Mr. George White. Lieutenant Bennett in a short speech proposed the toast "The Auckland Representatives." Corporal E. Cooper (No. 3 Company) responded. The Chairman said, after the encomiums passed upon Captain Mahon, they could not do less than drink his health. He proposed, " The Health of Captain Mahon." The toast was drunk vith cheers. Captain Mahon briefly responded. Tlie toast of "The Ladies" was proposed by Lieutenant Norrie, and responded to by Lieutenant Clifton. The toasts, " The Chairman." " The Press," and "The Host," were severally proposed and responded to. The company broke up to the strains of the National Anthem about two o'clock in the tnomiug.

The ball at the Thames on November 'JS in honour of the carbine champion, Gordon, and the other representatives, was a great success. Upwards of 175 couples were present. The rnle3 for the Government prize firing are published in a New Zealand Gazette ot the '2nd November. The sums devoted to the Auckland province arc : —Auckland, £59 r>3, divided as follows : Adults, £44 Ss ; ordnance, £li!; cadets, £2 17s. Waiuku, £9 3s to adults. Waikato, £12 lCs 6d, also to adults. I'overty Bay, £15 Us —£7 13s to adults ami £7 13s to ordnance. Thames, £45 17s Ij-.l: Adults, £30 Us ; ordnance, £12 4s tid; cadets, £3 4s. The competitions have to be completed before the 31st December.