VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7593, 24 March 1886, Page 6

VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

The Victoria and Gordon Rifles held their usual weekly drills at tbe Drill-shed last night, and, although there were very moderate attendances of the members, a good instructive drill was oarried out. The Victorias were under the command of Major Mahon with Lieutenants Skinner, Selt, and Cooper, and the Gordons under the command of Captain White and Lieutenant Fairs. Each compuny was put through a oourse ot drill by its own ofiicers, after which the two were combined, and put through a number of battalion movements by iVlajor Mahon. The movements were performed with a fair amount of precision, and the instruction afforded, especially to tue junior officers, by the drill must be beneficial.

The Auckland Cavalry will parade this evening at the parade ground on the Domain at a quarter to six o'olock. A full muster is required, as the parade is necessary to qualify for capitation, and the officers aUo desire to get the troop into as good a state of efficiency as possible for the reception of His Excellency the Governor on hie arrival in Auckland. There is another very important reason why every member should be present, and that is that the examination for the appointments of non-commissioned officers will take place at this parade.

A meeting of the oommittee of the Auckland Rifle Association, held in the Drill-tihed last night in the Victoria Rifles' room ; Major Mabon presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were submitted, and a letter was receive! from Captain Crawford, of the South YVairoa Rifles, asking when the meeting of the association wae to cake place ; also for particulars as to subscriptions, &0., and intimating that ten members of his company would attend ae competitors. There was also a letter from Sir George Grey, enclosing the sum of £1 as a subscription to the association luuds, and another from Sub-Lieutenant Moore, of the Auckland "*avai Brigade, enclosing £1 subscription. The Uhairman intimated that the object of the presens meeting was to settle the date of the association meeting, and to consider the class of rifles to be used at the meeting. From a conversation which he had with Lieutenant Jennings, the Secretary, and with which he agreed, there was a strong feeling that long rifles should be excluded from competition. There was no doubt, from the result of the recent New Zealand Rifle Association's meeting, in which the five highest prize-winners fired with long rifles, that tliese weapons were superior, and the general impression was that at the Auckland Association's meeting only medium riflea and carbines on issue to companies should bo used. There was a general con. HoiiMiH of opinion that the long Snider rifleii should be excluded, but there was some discussion ae to whether the short nfleii marked PF, which are known as the Llokitika Rifles, should not also be excluded. Captain White pointed out that these were exactly of the same pattern as those with which the companies were supplied. Finally, on the motion of Lieutenant Skinner, seconded by Lieutenant Fairs, it waa agreed that any Snider rifles or carbines isaued by the Government, except the long Snider rifle, can be used at the competitions. It was arranged that the matches should commence on Easter Saturday.

VVAIROA SOUTH,

The quarterly inspection parade of theWairoa Rides took place on Saturday, the 20th inst., at eleven a.m. Major Shepherd was the inspecting officer. Captain Crawford was in command, and Lieutenants John and F. Creighton were also present. There was a fair muster of the company present—34 all told. The Major complimented the men upon their appearanie and also for their improvement in drill, but he said they had a great deal more to learn yet. On the whole, their evolutions were good. After parade the company proceeded to the butts to fire for the Mowbray medal. The day was not favourable for good shooting, never, theleae Corporal R. A. Coutts won the medal for the second time with the good score of 60 points oat of a possible 75. The following are the scores :— .! . 200 400 600 yds. yda. yds. TL Corporal Coutts .. ..21 22 17—60 Lioute ant If. Creiehton ..12 19 '21—52 Volunteer H. Henderson .. Iβ 21 16—62 Lieutenant J. Uroighton ..18 18 11-47 Volunteer A. Shaw .. .. U." 10 18—48 Sergeant Wilaon .. ..Iβ 17 13—46 Uo'poral WaUh .. .. 1(5 16 10—41! Volunteer C. Creighton ..17 16 10-42 Volunteer S. Nicnl .. .. 14 12 16-41 ''npUln Crawford .. .. 13 18 9-40 Volunteer O. Bell .. ... 18 16 4—87 Sergeant Wright .. ..20 9 7-*-36 Volunteer Alexander .. ... 15 10 9—34 Corporal G. Wilson .. .. 18 14 6—83 Volunteer 1.. Wallls - ..12 9 11—32 Volunteer Matheson .. ... 20 8 4-82 1 olour-Sergeant Creighton ..13 17 2—82 Volunteer W. Kent .. ..9 14 B—Bl Volunteer W. 11..ye .. .. 15 11 4-30 Volunteer G Hale .. .. 14 6 10—?fl Volunteer Morrison .. ..10 5 12—27 Volunteer Colquhoun .. ... 14 8 4—26 Volunteer O. Stephens.. .. 16 5 6—26 Volunteer W«tioi .. ..13 3 8-24 Volunteer •; C. Munro.. « 8 9—23 Volunteer MeJiUlough.. ..0 7 7-23 Bugler Frascr .. .. .. 10 2 10—22 Volunteer W. Klllott .. ..2 11 B—2l Several others fired, but did not score well.—[Own Correspondent, March 22.]