VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7693, 19 July 1886, Page 5

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Ponsonbv Rifles.—The competition for the silver cup presented to the Ponsonby Rifles by Hallenßtein'a New Zealand Clothing Company took place at the Cox's Creek range on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in another win for Volunteer Ellis, with a score of 53 points. About 20 competitors took part, and the contest was very close, proving that the handicap had been a close one. At the completion of the three ranges it was found that Volunteers Stodart and Ellis had tied, ans it was arranged to fire off at the 500 yards' range* Volunteer Stodart went down first, and missed, as also did Volunteer Elliß. The former fired again and scored a magpie, and his opponent following suit, the excitement became intense; Stodart put on an outer, and Ellis followed by making a bull's-eye. The light at the end of the competition was almost twilight. Three cheers were given for the winner, and a similar compliment was accorded to the losing competitor, and the party left the range apparently thoroughly satisfied with the afternoon's competition. A grand military concert (as will be seen by advertisement in another column) will be given by the Ponsonby Rifles in the Ponsonby Hall to-morrow night, when a diversified and attractive programme will be presented by the leading musical talent of the city, among those who have tendered their services being Miss Staunton, and Messrs. J. Knox, D. B. Russell, and T. Burnham. "A" Battery Artillery.—The members of this battery fired on Saturday last at the Mount Eden Range for prizes presented by honorary member, Mr. Geo. Powley. The following are the scores (local ammunition being used): — Sergeant Henderson, 52 ; Gunner G. Webster, 51; Gunner G. Shaw, 49; Corporal Doughty, 47; Gunner A. Woolley, 47 ; Gunner J. D. Webster, 46 ; Gunner A. Payne, 44 ; Gunner F. Kersley, 42 ; Corporal Parslow, 40 ; Corporal O'Brien, 39 ; Gunner Ballantyne, 37 } Gunner Bottrill, 36 ; Gunner Simcock, 22. Church Parade,—There was a church parade of naval volunteers held yesterday afternoon at Trinity Church, Devonport, the corps parading being the Auckland Navals, Captain Commandant Leßoy; Ponsonby Navals, Captain Morpeth ; Auckland Coastguards, Lieutenant Keesing; Devonport Navals, Lieutenant Dacre. The Auckland corps were taken over in one of the ferry steamers, and after landing on the North Shore Wharf, were formed upon the wharf, and marched off to the church, headed by the Garrison Band, Auckland Naval Drum and Fife Band, and Devonport Naval Band, which played in turn sacred airs en route. The church service was conducted by the Rev. J. Bates, the chaplain of the Devonport Navals. He took as his text the passage, "Quit you like men," and. preached therefrom an appropriate discourse. The offertory was in aid of the Rotorua Relief Fund. There was a large assemblage of spectators at the parade,