VOLUNTEER SPORTS AT WAIUKU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7904, 24 March 1887, Page 6

VOLUNTEER SPORTS AT WAIUKU.

» On Monday the Waiaku troop commenced their half-yearly training. There were sixtythree present out of a total of sixty-four. The offioers present were Major Hamlin, Captain J. B. Brown, Lieutenants S. and A. M. Barriball. On Tuesday and Wednesday every man was present. Instructor Carley, with the officers, kept the men hard at work. Lieutenant - Colonel Shepherd arrived on Monday, and watched the drill throughout. The inspection by the Colonel took place at half-past three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, and lasted with general movements until five o'clook. At the conclusion of the parade, the troop was formed into a hollow square, and the Colonel addressed the men at considerable length. He complimented them on their splendid turn out; indeed, it was a pleasure to inspeot a corps that always turned out so well. Their arms and appointments were also in firstclass condition. The march past in line as a squadron was not quite up to the mark at the saluting base, but a yard or two past the defect was remedied and a good line kept. On both the gallops past the lino was very good indeed. The sword and pursuing exercises were well executed, and both men and horses were steady, showing how easy it was to got into working order when attention was paid to drill. He was indeed pleased and felt proud of them for their turn oat, and attention to work. The troop was essentially the Auckland troop, having been a garrison corps for a number of years, and he regretted that few of tho Auckland people ever saw them; if they had, the citizens of Auckland would be as proud of them as he himself was. He was, however, sur prised to see so vory few of the people ot the district present watching their movements. He did not know whether it was from a self-posßessed confidence in the troop, or from carelessness in volunteer matters. However, the volunteers were to have an encampment at Easter at Lake Takapuna, and lie hoped to see the troop present. If the 64 could not be present, he hoped that no more than three or four would absent themselves. Let them come in to Auckland, so that the public should see them, and really know what they were. If ho had to command a corps, the troop before him was just the one he should like to have the honour to command, tie again asked them to he present at the camp. The troop was then marched off to ther private parade, before reaching which they met Captain Payne and other gentlemen who had arrived by steamer to act as judges on the following day. On the private parade Captain Payne was asked, and stated what was being dona

in Auckland. Each member was then asked to say yes or no, whether he would go. 50 promised to go, 8 would if possible, 4 could not, and 2 were doubtful. The men were .. then dismissed until 9 30 on the following ' morning, St. Patrick's day. Early on Thursday morning several heavy showers fell, accompanied by a strong westerly wind, which foreboded a disagreeable ? day. However, the day proved fine over>i head, although the wind was cold and very 2 strong. The troop assembled at 9.30, prior 'S to marching off to [the recreation ground, 3 and were formed into a hollow square, 3 when Captain Brown presented a hand--2 some Bword and belt to Major Hamlin, 3 He said that .since he had been in charge 5 of the troop he bad nothing but - pleasant duties to perform. First of all he ; * had to present a medal to one of the 7 troopers, and now he was asked to present l this sword. It had been subscribed for by 0 the officers, non-commissioned officers, and g troopers as a mark of esteem for Major Hamlin, who had for a great number of years i,' worked hard for them as their captain. They were all pleased to hoar of his wellearned promotion, and though they could not now claim him altogether, they still en« tertainod a wish that he would, in assuming . a larger command, turn a friendly look towards thorn. Captain Brown then handed g the sword and belt over to Major Hamlin, ■f who thanked the troop for their handsome and valuable present. He need hardly assure . the troop that he should ever keep them in ) his mind, and watch their future progress Y with pleasure. As Captain Brown had justly a said he •pas not " theirs alone," still he . would always be ready to counsel and assist g them in every legitimate way. He hoped r they would stick together as they had done, a do their duty as cheerfully and well, and r they would prove a credit and honour toftheir district and country. Hp again tendered them his heartfelt thanks for their splendid present. Three right good cheers were given with one !• cheer more for the little "Majors," the 1 troop formed line and marched to the Recrea. 0 tion Ground. Here, everything had been 6 carefully prepared, and no time was lost. in a starting. Few people were on the ground 1 at ten, but between eleven and twelve there 0 must have been 600 persons presents and made quite an animated scene. Instructor * Carley, Sergeant-Major Manning, and Ser- ' geant Allen acted as judges for the head * and rings match, Manning acting for Captain Rutherford, of Te Awamutu, who, at the last moment, could not get away. His absence was much regretted, as he. has always most willingly assisted the Waiuknb ians. First Match, Head and Rings.— * were 33 competitors. The men were drawn ; up in line 40 yards in rear of a hurdle, 1 which consisted of a sapling tree 9 inches through, which was mortised into three > uprights, so that the horses had to jump— , there was no smashing through them. The t sword drawn, and at the "right engage," r after jumping the hurdle the man had to go through the pursuing practice. There were i two lines, of three posts each. The two i first posts on either side had a head of wood ! placed upon them, but showing 3 inches of a , flax stick. These sticks had to be severed i with the edge of the sword, and so with reference to the two first posts on the left. , From each of the third posts was suspended i a ring, 3 inches in diameter. This had to be taken off with the point of the sword. Forty yards from the last post was a second ■ hurdle, after jumping which the man had to wheel to the right, and form up in rear of : the starting point. This match occupied a considerable time, the winners being :—lst, Egan ; 2nd, Joe Barriball; 2rd, Sergeant; C, T. Ban i ball: 4th, M. Hiokey ; sth, Mathew Enright; 6th, G. Brown ; 7th, Lieutenant S. Barriball; Bth, E. Bartlett; 9th, W. Hiokey ; • 10th, Aylward. Whilst the above contest was going on Major Hamlin and Captain Payne were pushing on the Running Rapidity Match, for which there were 32 contestants. The target was 6 by 2; bull's-eye, 6 inches circle; centre, 2 feet square. The men were drawn up at the 200 yards range, fire two shots, take unloaded carbine, ran ronnd a post 25 yards in rear, then fire two more shots, and so on until time was up. Time, 3min. Result: Ist prize, Sergeant C. T. Barriball, 38 points; 2nd, G. Currie, 35; 3rd, T. Bright, 34; 4th, S. Currie, 33 sth, P. Sheehan, 31 ; 6th, Lieutenant A. M. Barriball, 30; 7th, F. Corke, 30 ; Bth, C. Sheehan, 30 ; 9th, J. Enright, 28: 10th, H. Douglass, 27; 11th, T. Adams, 26. The remainder were all well up. Foot Race, 200 Yards ; for men over 45 years; four entries.—lst prize, Bright; 2nd, John Barriball; 3rd, A. Manning. Fourth Match, Boys' Foot Race 150 Yards ; eleven competitors.—lst prize, W. Craig; 2nd, B. Bright; 3rd, J, Gleeson; 4th, T. McDonell. Fifth Match, Pursuing Match.— men mounted, drawn up 50 yards in rear of a hurdle; at the sound of the bugle they start, jump the hurdles, and have to go through the pursuing practice twice in a distance of 200 yards, at a hand gallop. The marking was two points for jumping, two for drawing swords, two for line while advancing, two for halting in line at sound of bugle, and two for going through the pursuing praotice correctly together. Two out of the ten squads made the possible, so that time had to be taken as well. Fortyfour seconds was the shortest time from start to finish recorded. Ist prize, Joe Barriball, G. .Currie, P. Sheehan, and Walsh; 2nd, T. Bright (sergeant), T. J. Hiokey, M. Enright, and Aylward; 3rd, G. Hull, J. Codlin, W. McGowan, T. McDonell; 4th, Sergeant C. T. Barriball, M. Hickey, J. Enright, and G. Brown; sth, Lieutenant S. Barriball, Honey, Knight, and Hammond ; 6th, Lieutenant A. M. Barriball, W. Smith, Greenhead, and T. , Hill, The remaining squads were very good. It being luncheon time, the men were allowed to break off for twenty minutes. After which the main, or most interesting match, commenced. Sixth Match.A squad of four men ' parade, mounted with carbines only, at the 30» yards range ; ride 100 yards ; all four dismount, couple their horses, fire 5 shots each ; all remount and ride round a course marked off and over half mile in length and jump 3 hurdles ; when they arrive at the firing point all four again dismount and fire < as many shots as time will permit. Time, 5 > minutes. Target 6x4, bullseye 2xl, i centre 4x2. Scoring : 4 for bullseye, 3 for , oentre, and 2 for outer, and 1 for each hit. 'Eleven squads entered for this match, and resulted as follows :—lst, 4 silver stars and '' 40s, Sergeant C. T. Barriball ; W. Hickey, Sergeants J. Barriball and Williams ; 2nd, G. Currie, Michael Enright, J. Egan, and T. McDonell ; 3rd, Michael Hickey, C. Priest, J. Enright, and T. Egan ; 4th, Corporal McNamara, S. Currie, F. Corke, and C. i Johnson; sth, Lieutenant A. M, Barriball, G. Hull, Greenhead, and W. Smith. The remaining squads were well up. Ky- ' nock's ammunition was used, and found faulty, indeed. The scores of the five squads , respectively were 171, 141, 140, 133, and ' 131, the others close up. Seventh Match, Men's 300 Yards { Handicap Foot Race; six started.—lst . prize, John Egan ; 2nd, Tom Egan ; 3rd, T. Ryan. ' I'ighth Match, Throwing Hammer; ' nine competitors.—S. Flavell, Ist; A. Co- I borne, 2nd; W. J. King, 3rd; A, M. Barriball, 4th. Ninth Match, Handicap Foot Race, 100 Yards.—lst prize, Maxwell; 2nd, J. Flexman ; 3rd, J. Egan. ( This brought to a close a most successful day's sport, and a most instructive day's work for all who took part in it. All who witnessed the sixth matoh were convinced . that oavalry, well handled, would be a serious' check to an advancing foe. The rapidity with which the bullets hit the * targets showed conclusively that no man advancing could escape; whilst had the { cavalry to retire, the rapid manner all a mounted immediately the firing was stopped, * proved that the men would soon be out of 8 harm's way. One minute was allowed to % uncouple horse and mount, but it was done n by several of the squads in 25 seconds. All J 1 the horses jumped well, and there were no * spills. , i Prior to the parade being dismissed on Wednesday a meeting was held for the pur- * pose of starting a band. It was resolved * that subscriptions be at onoe started for the ft purpose of purchasing instruments and rals- »< ing a general band fund. The troop voted *' £16 for the purpose, whilst several members ti have already subscribed and have been as- r< sisted by the general public. The committee hope in a few days to be' in a position to f order the instruments. Immediately after « the above, Mrs. Browa, through Major st Hamlin, asked for an expression of opinion lc as to what form the prize to be presented *! by that lady should take. It was the fr unanimous wish to have a flag, and this ei wish was conveyed to Mrs. Brown, who, & l I am informed, ia busy making the neces* < m

sary arrangement* so that the "colours" may be ready for presentation at an early date. It is to be regretted that Captain Brown's health is not such afwould warrant his retaining the command of the troop. His medical adviser has urged him to resign, and at the meeting he took th« opportunity of thanking all for the assistance he had received, and for the splendid wav they had always turned out when directed to do so. He regretted much having to lea™ them. He thanked them all for their Dart kindness to him, and wished them all success On the motion of Lieutenant S. Barriball* seconded by Sergeant-Major Manning, a vote of thanks was accorded to Captain Brown I for the interest he had taken in the troon since he had been in command, and expressing regret at his having to leave them. Captain Brown suitably acknowledged the vote. On the evening of St. Patrick's Day, after the sports, the usual cavalry ball took place in the public hall. There were between 30 and 40 couples present. Everything passed off very pleasantly, and a most enjoyable evening was spent.—[Own Correspondent J