VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9145, 29 August 1888, Page 5

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

PRESENTATION OF A MEMORIAL BELT. The No. "2 Battalion mustered for inspection parade at the Drill-shed, last night, and there were good musters of the Victoria Rifles, the City Guards, the Hobson Company, and the Onehunga Rifcles, under their respective officers. After the inspection the battalion was drilled by Major Skinner and Captain Kohn, and was then taken over by Colonel Shepherd, and put through an instructive course of battalion movements. The battalion was then paraded for the purpose of witnessing a presentation to the Victoria Company. It was a peculiarly interesting one. Mr. L. A. Schapp(of Schapp and Ansenne), a member of the Victoria Rifles, died some two months ago. Prior to his death he expressed a wish to his wife to present to the company some souvenir. Mrs. Schapp, in carrying out the wishes of her husband, determined that the gift should be a worthy one, and commemorative of him. Acting on the advice of her brother (Mr. Montgomery) and other friends, it took the form of a champion belt, which is always to remain the property of the company, and to be known as the Schapp Belt. Mr. H. Payne, jeweller, was entrusted with the order, and he has produced a magnificent trophy. The belt itself is dark-blue leather, designed on the same lines as the New Zealand Rifle Association's belt. It is heavily mounted in solid silver. The large shoulder shield has in raised gold, the Royal arms surrounded by four gold stars, and there are besides an extra silver shield, six silver bars for the reception of names of winners. The pouch is a beautiful piece of work. Two large silver fern fronds form an enclosure in which are the words, " Advance Victorias," and the monogram of the company, while underneath are the rose, thistle, and shamrock combined. The belt is a credit to Mr. Payne's establishment, and a prize which we are sure will be coveted and honoured by every member of the Victoria Rifles. When the company was formed, Mr. E. H. Montgomery, carrying the belt, advanced to the head of the Victoria Company, accompanied by Colonel Shepherd and Major Skinner, and was met by Captain Cooper. Mr. Montgomery, addressing Captain Cooper said: "On behalf of my sister, Mrs. L. A. Schapp, I have much pleasure in presenting you with the accompanying rifle belt, which she desires to be known as 'The Schapp Belt.' Her late husband, previous to his decease, expressed a wish that his old company should be presented with a suitable trophy in his name, and which has taken the form of a rifle belt. The conditions are that the distances shall be 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, seven competitive shots at each range (no sighting shots allowed). With the full approval of yourself and officers, the belt is to be fired for annually, and is always to remain the property of the corps, and can never be won outrisrht." Captaiu" Cooper, on behalf of the company, asked Mr. Montgomery to convey their sincere thanks to Mrs. Schapp, asking him to assure her that every member of the company would feel proud to wear this belt in memory of their late comrade, Volunteer Schapp. The parade was then re-formed and dismissed.