THE RIFLE CHAMPION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8476, 29 January 1891, Page 5

THE RIFLE CHAMPION.

PUBLIC RECEPTION ATWANGANUI. [BV XKIiKUKAI'IT. — I'KKS.S A.SSO(;iATION. 1 Wanoanui, Wednesday. Tiik riflemen from the Napier Championship meeting returned this afternoon. The champion (Kruse) was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. The volunteers paraded and met him with a band at Townbridge, where the borough councillors welcomed him on behalf of the burges.ses, Councillor Liffeton acting as spokesman. Cheers were then given by a large crowd of the public. Volunteer Krnse having acknowledged the compliment, the Captain of the Navals welcomed thechampion on behalf ofhiscotnrades. The volunteer procession was then formed, and, preceded by the band, traversed the principal streets of the town, the Fire Brigade members, who carried torche*, escorting the carriage in which the champion was seated. Mr. F. A _ Krull welcomed his countryman Kruse in the name of his compatriots. In the evening the Fire Brigade entertained the champion at a supper, at which the members of the Taranaki and Auckland teams weie also present. Replying to the toast of his health Private Kruse paid a glowing tribute to Bombardier Webster, of Auckland, who, he said, only failed to get the belt by the force of ill-luck. He was sure Webster was a better man than he with the rifle, and he would have been quite happy to have been second to such a man. The reception of the Champion was as enthusiastic as possible. He is the fourth holder of the belt to hail from Wanganui.