VOLUNTEERING NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12212, 6 March 1903, Page 7

VOLUNTEERING NEWS

WHANGAREI ITEMS.

The Mayor of Whangarei (Mr. W. Corns, J.P.) received a veldt cross of honour from the Defence Department some time ago for presentation to Corporal Hemphill, of the Sixth New- Zealand Contingent, won by him in the "Wepener district under General Plumer for carrying despatches to Colonel Du Moulin's column by night, when he had his horse shot from under him. The presentation was private, by the wish of the gallant corporal, vho said he would rather forego the medal altogether than receive it at any public ceremony. It took place on Saturday evening, February 28. The residents of Kiripaka, near Ngunguru (on the east coast, north of the Whangarei Heads), have applied for permission to form a rifle club there. lam informed that Mr. Cadman has forwarded the necessary petition to the Minister for Defence, through the officer commanding the volunteer district of Auckland. Mr. G. Clark-Walker lias been nominated as captain. Mr. William Leatherbarrow has been elected secretary, and a range has been surveyed for practice on the coal company's ground.— [Whangarei Correspondent.] FRANKLIN MOUNTED RIFLES. ANNUAL MILITARY SPORTS. The Franklin Mounted Rifles held their annual military sports in Mr. McNicol's paddock on Saturday, February 28. The daycould not be considered alluring as far as the weather was concerned, but for all that there was a good gathering, and somewhat in excess of last year. Several of the members of the Waiuku Mounted Rifles were present, including Captain Barriball, Lieutenants Makgill, Bent and Herrold. The latter won the Victoria Cross competition on Midnight. The entries for most of the events were numerous, and the class of horses brought out were of much better stamp than last year. Private H. Parsons' Hori Hori succeeded in winning the volunteer hack race and the ladies' bracelet. The. polo pony .race was won by Mr. H. Crum's Mist. The Wairoa Brass Band was in attendance under BandBiastei F. Jameson, and the numerous selections rendered greatly enhanced the pleasure of the day. The Management Committee deserve much praise for the success of the day's sport. . Mr. A. McNicol, who kindly placed his. beautiful riverside field at 4he disposal of the company, gave every satisfaction in his capacity as judge. Privates A. Murray and B. Graham held the positions ipt starter and call steward respectively. The results of events were as follow: — Hurdle Race: Private A. MeKee's Gay Boy 1, Sergeant M. Shaw's Ploughboy 2. Gay Boy won as he liked. Private F. Dickens' Rally also ran. Volunteer Hack Race, : one mile : Private H. Parsons' Hori Hori 1, Corporal Smith's Monsoon 2. Hori Hori won easily. Victoria Cross Competition: Lieutenant Herrold (on Midnight). Waiuku Mounted Rifles, 1; Private McKee (on Gay Boy), Franklin Mounted Rifles, 2. Midnight stood the extra weight well, and won comfortably. Polo Pony Race (for qualified riders and ponies of members of the Clevedon Polo | Club) : Mr. H. Orum's Mist 1, Mr. L. H. Bur- . goyne's Dandy 2.. This was a very good race, the issue being in doubt till the straight ' was reached, when Mist drew ahead and won '" by about two lengths. W Leading Race, 440 yds (in full uniform), H kneel and fire one shot every 100 yds: R. : ; Forbes (with Gay Boy) 1, H. Orum (with •- Pretty) 2. " •' . Ladies' Bracelet: Private H. Parsons' Hori -non 1, Private F. Dickens' Rally 2. A splen- ,/.: aid race between Hori Hori and Rally. : W\ Up £ Hack Race: Mr. S. Smith's Cupel I,' }~ Air. F. Dickens' Rally 2. Cupel won easily. ,;.:,- Best Volunteer Rider, Franklin Mounted over hurdles: Private J. . Ward -(on tray Boy) 1, Private T. Peat (on Lorma) 2. Open Pony Race: Mr. S. Smith's Cupel 1, Mr W. McLeod's Romp 2. ' Won very k;; . easily. . *./■;. ■■ . :/ "-.•.■; Hack Pace Race: Private A. McKee's Gay * v ZaV'b Ll< ™tenant Makgill's (Waiuku Mounted Rifles) Paddy 2.- - "Consolation (for all beaten horses) : Private »p Ward 3 Miss Leo 1, Private F. Dickens' I •KaUy 2. Pony Consolation: Mr. H. I. Robertson's' , ihe Nun 1, Mr. D. Stewart's Lorma 2/ '; •lug.o'-war: Waiuku: Mounted Rifles", v. ' franklin Mounted Rifles— Waiuku won.— Wwu Cprrespondeat.]