VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13646, 14 January 1908, Page 3

VOLUNTEERING NEWS.

AKARANA RIFLE CLUB. ON" Saturday last competitions were held at the Akaraaa Rifle Club's range, Pennies, tot trophies presented to the A clh-bs by Messrs, Wingate and Co., and to the B ela*a by Mr. J. Simpson. The conditions for both classes were the same. viz.. ten shots and a, liigrhte* at COOyda and 700yde each. Despite the tiukay wind prevailing from the right front, aoraa splendid snores were registered, the best individual range totals being got by Megara. APatrick and A. Danreil (44! u.t 60oYds. and by Messrs. A. Patrick (45) and C. -Simpson (4*l at 700 yds. Both trophies fired for have Ui lie won either twice in succession or throe times at. intervals before becoming the property of the marksman. The following are the principal scores at each ranjfo: — A Class: A. Patrick. 44 at oiwvus, 45 ffit 700 yd* —total 89; C. Simpson, 40. 44-84; A. C. Watson. 42. 41-83: J. Potter. I'). 40—79; M. Atkinson. 43. 36 79; 0. T. Krctetatar. 41, 36-77; A. G. Cooke. 42, 54—76; .J. F. Atkinson, 2-5. 37—73; \V. Phillips'. 37, 30-67. H Class: A. Darnell. 44 at 600jds, 33 at 7'JOvds—total 77; O. Griffiths, .IS. 38-76; A. «, Uevore. 33. 32—71): J. Patrick, 33. 35—63; .i. Sorensen. 26, --07; A. Purchase, 33, 24-57j 51. Collis. 3-1. 20-54; S. Grant, 2.5, 19-42; J. F. Potter. 27. 15-42. On Saturday next si team from the Akara.ni .Rifle Club intends visiting Clevedon, whert a friendly match ■■•.ill be fired against thi Franklin Mounted Kitten.

Tongariro National Park, an area ot '00 000 acres, belonging to the people of New Zealand, is to receive attention from Dr. Cockayne, F.L.N., who has made some important investigations in regard to plant life in other parts of the "Dominion. Dr. Cockayne's most important task will be to ascertain the influence oi the chemical constituents of the soil ol the Tongariro country upon the stractun and distribution of. plants. The grassvi which manage to sustain an existence it! that desert* country will receive careful attention, for it- is hoped to throw soim light on the important, question of how U, profitably turn to account what is now practically a barren waste, the largest desert in New Zealand. Dr. Cockayne, who is accompanied by Mr, 11. Speight, of Canterbury College, is hoping to lint? specimens of the Logania, a diminutive shrub similar to a veronica, forming »- : link in the chain of evidence, demonstrating that at some time, ages ; ago, New Zealand was connected by land with Au> ."Uplift.