THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 779, 4 February 1887, Page 14

THE VOLUNTEERS.

A Government parade of the rifle companies was held last evening week on the reclaimed ground adjoining the Manawatu Railway Station. The muster-roll was nob so strong as on the last parade, but the men were complimented by the commanding officer on the efficiency of their drill, particularly in the manual, which was especially well done. The companies represented were the City Rifles, Wellington Rifles, l horndon Rifles, Te Aro Rifles, Newtown Rifles, and City Guards. The commanding officer was Major Crowe, Majors Shannon and Loveday being also present. The Wellington Rifles held a meeting at the Volunteer Drill Shed last Fridaynight, for the purpose of eleoting a captain. The regulations provide that the election must be by two-thirds of the members present. The candidates were Lieutenants Tait and Tatum and Mr. A. W. Brown. On the first voting. Lieutenant Tatum and Mr A. W. Brown polled most, and, according to agreement, went to ballot again, resulting in neither polling the requisite number. Consequently, there was no election, and a meeting is called for Monday, at 8 p.m., when the three candidates will again be presented. It is understood the voting was very close all through. A match was fired at Folhill Gully on Saturday between a team chosen from the Navals, Artillery, City Rifles, and Guards, against a combined Wairarapa team. The ranges were 200, 300, and 500yds, seven Bhots at each range —the town team winning by 69 points. As some of the Wairarapa team were short, three of their number fired twice. The following are the scores:— Corporal Jackson, C. R., 81 ; Private Cato, C.R., 80; Private A. Ballinger, G., 78; Sergeant Medley, C.R., 78; Sergeant Kutchen, A., 78; Private W. Ballinger, G., 75; Private Guise, C.R., 74; Seaman Meek, N., 70; Private Asher, G., 69; Quartermaster-Sergeant Webb, A., 68; Sergeant Robinson, A., 66; Private Shaw, G., 62 ; Petty Officer Harris, N., 61; Sergeant Burton, C.R., 61 ; Seaman Williams, N., 57; Captain McCredie, A., 54; Petty Officer Taylor, N., 53 ; Sergeant Gray, A., 49 ; Petty Officer Moran, N., 48; total, 1262.

Wairarapa Team.—Sergeant Fairbrother, C.,* 78; Sergeant Humphries, G.,* 73; Captain Donald, F., 72 ; Private Whiteman, F.,* 68; Sergeant Humphries, G., 68 ; Sergeant Trotman, G., 67; Lieutenant Moore, C. 66 ; Lieutenant Smith, F., 66 ; Lieutenant Porritt, G., 64 ; Volunteer Whiteman, F., 64 ; Sergeant T. Reid, C-, 62 ; Lieutenant Benton, F., 62; Captain Cameron, G., 62 ; Color-Sergeant WillasoD, G., 62; Private Tocker, F., 59 ; Sergeant Gooding, G., 53 ; Private J. Reid, C., 52 : Corporal Boyes, C., 49 ; Sergeant Fairbrother, C., 46 j total, 1193. * Fired twice. At a meeting of the members of the Wellington Rifles, held on Monday night, Major Shannon tendered his resignation of his position in command of the corps. Major Shannon, in announcing his resignation, said a few parting words to the company, explaining that having been the first to start the corps, and having so far seen it through, he felt regret at having to leave it, but his position as a field officer precluded hia remaining with the company. He should always, however, take an interest in its welfare. At the conclusion of Major Shannon’s

remarks three hearty cheers were given him, on the motion of Lieutenant Tait. The meeting was called by Major Shannon for an election, but in consequence of a slight informality the election could not take place. A letter was read from Mr A. W. Brown, stating that his nomination for the captaincy of the corps had been made under a misapprehension, The contest will therefore lie between Lieutenants Tait and Tatum. The Wellington Rifles fired for the first time on Saturday, the 29th ultimo, for Lieutenant Tatum’s trophies. The company has been divided into three classes, and as the members are taking great interest in the shooting a successful seasou is anticipated. The trophies are given as follow:—Class A, butter-cooler; Class B, inkstand; Class C» tankard and clock. Conditions—To be won twice in succession or three times at intervals. The scores (five shots each at 200 and 300 yards) were as follow : —Class A—Lieutenant Tatum, 37 ; Private Kitching, 36 ; Sergeant Jacobsen,- 31 ; Private Pearman, 19 ; Corporal Clark, 15. Class B—Private A. Johnson, 29; Private Salter, 24 ; Private McKenzie, 22; Private Johnson, 21. Class C—Sergeant Murray, 19 ; Private Love, 17 ; Private Clark, 15. It will thus be seen that Lieutenauc Tatum heads the list with a score of 37, but as the officers of the company do not intend to fire for their own trophies, the leg-in counts for Private Kitching. Private A. Johnson heads the list in Class B with a capital score of 29, this being ihe second time only he has fired. In Class C Sergeant Murray heads the list for the second time in succession for the tankard, which now becomes his own property.