RECEPTION OF THE RIFLE CHAMPION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 934, 24 January 1890, Page 15

RECEPTION OF THE RIFLE CHAMPION.

An enthusiastic meeting of the members of the Wellington Naval Artillery and representatives of other corps was held in the Garrison Hall Monday night for the purpose of welcoming the winner of the Bifle Belt. There was a large attendance, and Captain Duncan presided. Captain Moorhouse (D Battery of Artillery), Captain Cole (Newtown Eities), Lieutenant Davis (Pitoue Navals) were also present. Captain Duncan congratulated the men upon the victory achieved by their comrades at Dunedin, and he read telegrams which had been received from the Wanganui Navals and other companies, ex pressing pleasure at the honours gained for the Wellington Navals by Petty-Officer Williams and Seaman France. Captain Duncan also referred to the fact that the representatives of Wellington generally had done their duty well. He announced that the men would return by the s.s. Rotorua, arriving here at about 2.30 on Wednesday afternoon. Subsequently a Committee, consisting of P.O. Robinson and Seamen J. Aoung (Wellington Navals), Sergeant-Major Robinson (D Battery), Sergeant Barnes (City Rifles), Sergeant Hutchens (Newtown Rifles), Colour Sergeant Hales (Guards), was appointed to arrange details in connection with the reception. The Committee afterward met and made arrangements for the reception. , P.O.| Williams, winner of therifle championship at the 5 Exhibition meeting,;returned by the Rotorua Wednesday,accompanied by Seaman France (second for the championship) and the other Wellington representatives at the meeting. 'As the steamer came alongside the wharf, hearty cheers- were given for the champion by a large number of Volunteers, who welcomed their distinguished comrades enthusiastically. The Garrison and Mr Jenkins’ Bands were also on the wharf, and played “ See the Conquering hero comes. ’ Carriages being in readiness, the representatives were put iri’th'erri'and dragged through the city by memb'n of the Niival Brigade. In this way both‘Williams and France were escorted to their homes, and deposited thereat with a parting cheer. Last evening a smoke'concert was to be given in hohour of the success of the Wellington representatives. We learn by Press Association telegram that the smoke concert at Dunedin on Tuesday ni^ht,'givento“ the at the meeting, • resembled "the play 55 of 1 “Hamlet” without- the Prince. Volunteer Atkinson the ottly Wellington competitor present, rbspendp'd tb the toaßt of > “ The Champion.” " £•*- -‘ O =- - -• f \ EXHIBITION MEETING PRIZEWINNERS. (PER 3PBES3 ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, January 21. *-«* take over £ls (without The ’ in taking off the 15 per ’ a ras, Weiprice money : —Petty Officer Vvi.. ' lington, £SS ; Seaman France, Wellingio... £62 ; Gunner Taylor, Auckland, £52; Gunner Driver, Port Chalmers, £36 ; Lieutenant White, Auckland, £32 ; Captain Hanby, Victoria. £27 ; Sergeant Jones, Waikari, £27 ; Private Mitchell, Victoria, £26 ; Bombardier Grummett, Victoria, £24 ; Lieutenant Okey, Taranaki, £22 ; Private Armstrong, North Dunedin, £22; Lieutenant York, Waitahuna, £IS ; Private McCarthy, Auckland, £l7 ; Private Cameron, Christchurch. £l7 ; Private Di Grandi, Victoria, £ls; Seaman Balcombe, Wellington, £ls,

The following are Wellington winners under £ls: —Private Ballinger, £l4 ; Sergeant Oates, £l3 ; Sergeant Kuchen, £l3 ; Gunner Howe, £ll ; Private Scott, £ll ; Private Atkinson, £9 and bracelet ; Corporal Ballinger, £9 ; Lieutenant Davy, £8 ; P.O. Taylor, £7; Private Henry, £6; Gunner McKenzie and-Private Blane, £5; Lieutenant Burton, £5 ; PO. Harris, Gunner Wilson, Corporal Scott, C.P.O. Armstrong, Captain Flyger, Trooper Chuck, and Private Cato, £3 each ; Seaman Bums, Lieutenant Thomp. son. Sergeant Townsend, £2 each ; Corporal McKenzie, Major Donald, Seaman. Moore, Colour-Sergoant Willison, and Seaman Rabe, £1 each, The following are the amounts won by the various dEtriots at the meeting j Otago, £656 ; Wellington, £379; Australia, £289 ; Christchurch, £163 ; Auckland, £159; Wanganui, £62 ; Napier, £42 ; Taranaki, £2B ; Blenheim, £l3 ; Greymoutb, £8; Nelson, £3. Total, £IBO2,