The Volunteers.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 33

The Volunteers.

The Easter Encampmeffi, wM£b takes place at Palmerston North on the 2/th, Joth, ?**th and 30th instent, promises to be an unqualified success. Colonel Pitt, who has been appointed to the command, has had considerable experience of camps, having been in command ot several which have taken place at Nelson during the last seven years, lhe local men leave here on Thursday evening and return on Monday. Tho Rifle Corps will be placed in a battalion, with the Wanganui men uucler the command of Major Newell, with Majors Watt and Ellis as Majors, and Captain Hutchinson, Adjutant. Major Shannon is unable to attend, and Major Watt takes his place. The Naval Battalion will bS under the command of Captain Fitzkerbert, with CafitSin Haseden as Adjutant; Majot Messenger is appointed I rovostMarshall; and Captain Ooleffian acts ac Quarter-master General, 'lhe officers online unattached list will be detailed for various duties on arrival at the camp, to nil up Vacancies in the corps, &c, so that all officers will be fully employed, lhe number of men expected tC take part in the encampment is about 1200,; viz'., 300 from Welhngton, 250 from Nelson. 150 froffi Marlboroueh, 200 from Wanganui, 100 from Napier, afffi 259 from country districts. Major Loveday s bugle band is to make ifs first appearance in public accompanying the force to the camp. The Heretaunga Mounted Infantry, which are now up to full strength, has adopted the regulation uniform, and will attend the encampment. We learn that the Petone Naval Artillery will not be present, as the men are unable to obtain the necessary leave. The absence of this corps is a matter of regret to all volunteers. The City Rifles’ shooting season t was brought to a close on Saturday, a general competition for all classes taking place at I olhill Gully. The attendance was very large, and the shooting, under the circumstances, fairly good. Corporal Arthur Guise, to use a sporting phrase, has scooped the pool this 83ason, having carried off the chief prizes in A Class, and on Saturday added another victory to hia list by winning the A Class trophy with a_ score of 80. Guise having won it three times, it now becomes his own property. Corporal Rankin also succeeded in securing the B Class trophy, and having won it twice in succession, can now claim it as his own. The C Class trophy fell to Private Lowe. The conditions were for A Class, seven shots each at 300, 500 and 600 yards, and for B and C Classes, seven shots each at 300 and 500 yards, Auckland ammunition. The following are the highest scores in each class : —A Class—Corporal Guise, 80 ; Sergeant Madely, 79 ; ColourSergeant Davis, 74; Private Henn, 74; Sergeant Mcßean, 73 ; Corporal Harris, 72 ; Captain Collins, 69 : Private McGregor, 69 ; Corporal Jackson, 66; Private Luke, 67. B Class—Corporal Rankin, 63; Private Dixon, 49 ; Corporal Halpin, 46 ; Private Curry, 46 ; Private R. Halpin, 40 ; Sergeant Roberts, 40 ; Private Madden, 40; Private Fearn, 40. C Class —Private Lowe, 49; Private B. Halpin, 43 ; Private Purcell, 41 ; Private Faba, 39 ; Private C. E. Matthews, 33; Private Browne, 27 ; Private Morrison, 25. Corporal Guise has taken the lion's share of the prizes, including the officers’trophy, Hobson trophy, company trophy, and the companies’ aggregate,Lesides several ammunition prizes. Sergeant Roberts won the B Class trophy and the B Class aggregate, Private Curry secured Nathan s silver cap and the C Class aggregate, Corporal Rankin won a L2 trophy in B .Class, and Privates Wise, Madden and Halpin each take a LI trophy in C Class. Nearly 4000 rounds of ammunition were given in prizes. The City Rifles paraded for Government inspection at the Drillshed Tuesday night, lb 6 / 16 were 62 members present of all ranks. In the absence of Captain Collins, Sergeant-Major Hyde acted as inspecting officer. After the men had been inspected, they were fully equipped for the Easter encampment at Palmerston North. Wellington Guards paraded for Governmeat inspection at the Garrison Hall last night week. Present on parade 41 of all ranks, under Capt. Mackintosh. In the absence of Colonel Butts Sergeant-Major Hyde inspected the corps. Captain Mackintosh read the camp orders to the men. Major Newell was present during the evening. (per press association.) Dunedin, March 20. In a simultaneous rifle match the Dunedin Engineers scored 530, the Canterbury Encincers 561, and the Auckland Engineers 530. .