THE BISLEY TEAM.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3261, 19 October 1897, Page 2

THE BISLEY TEAM.

RECEPTION AT A SMOKE CONCERT.

f tie popularity of the Bisley team and the enthusiasm of our Volunteers at their return could not have been better exemplified than by the number of Volunteers \rho sat down to the smoke concert given in their honour at the Mount Cook Barracks last night. Nearly 300 guests were present. Colonel Newall occupied the chair, and on his right he had Major Sommerville. the Hon T. Thompson (Minister for Defence), the Hon W. Eolleston, and on his left, the Kight Hon the premier Mr H D. Dell (Mayor of 'V ellmgton) and Sir Arthur Douglas. A number of of Parliament, the members of the City Council and the whole of the Volunteer officers in Wellington were present. All tno Bisley team were also present, with tna exception of'King,,who went South yes e day by the Corinna. . ■ iiter the good things provided by Mr Mawson had been discussed, the toast oi **The Queen " was honoured. This was followed by the toast of ‘ f The Eisloy Team,” proposed in ft fey words by Colonel Newall, who coupled it with the name of Major Sommerville. He said he saw so many orators present that he would leave all speech-making to them. The Mayor then rose and asked the Town Clerk to read the address from the citizens of Wellington to Major Sommerville. The address, which was beautifully illuminated, was read as follows: — Wellington, October 18th, 1897. Major Job Reginald Sommerville, Captain New Zealand Rifle Team at Bieloy. Dear Sir,—The return to Now Zealand of the Volunteers who, under your command, recently represented this colony at the groat feathering of the marksmen of the Empire at Bisley affords the citizens of Wellington the opportunity of expressing their congratulations upon the large degree of success which has attended the efforts of the New Zealand team, though labouring under distinct disadvantages m shooting with new weapons in a foreign climate and on a strange range, obtained the second place (throe points only behind Victoria) in the greatest teams competition of the Empire, the Kolapore Cup Match, defeating teams from the Country, Canada and other colonies, is a fact of which you and the team and the people of this colony may well feel proud. The success of many of the members of the team in the individual competitions against overwhelming odds also affords groat gratification to the citizens of Wellington. Your own great services rendered to Now Zealand Volunteers, and to the cause of rifle shooting during so many years, have been fittingly recognised by sending you in command of the New Zealand team. The citizens of Welling* ton extend to you and each member of the team their heartiest welcome home, and tender their sincere congratulations on the honourable achievements of the team. Signed for and on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, H. D. Bell, Mayor; J. E. Paclb, Town Clerk. v After the cheering had subsided, Major Sommerville, in reply, expressed his heartfelt thanks at the welcome he and the team had received. It had been ekpebted that their fellow-Volunteers would giVe them sbme welcome, but it was an unexpected surprise and a great pleasure. to receive a welcome from the City Council of Wellington, Colonel Newall had been unkind enough to remind him that .there were so many orators present, and he felt diffident in replying. However, hb might say the team could scarcely thank the citizens of Wellington enough for the welcome they had received. They would never forget it. He also thanked the Premier, the members of Parliament and his brother Volunteers for the kindness of their reception. It was a splendid thing to think that their efforts were, appreciated. They had done their beat, and as they had not been successful they had been treated as they scarcely expected. He went on to speak of the difficulty of raising a team. It had been the ambition of his life to take Home a team, and ho was glad it had been carried out. (Applause.) They were all good meu, and had done their best for the colony. (Cheers.) When ho told them that they fired away 10,000 rounds of ammunition before the match his hearers would understand that they had worked. He explained the difficulty in using the Lee-Metford rifle, but said that after about a week they had got into using it. He described the match for the Kolapore Cup and: their final beating by Victoria by three points. Victoria had beaten them fairly, and h© was not ashamed to say it. He expressed the hope that the Government would part with all the Martini-Henry rifles they had for LeeMetfords. His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught bad himself expressed the hope''that the whole Empire would be armed with the one weapon. He referred to the fact that the attitude of

the Imperial officers sent out .to command the New Zealand Forces had been such'as to crush tho formation of rifle corps. Major Sommerville concluded by speaking gratefully of tho assistance given by the Agent-General in London. He added that the New Zealand contingent were the finest body of men that any

colony could turn out. No advertisement would ever do so much for New Zealand as the sending Home of the contingent and the Bisley team. Major Sommorville on resuming his seat was greeted with uproarious cheers and applause. ; ' The Hon T. Thompson proposed the toast of the “Army and 1 Navy," coupled with the names of Sir Arthur Douglas, Major Madocks and Captain Millward, of the Royal Navy Beserve (captain of the Mataura). He was sure, if occasion required it, the army and navy of the colony would assist to the best of their ability, and tho navy would be of even greater ~ assistance than the army. (Hear, hear.) Ho apologised for not being present to welcome the Bisley team, but he had been" unaware that tbe boat was going to arrive so soon. He expressed a hope that in the future the colony would be able to send a team Home. (Applause.) He concluded by remarking that if a-team was sent Home he hoped Major: Sommetville would bo spared to captain it. Sir Arthur Douglas thanked them for tho honour they had done his service. Major Madocks and Captain Millward also responded in neat speeches.; 1 The toast of tho Parliament of New Zealand was responded to by the Bight Hon the Premier. Mr S addon, who received an ovation on rising, expressed his pleasure at being present. He referred to the fact that while he represented the Government the representative of the Opposition Mr Eolleston was also present—(cheers)—so they would see that all political differences were sunk, and ■ they ranged round the festive board to do honour to the Bisley team. Ho hoped the Parliament of the country would always enjoy the confidence of the people. It was trne without the Parliament the team could not bavo gone Home, but the result had been sufficient warrant for saying that tbe aid Parliament had given was not thrown away. He hoped that, a time would come when they would not only win the Kolapore Cup but the Queen’s Prize, too. (Cheers.) He pointed out that the desire of the Commander of the Forces was not to stifle rifle shooting but to forward tho Volunteer movement and see that the money of the country was not wasted. He said that in defence of their late Commander of the Forces, who had only done his duty. Referring to the Leo-Metford rifle, ha said the change meant £20,000, and the question was whether when they had the change the Lee-Metford in its turn would not have gone out of date. He concluded by referring to the .good results of the “ glorious year of Jubilee." The Hon Mr Rolleston, who was loudly cheered on rising, .first apologised for the unavoidable absence of Captain Russell. Ho had early come in contact with Colonel Newall and Major Sommerville, and bad early learnt to respect them. Referring to the team, he said, in common with tho Parliament of tho country, ho felt proud in having contributed to that national event in which the team were so worthily conspicuous. Major Collins, in an admirable speech, proposed the health of His Worship the Mayor and the Councillors of Wellington. The toast was honoured with cheers for the Mayor and Councillors. Mr Bell responded. During the evening songs were given by Corporal Bold, Privates D. Henry and Johnston, Leading-Gunner -Ross and Mr T. M. Wilford. The entertainment concluded With cheers for the chairman and the singing ot "God Sava the Queen." Tho committee, consisting of Major Collins (chairman), Mr Charles Hall (secretary) and two members from each of the corps, was assiduous in making the gathering a success. It desires to thank Messrs Staples and Co. for a supply of beer, and Mr E. J. King’s Band for supplying the music.