OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5325, 14 March 1879, Page 7

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

«. DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING. OKDNANCE COMPETITIONS. The Dunedin Naval Brigade competed for ordnance prizes at thoir battery, Lawyer's Head, Ocean Beach, on Saturday Feb. 22ud, under the command of Captain Smith. Seven detachments of nine men competed, and the two guns were in charge of Lieutenant Jacobs and Senior Petty Officer Jamieson. Each detachment fired two solid shot, two common shell, and two diaphram shell, and the target was a portion of rock, about 12 feet square, 2100 yards distant. The weather was very fine, and a number of spectators attended. The shooting was exceptionally good, and the Brigade deserve the greatest credit for what they accomplished. Two " possibles " (72 points) were made by two of the detachments, who thus win the prize-money, which, however, only amounts to L 5 7s 4d. The company ought really to have more facilities given them for practice, and a little more prize-money might well be allowed in order to encourage our Naval Volunteers in the important department of practice as marksmen. The following are the points gained by each detachment: — No 1 detachment—64 points Ho. 2 detachment- 60 points No. 3 dita^hmeut— ti points No 4 detachment—72 points No. 6 detachment-08points No. 0 detachment— 61 points No. 7 doUchment—7o points Two detachments of the Dunedin Artillery, under the command of Captaiu Jack, competed for the;company'g prize-money, also at the Ocean Beach. Seven rounds were allowed to each detachment. Some very good practice was had. The aim taken was good, but the shots generally fell short, and the poiats made are hardly worth mentioning. Rifle Competition. The distiict prize firing of the rifle companies of the Otago District took place on Feb. 22nd at the Anderson's Bay butts, 140 Volunteers competed. The weather was miserable in the morning, rain falling at intervals, and the wind veering round to almost every point of the compass. In the afternoon, however, the weather cleared up. Major Wales was in command, and the whole of the prize firing was under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Stavely, The ranges were 400, 500, and COO yards, with seven shots at each. Thefollowiug are the scores of the prize-takers:— 400 500 600 >dB. yds. yds. Tl. Private Coventiy, CG .. 24 22 22 —68 „ G Websier, ND ..25 23 19 —07 „ Christie, E T ~ 24 22 20 —66 Sub-bieut Pastier. S D ..26 23 18 — 65 Private Melville, CG .. .. 19 22 23 —6i „ M'Donald. SD .. 23 20 21 —64 ll>jor Willed Ist bit. OR ..23 22 19 —6i Private J Webster, C G ..23 25 15 — 63 Oorporal Millß, S1) .. ..25 24 14 —63 Captain Wilson, CG .. ..22 18 21 —61 Private At'Latchie, Bruce ..24 13 23 —CO Lieut Gardiner, No! Wakari.. 19 19 21 —59 „ Pollock, HI) .. ..17 23 19 —69 Serjeant Webster, C G .. 20 22 17 — 69 „ Kennedy, SD .. 21 21 17 —59 Private James Willocks, Clutha 25 18 16 —59 „ Jones, No. 1 Wakari .. 23 22 14 —69 Corporal Waugh.N D.. ..23 24 12 —69 Private C M'Oartn=y, Portobello 19 23 16 —53 „ Creagh, CG.. .. 23 22 13 —58 Sergeant Coxhead, 8 D ..23 21 13 —67 Private Dick. ?or obello .. 21 17 18 —66 „ Hardy, CG .. .. 21 19 16 —56 Sergeant Provo, C G .. ..22 18 16 — 58 Private Ryan, Po tobello ..22 19 15 —56 Corporal Johnson, N D ..24 18 14 —56 Private Moore, Bruce.. ..23 21 12 — 66 Serueant Smith, ET .. ..26 21 19 — 66 P.ivateFox, CG .. .. 21 17 17 —65 GOOD TEMPLARS. A special meeting of the Grand Lodge, New Zealand Kouth, 1.0. G.T., was htld in the uppur room of the TBi parance H»)lon the 27th February for the purpose of conforriDg rfje Grand Lodge degree upon mciub-.rs n the district qualifi-d to receive it. The Lodge w a oliicered by Kro J W Jiifo, GW C T ; Bio R Greic, GWV T; Bro Rev. Dr Ro»eby, GW C: Bro T W Anderson, G Vf Coun-,ellor ; Uro J A D Adam, POWCT; Bro D C Cameron, GW S; Bro A U Pdct, G M ; SMer Limb, O D M ; Bro Cuthber san, GG; and Bro Boss, GS. l'Ue Cumnmt.e ou c eJen.

Mali reported 47 brothers and 11 Bisters in attendance qualified for initiation into the G L Degree; upon which 68 brothers and sisters were duly initiated.—Bro J»go then delivered a short address to the members of the Grand Lodge upon the privileges and responsibilities of their position, after which he declared the Lidice opened in the subordinate Lodge working degree, when members of Lodges were admitted to the conference which f<>l-lowed.-Bro Roaeby addressed the meeting brietty upon the urgent necessity of organising some Bystem of public teaiperance meetings, by means of which temperance principles miffhtbe enunciated. -Bro J A D Adams urtjed the neod of renovating the style of Lodge meetings. He held tlwt those meetings should be more of au educational character than placeV of amusement. They should partake of both these char-acter!sucs.-Bro T W Anden oq gave a summary of the Order's doings at Waimnte.-BroHayeaspoke upon ttie permaueat benefits of the Order to many who had taken itsobligations, and urged rnnra devotion to Ha princip.e?. —Bro R N Adams called attention to the importa cc of Juvenile TstnpU work. He aaid the Dnnedm Temple, though only four months instituted, had 104 members on its ioll.—Bro tt Greig spoke of tbe progress of the Templar cause in Inve'ctrgill—Bro Murdoch, of Moegiel, called the attention of members to the fact that this is th* last month in which those entitled to be registered on the Electoral Roll can secure their rights ol fianchise.—The meeting was at intervals j enlivened with bongs, and tea and coffee were served round during an interval in the proceedings. About 160 members were present, representing the following Lodges -.—True Blue, Waitahuna; Hope of Mornington ; Homo of Love, Clinton; Wiukouaiti Lodje; New Era, Purananui; Hope of Highclifl; Pride of Waihemo; Ark of Safety, Na?eby ; Flower of the Forest, Guiding »ta-, Pioneer, Pride of Dunodin, British Hearts of O<k, May Queen, Dunedin; Welcome All, Outrain; All Nations, Fort Chalmors; Good Intent, Cairersbam; Pride of N.B Harbour; Hope of Kast Taieri; Hope to Prosper, Glendermid ; Hope of||B*lclutha ; Break of Day, Anderson's Bay; Triumph, Mussel; Star of Freedom, Liudm ; Unity, Mucetown; Aiexaadra Lodge, Tima.ru.