LAND AND WATER

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 34

LAND AND WATER

The Otago Hussars paraded last Friday night for the Government half-yearly inspection by Colonel Webb, and well sustained the high position they hold in the service, 61 of nil ranks being present. After a close inspection Colonel Webb warmly complimented the corps on the very clean and perfect state of their arms, appointments, and clothing. Referring to the actual practical value of the troop, Colonel Webb said he always could depend on good musters from the Hussars, and he recognised their value for reconnaissance, &c, and was proud to have such a corps in his district. The troop shootiog belt was presented to Corporal Pram, who holds it for the year, with a very good score, made with the very inferior weapon in inc. The troop then adjourned to Watson's Hall, where a supper was held, at which Captain Robin remarked that the turn-out was the best the troop ever made, only five men being absent, including one sick and one on leave. A sketching and report competition was held in March and the sketches sent to Colonel Fox, who judged them, with the result that Sergeant Bumside, Corporal Morris, and Trooper Wood gained first hdnours ; Troopers C. Reid, Morley, Leary, and Emmerson were mentioned as very creditable ; and Sergeants Stronach, Mitchell, Freeman, and Green also gained certificates. Shooting prizes were gained by Sergeant-major Park, Sergeants Stronach, Munro, Allan, Corporal Mitchell, Troopers O. Reid, Grieve, Brown, and Findlay. A strong Sports Committee was appointed to arrange for the annual sports at next training, when a magnificent challenge shield presented by Corporal F. Hyams will be competed for. As several men are joining next month, it is expected the coming training will be the largest the Hussars have had since their inception in 1882.

The 17 homing pigeons entered by Mr Coates, of Te Awamutu, at the pigeon-flying competition from Te Awamutu to Auckland in connection with the late Newton pigeon and canary show, have been purchased by Mr J. R. Hayne, of Dunedin, for shipment on Thursday. Mr Coates carried off the gold, silver, and bronze medals. The distance. is 104 miles, and the time was 2hr 18min. Mr Fowler's pigeons arrived 3min later.

A meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Fanciers Club was held in Mr Myers's rooms on Monday evening, at which there were present: Messrs Ferguson (chairman), Prebble, Brownlie, Hides, Laing, Thomas, Mariarcher, Rose, Burnard, and Dodds (secretary). A quantity of correspondence was dealt with, amongst which was a letter from Messrs Harrison and Horrax, of Karori, Wellington, asking for a clearer definition of the conditions of the entry for dogs in the champion classes, when it was decided that such classes be available only for exhibits which have won two or more first prizes in open classes, and also that puppies must be under six or 12 months of age at the date of the show. A new and rather important class was added to the schedule — viz., for collies owned in Otago and Southland only; for which Mr Short, of the Shades, Dowling street, had generously presented a silver cup value £3 3s as the first prize, and Messrs Nelson, Moate, and Co., the well-known tea merchants, had also generously presented a box of tea value £1 5a as the second prize. A number of other special prizes were announced — amongst others, a medal value £2 2s for the best greyhound in the show, by Mr R. Allen, of the Excelsior Hotel, and an oil painting of the winning dog in the collie classes for the best collie in the show, by Mr Hawcridge, of Wilkie and Co. A Bub-committee was appointed to meet on Saturday first and allot the special prizes, and, some other routine business having been transacted, the committee adjourned.

Under the heading "Is Lawn Tennis Dying Out ? " a Home paper says : — " Lawn tennis a dozen years ago was the resource of every summer girl ; but now, in many country places in England, the most deserted corner of the pleasure grounds is the lawn-tennis court. Every year it will be played less by those who have no particular facility for it, and given over to the champions. Golf has taken the place of tennis, and it is capital exercise for sinews and muscles, is not extremely fatiguing, and can be played both in winter and summer. Hookey is_another favourite game, though it is rather rough. The Thames has a ladies ' eight,' too, which attract considerable attention. The members of the crew are all neatly attired in white, with ties and hat bands of Leander cerise. They pull a light craft, and their rowing is remarkably good, with the proper ' time' and ' body swing.' Another college for ladies, too, has a crew well trained, and doing pretty work with the oars, while every class has its chosen eight in training during the season,"