THE TEAM FOR BISLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 16

THE TEAM FOR BISLEY.

Wellington, April 22. Major S^mmerville, chairnmn of the New Zealand Rifle Association, is experiencing much difficulty to set a team fco shoot at Bisley owing to want of funds outside of the-Government > grant,. Those who can go so far are :—Richardsod, Dunedin ; King, Oftmaru ; Simpson, Kaiapoi ; B-inks, Christchurch; Strachan, Wan- j ganui ; H&z<vrd and Websber, Auckland. The i Wellington men cauuot get any assistance from the public, and ifc is doubtful whethec they can go. Major Poairaei-ville earnestly appefila to all to bubscribe, ho as to have the o'ony thoroughly represented. Unless two or three irom Wellington go, the major thiuks the team • will be considerably weakened, as here thtre ' are some of the besi ahota iv the colony, and he doubts the wißdoni of taking a team unless j they are included. The mayor is to be urged to ; take some action. April 23. There is very little doubt that the Wellington contiugenfc for the Bisley rifle shooting will get away. Volunteer Arthur Balliuger (the champion) wiil probably pay his own expenses as well as Volunteer Hawthorne. The expenses of C.P.O. Williams, who finished second for the Belt in Auckland, ace already provided for, while there is every probability that tbe expenses of Bombardier Howe will be also arranged. Lieutenant Kirk is unable to go. April 25. Maj^r Fotnmerville his finally selected the team which he takes to represent; New Zealand at Bisley as follows :—Rtchardsou, Dunedin ; Simpson and Banks, Cbristcaurco.; A. Ballinger (champion), William*, Howe, and Hawthorne, Wellington ; Strachan, Wanganui; Hazard and Webster, Auckland Kiug, of Oamaru, one of the most prominent shots in the colony, atatc3 that; be is unable to leave until the Rimutaka gops, bub possibly he may yet be able to join the teim, which sails from Lybtelton at 2 o'clock on Thursday nexb in the Suahine. Marl.mi-Henry rifles will not be wanted, as all the matches will be fired ■with the Lee-Mefcford. Auckland. April 26. Serjeant Hazud and Gunner Webster, of A Battery, left to-day by the Takapuua for W<->llingtofc, where thoy join the New Zealand rifle team and proceed to England to attend the Bisley meeting. Wanoanui, April 26. Major Sommrrville (who goes Home in command of the New Zealand team for Bisley) and Corporal Strachan (district; representative) were given a heirty fend-off this afternoon by a large and representative assemblage of business men and settlers. Major Sommerville said that though the team was not the best that could have been picked, all the men would do their best to uphold the honour of New Zealand. He expressed a hope that the Government would yet ?ee fit to grant the team further needed assistance. ' i