VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 27

VOLUNTEERS.

REDUCING INTEREST ON ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 17. The Premier was waited on this morning by a deputation representing the Scenery Preservation Society and the North Egmont Reserve Board, asking for assistance in completing the road to the Mountain House. Mr Seddun promised to do all in his power in the matter, as he recognised that if scenery was to be popularised it must be made accessible. In the afternoon he addressed a meeting of women. A public banquet tendered this evening to the Eight Hon. Mr Seddon was largely attended. The Premier defended the itction of the Government m offering the services of troons for Samoa, and intimated that the

Government would reduce by half per cent, the interest on loans under the Advances to Settlers Act, and would also amend the act in the direction of issuing a new security when £200 was paid off, the borrower to pay interest only on the balance. | ! !

The Dunedin Engineers held a, parade for engineering drill at the Garrison Hall on Wednesday, 12th inst. At the conclusion of the drill Captain Barclay, on behalf of the members of the corps, presented Corporal G. Dredge with a set of carvers, suitably inscribed, and some other articles upon the occasion of his marriage, and in doing so referred to the esteem in which tho recipient was held by his comrades,, and conveyed their best wishes. The health of Corporal and Mrs Dredge was then drunk witii musical honours. Ambulance badges were presented to those members who had lately passed the first year's examination — ; viz.: Lance-corporal Power, Engineers Bills, Ferguson, Marrett, Miles, and M'N.'il. The following team was selected to fire in the Bugle ! Match to-morrow: —Sergeants Beadle antl Tonkin, Corporal Midgley, Lance-corporals Power j and MocKay, Engineers Dean, Ford, Fer- ! guson, Spence, and Whelan; emergencies, Engineers Marett and Bugler TJre. The corps has lately received the first instalment of the new J equipment ordered from Home by the Defence department. This takes the form of a supply of Jones's iron-band gabions, fascine chokers, tracing tapes for field work, etc. A meeting of thcCity Rifles was held on the 13th after the usual practice, when Mr Johnston M'Ara, on the motion of Corporal Jackson, seconded by Private Freeman, was unanimously elected as second lieutenant in the place of Lieutenant Moultray, resigned. A vote of thank* to Lieutenant Moultray for the manner in which he had filled the position was carried by acclamation. CHAMPION BUGLE. The second and final competition for the Champion Bugle took place on Saturday afternoon on the Pelichet Bay range, five teams taking part in the competition, the Highland Rifles team being absentees. The contest really lay between the Port Navals and the North Dunedin Rifles (a, difference of only 8 points separating them in the first competition), the others being too far behind to have any chauoc of securing the trophy. At the 300 yds the North. Dunedin Rifles gained 2 points on ihe Port men, and at the long range (500 yds) finished 7 points better than their" doughty opponents, thus securing the Bugle for 1899. At th,e 500 yds P.O. Montgomery (Port Navah) was in good form, nnd put on the " possible," j finishing with a total of 62 points. ™liich was top score "for the match. At th^ conclusion of the match Lieutenant Johnston called for tlnep cheers for the-losing teams, which was heartily responded to, a similar cull for* the North Dunedin Rifles team am? one for P.O. Montgomery meeting; with the same reception. Foliowing are the aggregate scores: —

HIGHLAND RIFLES. . On Satuiday afternoon the Highland Rifles fired the third and final competition of No. 1 Match on their range, Fairview, Pelichet Bay. The conditions of Saturday's competition were 10 shots and a sighter at 200 and COO yards. The three highest aggregates to receive trophies value £1 10s, £1, and 10s 6d, one of the trophies comprising three volumes of the " History of the Soudan War," beautifully bound, presented by Mr Wm. Gillies, of this city, to whom the best thanks of the corps are ciue. J The first prize falls to Private G. Alexander, second to Private Robertson, who gives promise of turning cut a good shot, and third to Sergeant Harper. A very puzzling wind blew along the range on Saturday, which, with a changing light, accounts for the small scores. Following is the result of Saturday's competition, and aIBO the highest aggregates for the match: —

* Prizetakers. DUNEDIN RIFLES. The Dunedin Rifles (Burt's Corps) fired the third competition for the Challenge Cup on "the City Guards range, Fairview, on Saturday. There was a stiong wind from the S.W. the whole afternoon, which spoilt most of the scores at the long distance. The ranges were 200, 500, and 600 yards. The following are the

Sergeant Jackson Private M'Gregor Private Ilarty *.; Sergeant Hay .. Private Davys Hep. TI. .. 68 „ G6 .. 15 —81 .. 03 .. 51

yds. Private Auld .. ..32 Sergeant Gillan „ ..37 Private Bannerman .. 36 Private Eobertson .. 36 Sergeant Harper .. 25 (300 yds. 21 30 11 17 19 Hen. Tl. 15 — 68 67 15 — 62 53 7 — 51 Aggregates. * Private G. Alexander 70 * Private Robertson .. 72 * Sergennt Harper .. 70 Private Bunnerrnan .. 05 Private Auld .. ..60 63 76 66 57 53 35 — 168 19 — 168 17 — 153 30 — 152 30 — 143

Ist 2nd corap. comp. Tl. North DunecHn Eifles . . t 636 533 — 1069 ?ort Chalmers IVaval Artil- ' lery # .. .. •.. 539 524 — 3063 Dunedin City Guards .. 502 500 — 1002 Ounedin Engineers 490 479 — 969 Dunedin Naval Artillery . . 458 452 — 910