VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 37

VOLUNTEERS.

' LADIES' CHALLENGE SHIELD. The twenty-fou cth competition for the LacliGsF Challenge Shield was held on Saturday at the Pelichet Bay range. Ten companies took part in the firmg — namely, three country (Clutha Mounted Rifles, Bruce, and Kaitangata Rifles) and seven town (Dunedin and Port Navals, Dunedin Engineers, City Guards, North Dunedm, Dunediii, and Highland Rifles). The r&i ges for the shooting were 200, 300, and 50C yaids, seven shots at each, the shoit langes having been decided on as it was expected some of the teams would file with the carbine. However, in the end both naval teams fired with rifle?, and the battery did not compete. The day was a fairly good one for shooting, ths light being dull and very little wind. Some excellent scores were put on, especially by tha winning team (the City Guards) at the 500yda range. The highest team scorers at the difrent, ranges weie: — At 200 yds, Port Navals and Dunedin Engineers, 143 ; 300 yds, Kaitangata Rifles, ,135; 500 yds. City Guards, 152; the principal scorers in the aggregates being — 200 300 500 yds. yds. yds. Ti. Volunteer J. Adamson ..27 29 33 — 80 Lieutenant Jack .. ..29 28 31 — S8 C.P.O. Monigomeiy ..31 28 28 —87 Sergeant Tonkin .. ..31 30 26 — 87 Quite a number totalled over the 80. The highest scores at the different ranges were made by Gunner Driver, C.P.O. Montgomery, Corporal Powpi-, and Sergeant Tonkin at 200 yds, 31; Sergeant Tonkin and Private G. 'Frazer, 30 at 300 yds; and Private Mills, Adamson, and H. M-Donald, 33 at the 500 yds. • On going back to the 300 yds the Dunedia Engineers and Port Navals were leading by 7 points, and, on lying down at the 500 yds, the Engineers were still five ahead, but at this range they were outdone by the City Guards, which team made 152, winning the Shield by 5 points from the Port Navals, who in turn had a lead of eight from the Kaitangata. Lieutenant Douglas acted as range officer in th? morning, and Ranger Smith kindly acted in the afternoon. The following is a complete list of the aggregate scores for the competition : — City Guards. 200 300 500 yds.. yd&. yds. Tl. Volunteer Mills .. ..24 26 33 — '83 Volunteei J. A. Adamson 27 29 33 — 8? Colour-sergeant Kennard 28 23 27 — 78 Volunteer Sonntag . . 26 28 28 —82 Lieutenant Jack .. ..29 2S 31 — 88 Total ..420 Port Chalmers Navals. Lieutenant Dodds 28 27 27 — 82 Gunner Montgomery . . 30 21 30 —81 P.O. Keenan .. ..23 27 29 — 79 Gunner Driver . ..31 23 32 — 88 C P.O. Montgomery . . 31 28 28 —87 Total 415 Kaitangata Rifles. Captain Rutherford .. 26 24 29 —79 Private G. Frazer ..25 30 30 — 85 Private Duncan .. ..27 9,7 27 — 81 Private Smith . . . . 29 27 27 —83 Private T. Fiazer ..26 27 26 — 79 Total " .' .. -107 Dunedin Engineers. Lieutenant Midgley . . 28 22 26 —76 Corporal Power .. ..31 23 25 —81 Engineer "Whelan ..24 28 23 — 73 Sergeant lonkin .. ..31 30 26 — 87 Engineer Dean .. ..29 25 29 —83 Total ! 403 Previous Winners. Points. 1876— City Guards 371 1877— Clutha Rifles 231 1878— City Guaids 339 IS79— Clutha Rifles 358 18S0— North Dunedin Rifles 333 1881— North Dunedin Rifles iOS 1882— City Guards 427 1383— Clutha Rifles 423 18S4— Ciutha Rifles 412 18S5— Clutha Rifles 407 1886— L Batteiy, N.Z.A 372 IS37— Clutha Rifles 385 1888 — Noith Dunedin Rifles 393 ISB9— Wakari Rifles 374 1890— North Dunedm Rifles 356 1801— Otaeo High School Cadets .. .. 356 1892— City Guards 3G9 1893— Highland Rifles 370 IBdi — No competition — 1895— 8 Battery, N.Z.A 364 1896— Noith Dunedin Rifles 384 1897— North Dunedin Rifles 357 1898— City Guards 414 1899— Kaitangata Rifles 393 DUNEDIN NAVALS. The Dunedin Navals, under the command o£ Lieutenant-commander Allen, went into camp at' Forbnry Park on Friday, and intend *o remain there till the I7th inst. Over 80. ont of a possible 89, are under canvas, .and the time of the men is mostly devoted to gun drill, gun laying, range fincling, and signalling. The following is the doily programme: — Reveille, 4.15 a.m. ; coffee, 4.30 ; parade, 4.55 ; breakfast, 6.30. After breakfast the men come into town, to their work, returning to camp at 5.45 p.m. At 6.15 they go to gun drill, and at 8 they have dinner. First post is at 9.30, last post at 10, and lights out at "10.15. Besides Lieutenantcommander Allen, the following officers are also in camp :— Lieutenants Strong, Swmdley, Fredric, Lang, and Suigeon-captain Fulton (who is giving tho men instruction in ambulance work). During their stay at Forbury Park the men will be examined in their special work by Captain Morrison, and those that pass the examination will obtain a certificate of competency and a badge. In addition to this, £L is given to each man who passes the fiist 3 t_ar, an extra .-£1 being allowed those who pass an exanimatioii three years consecutive! > The company will attend church parade next Sunday. MOUNTED RIFLES FOR GORE. The Premier, before leaving Gore oi ( Friday, intimated that the Government would ,H'co;it the services of a mounted corps if formed ii Gore. " You may," he said, "" form your mounted corps and train your youth, so that when they are wanted to fight the battle of Iho Empire and maintain the honour of ouv flag, they will do their duty as their forefathers have done before them. I wish to announce to you that your offer of a mounted corps h.> = been accepted."

Otago and Southland Contingent booming. The Hon. S. E. Shrimski is, the Oamaru Mail hears, again seriously indisposed, and is confined to his bed. The "Church News" states: — The Bishop of Dunedin will conduct a retreat far clergy, to be held at Rakaia, commencing Monday evening, February 19, ending Friday morning, the 23rd. During the last two days the men on the Fortification railway line have been stopped, owing to the farmers in the vicinity not permitting them to work in the growing crons.— Bruce Herald.