THE BISLEY TEAM. WELLINGTON, April 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 59

THE BISLEY TEAM. WELLINGTON, April 26.

The Bisley team is to leave for England to-morrow by the Corinthic The vacancy caused by the retirement of Ching, the New Zealand rifle champion, is to be filled by J. R. Franklin, of Weber, Hawke's Bay, -who was sixth in the championship contest. The following are the ■_ names of the members of the team : Major Hughes, in command ; Milroy, Neleon; Shaw, Ohinemuri ; Craw, Cbarlton ; Jack. Christchurch ; Martin, Timaru; G. Ha-wthorne, Wellington ; Pearson, Timaru ; Dnmimond, Dunedin; Brown, Waihi; JTrankEn.- Hawke's Bay; Irvine, Nelson; IWilkie, Wellington. April 27. The Bisley team was sworn in for service outside New Zealand this morning. Colonel Collins, addressing a few words of farewell to the menj spoke as to the difficulty of selecting "the -team,' whore so many were entitled to a place; and referred to the fact that- . among the first 20 of the recent championship-meeting were several wEo had visited Bisley in the previous year, and •were entitled "to be chosen . had they been able to go. Some had been unable to accept the Government invitation, but he ■«ras confident that those chosen would ■worthily uphold the reputation of the colony. Referring to the appointment of Major Hughes to the command, Colonel Collins expressed the belief that one of the Tery best officers in New Zealand had been selected — an officer in whom he had every confidence, and who knew everything about shooting. The men must understand that they were going Home as a military team, mad must cheerfully submit to all orders from Major Hughes, who alone was responsible to the Government for the team. He asked for their hearty co-operation in support of the officer commanding, and felt confident of the success of the team. He mentioned that the war authorities would supply 20 rifles, and the uniforms for the team would be obtained on its arrival in Referring to the rifles, Colonel Collins said the experience of last year's *cam was that those specially selected by the War Office were quite equal to match riSe», and he felt confident that of the 20 selected to chose from the team would have jio cause to complain this year. Referring 4o expenses, - Colonel Collins said that last year return tickets had to be taken out at a cost of £60 each. This year he had arranged for single, tickets at £30, so that the members of the team could select their own rout© for the return. The -expenses at the competition in 1904, including: board, lodging, travelling between London, etc., was £25 per man, so that at the end of the competition he was enabled to hand each man' £40. In conclusion, he wished Major Hughes and the team good luck, and trusted that they would be successful in defending tin* Kolapore Cup. He finally urged the

team to sink individualism and pull together as qne man, which was the only road to success. Major Hughes briefly replied, expressing no anxiety as to the result of the trip, and stating that he had mapped out a system of practice, etc., which he hoped would be effectual at Home. The team left

this afternoon by the Corinthic.