THE VOLUNTEERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2081, 28 June 1875, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEERS.

THAMES SCOTTISH PEIZE FIRING, Another handicap riflo match amongst the members of this company took place at the Kauwaeranga range on Saturday; distances 300 yards, 400 yards, and 500 yards, five shots each range. The weather was. fino, and tho shooting of some of tho competitors was considerably above the average. Tho highest aggregate in this and the pronous match is tho winnor of a pair of shoes, to be mado to order by Volunteer IlyiHan. Tho entrance foes were divided into prizes, as on the previous occasions, and were won by tho three next highest scores in Saturday's match. The shoes were won bj Dram-Major Campbell, with a splendid aggrsgato of 98 points from thirty Shots, or eight points over centres. In the previous compotilion 400,500, and 600 yards) he mado 43 points, but on Saturday he exceeded any of his lato brilliant scores. At 300 yards he mado 19 out of a possible 20; at 400 yards ho mado the possible score of 20, all bulls'-eyes; and at 500 yards 16, finishing with tho almost unprecedented total of .55 points from 15 shots. He was closely followed by Volunteer McLoaU with 51. The following are the principal soores, the first five boing prize winners. Campbell, 55; McLean, 51; Heron, 51; Mcleod, 47; Scott, 47; Forgio, 47; Hindman, 44; Graham, 43; Burns, 40. The four top aggregates were Campbell, 98; Hindman,'9s; McLt-od, 89; Scott, 85. Messrs Dey, Murray, Carpenter, and some others who had entered were unable to compete. These handicap matches, if restricted in number and judiciously carried out aa they have ( been lately, will do much towards bringing out the young shots and increasing the number of marksmen this company is likely to bring out noxt shooting season.

Objections wore urged'against these occasional patches by the old hands at having to give points, but the recent competitiona have not only made the secondclass shots bottor, but they have also improved the shooting of the cracks, for in the three matches just fired the latter took two prizes in the first match, two in the second, and three out of four prizes on Saturd?y. Besides the prizes lately competed for, tho friends of tho Scottish have presented tho corps with eight others, and among these are two medals, a chaplain's cup, inkstand, fern picture, and skian dim. A meeting of the company is called for this evening to enroll recruits and arrange about new uniforms. NO. 2 H.E.V. COMPETITION. The ninth competition for the riflo presented to No. 2 H.fi.V. by Captain Hazard took place at the butts on Saturday, and resulted in favour of Sub-Lieut. Paul, whoso property it becomes, he having won it on two previous occasions. The weather was in every way conducive to good shooting, and as will bo seen tho scores wcro considerably above tho average, Thero were fourteen comrotitors :—

The riflo is a Snidor one, and was one of the ten won by the North Island team at Napier last year. The riflo had to be won three times, and tho undermentioned are Bcorcs.mado by the winnors in ten various competitions: -Corpl. Stockdale, 51 points; Sub-Lieut. Faul, 48; Corpl. Stockdalo, 41; Vol. McGrath, '13; Sergt. Kemp, 47; Sergt. Eemp, -40;. SubLieut. Paul, 43; Sergt. Morrison, 43; Sub.-Lieut. Paul, 48. CHUBCH PAEADE, The usual monthly churpb. parade of tho Thames Naval Brigade took place yesterday to St. George's, when there were also present, by invitation of the Navals, the Thames Scottish, No. 2 Company H.R.V., Rangers, Maori Contingent, and Engineer Cadets. There were good musters of the Navals, Scottish, aud Maori Corps, but the others, although put into ono company, were rather conspicuous by the number of their absentees. The parade was formed opposite tho Pacific, right in front. Before marching off, Major Coopor, who was in command, presented Lieutonaut Bcnnotfc, of tho Naval Brigado, with the medal for the highest score in cla?s-firing for tho piovinco, which has beon on more than one occasion carried, off by the Thames. In making tho presentation, tho Major referred to tho interest Lieutenant Bennett had always taken in Volunteer matters, and his excellent qualities ascompany offleor, as well as being a good shot. At tho conclusion of the presentation tho parade was marched off by fours from tho right of compauies, tho bands of the Scottish and B avals playing alternately. On re-assembling, tho parado marched home left in front, and were dismissed at their' private parades. Tho band of tho Scottish played tho Church call opposite the Paciiic Hotel previous to assembling of tho Volunteers.

300 400 ' 500 yards, yawls, yards, Tl, Sub-Lieut. Paul • 17 18 13-48 Vol. Brownlow • 13 15 11-42 Corpl. Stockdalo • 15 15 12-42 Sergt. Kemp • 18 13 11-42 Vol. Clarke -16 14 11-41 Vol. Eeddy ■ 1G 14 7-37