OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 45, 27 July 1907, Page 14

OUR DEFENDERS

By. Lbb-Enfield.

WHAT has become of the proposed New Zealand shooting team for Australia ? There is a rumour in circulation that finance, base, sordid finance, is the great obstacle between our riflemen and their Mecca, and the delay of the Defence authorities in making any announcement in reference to the trip is not calculated tb set the rumour at rest. However, another ten weeks or so remain before the British riflemen start puncturing the Australian targets, so there is yet time for an obdurate department to relent. It might easily happen in New Zealand. In touching upon the mysterious "War Offices, and the British one in particular, a speaker related in the House of Commons how an officer had recently sent in a bill of expenses bearing an item "Porter, sixpence." The Waiauthorities reared up on their hind legs. They did not -intend that any officer should assuage his thirst- at their expense, and they told him so in all the terms in the official vocabulary. The officer attempted to explain. The item he indicated was not for that dark appetising compound known as porter, but for .1 material being who carried hisj>bag. Promptly by next post came the decision of the authorities that the entry must be described as "porterage," but the army is chuckling at the officer's inquiry, whether, when nert he engages a cab for military purposes, he is to charge it as cabbage. The phenomenal success which has attended the efforts of the Australians at Bisley has been crowned

by the achievement of Lieutenant Addison, the South Australian, who scored an exciting victory for tha King's Prize. Naturally enougn, Armourer Sergt. Padgett, a wellknown atom of the "backbone * the British Army," has reason to feel a greatly aggrieved individual because a defective cartridge lost hi ■•> the prize, but, according to all the rules of shooting, he should never have been allowed the extra shot. Addison is a great favourite with British and Colonial riflemen, and his victory proved extremely popular. The committee who are looking after the boxing tournament, to be held in connection with the Auckland Garrison, can view with complacency the combative tendencies of the average colonial. The call for entries is bringing forward a large number of expert performers in the " noble art" and two evening's exciting sport is already assured. A large number of valuable trophies is being allotted in the various grades of the boxing and wrestling ' events, for which entries close on the the 13th ult. Tho annual ball in connection with the officers' club will take place at the Drill Hall early in August. The officers are making lavish preparations for the entertainment of their guests, and the function should again prove one of the successes of the season. The Franklin Mounteds are endeavouring to arrange a rifle match with the No. 3 Natives. Seeing that the Clevedon marksmen defeated the Victorias not so long ago, it would perhaps be a fairer tost of their skill if the three Native Corps wero bracketted in the challenge. The new pointed bullet proved a great success at Bisley. At present, it is only used in match rifles, but it will now be generally adopted.