RESERVE CORPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6829, 17 April 1890, Page 4

RESERVE CORPS.

PEESENTATION OF PEIZES. The presentation of the prizes won at the annual competition of the above corps, was made last evening at Warner's Hotel. About twenty-five members and visitors were present. Captain Harman, who presided, referred in his opening remarks to the origin of the corpß, and to the fact that, out of twenty-seven corps who competed in Dunedin, the .Reserve Corps was the only one which was armed with the Martini rifle. In the District Challenge Shield competition, Canterbury was victorious, and of the winning team eight out of twenty were members of the Reserve Corps. He had reason to believe that other similar corps would be formed in the Colony, with a result which could not be otherwise than beneficial. He thought that the corps approached much more nearly to what waa in Major Edwards* mind than could be the case with a mere Rifle Club. They had recently had the pleasure of a friendly competition with the Victorian Mounted Rifles, whose organisation was somewhat similar. There was a great temptation now to try and obtain Martini rifles for the use of the Volunteers generally, but he considered that it would be a great mistake to do so. In this opinion he was sure that lie was supported by the many good shots that he sawaround him. (Applause.) He would now ask the Mayor to be good enough to present the prizes. His Worship the Mayor, after presenting the prizes to the various winners, said that it afforded him much pleasure to be present there that evening, more especially as, some years ago, he had taken a considerable interest in shooting. He thought that the Government had not sufficiently encouraged rifle shooting. (Applause.) To become a good shot a good rifle was necessary 5 but the Reserve Corps, even now., was the only one which possessed arjally modern weapon. The gathering that evening reminded him forcibly of old times, and he might say that before very long he hoped to be able to take some further part in volunteering by becoming a member of the corps. (Applause.) After the toast of "The Queen" had been duly honoured. Captain Harman proposed "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." He was quite sure that, while the Volunteers were not like the trained troops of the Empire, they would not do discredit to the country to which they belonged, and they were always glsd to learn what they could from the example of men who were in the Imperial service. He would couple with the toast the names of Major Newall, on behalf of the Army and Volunteers, and for the Army, Sergeant-Major Finn, the popular member of the District Staff. (Applause.) Major Newall, who was received with cheers, said that he felt flattered at being called upon to respond. He had not had the honour of serving in the army, although he had served with them in the field in this Colony in the early days of 1864-65, when he learned a good deal which he should not otherwise have done. He confessed that he should like to see the Reserve Corps oftener on parade, although he had never had the idea that its members were to undergo the same regular drill as other Volunteers. The name alone showed that it was composed of men who had already done their duty as ordinary Volunteers. He could only speak of the late Colonel Brett, under whom, the' corps waa formed, in terms of the highest praise, as a man from whom he had received many kindnesses, and who had always stood up inanfullyforthe Armed Constabulary. With regard totbebestweapon,ht certainly thought it would be better to wait another year or two and get the new rifle. (Hear, hear.) Sergeant-Major Finn said that thirtyone years ago he was on his way to India, and little thought, that he should afterwards have met the late Colonei Brett in New Zealand". He had himself served in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.^ The toasts of " Tho Mayor/ " The Donors of Prizes," "Colonel Lean and the Staff," "Captain Harman/' and " Private . Ansou, Secretary to the j Firing Committee " were duly proposed j and responded to, after which the meeting ) broke up. __^___^^_^^^^