THE COLONIAL FIRING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 269, 27 March 1873, Page 5

THE COLONIAL FIRING.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

The presentation waß made by Mrs A. Richmond on the 15th inst. in the presence of the 4lite of Nelson. In opening the proceedings the Hon. Major Richmond, C.8., spoke as follows:—"ltgivesmegre.atgratification, as an old soldier, to have been requested by the General Government to take part in the distribution of the prizes to the successful competitors, but before proceeding with that ceremony, I wish to express to the representatives the pleasure it has afforded us to see them in Nelson, to aosord to them a friendly and hearty welcome, and to provide such amusement and entertainment as lay in our power during their stay among us. I am happy to be able to congratulate you on the successful result of this meeting. The firing of 1873 compares favorably with that of any former year, indeed, I understand that the scoring is higher than it was in many of the previous meetings. On reference to the published reports of the firing, it will be seen that there have been several well-contested matches, and some excellent scoring. The account likewise furnishes the particulars of each match, with the names of the successful marksmen, but the firing for the Champion Belt deserves special notice, and the inhabitants of the Thames district may well be proud of their representatives, who, out of four prizes given for the highest scorers in the important contest, have gained three, including the Champion Belt, which has been won by Lieutenant Hoakin, and out of L 587, the value of the Colonial Prizes, the Thames representatives have gained L 267. The number and value of the Colonial Prizes for this year won by the representatives of each district is as follows :—: —

I take this opportunity to suggest to the unsuccessful competitors, particulary those who have hitherto carried off prizes, not to be discouraged by a temporary reverse ; rather let it incite them te further exertion, to more constant practice, and to a determination to recover their laurels at the next annual firing." Mrs Richmond then presented the prizes, and in presenting the Challenge Cup won in the North v. South match to Ensign Richardson, congratulated him upon being the only Southern representative who had gained a prize in the contest for the Championship. Major Gordon, on behalf of the representatives, afterwards thanked Major Richmond for presenting the prizes; Mrs Richmond for her countenance and for her " thoughtfulness in providing the silk belts in substitution for the veritable belts, which have not yet arrived from England, for the Cavalry and Infantry champions, which was more appreciated than if she had invested them with those which they had so honorably earned"; and the Nelson people for their almost regal hospitality. Then Captain Wales told Major Gordon that the representatives were perfectly satisfied with the arrangements of the meeting, and that the courteous manner in which his orders had been issued, and the thorough impartiality th»t characterised his decisions, had won for him the well-merited eßteem of every competitor. Three cheers, we read, were called for Captain Wales, the ex-champion, and heartily responded to by the spectators, as well as by the representatives. So ended the Colonial Prize-firing of 1873. RECEPTION OF THE THAMES REPRESENTATIVES. £By Telegraph.] Gpah\mstown, March 21. The banquet to the representatives last night was attended by nearly two hundred persons, and many were unable to obtain admission. Several ladies were present, and the Superintendent, who occupied the chair, was supported on his right by Lieutenant Hoskin, the Champion, and on his left by Mr Yogel, the Colonial Treasurer. A large number of Auckland Volunteers were present. Mr Yogel, in replying to the toast of HerMajebty's Ministers, praised the contest at Nelson, and said the shooting was excellent. It was surprising that so young a district should have secured three out of the feur aggregate prizes. Alluding to the Thames water supply, he said they must have observed that when any enterprise had to be carried out, the anticipation that it would be completed by a certain day was seldom realised. He had received a telegram, stating that the ironwork for the water scheme would be shipped next month from London. Mr Hoskins was vociferously cheered when his health was proposed, and very briefly returned thanks. Captain Murray praised the competitors, and said the Thames was the proper place for the next meeting, He

said the Otago representatives were the finest fellows that could be met with. Major Gordon said there was the most kindly feeling throughout amongst the competitors, and announced that Mr Yogel bad given twenty guineas as a prize to be shot for by the Auckland and Thames volunteers in Auckland, and that the winner was to select a watch or whatever he might choose. In proposing another toast, Mr Yogel said there was no reason why the Colonial contest should not be at the Thames next year. THE CADET CHAMPIONSHIP. The Colony may well be proud of its Cadet Corps, "which bids fair to produce some of the best marksmen in the world, and to make future Colonial Prize Firing meetings more exciting and interesting, as native born competitors enter the arena and contest for the prizes offered. Out of a possible 100 points, the following scores have already been made :—

The District Prize Firing for the Cadets is completed, and, as far as we have yet learned, Cadet E. Smith, High School Cadets, is the Champion for the Colony.

District Luckland Tiames Wellington >tago Felson and Marl. ... Vestland 'anterbury !"apier Lnned Constab. ... JNo. of Prises 6 31 5 41 3 2 1 1 3 Prize Value Winners £ ... 5 ... 37 ... 9 ... 267 ... 4 ... 33 ... 15 ... 197 ... 2 ... 15 ... 1 ... 17 ... 1 ... 8 ... 1 ... 2 ... 2 ... 11 n^«--i

tfts. E. Smith, Dunedin High School, Belt, silver medal £10 Os — 92 Stewart, Te Aro, Wellington ... 6 0—92 Beale, Auckland 5 o—9o0 — 90 i. Walker, Dunedin 3 o—BB Davie, Christchurch 2 10 — 88 Fago, Dunedin 210—88 Eyre, Dunedin 1 5—865 — 86 Prebble, Christchurch 1 5—85 tlornbrook, Christchurch ... 1 o—Bo jiggins, Dunedin — 80 Morgan, Dunedin ... — 79 VL'Kenzie, Dunedin —79 Protter, Dunedin — 78 looker. New Plymouth — 78 Bird. Waimea, Nelson .-. — 77 ETarper, Dunedin —76 Boddington, Waimea, Nelson - 74 U. Bicketts, Waimen, Nelson —74 Oawson, Christchuicb. — 74 OTAGO DISTRICT FIRING. Ist Set. 100 yds. 150 yds. Ttl. Jilbraith, R, In. ...34433 ... 32343 ... 32 Vlurray, T., Oa. 43332 ... 33232 ... 28 Elardy, E , H.S 33334 ... 03404 ... 27 Say, J., Oa 03243 ... 23333 ... 26 Ueith, John, H.S. ...20034 ... 43324 ... 25 Butts, (i., In. 24234 ... 23203 ... 25 2nd Set. 200 yds. 250 yds. TtL Smith, E., H.S 43233 ... 44344 ... 34 rago, A., N.D 43333 ... 43424 ... 33 Walker, A., N.D 32344 ... 23444 ... 33 Eyre, Win., N.D. ...34443 ... 43043 ... 32 Liggins, H. S. ...43444 ... 33H30 ... 31 Elardy, A.,Oa. 43443 ... 33222 ... 30 Morgan, Jas., N.D. ...43444 ... 03332 ... 30 tf'Kenzie. Wm., N.D. ...04440 ... 24434 ... 29 rrotter, H. S 33402 ... 33442 ... 28 Sarper,H.S 43343 ... 44030 ... 28 100 200 300 3rd Set. yds. yds. yds. Tl. Smith, E.. H.S 44444 44444 43443 58 Walker, A., N.D. ...33444 44434 44343 55 Jago, Alfred, N.D. ...44443 44443 24434 55 Eyre, Wm , N.D. ...44444 34334 44333 54 Headland, R., Oa. ...44334 33434 24333 50 M'Kenzie, Wm..N.D. ...43444 33334 33234 50 rrotter, Wm., H.S. ...34343 44434 23333 50 Liggins, Chas., H.S. ...34443 24433 344r4 49 Morgan, Jas., N.D. .. 44444 44344 30304 49 Harper, W., H.S. ...44442 33234 32030 42 AGGREGATE SCORES. 2nd 3rd Set. Set. Total. Smith, E., High School ... 34 58 92 Walker, And., N. Dunedin 33 55 88 Tago, Alfred, N. Dunedin... 33 55 88 Eyre, Wm., N. Dunedin ... 32 54 86 Liggins, Chas., High School 31 49 80 M'Kenzie, Wm., N Dunedin 29 50 79 Morgan, Jas., N. Dunedin 30 49 79 rrotter, Wm. High School 28 50 78 Headland, H., Oamaru ... 26 50 76 Harper, W., High School... 28 42 70