Volunteering.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1706, 13 July 1885, Page 2

Volunteering.

RIFLE SHOOTING MATCH, GREYTOWN V. FEATHERSTON.

Tlio Greytown rifle corps on Saturday managed to raise, together with scorers, &0., a sufficient number to proceed to Featherstou to meet their engagement with the Fenthorston company. The morning, certainly so far as the weather prospects were concerned, was not very propitious, and at about 10 30 there was every prospect of a drenching wet day ; but soon after that time the sun made a kind of sickly advent, and although not having a very promising aspect, still gave reason to hope that sufficient forbearance might be expected from the firmament as to allow of some chance to fire off the match without getting the clothing saturated to a great degree. On arrival at the range, about 11,30, matters assumed a more than particularly gloomy outlook, ns a thick Scotch mist prevailed, and it was expected that this would culminate unfavorably, but fortunatey a sudden change came over the scene, and about 12 o’clock the weather for the purpose was all that could he desired. Indeed about 2.30 p.m. a certain broad rimmed hat, mounted on the cranium of a native member of the Greytown corps, was much in requisition to shade the eyes of the shomists for the time from the powerful effect of a very bright sunshine.

The first range was at 200 yards, standing position 8 inch bulls eye. Tire shooting at this range was very good on both sides. Captain Webster (Greytown) with 15 points, and Lieutenant Smith (Featherston) with 13 points, being top scorers. At this distance the Greytown Company beat the local team by fifteen points, the parties making 110 and 95 respectively.

After the shooting at the 200 yards, the party on tho ground, in retiring to the next distance (tho 300 yards), were invited to incline to the left beneath some very sheltering manuka scrub, and wore provided with some suitable liquid and substantial refreshment, lihoraily provided on tho ground by the proverbially hospitable Feathcrstonions. After tho discussion of these creature nourishments, the shooting was resumed to tho word, "commence bring,” and Captain Webster initiated tho event by so.■ring a bull’s eye, Lieut Smith following suit with another, which “ performance” (wo hope no person wil' take exception to tins remark), Lieut Smith, of Fonthorstou, repeated four times out of five shots at this distance (300 yarns), one of the five shots being au outer. Captain Webster, the Greytown commander, dime within one point of this extraordinary score, making three bull’s eyes and two centres in the live shots Tills is worth recording. Oolor-Sergt Porritt, with 18 points, Lieut Cameron with 15, Sergt Baillie with 18, Lieut Varnham with 15, and Vol John Cameron with 18, for Greytown, was excellent shooting. Vol J. Cameron dcseives especial r.oiico as, with tho exception of a few stray shots, he biod well throughout the match after the very little practise he has recently had. In addition to the top scorer (Smith) Vol Benton with 17, Vol Whiteman with 18, and the Brothers Fry with 10 respectively, did good work for Feutherston. At this distance Greytown won by 13 points. At the 400 yards, substituted for the 500, on account of convenience for shooting position, Lieutenant D. Cameron, of Greytown, did some prodigious scoring ; this veteran mark-man still qualifies himself for the front rank of colonial champions, and a rifleman who can make four consecutive bull's eyes at 400 yards, ns this officer did on Saturday, can fully sustain his prestige at any competition he may be disposed ! > attend. Captain Webster also maintained this f rmer good average by scoring a good 1G pram , consisting of a magpie, one centre, one bull’s eye, and two outers. Lieut Varnham with 18, also shot exceedingly well. Tho honors of Featherston were sustained at this distance by first LFut Donald, with a line score of 17. Lieut Smith with 15, Vol A. H. Fry with 111, and Vol Benton with 11 points. At tho -100 yards Greytown were the winners by 2-1 points.

The result of the match was that Grey town were tho winners, by 47 points in the aggregate, and they have reason to be proud of such a victory ; because they met on Saturday opponents of no mean merit. la truth the Greytown company will require to realise the fact that upon the next occasion when the new Fcatiierstou company have sufficiently practised, they may have some considerable difficulty in maintaining tho position of honor they now occupy, ao the material of tho Fea tbcisiou Rifles may very shortly produce siiiiio crack shots, Vol Whiteman, of Fen Hu rston, will shine if lie perscveies; lie had bad luck on Saturday through getting lin'd of some old useless cartridges and thriving some of his good shots away. SoJgt Willacon shot fairly wyll for Grcytowu,

but as may be expected at times, was not iu bis usual form. Vol Jorgensen and Color Sergt Porriu were in good lettio for the occasion. Corporal E. Goodin, through an accident to his shoulder, was not able to be up to his usual score. We shall have to record some tall doings by some o£ the Fcatheiston team, who had bad luck on Saturday, on some other occasion. Their shooting was very good, generally speaking, but the elevation in many cases was very faulty. This is a matter they should attend to.

After the tiring, the officer in command of the Fentherston company, invited the Greytown Volunteers to a dinner at the Ihn.al Hotel. The dinner took place at 5.H0 p in. and about HO non-commissioned officers and Volunteer? sat down to an ixccllout spread provided by the Featheraton corps - , for the entertainment of their visitors Lieut A. Donald, in the unavoidable absence of Captain Brnnskill, presided. After doing fair justice to tlie good things the following toasts were proposed and duly responded to the Queen, proposed by the Chaimau and suitably acknowledged. Tlie toast of " The District Commandant of Volunteers ” was responded to by Major Bunny. Major Bunny said it gave him much pleasure to bo present on that occasion. He felt proud to find the two companies, Greytown and Feutherstou, fraternising in such a manner, and he was also gralilied to know that some of the corps under his command in the Wairarapa were cultivating to such an extent the target practice. They would all know that tlie volunteering would now require to become more of a reality. Men who joined the voluuteeia would require to make themselves efficient. Those who did not do so should bo compelled, as a member of a company who did not fulfil his duties was only a drag and a drawback, and the company to which ho was attached, would be better rid of him. H a man could uot or would not carry out his duties as a soldier, ho should not be allowed to remain as a detriment and a reproach to the corps to which ho belonged. He (the Major) was pleased to know that, some legislation was now about to bo brought to bear on the subject, and the question will become (ho hoped) either “ qualify or retire.” He said nothing interfered more with the efficiency of a company than for a man nut to carry out his duties. Volunteering was not a game of play, and volunteers hail to be taught that they must act as men, and not as children, they must carry out their work as men should. (Applause). They had the pleasure and privilege of electing their own officers, and consequently that should be an advantage. He (the Major), would at all times bo only too glad to forward their interests. Major Butts at the last quarterly inspection had observed that there was a vast improvement in tlie companies from last year. Major Bunny referred, in very feeling terms, to tlie sad misfortunes which bad of 1 late fallen upon Captain Brnnskill, and remarked that in these deep domestic bereavements all would unite in feelings of the sincerost condolence.

The Chairman proposed “ The Greytown Company.” Captain Webster, in responding for his company, thanked them very heartily for the compliment. lie hoped the Featherston company would not bo at all daunted by then'defeat upon that occasion. He said ho must confess that before the match ho had certain misgivings as to the result, but he was quite satisfied that the Greytown men had won on their merits. The shooting had been fair on both sides, and he trusted that they might meet in competiti m again. Jie also hoped that Greytown might again be in the position of victors, although they might have some h-ugh work to perform. He remarked that ho thoroughly endorsed the sentiments fallen from Major Bunny. He also referred in terms of go at sympathy to the recent family troubles sus tinned by the Captain of the 1- e iiherslon corps, in wdich lie was most audibly supported by all at the table. He said Ihe Greytown team did not expect such a handsome reception at the hands of the Keathcrston corps ; it had not been the rule of the Greytown Volunteers to provide in such a manner, and he trusted the Featherston men would not expect such a rcturn("Certaiuly not” from the Featherston team.) Color Sergt Porritt proposed the health of Drill-Inatructoi Bczar, which was duly responded to by that gentleman. Drill-Inspector llezar said he expected at tho future fortnightly drills to sco us many of the memneis of all the companies as could possibly attend. It was much netler to drill a number than a few ; it was gieat encouragement to the instructor to get a good muster, and of course most beneficial to the companies themselves. Several other toasts were proposed and among them “ The Press ” which our reporter responded to by saying that the Press generally were always eager to further the interests of Volunteer matters at all times, fully recording their movements. The party shortly alter dispersed, well pleased with the day's proceedings;. Subjoined are the scores: -

Greitovvs. 200 300 ■100 T1 Captain Webster .. 1.5 21 10 Lieut l>, Cameron .. 10 ir. 22 •17 Lieut M. Varnlmm .. 12 10 is 40 Col-Scrgt Porritt .. 10 is 10 3S SerRt Wlllasou .. 10 u 14 38 Scrgt Baillie .. 10 is 13 11 Corp Goodin .. H 13 10 37 Vol Jorgensen .. 14 11 12 37 Vol Martin To Ore .. 5 12 7 21 Vol J. Cameron .. 12 18 5 35 — — — — 112 157 127 305 Fkatiikustox. Lieut Smith .. 13 22 15 50 l.iont Donald H 10 17 35 Vol Denton .. 12 17 14 13 Vol A. 11. Fry .. 0 10 10 38 Vol W. Fry .. 12 10 10 38 Vol (ireabatch .. 6 ;i 8 23 Vol Tnckor .. 12 10 11 33 Vol Whiteman .. 13 is 13 •14 Vol Shirley .. 2 12 7 21 Vol Luueua .. 11 10 2 23 — — — — 0.5 110 113 318