PRIZE FIRING.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3191, 5 May 1871, Page 2

PRIZE FIRING.

_ «. 0?O THE EDITOB OP THE INDEPENDENT. Sib, — In reading your valuable journal during the last few weeks, I find that a considerable amount of energy and spirit is manifested by leading citizens in getting up sovoral small orizes to be competed for as an encouragement to our volunteers. I see also that on the Queen'B Birthday a Snider rifle, along with other prizes, is to be competed for by the Volunteers. This, I think, is as it should be ; but I wish to offer a suggestion as an improvement, and that is, to adopt the plan of our old friend Captain Benson. Let every volunteer who wishes to compete for whatever prizes may be got up pay in so much, say 2s 6d, more or less, which would go to make additional prizes, and then let it be open for all country volunteers, as well us fche town. This would create a spirit of competition amongst the different volunteer corps, and would stimulate practice. I would further suggest that our Provincial Government be requested to put a small sum on the Estimates for this purpose, so that we could have a good day's firing three or four times a year. I doubt not that if such a system were carried out, that the day is not far distant when we shall bo a match for our Southern friends. Our men have done bettor this year at the Q-oneral Government prize firing than they have ever done before, and without doubt they would have done much better ifthoyhnd ' hud fair play. I hope our Wellington friends, who have j been so liberal, may still continuo to promote the welfure of the rifle volunteers, which may j induce our country nobility to put their shoulders to tho wheel. — I am, &0., An Old Volunteer. Wainuiomata, May 2nd.