VOLUNTEER NEWS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 13, 25 October 1890, Page 5

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

FVolunteers and others are invited to contribute to this column. All communications should be addressed to ‘ Carbine, and left at the office of this paper not later than Wednesday m each week. J RANGE TIME-TABLE. October 25—‘' A ” Battery, “O ” Battery, Engineers. |_By Carbine. J • “ In our present issue we publish, the portrait of Reserve Sergeant Soall of the City Guards, Auckland Rifle Volnnteers, whose unique career as a volunteer and rifle shot is very great. In 1842 he served as a volunteer, and carried the old flint-lock musket in defence of Auckland. TTe also served in the Auckland Militia until 1863, when he was discharged, being over 45 years of age. The same year he joined the volunteer corps, being attached to the then Parnell Company, afterwards the No. 3 Company, but at present the City Guards. Sergt. Soall served throughout the Taranaki and Waikato wars. Sergt. Soall, finding there was no system of instruction for imparting the theoretical principles of musketry to the volunteers, on account of the difficulties attending the Imperial system, has from 1863 to the present time devoted his energies in trying to form a system which could be carried out in all corps, country as well as garrison, yet forming parts of one whole system. Sergeant Soall was the proposer and persistent advocate for the Mount Eden Range being built. He was also appointed Sergeant-Instructor to the Auckland Rifle Brigade under the command of the late Major Gordon. Sergt. Spall’s record as a rifle shot mainly consists in his being reliable, although having won many prizes;, He was the best shot in the militia 27 years agq,?and now, although over 70 years of age, is not easily beaten by men in the prime of life

This afternoon a gun-drill competition takes place at Fort Resolution between the “ O ” Battery and Ponsonby Navals, on the 64pounders. Considering the interest the latter have taken in the competition, and the way in which they have been shaping at their practises, they should score an easy win. The “ A ” Battery intend to proceed to North Shore early in November to go through their annual shot and shell practice. The parades of the various companies of late have b,een very poor, and' I notice the City Guards will in future pay 2s. 6d. to each, member attending inspection parades, fines being strictly enforced on absentees; The programme of the annual New Zealand Rifle Association; meeting hasi been issued, and the opening day is fixed for Tuesday, 20th January, 1891. The, -total amount of:-prize money is £l,lOO, exclusive of belts, medals, and trophies. Martini-Henri rifles are to be used, and the longest distance is 700 yards. Entries close at Napier on January 18. Competitors should bear in mind that late entries will only be received on payment of an extra fee per match.