VOLUNTEER NEWS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 19, 6 December 1890, Page 4

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

[Volunteers and others are invited to contribute to tins column. All communications should be addressed to “ Carbine, and leit at the office of this paper not later than Wednesday in each week. J

[By

CARBINE.]

On Saturday last the members of the “ A ” Battery proceeded to Stark’s Point, North Shore, with their 9 pounder field pieces, to go through their shot and shell practice. The attendance was splendid, five detachments being on the ground. Many ladies and hon. members also took advantage of the fine afternoon and put in an appearance and watched the shooting with great interest. Refreshments were provided for all, and Or. Master Sergt. Miller was ever to the fore with an efficient staff to see that no one ran short. The shooting of all the detachments was splendid, being far ahead of last year. The Government prize of £3 being won "this year by No. 2 Gun, under Sergt. Sherson. Six bullseyes being scored out of 9 shots, Corp. Hatswell making the first. The distance was 2,000 yards, and owing to the target being placed out at sea, and a strong wind blowing, a good deal of judgement was required. Some excellent shooting was also made by Lieut. O’Brien and Sergt. Major Doughty with shrapnell shell, the fuses being well timed, bursting the shell right over the target. Sergt. Major Lipscombe acted as marker and gave entire satisfaction. The “ 0 ” Battery under Capt. Reid and Lieut. Webster marched into camp at Fort Resolution, on Saturday November 15th, to go through their annual course of big gun drill. Sunday was spent in getting thoroughly settled in their new home and putting things in proper order. Monday morning, at 4 am., the people in the neighbourhood were wakened from sleep by the reveille, and at 4.30 the Battery marched, off to the rifle range and went through their class firing, and reached camp again in time for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. In the evening they started gun drill which went on morning and evening uninteruptedly until Sunday, when the Battery, under Lieut. Webster and headed,by the Artillery Band under Drum Major Kersley, marched to St. Mary’s pro-cathedral church and attended divine service. Monday again all are busy at the 64 pounders and Nordenfeldt under Instructors Alford and Lambert of the Permanent Artillery. Tuesday the same. On Wednesday evening the Battery held an inspection parade, 40 rank and file being present to salute Colonel Shepherd and Major Douglas. On Saturday the Battery went through their annual shot and shell practice, Major Douglas and Sergt. Major Bush, P.A., being present.. The shooting with the 64 pounder throughout was excellent. Sergt. McCallum scoring two bull’s-eyes, while Gunners Stewart and Hughes scored one each at a range of 2700 yds. Detachments under Lieut. Webster and instructor Alford worked the Nordenfeldt, and smart and steady shooting was done. In the evening the Battery gave a most enjoyable concert, when songs were given by Capt. Reid, Sergt. McCallum, Gunners Speight, Stewart, Gledhill, and St. Clair, while Bugler Dormer with a penny whistle caused quite a sensation. While for the visitors Mrs. and Miss Kilgour in the duet, Spring and Summer, brought down the house. Mr. Hutchinson’s recitation, “ The Opera House,” was highly appreciated. After the visitors had been well supplied with refreshments the ladies left and the meeting turned into a lively smoke concert, and the Battery wound up a jolly evening and a most successful camp by singing “Auld Lang Syne ” and the National Anthem The final gun-drill competition for the gold medals presented by Capt. Reid and Lieut. Webster comes off on Wednesday evening when the judge, Corporal Farquharson of the P.A., will deliver his verdict. Major Douglas starts to examine the Battery with the object of passing all the men he thinks fit as first-class gunners, when the successful ones receive a badge of efficiency and the £1 promised by the New Zealand Government. The adjourned annual meeting of the Auckland Rifle Association was held on Monday evening last, in the “ A ” Battery Orderly Room, Drill Shed, the attendance being very poor. Sergt. Soall of the City Guards presiding. Capt. Colbeck was unanimously elected Presi-

dent and Col. Shepherd, Col. Carre, Dr. Campbell, Messrs. Devore, Upton, Mitchelson, Firth, Thomson, and Peacock, Vice-presidents. Treasurer : Major Skinner re-elected —a representative from each company being chosen to form a committee. The annual firing is to take place on Boxing Day, and the members subscriptions have been fixed at five shillings. A proposition that a circular be sent to each of the candidates for the House of Representatives, asking for subscriptions was discussed and finally carried. On Wednesday night the “ O ” Battery big gun drill competitions for the beautiful gold medals presented by the officers were concluded and resulted in a win for Sergt. McCallum s detachment after a close competition, Sergt. Ronayne’s detachment coming second, and Sergt. Fairs’ third. The following are the names of the winners:—Sergt. McCallum i, Gunners C./J. Walker 2, F. Nurse 3. A. ' Stevenson 4, F. Browne 5, E. Ellyettt 6, J. S. Dickson 7, A. Havenfield 8, H. Slator g. Corpl. Farquharspn, P.A., conducted the examination in a fair and impartial manner, for which .he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Three cheers and “ tigah ” for the donors of the gold medals, Capt. Reid and Lieut. Webster were also given.