Volunteer News.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 67, 5 November 1891, Page 8

Volunteer News.

[Contributions to this column are invited. All communications L should be addressed to “ Torpedo,” and reach this office not later than Tuesday in each week. Notes from country corps will be specially acceptable.] I have received news about the doings of our rifle representatives in Sydney and their trip across. Webster was on his beam ends throughout the journey, never leaving his bunk, and is said to have lost over a stone in weight; the others suffered less severely. They were met by Mr. Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., and Lieut.-001. Mahon, and shown the sights of Sydney, for which the two gentlemen named had obtained for them carte blanche everywhere. It appears that Auckland’s four representatives are the only ones from New Zealand, and the N.S.W. people were much disappointed thereat. They had several meetings, which were largely attended, and had decided to postpone their firing to a later date to enable the New Zealanders to attend, but when it was announced that they had left, the New South Welchmen immediately decided to go on with their meeting, and made arrangements for the reception of a large body of Maorilanders. I am assured that our men will be allowed to compete for prizes amounting to £l,OOO, and it is a pity we were not fuller and better represented. Much to the surprise of most volunteers, young Hazard drew first blood from the N.S.W Association prize list, making 62 out of a possible 70. The top score was 67. This was, however, in a match in which the others could not compete, viz., the Nursery Handicap. “ Billy” Lumsden has joined them as a New

Zealander, so that now we may be considered to have a fairly good team. Another disaffection has occurred in the Grenadier Guards. This time the rations was the cause of complaint, and on the officers ordering the men to eat the same they threw their food into the barrack yard. In consequence of this they were confined to barracks and several corporals arrested. Corporal J. Williamson, secretary of the Artillery Band, is, I am glad to announce, sufficiently recovered from the effects of his poisoned hand to resume duties. The Artillery Band have decided on the enrolment of two new members, viz., Wm. McCullough (bass) and S. D. Green (tenor horn). The latter is an old member, who has just returned from Melbourne, while both will be a decided acquisition to the band.

The popular captain of the City Guards has gone into a new line of business. He has entered into partnership with a number of Island natives and several Auckland gentlemen for trading purposes. This is the explanation of Capt. Kohn’s absence from two successive parades. It must not be inferred from this that he has given up his old-established watchmaking and jewellery business. Dr. Walker, the popular surgeon of the Auckland Navals has been elected a City Councillor in the stead of Mr. J. M. Lennox, retired. The Napier Rifles who had entered for the sword bayonet competition at the Wellington tournament have withdrawn. From the Napier News I learn that the Napier Rifles recently had an enthusiastic meeting with reference to the new Karkee uniforms, and decided to adopt the same at a cost to the company of £2OO, and a number of members signed a guarantee to cover the cost of the same. The shooting men of the “ A ” Battery went out to to Onehunga in a brake on Saturday for practice. Harry Doughty topped the score, and on this occasion Monty McCallum broke up. The Engineers had a muster of 38 on the Rifle Range on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of going through, their annual class firing. Major Anderson was present, as was Quar.-Master-Sergt. Dawson, Sergts. Ward, Black, and last, but not least, my old friend Jack Harley, who cannot be severed from the “A” Battery or Engineers, although he is not enamoured of the former under the present management, and I coincide with him. The Vics, were up on the range at their class firing at the same time, Captain Cooper being present. They had a splendid muster and made some capital shooting. At the standing position (200 yards) for their annual independent firing they absolutely made the black bar across the target white, while their volley firing under the inspection of Lieut.-Adjt. Grant assisted by Sergt.-Major Scully was of a highly satisfactory nature to the old corps.

I have heard something lately anent the closing of the Mount Eden Rifle Range, and I have also been the unappreciative auditor of a great deal of “gas” from several professional shooting men in our midst. Considering this ! have come to the unbiassed conclusion that in the interests of volunteers themselves nothing better could happen than the closing of the range by the Government. They would then perforce be bound to find a range, and with the benefit of past experience the volunteers could rectify errors which have most undoubtedly shown themselves in the construction of the present butts. This may appear a bold assertion to make, but as I have been in the present butts as often as any man excepting “ Old Davy Anderson,” I can prove it by the marks on my head and body from splinters, any one of which if it caught a man in the eye would blind him. They are strong enough to draw blood through both coat and shirt, and although the slots are closed “ they get there just the same.” I must speak up for my old friend “ Davy.” Why is there no better provision made for paying him punctually his hard-earned inadequate salary ? As the days lengthen so does Mr. Anderson’s, personally and practically, and shooting men generally ought to be ashamed of themselves for the dilatory manner in which they put their hands in their pockets. I have known Mr. Anderson to be three months in arrear with his salary. Wake up, please ! Torpedo.