JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 97, 2 June 1892, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

(By

Proteus.)

Wellington, May 27. The sham fight which was held at Island Bay in the presence of Lieutentant-Colonel Fox, was a brilliant success. The country . over which the volunteers exercised their military powers was exceedingly rough, and in some parts dangerous. Two of the gun carriages belonging to the “D” Battery of Artillery capsized* and one of the drivers narrowly escaped serious injury. The gun carriage fell upon him, but he managed to escape the gun. which by itself would be liable to break any part of a person’s body it came in contact with. The Wellington Naval Artillery took my fancy, and it was the opinion of all who witnessed the display that this corps outclassed the others in every detail. One of the most noticeable of the squads entrusted to the officers’ supervision, was that commanded by Chief Petty Officer Armstrong, of the Wellington Navals. This officer’s knowledge of practical warfare was ably displayed. The attacking forces were under LieutenantCommanding Duncan, and included the Wellington and Petone Navals, City Rifles and Guards. The defending forces were under Major Messenger, and men composed of the Permanent Artillery with two guns, the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles and “D” Battery of Artillery with four guns, and the Wellington Rifles. The fight started at 11 o'clock, and was finished about 1 o’clock. The Queen’s Birthday salute was fired at the Newtown Park, where the “ march past” was held.

A boxing match took place at the Jubilee Hall last Saturday night, between Dentice and .Mitchell. The attendance of the public was not very large, but the number that were there took a lively interest in the proceedings, which were short, but I am sorry to say not very sweet. The fight ended in the third round, the referee (Bob Matthews) and Mitchell’s seconds disagreeing.

A few days ago a man on board the Rimutaka, by the name of Needles, wanted to fight Bob Matthews for £SO aside, but on the latter

accepting the challenge, the Rimutaka man was “off,” and it is “needless” to say the fight was not fought.

It is very gratifying to note how pigeon flying is gaining popularity in Wellington. The Wellington Pigeon Club flew off a race from Masterton to Wellington on Saturday last for a handsome medal, in the shape of a Maltese cross with a raised Homer in the centre. Mr. Burton Boys officiated as liberator, and Mr. W. Ross as judge. The weather was fine, and the birds homed in good time, the following being the velocity flown in yards per minute by first bird from each loft: —

1 Mr. Alex. Smith’s Rob Roy 1126 2 Mr. A. Kenney’s Empire Hl6 3 Mr. S. H. Mouatt’s Marvel 1107 4 Mr. J. F. Fitzgerald’s Egeria 1106 5 Mr. W. Ferkin’s Torrado 1095 6 Mr. Jas. Smith’s Spanker 786 Mr, Alex. Smith therefore wins the medal, and Mr. J. Smith the prize presented by Mr. Arthur Smith, of Christchurch, for the last bird home. The Club have several trophies to be flown for from different places, including Whnganui and Christchurch. The birds at present are undergoing the usual course of training.