Volunteer News.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 140, 30 March 1893, Page 3

Volunteer News.

(By

Rifleman.)

The firing for the “ O ” Battery Challenge Cup took place on Saturday last at Mount Eden Rifle Range, when over 30 competitors took part. The ranges were 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards, seven shots at each distance,’ two sighting shots allowed. The weather was favourable for good shooting and some tall scores were made, eight making too and upwards. Gunner A. Henderson proved the winner with the fine score of 108 points. The following are the ten highest scores : —

Gunner A. Henderson’s win was a deservedly popular one, he having shot most consistently right through the season. Alick is about the most consistent shot in Auckland. Vol. W. Osborne, who won the Challenge Cup last year, had tough luck in not winning the coveted trophy on Saturday. He only finished one point behind the winner, and if he had won it, it would have been his own property. As it is now he still requires to win it twice. Hard luck, old man. “Si” Webster appears to be coming back to his old form, putting up the respectable score of 107 points—only one point behind the winner. Never mind, “ Si,” Alick will let you have a look at the Cup. Lieut. Dormer shot remarkably well, and put up 100, and had he made anything like his ordinary score at the 500 yards range, he must have won. P.O. Ewan, too, of the P.N.A. made the respectable score of 105. He is the making of a N.Z. Rep. shot. Monty McCallum had a big show of winning the Cup outright, hut for his unfortunate break down at the 300 yards range. “ Monty ” was suffering from a very bad cold, or, as he says, he would have made things very sultry. Cox, of the Newton Rifles, shot up to his Belt form, putting up 102 points. Well done, Bob. Jim Leigh cut up rather roughly at the 500 yards range, putting on the munificent score of 2 for 7 shots, or a measly 2 out of a possible 35. What’s the matter, Jim ? Cantell, of the Vics, even did worse than this at the same range, he having failed to find the target in his seven shots. Cantell and Leigh are both picked to represent the Smokers in the forthcoming match. They will require to improve on this or the Non-smokers will simply romp home. The “ A ” Battery “ a sort o’ came out of their shell” on Saturday, furnishing the winner of the Cup with A. Henderson, and the runner-up in Webster, while they had seven in the first twelve. Last week in selecting the winner of the Cup in four I took A. Henderson, Osborne, Rose and Spinley, and in so doing I find that I have the first and third. Not so bad out of a field of 34. Capt. Ralph Somers, assisted by Lieut. Watson, ably conducted the firing for the “ O” Battery Challenge Cup on Saturday last, and gave entire satisfaction. Capt. Somers is ever ready to assist in any shooting competition, and in any way in the interest of our Volunteers. Would there were more like him. The Easter Encampment arrangements are progressing very satisfactory. In addition to the Officers’ Mess, a Sergeants’ Mess is to be established. This is a step in the right direction, and one which will be appreciated by the non-commissioned officers. Altogether the Kohimarama Encampment promises to be a very successful, instructive and enjoyable one. It is with regret that I hear of the resignation of Capt. H. Parker of the Auckland Navals. He is one of the oldest and ablest of our officers, and the Volunteer Force can ill afford to lose his services. Coming so soon after the resignation of Lieut. Smith it will prove very disastrous if not fatal to the Auckland Navals. The members intend to have a meeting shortly, I hear, to consider the advisibility or otherwise of attending the Easter Encampment and also of disbandment, as they cannot well carry on without officers. Why these resignations are coming in from all corps seems to be the' burning question of the day among our Volun-

teers. First Lieut. Smith of the Auckland Navals, then Capt. Geddes of the “A” Battery, and now Capt. Parker of the Auckland Navals, three of our oldest and most respected officers. The reasons given by them are failing health and pressure of business, and so on, but Volunteers generally seem to think that the attitude of the Officer commanding the District towards the officers is at the bottom of the whole business. Certainly our officers should be respectfully treated at least, and not, as we have seen them at times, ridiculed in front of their Corps. I will have something to say on this subject in a future issue of the Review. The firing on Saturday last was commenced at the 400 and 500 yards range instead of at the shorter distances. This was a very wise step to take in order to secure a good light at the longer ranges, as is shown by the splendid average shooting throughout, for the first eight scored too and over, while 19 scored upwards of 90 points. Compare this with the firing for Capt. Clark’s Belt, boys, and see what lam getting at. Those members of the Committee who suggested the alteration are to be complimented. There is some talk about the formation of a Rifle Club. It is a movement which should be fostered, and I will again refer to the matter. Don’t forget to roll up in full force for the Easter Encampment, boys, and have a good time of it. Wishing you all success.

200 300 400 yds. yds. yds. 500 yds. Total Gun. A.Henderson, ‘A’Bat. 30 27 26 25 108 „ J.D. Webster ,, 31 Vol. W. Osborne, City G.. .31 24 29 23 I07 28 2b 22 T07 P. 0. Ewan, P.N.A 29 27 27 22 105 Gun. Greenshields, ‘A’ Bat.27 26 29 22 I04 Pvte. R. Cox, Newton Rifles3i 26 20 25 102 Sergt. Parslow, ‘A’ Bat. ..28 23 30 21 102 Lieut. Dormer, City G 29 Gun. McCallum, ‘ A ’ Bat. 29 Gun. Head, ‘ A ’ Bat 28 28 29 14 IOO 19 24 27 99 22 26 23 99