OPOTIKI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 184, 10 June 1874, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

.r V (smu ovn oww coB&Bai'OjojB»r,)

We have lately had a grand shooting festival, whioh will long ho remembered by the inhabitant* of Opotiki.. tflie Opotiki Volunteer Hangers baring been disappointed in their intended match against the Iwitanga Volunteer Fiilcs, and deter* m tied not to lose the anticipated fun, they, under tbo energetic management of Lieutenant John ihompson, determined U> devote a sum of money then in the funds, and a quantity of ammunition in the store for fch > purpose of a aeries of riflo matches, for all comers, to wind up with a supper for the corps. The amount to be devoted to prizes for the matches was supplemented by public subscription, the whole affair to he considered as a celebration in honour of the birthday ?/, lu,r „ maßt B rttoioUß Majesty Queen Victoria live affair was taken up with great zest by the members of the corps and the public generally. 1 he rifle matches, in consequence of the numerous entries, occupied two whole days. A full account of the scores would occupy too much of jowe valuable apace ; X will, therefore, give you a brief description of these well and warmly contested matches.

First—Snider Carbine Match (22 entries) r For all comers ; five shots at each range, no trial shot; ranges, 200, 800, and 250 yards; Ist prize. Sergeant William Allen, sub-storekeeper AO Force, 46 points; 2nd, Sergoant-Mt«j<r Charles Detfc, Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry, 43 j 3rd, Trooper L. A. Levy, B P V O, 42 ; 4>ih, Omstable f y° roe * S 7 5 Stb » Trooper A. Parkinson, SSXS* a 5 { Trooper M. M. Clarke. BPV O, 86 ; frth, Private S. Capper, Opotiki Volunteer Rangers, 86.

Second—Short Range Snider Bifle Match (28 entries) For all comers ; ranges, 200, 800, and 400 yards ; Are shots at each range, no trial shots s Ist prize, Constable Joyce, AO Force, 51 points j 2nd, Corporal J. A. Busst, Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry, 48 points; 3rd, Sergeant-Major Charles Belts, BPVO, 45 points; 4th, Private William Lut troll* Opotiki Volunteer Hangers* 44 j sth, Bugler John J?orbes, OV B, 42 j 6th, Corporal Thomas Brennan, O VB, 41 ; 7tb. Private John Ethorington, 40.

Third—Long Bange Snider Bifle Match (20 entries) :—For all comers ; 400, 503, and 6CO yards ; five shots at each range, no trial shots : Ist prize. Sergeant ‘William Allen, sub-store-keeper A O Force, 41 points ; 2nd, Bugler John Forbes, Opotiki Volunteer Bangers, 33; 3rd, Mr Charles 3>. Litchfield, civilian, 27; 4ih, Private H. W. Penny, Tauranga Militia, 20; sth, Constable Joyce, AO Force,, 23; Gth, Trooper H. M. Clarke, Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry, 23 ; 7th, Private J. Ltherington, Opotiki Volunteer Bangers, 21.

The whole of the following day the weather was beautiful, and the day passed off most satisfactorily. An ample luncheon waa provided on the ground, which obtained full justice at a shortnotice. The nest day, when the Long Bange Match was fired, the weather was very unfavourable, or-much bettor scores would have been made. The wind was blowing in strong irregular gusts directly across the range, making it exceedingly difficult to hit the target at all. Every match was well contested, and the liberal and equitable arrangement of the prizes (amounting to 21 in ell) gave universal satisfaction.

On the evening of Friday the whole of the Opotiki Rangers, with two guests, Messrs Leslie aud Litchfield, eat down to a sumptuous dinner provided by Mr B, Thompson, of the Wharf HoteL After the cloth was removed, and the decanters brought in, Lieutenant Thompson rose, and, with some feeling remarks, proposed the health of her Majesty Queen Victoria, which was drunk with three times throe. Many other loyal toasts were drunk, amor g which were his Excellency the Governor and the Administration ; John Williamson, Esq., and the Provincial Executive, coupkd with the name of William Kelly, Esq. Finally, the healths of Mr B. 'I bompson and Ins newly-wedded bride wore drunk amidst loud acclamations. Mr Thompson then made his appearance, and introduced Mrs Thompson, at the same time thanking the company In a neat and appropriate speech, and retired with his lady under cover of the applause. The rest of the evening passed off conviviaUy, amidst music, songs, toasts, and speeches. The highest praise is due to Lieutenant J. Thompson, Sergeant-Major D. Addis, and Mr Secretary Field for the highly successful manner in which the whole affair was so energetically carried out. Wo have, it appears, been “ entertaining a genius unawares,” We were astonished the other morning to find the following charming little couplet posted up in various parts of the town : ** Wanted, a man to sink a well. Apply to Mr Penny, at the Wharf Hotel.” We are anxiously waiting foe our laureate’s next effort. At the B.M. Court, on the 27th May. beforeH. W. Brabant, Esq., James Kelly was charged by Hori Winia with the illegal detention of a horse, value £6. Plaintiff’s evidence went to show that Kelly had claimed and taken the hors© from a native boy while riding through the township, and the present suit was instituted for the purpose of recovering the same, or £6 in lieu thereof. Plaintiff’s evidence and that of his witnesses was inconclusive and inconsistent, Mr James Kelly, in his defence, gave a succinct account of the circumstance of losing the horse from off the run, and of recognising it again by certain marks and peculiarities. Defendant's witnesses corroborated this statement. Judgment for defendant with c ts. The cutter Waratah arrived on the 29th May from Tatnaki, with 161 sheep for Mr W. Kelly. The Waratah proceeded up the river about a mile or more above the township, and landed the sheep at Mr Kelly’s magnificent farm at Hukitaia.