The N.Z. Rifle Team.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 9, 5 October 1907, Page 6

The N.Z. Rifle Team.

DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON;" SPEECH BY THE MINISTER. The New Zealand Representative Rifio Team, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cresß- , well,, left for Australia by the Wimr...cra yesterday, en route to the Commonwealth Rille Meeting. At i o'clock . the members'of the team assembled at the Central Drill Shed, to be sworn in by Colonel Collins, who made a short, speech in which ho outlined tho arrangements and conditions of tho contest in which they were about to take part, and trusted that they would, individually and collectively, acquit themselves with credit to tho country t.- which they belonged. The' Hon. R. M'Nab, Ministetr of Lefenco, then addressed the men. Por- . sonnlly, he said, he had always taken a keen interest in rifle shooting, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to wish them, on behalf of the Government, "hon voyage," and to express a hope that they would be successful in the forthcoming match. There was splendid material fo rtho development., of • first-class riflemen in New Zealand, and he had no doubt that as timo went on they would .have in the country a . class of riflemen equal to' the best that tho Empire could produce. The configuration of Iho country, its climate, and general characteristics, were very fav-' qualities of nerve and intelligent initiaourablc to the development of thoso tive which were the essential eojvipmont of good riflemen and soldiers. In his younger days he had been himself a rifleman, and he valued very highly the memories and associations of that time. He regretted very much that tho -■ ' i - pressure of his official duties made it impossible for him to go with them. He wished them every success, and urged upon them, as sportsmen, the exercise of those gentlemanly qualities which were the distinguishing characteristics of the, true sportsman. Tho honour of the country, he felt sure, was safe.in their hands, and it was with the greatest confidence and pleasure ' that he wished them Godspeed, and a safe and triumphant return. Tho Minister then shook hands with the riflemen, aud the party was afterwards photographed. The full list of the team is as follows:—Licut.-Colonel Crcsswell, 0.C., Col.-Sergeant Hadiield, Col.-Sergeant Duncan, Sergeant Mills, Corporal Ayson, Private Purncll, Riflemen Uallinger, Cameron, Moslew, Milson, Craw, Wilkic, and Mnscfiold. A number of prominent riflemen are also proceeding to the Commonwealth Rifle Meeting to try their fortune. 1 Among thene are Riflemen Clarke, Williams, C; Speck, W. Speck, and Doyle