FOR MARKSMANSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 129, 24 February 1908, Page 9

FOR MARKSMANSHIP.

PRESENTATION OF THE KEBBELL SHIELD. On Saturday afternoon the Kebbcll Shield was presented to, the. Petoue Company of tho 3rd Wellington Battalion. 'J'lio presentation was mado by tho Hon. .Ttis, M'Gowan" at tho cadet camp on .the Hutt Park. The Minister was accompanied by Mr. ,W. 11. Field, M.P., Major Burlinson, Mr. G. L. Stuart (Secretary of rlie Wellington Education Board), Mr. Uakewell aud Ml'. Tennant (School Inspectors), and Mr. Do Castro (Education Department); A number of 6choolma6ters and cadet officers were also present. During the afternoon selections were played by the band of the Weraroa Training Farm Cadets.

Before presenting the Shield, Mr. M'Gowan apologised for the absence of Colonel Eobin and staff, and briefly, outlined the objects which the competitions were intonded to secure. Major' Ivebbell, be said, liad token a great interest ; n cadet matters ..generally, and, in order to awaken enthusiasm, had presented tho Shield for annual competition by the cadets of the 3rd Wellington Battalion. Tho conditions were:—Sovcn shots each at 100, 150, and 200 yds., by a team of five. The Minister urged the boys to m'alio fnll use-of the splendid opportunities afforded them, and to learn, not only to 'shoot 'straight/ but also to live straight.

. Mr. Field expressed his regret that Major Kchball ,waR ; unable to be present, and congratulated the boys upon their splendid performance .in the compotition. He also_ congratulated' Pie. Walton, of tho Levin District High Scluol, who had mado the oxcellcnt score of 78 but of a, 'possible 81, thus winning the Colonial Ammunition Company's Cup. . Mr. M'Gowan then' presented tho winning cadets with tho medals; which they rcccivo jii addition to having their names inscribed on the Shield. ' ; i . , Following are tho names of tho members of the:, winning team, with, their respective scoresSergt. Rainsden, 80; Corn. Jackson, i-82; Pfe. Duncan, .81; Col-Sergt. Thomson, 79; Pte. Wright, 78. Total, 100, out. of a possible 420. ' -. : - The Colonial Ammunition Company s Cup pas -then', presented. • -Thore : -are • four of these .trophies given each year ,in order to encourage rifle shooting in schools. One is for tho,Auckland; and-Hawke's Bay, districts, one for Nelson, Marlbcrough, Wcstland, and North, and South. Canterbury,, one for tho Otago and Southland districts, and. one, for Welhngtbn, Warignnui,' and Taranaki.' , The last-named has been ivon 'for this year .by Pte. Walton, of the I^vin'District'High. School. -' , Mr. M'Gcwan, performance of Pte.' Walton "reflected : groat credit - both on ' tho cadet himself,; and : on the; officers who/had trained him. He trusted the boy would'continue in his successful ' ca,reer, but ,he also hoped that'.tho .competition for tho trophies would bo so-keen that,neither,the Shield nor the Cup would go to the same district again noxt year.' ' ' , Three ohcers for tho winning Company and Pte.; Walton' wero then called' for by Mr. Field,'and jhcartily -responded to. Mr: Homo, headmaster of tho Potono School, then called . for cheers for: the visitors. After witnessing ajfi , exhibition of drill by, a Petone. tcam, tho. visitors .dispersed.'-.to view the."camp aiid partake of afternoon tea.