BALL TO THE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVES.

Evening Star, Issue 2867, 27 April 1872, Page 2

BALL TO THE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVES.

The ball given in St. George's Hall last evening to the riflemen who represented Otago at the late Colonial competition, was a thorough success, and was indeed the pleasantest gathering that has been held in Dunedin for years. Perhaps it was that the experience that many of the gentlemen who were stewards gained in their visit to Christchurch contributed in no small degree to this result, for it was apparent that unusual efforts were made to make the enjoyment of all present complete. We feel sure that every one there will readily admit that in this the stewards were eminently successful; and we are glad to be able to say that the arrangements were creditable and satisfactory in every respect. The orchestra was large, and included Messrs Kelly (violin), Sykes (piano), and Martin (flute), and played capital music; while the refreshment department, under the care of Mr Job Wain, left nothing to be desired. Captain Copeland acted as master of ceremonies, and received valuable assistance from Captain Jamieson. The company numbered about eighty couples, and included ten of our representatives, and Lieutenant Close, of Napier. All the town companies, with their officers, were represented ; while there were present Colonel Cargill, Majors Bathgate and Atkinson, and the'’other members of the staff. Dancing was spiritedly kept up till five in the morning. During the interval the presentation of the ladies’ prize was made to Captain Wales by Mrs Colonel Cargill. The Otago representatives having been drawn up in front of the platform, Colonel Cargill addressed a few words to them, expressive of the feeling of satisfaction entertained by the inhabitants of the Province that the champion belt had been brought back to it. He was sure the representatives would agree with him when he said that no man could have shown greater skill and determination to do his best to win the belt (in which he|j was successful) than Captain Wales ; and be also felt sure that next to winning it themselves, they were glad to see Captain Wales carry it off. Before the representatives left for Christchurch the ladies, who always had a high appreciation of merit, agreed that whoever made the highest score for Otago at the me ting should on his return receive at their hands a suitable recognit on of his efforts ; aud that prize would be presented a few moments later. In concluding the Colonel called for three hearty cheers for the champion, which were given. Mrs Cargill then presented the prize to Captain Wales, and in doing so said she felt very great pleasure in handing to him the prize of the ladies of Dunedin. She assured him that the ladies were proud of their champion, and of his achievement in having carried off the belt for two successive years, lie had with him their best wishes for his future success. The ladies were also pleased to see that the other representatives of the Province, while doing their best to get the belt, succeeding in carrying off the lion’s share of the prizes.—(Cheers). Capt. Wales, in replying, said he felt at a loss to convey in suitable expressions his

thanks to Mrs Cargill personally for conceiving the idea of the presentation, or to his numerous lady friends who had assisted her in getting up snoh a valuable prize, as the reward of the highest Otago representative. When it was made public before the departure of the representatives, that the ladies of Dunedin intended to get up the prize, it acted as a stimulus to him, and he determined then and there to win, if possible, the belt, and so secure their gift. But he did not conceive that it would have been such a handsome gift: a much smaller token would have satisfied him, and done ample justice to the small exertion he made, with the other representatives, to maintain the honor of the Province. He might he excused for saying that he esteemed it a double honor to be the winner of the belt, and in being thought worthy of receiving the ladies’ prize. He felt sure the other representatives, as indeed the Volunteers generally, held a similar opinion to himself—that the interest the iadies of Otago took in the movement would cause the men to maintain the prestige the Province had won in rifle-shooting, to stick to it as long as possible, and not give it up without a very severe struggle. He thanked them most cordially for their present, and would endeavor to merit it while he enjoyed the health to wear it. (Cheers.)

The prize takes the form of a gold hunting lever watch, which was obtained from Mr G. \ oung, Princes street, and is valued at L 26. It bears the following inscription “ Ladies’ Prize to Captain Wales, winner of the champion belt, 187*2.”