THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 2986, 13 September 1872, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

At a meeting of the members of committee of tbe Dunedin Rifle Club, held at the Athetueura last evening, it was resolved to hold the next match on Saturday, the sth October, at the ranges of 300, 400, and 600 yards, Hythe targets—entries to close on the 3rd of that month.

On Wednesday evening, the Scottish company was inspreted by Major Atkinson. There were 40 rank and file present, the company being under the command of Cant. Jamieson. After the inspection, Major Atkinson briefly addressed the company, saying that it was with pleasure that he told them that during a two months’ tour of the Province he had not come across a company whose arras were kept in better condition than theirs; in fact he had seldom seen regulars with their arms in better condition. Major Atkinson exercised the company in bayonet drill for upwards of an hour, after which an election of corporals was held. There were nine nominations, and the successful candidates were Vols. John Gibson, Thos Buchanan, and H. Mercer. Mr James Farland was unanimously elected a member of the company ; and Mr A, R. Livingston an honorary member.

Ihe rc -uHs of a rifle contest between ten men of tbe Bth Staffordshire Biflc Volunteers and a similar number of men of the 2nd Hauraki ( 'cw Zealand) Rifles have just been issued. The conditions were that both teams should shoot in their own country, and on stated days, at distances of 200, 500 and 600 yards ; seven shots at each. The Now Zealanders fixed first at the Parawai range, aud obtained the good score of 458 points. Tie Staffordshire men shot at their range last month in the presence of Major Bass, M.P., who officiated as umpire, and scored 519, or 61 mo"C than their opponents. The highest individual scores made by the New Zealanders were—Private Constable, 55 ; Private Hoskins, 54 ; and Corporal Creighton, 50. On tbe victor’s side—Captain Clay made 60; Corporal Buxton, 57 Lieutenant Anderson, 57 ; and Corporal Coates, 55. Canada is again represented at the great English competition. For this year's Wimbledon Camp “a team” of 20 was sent from Canada, the funds of the Dominion Association hav.ng been augmented by a grant 4,000 dollars from Parliament for that purpose. They sailed by the Scandinavian on ehc 22nd of June, and embrace six from Ontario, six from Quebec, four from New Baunswick, aud four from Nova So ia, The selection has been ma le upon test tiring, and though some of the competitors have found themselves unable to leave for England, and their places are necessarily filled by others who have not. scored such high figures, it is considered a pretty strong “ team.” “ Anglo-Australian,” noticing the team’s arrival in England, says the leading colonists in London contemplate giving them some kind of reception.