THE INTERCOLONIAL RIFLE MATCH.

Evening Star, Issue 3309, 27 September 1873, Page 3

THE INTERCOLONIAL RIFLE MATCH.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln reply to your correspondent “Wimbledon’s” letter of last evening, I fear that his letter is ano'her example of the hot haste in which some people madly rush into print and rave about what they imagine is a grievance when really none exists, and hutl all sorts of abuse at the most innocent people. , , If “ Wimbledon” has, as he says, been “some years in the company,” and also “taken considerable interest in shooting matters,” he is paying a very poor compliment to his own ability to recollect the proceedings and understand the working of the company to which ho belongs, as ho should be well aware that all matters in connection with shooting in any shape or form arc managed (as in all other well organised companies) by the “Shooting Committee,” duly elected for the purpose by the members at the annual meetings. And had he prosecuted his inquiry in the only direction where ho was likely'to obtain a satisfactory reply he could, I have little doubt, have been apprized of “ how and at what meeting” Lieut. Muir and Gunner Reid were nominated as representatives of the company. In justice to Lieutenant Muir, I beg to state that he had nothing whatever to do with the selection of representatives, and was not even present when the choice was made, . . Trusting you will find space xor the insertion of the above, I am, £c., One cf the Shooting Committee. Dunedin, September 27.

To the Editor . r IR) __I decline to reply to the anonymous letter’of “Wimbledon.” If he is a member of the company he knows where I am to be found ; and 1 must presume, therefore, that he is either afraid or ashamed to meet me and ask the question contained in his letter. He is evidently ashamed of his name, and probably by this time of himself also. While on the subject, a word or two in reply to Mr Miller. f certainly did not hear the expression ho makes use of uttered at the meeting, and the circulars sent by the Secretary of the Association did not express that the men were to compete for places ; for the words used are, “That commanding officers of companies be requested to submit the names of two gentlemen they may think qualified as competitors, on or before, <fcc. It was pretty evident to those at the meeting that there was a strong combination present who were agreed, if beaten upon the question of ballot, to vote for certain four names, two of whom were outsiders, and this one of the “ King” afterwards told me. The others voted upon their judgment on the hst of ten or twelve names generally. Hence the election of two of the now famou' four. One of the combination —Mr Nightin-gale-had the presumption previous to the meeting, to make an active personal canvass of members of the Council to obtain votes for the select team. I regret the issue of the matter, as the public, who are asked to find the money, seeing that they cannot rely upon the judgment of the Council, will use their own, to the detriment of the funds, I fancy. Ido not think either the Association or the Volunteers will thank Mr Miller for his generous offer, and presume he would, in the event of his going, merely represent himself and not the Province, as, unless he goes accredited by the Association, he will not be allowed to shoot in the Representative Match. At any rate the majority of the shooting community, who, 1 repeat, are extremely dissatisfied with the present selection, would repudiate the connection. —I am, &c.,

S, N. Muir,

Dunedin, September 26. P.S.—lt has been stated to me on good authority that several votes were promised and given in favor of one of the “ selected,” because ho was in bad health, and a sea voyage would be of benefit to him! He must be grateful.