Volunteer Items.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 75, 25 September 1896, Page 2

Volunteer Items.

Ths Manchester Rifles were inspected last night by Lieutenant-Colonel Newall. During the parade Colonel Newall presented the gold medal won by Vol G. H. Saywcll, and complimented the latter on the fact. After parade a meeting of the corps was held when the report aud balance sheet of the Shooting Committee were read. The report showed the year (1895-96) had been fairly satisfactory, although regret was expressed there was not increased eothusiasm in rifle practice explaining as a possible cause the high price charged for ammunition. During the season the corps tired three matches against the Marton Martini-Henri Club the first and last of which the Manchester Rifles won. The corps has the proud destinction of having in its ranks the winners of the Government medals for " Marksmen " for the two best shots in the North Island, viz., Vol G. H. Say well the gold medal, and Vol Richards the gold and silver medal. Regret was expressed that owiug to his removal from Feilding the corps have lost the services of Vol Richarps. Competitions were got off duriug the season for Mrs Kirton's watch, won by Vol McMillan, silver tea pot presented by Mrs Hastie, won by Lieut Barltrop. The competition for Captain Kirton's Martini -Henri rifle has yet to be decided, but Lieut Barltrop and Vol A. Richards have foar wins each, Vol Saywell three, Sorgt Aitken two, Sergt Parker, Vols Scott and Wilson one each. Five wins are required. A special vote of thanks was accorded the donors of the prizes fired for on the Queen's Birthday, also to Mr F. Y. Lethbridge for the use of the range. A Morris tube match was fired against the Napier Rifles which was won by 25 points. The return match with the Napier, Palmerston N. Rifles joining in, was also won by the Manchester Rifles with a score of 295, Napier 263, Palmerston 255. A match between the Manchester and Napier second teams resulted in a win for the former by 24<) to 220. Thes report and balance sheet were adopted and a hearty vote of thanks to the secretary, Vol Wilson, was carried by acclamation The following were elected as a Shooting Cemmitteo for the coming season : — Sergts Aitken and McMurray, Vols Wilson (secretary), Parker, Parkes, T. Evans and A. Wilson. Certain recommendations were made to the new Committee with regard to repairs to the targets, range, etc.