GISBORNE RIFLES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2073, 7 May 1907, Page 2

GISBORNE RIFLES

A very successful smoko concert yus hold by tho members of tho Gis,orno Rifles in tlie City Band Room ast evening. There was a good muster of the corps, who looked spick ,i,inl span in their neat-fitting lvliarki uniforms mid lot-age caps. llicro .voro also a good many visitors present.

Captain Beoro occupied tho chair uid extended a hearty welcome to

be visitors. Ho apologised for the ibson-co of his AVorship tho Mayor, Air. R. Robertson, Colonel Winter uid Captain Cowan who wore unable to be present. Lieutenant Coleman said lie bad

be pleasant duty of proposing a

hearty vote of thanks to all those gentlemen who bud kindly donated

prizes during Alio year to bo competed for on tlie range. lie was unfortunately not one of the lucky ones to socuro one of tho prizes, most ol his bullets finding Now Zealand. They hail received help and ensniingemont from certain citizens.

mil be asked them to charge their glasses, and drink the health of those gentlemen who bad given donations to the corps. The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr. AY. F. Crawford in replying, narrated some interesting rominis.•oncos of bis early volimtecering lays. He belonged to No. 2 Naval Company at Auckland about 36 years

,;go. They used to go out to the range at live o’clock in the morning

:o' shoot. Ho could sympathise with Lieut. Coleman. It was bis list attempt at taking up a bit of Native land. (Laughter). They used the musket in those days. Then

they passed to the snider. He had ais snider still, and slept with it ilongsido his bed, for the convenience of burglars. He remembered when in No. 4 Company be was picked m a match, English, Irish and Scotch, llis company were the Irish. He bought they came third. Thero was i scare here about 30 years ago uid they all took up arms. This ,vas 30 years ago and those who had not guns took .Walking sticks and umbrellas. Since then ho had watched with interest volunteer movements. Ho proposed tho toast “Captaii. ileere, and members of the Gisborne Rifles,” wishing them prosperity .uid advancement in the arduous duties of soldiering. He did not know from what motive they had taken t up, but they were the most important men in the community. In responding Captain Beoro said .boy had been very fortunate in regard to donors of prizes. The resilonts of tho district had come forward liberally when called upon.

. lioy wore at present, as it were, working in the dark, and would like tho public to take a more live interest in tlie work. It seemed a nice

easy thing, going down every night to drill.. It was alright if nothing happened, and ho trusted that notling would happen to call them out. There wore many ways in which the public might assist.. If they came ever to the range and took a ham in the shooting they would soon get interested. Anyono with reasonably good sight and a steady nerve should make a good shot. It should be their aim to push on shooting, as this was the foundation of volunteering. There should be equally as much interest taken in shooting as in a football match. (Applause). During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs. Trent. Dalrymple, Orpv.ood and Dustin, recitations by Air. Ollivor and Color- Sergeant McKerras, a whistling solo by -Mr. AV. L. Clayton, and a pianoforte selections by Surgeon Captain Schumacher and Mr. Yon Riibbie. The accompaniments were played by Mr. Trent. Selections from gramophones kindly lent by Captain Beere and Corporal Fielder helped to enliven the proceedings. In thanking those who assisted to wards the evenings enjoyment.. Captain Beere said they would soon have a drill-shed of their own. The site was secured, and the trustees were getting ahead with the building. H hoped to spend another pleasant evening with all present in the i-i 'V drill slied shortly. He had to thank the members of the band who allowed thorn the use of tlie band-room ■free of charge. He had also to thank the press for its generosity towards them. By giving small items on volunteering it created an interest that could not be otherwise awakened.

The .singing of “Aulil Lang Syne” and “God Save the King” brought the evening to a close. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr. Dustin. The committee who assisted ir, making the concert a success included: Col-Sgt. McKorras, Sgt. J. Somervell, Corp. Holmes, Corp. llait ~ Corp. Breingan and Sgt. J.- V. Scott, secretary.