THE VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1802, 29 November 1879, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.

The monthly inspection of head quarter’s corps took place last night in the drill shed. There were present—the Artillery, Engineers, City Guards, and Cadets under the command of Major Lean. The usual movements were gone through, after which the City Guards, Engineers and Cadets marched through the town under the command of Captain Hswkes, headed by the battalion band. Returning to the drill shed they were dismissed.

The artillery in the meantime having adjourned held a general meeting at Hill’s British Hotel. Captain Craig in the chair. The first business brought before the meeting was with reference to the severe loss sustained by the bsttery at the fire in February last by which all records and other ’valuable property belonging to the battery were entirely destroyed. Captain Craig reverted to the resignation of Lieut. Stansell, and explained to the meeting the action taken by the battery committee in forwarding their expression of regret on his retirement from the corps, and enclosing a ticket of life membership with a hope of making a more substantial recognition of his past services. Captain Craig then proceeded to read a record, compiled from memory by Lieutenant Stansell and other old members, of the origin and progress of the E Battery up to the time of the destruction of their records, which it was decided should be entered in the minute book and forwarded to the editor of the “Volunteer Service Gazette.”

The vacancy of second lieutenant, occasioned by the promotion of Lieutenant Strange to the position formerly occupied by Lieutenant Stansell, was then brought forward.

Captain Craig then proceeded to read a reply which he had received from O. P. Hulbert to an invitation asking him if he were willing to accept the position of second lieutenant, and which he had declined, on the ground of a wish not to oppose the nomination of a member of the Battery. Sergeant-major Raven then proposed the name of Mr C. P. Hulbert to fill the vacancy, which was seconded by Quarter-master Sergeant Fox. Corporal Farrell proposed Sergeant-Major Raven, which was seconded by Gunner Girdler. Sergeant-Major Raven, while feeling flattered at the honor which had been done him by the reference which had been made by Corporal Farrell to his services in the last New Zealand war, begged to decline the honor, as he considered he could render greater service to the battery in his present position of loading non-commissioned officer than if he took commissioned rank.

Tnese remarks were endorsed by Captain Craig. Lieutenant Strange explained that at the time Mr Hulbert forwarded his reply he was under the impression that he was standing in the light of a member of the battery. Sergeant Hill, the remaining eligible candidate, stated that he had much pleasure in resigning his candidature in favor of Mr Hulbert, being of opinion that he would still fill the position of sergeant far better than that of a commissioned officer.

Captain Craig then called for an expression of opinion from the meeting, which being unanimously in faTor of the election of Mr C. P. Hulbert, he decided that a requisition should lie for signature at the British Hotel, requesting that Mr Hulbert would accept the position offered him. The meeting next proceeded to the election of a firing committee, which resulted in the election of Corporal Sinclair, Sergeant Duncan, Corporal Mills, Corporal Farrell, Gunners Jackson, Leahey, and Girdler. Captain Craig remarked on tho necessity of increasing the strength of the battery to its full complement, and he was happy to say that recruits of a superior class were offering. It was resolved that tho battery should go to Port for shot and shell practice on the 16th prox. Before tho meeting terminated, Captain Craig said he felt bound to refer to the gratifying fact that the Drill Shed had recently been vested in trustees for the benefit of the Christchurch volunteers, and he felt sure that the battery would be with him as one man when he said it was in a great measure owing to tho Bill having been brought forward by Mr E. O. J. Stevens in tho Lower House, and the Hon. Colonel Brett in the Upper House, at Wellington. [Cheers.] There was not tho slightest doubt that it was owing to the exertions of those gentlemen that they had now the sole control of the Drill Shed, which would now enable them to carry out the repairs and improvements so long needed. This terminated the business, and votes of thanks were unanimously passed to Captain Craig and Lieut. Strange.

WANDERERS y. ASHLEY COUNTY.

On Thursday last a match was played between the above clubs, and resulted in a draw, as there was not time to finish an innings apiece. The Ashley team was much weakened through the absence of several of their best men, while the Wanderers had almost as strong a team as could be picked from the club, and the day’s play showed that they were far too strong for their opponents. The chief feature in the match was the long stand made by Ollivier and Million, who first represented the Wanderers, and sueseeded in bringing the score up to 226 before they were separated, which is the highest score ever made on the ground before the fall of the first wicket, Ollivier scoring 141 and Million 71. Neither of the batsmen gave a chance from beginning to end, which shows that it was not luck, and the bowling, too, was very good at the commencement, in fact, was very straight all through the innings, especially that of Blunden, who started his analysis with 22 overs, 11 maidens, 17 runs. Bcswick was very successful, also, getting four wickets, Blunden securing the other six. The wicket, though rather dead at first, played very true, and this, in a great measure, accounts tor the long score obtained. Play was commenced about half-past eleven bv Ollivier and Million [going in for the Wanderers to the bowling of Blunden and Banks. Both bowlers were very straight, and seemed to rather puzzle the batsmen, who, however, soon gained more confidence, and though unable to score fast gradually raised the score until 90 appeared on the board, when an adjournment was made for lunch, four or five changes of bowling having been tried without effect. After lunch, the two not-outs soon brought up the century, which was greeted with applause. The scoring still continued, and tens were hoisted in quick succession, Ollivier doing most of the execution, making some splendid on drives, and he at length made a good hit for 4, which made his score over the 100, which was signalised by shouts' ; from the pavilion. After this the second century was hoisted, and was the signal for more cheering, though the remaining Wanderers were giving up hopes of seeing the wickets at all. In this they were disappointed (perhaps pleasantly) as Millton, after 26 more had been added, put his leg before the wicket, and retired for a careful 71. His innings was entirely defensive, though he made several good hits his score being made up by one 4, six 3’s, nine 2’s, and singles—--226—1—71. Ashby joined Ollivier, who was soon afterwards caught and bowled by Bogwick, much to the joy of Ashley, for the fine score of 141 made without giving a chance. His hits were one 5, seven 4’s, twelve 3’s, fifteen 2’s, and singles. Hartland joined Ashby, who after rattling up 27 by three s’s and smaller hits was well caught and bowled by Blunden, Hartland and Sheath added a few when the former slogged at a Yorker from Beswick, and was bowled for 12, Sheath being soon after bowled by Blunden. Wilson was the only other man to get into double figures, scoring 22 in a finer style than usual before he was bowled by Blunden, the innings closing at half-past five for 311 runs. The Wanderers were soon in the field to give the Ashley men all the time they could, but the latter offered little resistance to Ashby and Sheath, as they lost three wickets for 11 runs before time was called. The following is the score : WANDERERS. First innings. A. M. Olliver, c and b Beswick 141 W. B. Millton, Ibw, b Blunden 71 D. Ashby, c and b Blunden 27 J. Hartland, b Beswick 12 A. Q. Sheath, b Blunden 11 A. C. Wilson, b Blunden 22 A. Longden, c Good b Beswick 7 E. A. Smith, c Good b Beswick 2 B. D. Harman, c Beswick b Blnnden ... 0 J. S. Monck, not out 4 C. Howorth, b Blunden 0 Extras 14 Total 311 ASHLEY COUNTY. First innings. Wrigbt, c Ashby b Sheath 5 Barkeley, b Ashby 0 Fendall, b Ashby ... ... 2 Beswick, not out ... 2 Banks, not out ... 0 Extras 2 Total for three wickets 11