WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 30, 9 April 1866, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT PRIZES, The presentation of the prizes to the successful competitors in the late match took place on Monday at noon, in front of the Government buildings. The day turned out more favorable than was anticipated. Shortly before twelve o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Stafford arrived, and we noticed amongst those present Colonel Haultain, Colonel Russell, Mr. Justice Johnson, an i most of the leading gentlemen of the city. A number of ladies also graced the ceremony with their presence. The first prize was the Champion Belt, with a bag of 100 sovereigns. The belt is a handsome shoulder belt of black leather, mounted in silver, with clasps hearing the names of the different competitors who had previously won it, ending with the name of the champion for the present year. A cartouch pouch attached is splendidly set off with a silver front piece, on which nre laid in gold two muskets crossed, surrounded by fern leaves in the same metal. The second prize was the silver medal of the Rifle Association, a large and well-cut medal, with a purse containing seventy-five sovereigns ; the third prize a purse of fifty sovereigns ; the fourth, of thirty sovereigns ; ancl the filth, of twentv sovereigns. Four of the victors soon came on to the ground, the fifth. Private Benton, of the Featherston Rifle Volunteers, not appearing. They were ranged in front ofthe table on which the prizes stood, and Mrs. Stafford having descended the steps from the hall, Colonel Haultain introduced th-*vn to her, saying that as Mrs. Stafford had very kindly undertaken to present the prizes offered by the Colonial Government to the best shots in the colony, he begged to introduce these gentlemen as those who were entitled to those prizes. Mr. Stafford then said — gentlemen— Mrs. Stafford has requested me to express to you the very greatgratification that it affords her to present to you the the prizes that you have won in a trial of skill, hy which you have proved yourselves superior marksmen. Mrs. Stafford, saying that she esteemed it a great privilege to have the opportunity of doing so, then presented the prizes to each of the successful competitors present, and handed that to which Privt. Benton was entitled to Captain Cleland, H.R.V., who undertook to hand it over to the winner of it.