RIFLE MATCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 128, 3 June 1869, Page 2

RIFLE MATCH.

"Neisos versus Wellington*. Our readers will remember that some fortnight or three weeks since the No. 1 Company of City liifles fired in a match against the No. 1 Wellington Company. We, at the time, published the scores ot our men, buc we now «ive them again together with those of the Wellington Company in order that the details of the two scores may be contrasted : Wellington, yards.

Ne_so>*. TAKDS.

353 It will thus be seen that the Nelson Company were the victors by 22 points.

Arson. — By an advertisement that appears in our to-day's issue, it will be seen that some scoundrels have amused themselves by setting fire to a cottr.ge on the Wakapuaka Road, belonging to Captain Walker. We trust that the offmders will be apprehended, and that they will receive the punishment their actions so richly merit. Flax Dressing. — Our Marlborough neighbours are about to turn to account the immense quantities of flax that they have at their disposal. The Express says:— Before we are six months older we hope to see as "many Plax Mills in existence, At present we learn that Messrs. Logan and Sinclair have this week imported twenty-two packages of Flax machinery to be used in the Kaituna district; Mr. James Colman is about to start in Blenheim, having purchased all the flax on Mr. Rigby's land, between this town and the Taylor , River. The Hon. A. P. Seymour will probably commence operations near Tua Marina, and Messrs. Powick Brothers propose doing the same on their own land near Gouland's Perry. We have also received communications from persons in Canterbury, intimating their intention of coming to this Province at no very distant period, if we can show them that there is an opening here for them. Colonial Police. — The following ohserva tions were made by his Honor Mr. Justice Richmond, in his charge to the Grand Jury on the opening of the Criminal session at Hokitika : — " I have often thought that we owe a .great amount to Victoria for a splendid organisation of police. Victoria had the honor of being the first to form an excellent force— excellent in its organization and completeness. Otago first secured the same, for this colony. On the first openiner of the Otago gold-fields in 1861, or at least within ten months, there was an excellently organised police force. Canterbury shared in the benefit so received, and ultimately it extended to this district. I have been rejoiced to observe that the social standing of , the -police constable has *been so good. . Some people no doubt, averse to change, and fond of old Saxon institutions, complain a little of the military spirit infu"«ed into the force, and would perhaps' prefer : that the service of the ancient Catchpoles should be maintained. Por myself, I shall feel quite content

to hear a police station called a camp, and the constable in charge an orderly, and to see a military spirit about the men and their officers as being highly desirable to keep up their selfrespect. I rejoice that the police constable- has taken up such a stand, and I trust it will b 3 kept up. It is exceedingly important that the law should be respected, even in its lowest ad-! ministrators. Your Legislature will, I hope, in whatever branch it is found necessary to carry economy, be careful to retain the efficiency oi your police force. The doing so is not directly productive of revenue, but it is more important than wealth, as securing that which leads to wealth." A New Field for Australian Capital:— - A letter signed Colonist in Land and Water of March 3, asserts that the climate of Australia is particularly well adapted to the cultivation of silk, but that the cost of labor is the bar to the " winding" being done in the colony at present. Assuming there to be a good market in England for umvound silk, the writer thinks that sericulture would be one of the most profitable enterprises for Australian capitalists. Editorial Life in the "Fak West." — Editing in the " Far West " seems to be a process of knifing as well as "scissoring." The Editor of the Owyhee Avalanche informs his readers that " the other day, while quietly seated in our sanctum, two villians, one armed with a hatchet, ami the other with a bowie knife, made a violent attack upon our person. Nothing appalled, we seized a knife about two feet long, used for cutting paper, and bled our assailants freely. They sued for mercy." One naturally inquires for the reason of so strange a rencontre; andthe editor tells us tha 1 it took place merely because "we lately referred directly to a ruffian known as Captain Prescott, and incidentally to a guerilla named Al. Lage." — New York Times. " James, my dear," said Mrs. Capstick, " what is dogmatism ?" Mr. Capstick, indignant at the ignorance of Mrs. Capstick, after a long time said — "Dogmatism is puppyism come to full growth." A lawyer left all his money to the support of an asylum for fools and lunatics, saying, that from such he got it, and to such he would be-* queath it. He that can charm a whole company hy singing, and at the age of thirty has no cause to re-» gret the possession of so dangerous a gift, is a very extraordinary and very fortunate man. When thought shall need no brain, and nearly four hundred organs of motion shall cease to constitute the principal portion of the human body, then may the student dispense with mus-r cular exertion, but not till then !

200 400 500 Total. Sergt. Catley 16 17 15 48 Corporal Gully 9 19 18 46 Private Smith 14 13 11 39 Captain Slifirp J5 14 9 38 Private Drew 10 14 9 33 „ Otterson )3 8 11 32 „ Morrison 13 9 10 52 „ Skeet 12 13 5 30 „ Hunter 13 13 2 28 „ Elliott 10 11 6 23

200 400 500 Total. Gillon 14 12 14 40 Tuckey 11 11 10 32 Barron 13 9 17 89 I). Gray 13 8 fl 26 Lomax 13 14 9 36 Elliot 10 9 11 36 Beetlmm 15 14 7 36 Barraud 12 13 4 29 W. Gray 11 16 8 35 St. George 11 O 11 ■ 22 331