COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 66, 17 March 1873, Page 2

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

o— DISTRIBUTION OF PEIZES. Pursuant to notice, tbe Volunteer Representatives, the City Rifles, and.City Cadet Corps paraded at 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon ia front of the Police Station, where, after proving Companies, and going through the customary preliminaries, they were formed in fours, and beaded by the band, inarched to the Botanical Gardens, where the prizes were to be distributed by the Hon. Major Richmond, C.8., and Mrs A. Richmond. Here a dais had been erected, on which were placed two tables, on one of which the various prizes were laid out, the other being for the accommodation of the representatives of the Press. Chairs and forms were also provided, and taken advantage of by a number of ladies who came to witness the proceedings. The weather being fine, and the day being a half holiday, the townspeople flocked to the ground in large numbers, and the greatest interest appeared to be taken in the presentation of the prizes, but notwith- , standing the crowd, and the natural anxiety of everyone to be within earshot of the speakers, the most complete order prevailed, thanks to the police, who performed their duties well. On their arrival on the ground the Volunteers were drawn up in line, when the Hon. Major Richmond came forward and was received I with a general salute, after which he inspected the men, who were then marched up to the front of the dais, where they were formed in three sides of a square, and addressed by him as follows: — Majok Gordon, Officers of the Staff, and Representatives — It gives me great gratification, as an old soldier, to bave been requested by the General Government to take part in the distribution of the prizes to the successful competitors, but before proceeding with that ceremony, I wish to express to the Representatives the pleasure it has afforded us to see them in Nelson, to accord to them a friendly and hearty welcome, and to provide such amusement and entertainment as lay in our power during their stay among us. lam happy to be able to congratulate you on the successful result of this meeting. Tbe firing of 1873 compares favorably with that of any former year, indeed, I understand that the scoring is higher than it was in many of the previous meetings. On reference to the published reports of the firing, it will be seen that there have been several well-contested matches, and some excellent scoring. The account likewise furnishes the particulars of each match, with the names of the successful marksmen, but the firing for the Champion Belt deserves special notice, and the inhabitants of the Thames district may well be proud of their representatives, who, out of four prizes given for the highest scorers in this important contest, have gained three, including the Champion Belt, which has been won by Lieutenant Hoskin, and out of £587, the. value of the Colonial Prizes, the Thames representatives bave gained £267. The number and value of the Colonial Prizes for tbis year won by the representatives of each district ie as follows : —

I take this opportunity to suggest to the unsuccessful competitors, particularly those who have hitherto carried off prizes, not tb be discouraged by a temporary reverse; rather let it incite them to further exertion, to more constant practice, and to. a determination to recover their laurels at the next annual firing. Major Richmond then stepped up to the dais, where Mrs A. Richmond was already seated at tbe table, arid proceeded to distribute the money prizes, accompanying each with a few congratulatory words to the recipient. The winners were os fol- —

No. of Prize Value District. Prizes Winners £. Auckland 6 5 37 Thames t . , 81 9 267 Wellington 5 4 33 Otago • . . . 41 15 ' ; 197 Nelson; and Marl. 3 .2^ 15 Westland ■ , • 2 1 17 Canterbury 1 1 8 is&pipt y yiyyj.. 7-.. y.iy- •■..■. -.-' '7,-i. "--'i 1 -. Armed Ooristab. 3 2 '[y 11 i"'vf '";'■'. T^j^ r .iyy^y.y r ., ':'•.. £587.