MEDALS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 66, 17 March 1873, Page 4

MEDALS.

The money prizes being all distributed, the medals won by the highest aggregate scorers in the contest for the Championship were then presented by Mrs Richmond to Private Stone, Thames, National Rifle Association's" medal ; Ensign Richardson, Otago, silver medal; Private Thompson, Thames, silver medal. The presentation of the prizes being concluded, Major Gordon addressed those who had presided at the ceremony in the following words : — Major Richmond— l beg to be allowed in the name of the Colonial Representatives to thank you for the honor you have done them in presenting to the winners their respective prizes, an honor that is considerably enhanced by the consideration that th.e Volunteers have received their prizes at the hands of an old, lmperial officer, and one who is distinguished -by bearing one of our most gracious Sovereign's most coveted decorations. And, Mrs Richmond — Your presence, countenance, and assistance at this ceremony give inexpressible pleasure to the gentlemen now present. Your kind thoughtfulness in providing the silk belts in substitution forthe veritable belts, which have not yet arrived from England, for the Cavalry and lofantry Champions, is perhaps more appreciated than if you had invested them with those which they have so honorably earned. I would now avail myself of this opportunity of conveying to. the citizens of Nelson generally the most grateful acknowledgment of the Representative Volunteers of the almost regal hospitality which has been extended to them during ! their visit, and I would assure them that we now separate with the prayer that every prosperity may rest upon the City of Nelson and its inhabitants. The volunteers were then formed in open column, in which order they marched past in very creditable style, after which they were wheeled into line and advanced ! to the general salute. ! At the request of Major Richmond, three hearty cheers were then given by the spectators for Major GordoD, the officers of the staff, and the Colonial Representatives, after whieh Captain Wales stepped to the front and said : — 1 With your permission, Major Gordon, I should like, before we separate, on my own behalf and that of the Repreentatives generally, to express to the inhabitants of Nelson our sincere thanks for the interest tbey have manifested in our proceedings, \Jov the unexpected and unprecedented i hospitality displayed towards us, and for their successful efforts to entertain us "during our stay here. Let us make their pure atmosphere resound with three hearty cheers in appreciation of their kindness. After so spirited an address, it is scarcely necessary for us to say that- the "pure atmosphere" did resound with three as hearty cheers as ever were heard in Nelson. Captain Wales then said j — , Major Gordon — I have also to express our perfect satisfaction with the way in which the arrangements of the meeting have been carried out by yourself and the officers of the Staff. The courteous manner in which your orders were issued, and the thorough impartiality that characterised your decisions have won for you the well merited esteem of every competitor, and I now ask them all to give three hearty cheers for yourself and your staff. This invitation was warmly responded to, and cheers were then given for Major Richmond, and for " Mrs Richmond and the ladies of Nelson." The order was then given to "form fours," and, headed by the band, the volunteers march back to the Provincial Government grounds, where they were halted and addressed by Major Gordon as follows : : Gentlemen — Before we separate finally, permit me to say how much I am personally thankful to you for your patience and forbearance, and for the kindly and cordial good will which has been evinced by you : all towards me, towards the officers of the Staff, and towards one another. We have had no invidious reflections respecting Northern men and Southern men. As you 1 know, we had in some of our matches to appoint men from one Island to keep watch, over, or i as the expression is, to ** shepherd" those from the other/ but such has been the friendly nature of the contest that these "shepherds" really acted, as assistants, or as yoii have termed them "coaches/* their opponents of the opposite Island. Such a state of things has made the present meeting one truly agreeable to myself and, I believe, tpj you ••jalL. Yaiofdjil^m-^lsjifely . assert that at no previous meeting has the' business been carried on with such good, and V proper feeling.Y < Before; y we -break „ off;. Y allow %me / ttf"fthanfcY ; tlie?|'Nel|on , ■^ol^f^^fMilt^^Y^m^^ Imd the^ Band, for their presence and help to ua.on '

this,and .previous par,ades, and, I may add that if; these Corps will allow us to take our departure" quietly bnY Monday next without any display they' will conduce much to our comfort, and we shall feel as greatly obliged to them as if they turned out to escort us on shipboard. Finally, there will be no Church Parade to-morrow, as I am desirous that you should all eDJoy at least for one day- the unalloyed and uninterrupted society of your respective "Adorations " of Nelson. Major Gordon's address was received witb manifest signs of approbation, and at its close, .cheers were given; for the Nelson City Rifles, .the Cadet LCbrps, and' the Band. Captain Sinclair then called for three cheers for Captain Wales, the ex-champion, an invitation that was most heartily responded to !by the spectators as, well a3 by the Representatives of bo h Islands. The parade was then dismissed, and so was brought to a termination the Colonial Prize Firing of 1873.