NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 52, 1 March 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

A large number of representatives arrived on Saturday night by the Wellington, which made a special trip from Wellington direct. They were met on the wharf by members of the Reception Committee, and a train was in waiting to convey them to the station. Yesterday morning there was a Church Parade at which the Town Volunteers, Stoke Rifles, and the Representatives assembled, to the number, in all, of about 400, and marched to Christ Church where the service was conducted by the Rev J. Leighton. This morning a start was made for the camp by the 9.30 train, which consisted of four carriages, four trucks, eleven vans, and two engines. Brightwater was reached at 10 15, and a move made into camp. The morning was spent in arranging the tents and inspecting the ground, and tbe arrangements that had been made met with uuiversal approval. The new telegraph office is perhap« the special feature on the ground, and is under the management of Mr Halliday, who by the manner in which he conducted it last meetiug gave the greatest satisfaction. A parade is ordered for 2 p.m. when the various squads for the first match will be told off. The all comers match is the first and comes olf at 3.30 p.m. All the necessary preliminaries were being arranged this morning. Majors Baillie, Pitt, Lean, and Captains Muir and Wildnmn have been appointed a Committee to consider all disputes, &c. The following officers have been detailed for duty to-day : — Captain of the day : Captain Crowe, Wellington City Rifles. Subaltern : Lieutenant Somerville, Alexandra Cavalry. Sergeants : Wimsett, Nelson Attillery, and Dixon, Wellington Naval Brigade. Corporals : Laird, Alexandra Cavalry, Hutcheson, North Dunedin Rirlfs. The Cajh', 3 37 p.m. The first shot was fired by Mrs Pitt at 3 30 p.m., who scored an outer. Three cheers were then called for Mrs Pi:t by Colonel Packe, and, having been given, the firing began. 4 p.m. A fire occurred shortly after the firing commenced iv one of the tents occupied by Napier and Wellington representatives, owiug to a candle being left buruiug. Some of the men's boxes were burut through, but the tent was saved.