NORMANBY NOTES.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 477, 19 November 1879, Page 2

NORMANBY NOTES.

I WAS unable to send for last issue a report of the shooting matches at the Waihi Range on Monday, the 10th, as the committee had not made their awards in time to make my report. The day was very much the same as to weather as with you at Patea—high winds, and for the better part of the day, heavy showers, A good many visitors from Nonnanby and Hawera wont out to the butts, but there was little to amuse or interest them, as a series of sports which had been arranged, somehow miscarried. Shooting commenced about 9 a.m., and continued till near sunset ; bat for the last hour the shooting was a mere farce, as the targets were almost invisible, and the markers, who had been in the pits all day, were by that time in a very hazy state of vision, so that it was not surprising to see a run of bull’s-eye signals where outers were gained, and vice versa. The prizes for the 500 and 600 yards competition were alloted to — Ist, Wareing, A.G., 1 pair trowsers and £2.

2nd, Sutton, N.Y., lady’s hat and £2. 3rd, Thompson, A.0., album and £l. Six other prizes, from bottles of Champagne to a goose, rewarded other distinguished marksmen. 300 and 400 yards. Ist, Bonner, A.0., writing desk and £2* 2nd, Johnston, A.C., terrier dog and 30s* 3rd, Collins, N.V., meerehaum pipe and 20s. Five other good men and true took valuable mementoes of their prowess. A special prize ot £3 for highest aggregate, was granted to Wareing, A.C., and that bashful young man was also presented with a pair of lady’s drawers, for which he has to solve Bnlwer’s query, “ What will he do with it ?” The lowest scorer (O’Connor, A.C.) received a lady’s undergarment, for which he is on the look out for a wearer. The highest range scorers were : At 600 yards—Wareing, A.C. ; 400 yards—Johnston; 300 yards—Riddle, A.C., and Irwin (ties). The prizes will be presented next Wednesda}’ (to day), when the Consolation will be shot off. It is to be hoped that on next public holiday our townsmen will provide some amusement of a general character nearer ln>mo, as the distance to the Range from Nonnanby is considerable, and shooting matches and held sports cannot well take place together. 1 may add that at the matches, refreshments, both solid and fluid, were provided gratis, and there was a run on the latter.

The additions to the well-known hostelry of Messrs Brett & Johnston are approaching completion, and will add both accommodation and appearance to the' hotel. The work is well and tastefully done, and we may hope for a house warming as the crowning stone of the improvements. A new butcher’s shop has recently been added to the business places, and there seems no reason why the propiictors should not succeed, despite tlie loss to the town of the Waihi trade. I am informed that a team of A.C.’s went to play a return cricket match with their confreres at Opnnake on the Bth. The Major and his merry men were this lime victorious, the Waihi team being specially noted for its weakness, on account of the dilllculty of men getting away.

I sue; your Hawera ourresy).indent takes exception to a remark 1 made about the umpire in speaking ot : the match between that Club and the A.C., and dares me to tread on the tail of bis coat in explanation. It may be as well to explain that the umpire gave a batter as not out when he was, and that his continued innings gave them (Hawera) the game. No doubttho decision was unintentional, but the mistake was ultimately admitted, and I had no intention of conveying censure, as I know full well the thankless office of an umpire. Since the cessation of your Waihi correspondent’s notes, there seems no one to champion the cause of the A.C.’s, who are evidently not held in the odour of sanctity b}' some cynical people. A correspondent of the Wanganui Chronicle seems to think that the force is being petted and pampered by an occasional march out, or a little muscular Christianity in the form of a paper chase, and suggests that there are plenty of roads to be formed in the district. True, 0 ! Oracle ; but tbe A.C.’s are not navvies and if the Road Boards have the money to spend, no doubt Sir George Grey will send them a few score of nis 6,000 immigrantsto maxetheroads. The A.C.’s may be a cost to the taxpaj'er, but were it not for their presence here, the taxpayer might not have the wherewith to pay his taxes ; and whilesnch writers decry the force, he should not forget but for them he might have no home or habitation—at least, in his present location. If he thinks they are too well off, let him visit Waihi at dinner time (as the present writer sometimes docs), and see whether he would like to live in a hotch-potch style under canvas, on Government rations not served in the most recherche style. The officers may well seek to give there men some rational amusement, as their is little in the life to make it much more than a prison discipline for men who have the misfortune to bo hard-up. We cannot hear of any contemplated movement being decided upon, but probably the cost of the force, which is undoubtedly heavy, will be considered in tbe coming Estimates. Meantime, the men are ready for fighting, if that is wanted ; for road making when they cease to be soldiers. The Chronicle's correspondent need not be apprehensive that the force will exist longer than the Government consider it necessary, and not a few would be glad to have the opportunity of escaping from it to a more useful life—a life made all the more unpleasant by the petty and vexatious restrictions some of the men are subject to, while others are “ petted darlings,” who seem to be about the country enjoying themselves continually. The service is not in favor, at least at Waihi, and no one need envy the men any small compensation for the otherwise monotonous existence attached to the service. I consider it due to the men who are well disposed and well behaved, to give these matters publicity, that if possible they may be a little more liberally encouraged both by their officers and the outside public. The neat little church for the Presbyterians at Normanby is now co mplcted, and adds to the appearance of our town. It was opened for service on Sunday, but circumstances prevented my being present at the services, so I reserve some account of the building for a future issue.

Some dastardly individuals, a few nights ago, destroyed a number of nice fruit trees in Mr England’s garden. Such cowardly notions could only be done by creatures of the lowest moral type, and it is to be hoped that the reward of £2O. which Mr England has offered for the discovery of the perpetrators, may lead to their being unmasked. We have had a most uncomfortable change of weather ([during the last few days —bleak and cold winds prevailing, to the rapid development ot bronchitis, weak eyes, &e.—a most unreasonable change for November. SAINT MUNGO. No v< 17.T579.