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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 101, 1 November 1873, Page 2

Deputy Returning Officer. —Mr. T. M. Bryant lias, we perceive, been appointed Deputy Returning Officer to conduct the recording of votes in Gisborne for the election of Superintendent. Election.—The election of Superintendent is fixed for Thursday next the 6th inst.; and the nomination of Candidates for a member of the Provincial Council, for Tuesday the 11th inst. Cricket. —Wickets will be pitched to-day at 12 o’clock to inaugurate the season by a match between an eleven from 11.M.5.5., Basilisk and an eleven of the settlers of Poverty Bay, in Mr. Parsons’ paddock. If the weather holds fine we predict a goodly gathering of spectators. Gymnast and Nigger Troupe.—A capital performance was given at the Music Hall by this troupe on Tuesday evening last. The Franconi Brothers went through their trapeze performance with great zest, introducing some entirely new features, including the leap through a balloon. Mr. Brodie was great as an “ Unfortunate Man ” and Ned Mason’s “ Love among the Maoris ” and Harry Power’s skit on the “ Oil Springs” were vociferously received. An amusing farce concluded the entertainment. The bill will be repeated with variations on Monday evening. Yesterday was quite a gala day in Gisborne, It was a day of golden stripes and blue cloth, anchors and crowns, gunpowder and excitement. The arrival of the Basilisk has afforded great gratification to the good people of Poverty Bay, who were much interested in the proceedings,partaking, as they did, of a character never before witnessed here. The plan of operations, consisting of a sham fight, was somewhat hurriedly put into execution, but it was none the less enthusiastically carried out on that account. The attacking party under Lieut Smith entered the river at 10.30 a.m. and opened fire immediately on reaching the clear ground on the town side of Read’s wharf. Here they were opposed by Captain Winter’s Foot Rifles and Captain Hardy’s Mounted Troop, who kept up a smart fire during the landing, which under cover of the big guns was effected with no other apparent hindrance, than the difficulty of beaching the boats, and with no further loss than a certain amount of comfort to one of the crews who got wet in consequence. A march past by all the forces, in quick and double time ; skirmishing with supports ; forming square; volley firing and other evolutions brought the seige to a close at 12 o’clock. After dinner the natives and others were indulged in an idea as to what “ Jack Ashore ” really meant. Horses were brought into requisition and a good deal of merriment was created by the various ways in which the tars came to grief. An impromptu gathering of a few Maoris afforded some of our stranger friends much amusement by their characteristic exhibitions. The ship’s company returned to the Basilisk at 3 o’clock. Captain Moresby commanded the Navals, and Captain Richardson and Adjutant Porter the field forces, and everything passed off very successfully. [Space prevents an extended notice.]

Volunteer Challenge.—Some time-months, we believe —since the Bay of Plenty Mounted Rifles sent through Captain Simpson, a challenge to the Poverty Bay Mounted Rifles to fire a “ friendly match.” Viewing the matter in that light only, the challenge was accepted; and as the P.S. to the challenge said “ We are not particular what we fire for,” a proviso was added that the cost of ammunition expended should be defrayed by the losing side. To this Captain Hardy received the following reply :—“ Captain A. F. Hardy. Dear Sir, —In answer to your letter dated 19th August in which you accept the challenge from the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Corps, I am instructed to inform you that the match cannot come off as the stakes named by vou are too small for the corps to take an interest in.—Yours obediently, Charles Djette, Secretary B. We need not say that so flippant and discourteous a rebuff rather nettled the members of the Poverty Bay Mounted Corps, as nothing was further from them than to entertain a proposition in a way that might be construed into a desire to make money themselves by the result, — or a suspicion that their friendly challengers took no more “ interest ” in the match than that which was compassed by the pecuniary profit involved in it. A meeting was called, and Captain Hardy was instructed to return such an answer as will change the tables, and make our local corps now the challengers. The letter will be forwarded by first opportunity, and runs as follow : —“ Gisborne, October 29, 1873. Dear Sir —I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of

your letter of the 25th ult., and in reply to the same am instructed by the members of the Poverty Bay Mounted Rifle Volunteers, to state that at the time your challenge was accepted by them they did so thinking that the honor of the contest had more to do with the matter than any other consideration. Captain Simpson not haring stated any sum of money us a portion of the consideration, we mentioned the price of ammunition. I am, however, now instructed to inform you that the Poverty Buy Mounted Rifle Volunteers will fire with the Bay of Plenty Mounted Rifle Volunteers for the sum of £5O sterling, some time within the next six months, subject to conditions to be agreed on.—Yours &c., A. F. Hardy, Captain P.B.M.R.V. Certainly, under the circumstances, little less could be done by the P.B.M.R.V’s., except to treat with indifference, men who are capable of conveying a covert insult in their refusal to accept, the terms of a gratuitous challenge the conditions of which had been left an open question; for we hold with some vigor to the belief that so long as the “interest,” (as Mr. Dette puts it) which volunteers take in perfecting themselves in the use of their weapons, is gauged by the amount of mere money consideration tacked on to each event, so long will the popularity and solid footing in the country they should enjoy, be postponed. Volunteer Companies have long since ceased to have that hold on public and enthusiastic support and sympathy, that men who give their time without pay ought to command ; and this last act of the" Bay of Plenty Volunteers, will tend much to relax it. If, as has been said, Volunteer Corps are really degenerating into mere “shooting clubs,” the conduct of omj Bay of Plenty friends, will have done much to confirm it.