COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 245, 6 February 1875, Page 2

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

SKINNER OF AUCKLAND THE WINNER OF THE CHAMPION BELT. GRAHAMSTOWN. January 30. The firing for the Seventh Infantry Match created intense interest, as this match decides the Championship. At 300 yards, McLeod (Thames) took the range prize with a score of 21 points. Renouf and Greer each made 16 points. At 400 yards, Renouf and Greer, each made 22 points. There are tics at 24 points for range prize, which are not fired off yet. At 500 yards, Gilbert: (A.C.) took range prize with a score of 24 points. Greer imide 23 ; Renouf only 14. At the close of the firing at this range, the six highest aggregate scores for the Belt were as follows : —Wilson, 295 ; Skinner, 294; Hoskins, 290; Gilbert, 290; Elder, 289 ; and Goldie, 288. The following are the final scores of the six highest:— Skinner (Auckland) 313 Ehler (A.C.) 311 Wilson (Dunedin) 310 Goldie (Dunedin) 308 Hoskins (Thames) 306 Gilbert (A.C.) 304 SKINNER. THE CHAMPION. When the sixth shot was fired .Elder was leading by two points. In firing his last shot, the 7th, ho appeared very unsteady ; he took a long aim and missed the target. This gave Skinner another chance. There were about 700 people on the ground, and when Skinuer advanced to fire uot a sound was to bo heard. He took a long time before firing, and then pulling the trigger steadily, in a few

moments a shout 'arose “ its on.” He had scored an outer, which made him tie with Elder, but being the highest at the last match, he was declared the winner of the belt.

When he retired to his Squad, three hearty cheers were given him, and Skinner was carried away to his tent, where he was received by a large number of Auckland friends.

The Infantry Champion Belt for 1875, together with a gold medal and £5O, has consequently been won by Lieutenant Skinner, of Auckland. Constable Elder, A.C., will be awarded a N.R.A. silver medal and £35. Sub-lieutenant Wilson will receive a silver medal and £3O; and Captain Goldie a silver medal and £25.

Constable A. Ven Poelintz, A.C., is the winner of the Cavalry Champion Belt, with a total aggregate score of 145 points. Trooper Joseph Barriball and Trooper A. Barriball (Waiuku) are second and third highest aggregate scorers. The pontoon bridge for crossing tha river running between the range and Grahamstown, being overcrowded, fifteen men were thrown into the water, several being nearly drowned. The Armed Constabulary men behaved well, rescuing several, but leaving their rifles in the river.

In the eleventh match, between members of the Staff —200 and 500 yards—seven shots —Major Lusk, first prize £6, and 500 yard range prize, Moore taking the 200 yards range prize. At the 600 yards range, in the Seventh Infantry Match, Renouf scored thirteen and Greer eleven.

The Luna is expected on Tuesday to take the representatives to Auckland. She will leave on Thursday. A ball is fixed for the Bth. There are complaints through the camp at the bad condition of the ammunition, some cartridges scarcely carrying 50 yards; others are without powder altogether; many of the balls are also without plugs. It is altogether the worst ammunition ever served out. It is stated that several of the men during the competition tor the belt used 1870 ammunition. AUCKLAND. January 27. The Gas Company have declared a dividend at the rate of 15 per cent, per annum. The Wesleyan Confercnce have resolved to forward a complimentary address to the Marquis of Normanby. Sir Donald M'Lean proceeds to Waikato to meet Tawhiao at Te Kuiti.

Tlie average of the Auckland wheat crop is estimated at seven bushels per acre above the ordinary crop. The Good Templar Grand Lodge meeting resolved that the next meeting should take place at New Plymouth. At the Wesleyan Conference to-day, the Rev. Mr. Morley read a recommendation from the Wellington district meeting respecting the Rev. Edward Neilson, a Norwegian minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church in America. It was resolved that, foe the present, he be recognised as home missionary, and that he be authorised to administer the sacraments, &c., to his countrymen. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Morley, it was jagreed to send to England for four young ministers during the coming year. The Rev. Mr. Morley read a resolution from the Wellington district meeting on the subject of the establishment of a theological institution for training candidates for the Ministry. The ex-Presidcnt and the ministers of the Auckland, Onehunga, aud Thames circuits were appointed a committee to consider the subject, and to report to the next Conference. January 29. The Wesleyan Conference has made the following alterations in the stations •of the Ministers —Kaiapoi, Rev. Mr, Beck ; Timaru, Rev, Messrs. Oliver aud Lawrence; Roxburg, Rev. Mr. Carr; Gisborne, one from England. It was resolved to recommend the General Conference to alter the rule prohibiting a Minister remaining longer than three years in the same circuit. It was also resolved to make no revision of the Hymn Book pending the final decision of the home Church. The next conference is be held at Wellington, January 16, 1876. Conference made the following estimate charges upon the Home Mission Fund:—Auckland, £5890; Taranaki, £300; Wellington, £294; Nelson, £5O; Canterbury, £220; Otago, £25. ALEXANDRA. January 28. Sir Donald M’Lean, Commissioner Kemp, and Paoroa Tuhare arrived yesterday. Whitiora and other, natives are expected from Te Kuiti to-day, to escort them to Maitaima, where Tawhiao will interview the Defence Minister. WELLINGTON. January 26. Two cases of refusing to pay toll by mail coaches were tried this morning, viz., Everest v. Hastwell, and Thompson v. Young. In each case judgment was given for t he toll-gate keeper. The Government has received no intimation of the arrival of Mr. Vogel. NEW PLYMOUTH. January 28. There has been another attempt at incendiarism. This time the Catholic priest’s house was set fire to, but the flames were discovered and put out before much damage was done. The immigrants by the Avalanche have gone off well, at wages from 6s to 8s per day. All the single girls found situations at once, and more are wanted.

CHRISTCHURCH. January 28. There was a fire this morning, but it was confined to the large stables and outbuilding near the White Swan Hotel. The total damage is about £llOO, partly covered by insurance. January 30. Hostilities between the City Council aud cabmen have assumed an active phase. The Council, pursuant to a resolution passed at their last meeting, blocked up the cab-stands on Friday morning, ami the police received orders uot to allow cabs to stand about the thoroughfares, but to keep I hem moving. In the afternoon, the cabmen having consulted a legal adviser, then proceeded to the cabstand in a body, ami removed the obstructions.

The cabmen occupied the stand for the rest of the day, but, during last night, the Corporation employees erected strong post and chain fences, and dug a ditch round each stand. The cabmen have not attempted to interfere with this work as yet, aud, not being permitted to stand anywhere, are now parading the street s in quest of fares. DUNEDIN. January 29. The first meeting of the Colonial Bank was held to-day; the report showed a balance for three months’ operations of £llOl. The report was adopted unanimously. At a meeting of the Harbor Board, it was stated that debentures to the amount of £31,000 had been signed and sent: for circulation through the colonics aud England. The Guardian publishes a telegram from Mr. J. C. Brown, M.H.R., at Cook- fl town, which says that there are no frosh 1 discoveries at the Palmer diggings. The * first workings are mostly worked out, and the ground at the new rush, which is all occupied, is only just paying. Very lit tie gold is coming down, and the workings are confined to narrow runs in the beds of rock-bound creeks. Provisions are plentiful, and prices moderate. Quartz working is suspended for six months waiting for machinery;. Hot rainy season is now on. Fever is very prevalent at Cooktown, and on the mines. Most of the New Zealand arrivals are attacked. Many of them are dying. None should think of coming here before the end of March. The climate is good from April to November.