Volunteer Intelligence.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1056, 1 April 1882, Page 3

Volunteer Intelligence.

The members of J Battery met on Wednesday last for the purpose of competing for the Belt presented by Allan McDonald, Esq., M.H.R., and other money prizes, ten competitors were present, and firing commenced at 2.15 p.tn. Corporal O’Meara was in charge of the party, the officers being unable to attend in consequence of prior engagements of a business nature. The ranges were at 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards respectively ; five shots at each range. The following are the scores:—

Gunner O’Meara having made the highest score at 400 yards thus becomes the winner of the Belt for the year current, and will be entitled to wear it until the nest competition in ' October. The winner of the Belt in three of these annual competitions, claims it as his own property ; thus, Gunner O’Meara having scored one win, has two more to score before the Belt passes finally into his possession, according to the terms on which it is competed for. Gunners Chrisp and Stark retired from the contest at the 300 yards range. A protest has been lodged against Gunner Warren’s score, on the ground that the marking was incorrect. The protest will be duly considered, and the result made known as soon as possible. At the weekly company parade of J Battery held in the Drill Shed last Thursday evening, Captain Winter informed the members that all arrangements had been made for holding the usual Easter Encampment at Roseland, and that the Batterv would parade at the Drill Shed on Thursday evening next, at 6.30 o’clock, leaving there for the camp at 7 o’clock sharp. That all baggage must be left at the shed by 2 p.m. on Thursday. The Ormond detachment will arrive in camp about 10 p.m. The Captain expressed a wish that nil members of the Battery should muster and march out, although some of them may not be able to remain in camp the whole of the time. A letter was read from the Secretary of Defence to the effect that if possible ten or twelve tents would be forwarded by first steamer for the use of J Battery; also a telegram from Capt. Garner of E Battery, Napier (and here we have to record a most pleasing and disinterested act of courtesy on their part) stating that.ydthough they propose holding a field,day on Easter Monday, and would b&'inconC.venieneed by not having a second gun, yet, rather than disappoint J Battery, it should be shipped by first steamer, arriving here on Monday—Captain Garner and his command thus showing that in addition to the attributes necessary to true volunteers, they possess also those of bon cameraderie so vitally essential to the domestic well being of any corps, regular or irregular. The Volunteers, and through them the general public of Gisborne are much indebted to Captain Garner and his command for their kindly and courteous action in this matter. Apropos of guns, it would be well before Colonel Whitmore leaves our port, were he waited upon by a deputation to urge the claim of the Volunteers to the possession of a field piece. Doubtless Colonel Whitmore’s memory only needs refreshing, and he will be glad to be so opportunely reminded of his promise made here on a previous occasion. The Nelson Artillery, in addition to their own two 12-pounders, have in their possession a 6-pounder Armstrong B. L. Field-piece, which was originally issued to the Cadet Corps, and which should have been returned into store at the time that Corps was disbanded. The Commanding Officer, however, spite of many protestations, refuses to return the gun into store, and retains it for service with his own corps—thus giving the Nelson Artillery three guns, while our local corps has none. This is unfair, and we have no doubt, if properly represented, will speedily be altered by the Defence Minister. No time should, however, be lost in making the necessary representations in the proper quarter. A very handsome “ Queen’s Color,” worked by' the ladies of Gisborne, and intended for presentation to the J Battery Volunteer Artillery, at their Easter Encampment, is now’ on view in Mr Townley’s window. It is the Union Jack, with the constellation of the Southern Cross, and the arms of the Battery, a field gun under an Imperial Crown, worked in the centre in gold embroidery, altogether making a very handsome color, and will be valuable to the Volunteers as such, as well as a souvenir of the fair hands contributing to its making.

The people of Australia seem to have been more greatly affected by the news of the attempt upon her Majesty’s life than were those of New Zealand. In a variety of ways, euch as by the National Anthem being sung in the theatres, the public feeling was shown ; and the most enthusiastic meeting ever held in Adelaide took place with the obj'ects that the citizens might have an oppertunitv of expressing indignation at the attempted assassination of the Queen, and gratification at her escape. The meeting, which was convened by the Mayor, was addressed by the Chief Justice, the Chief Secretary, the President of the Legislative Council, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, several ministers of religion, and others. A resolution was carried expressing abhorrence of the act of M’Lean, and the thankfulness of the Colonists at the safety of the Queen.

Fears are entertained regarding the safety of the steamer Southern Cross, which left Sydney on the 21st September for the South Sea Islands, and has since been unheard of. Advices from New Britain, dated January 9, state that a steamer, unreported, during a severe gale, visited the coast.— Otago Daily Times.

The southern papers have lately noticed the death of a millionaire named Wyse, who left £3,000,000 sterling. Some of it, it is satisfactory to learn, is coming Waikatowards, one lady, whose son is settled in Piako, being a legatee for the sum of £lOO,OOO, and two cousins, brothers, one in Piako, and another near Ohaupo, coming in for some £15,000 or £16,000 each.—Hamilton Correspondent of the -V. Z. Herald.

Gunner W. O’Meara 15 14 18 15—62 „ Warren 15 17 15 15—62 „ Ballantyne Bandsman Taylor 16 19 15 10—60 15 10 18 10—53 Gunner Hansen 17 13 16 (} -j 9 Corporal O’Meara 13 12 16 9—50 Gunner O’Meara 16 10 16 8—50 „ 14 9 11 6 —10