CORRESPONDENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2109, 4 June 1898, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

Under no oir'uimstances whoever is the Editor responsible for matter contained in correspondence ]

(To the Editor.)

Sin, —Being a constant reader of your journal, and one who studies its contents from end to, end, I have noticed several letters inserted therein during the past week pertaining to certain matters in Connection with our local volunteer corps. Tho first of these made its appearance in Tuesday’s budget, when a correspondent, under the non do plume of ‘ Fair Play,’ asks the question way Sergt Saluion was presented with what is known as tho * Knock Medal,' as it was currently re* ported that he was not entitled to same. Thinking an explanation of tho transaction would be forthcoming ia your next issue, I scanned the correspondence column, and found a Bomewhakjmxed up oration by one who signed himself4l Volunteeracens* ■ ing * Fair Play ’ of jealousy, and of having a dog-in-tho-manger spirit; etc., but failing in any shape or form to answer tho qnes- ; tion asked. Now, sir, as an old-volunteer ■ and one who takes a deal of interest in ! volunteering, I would like to give my views on the subject mentioned by your previous correspondents. Some two years back onr local corps was. in very low water, barely , having sufficient members on the roll to keep it going, and it was hanging, so.to speak, between lire and death, when several of onr leading .citizens stepped in and improved matters. Among others who assisted, Mr Knock, our, respected fellow townsmen, very generously presented the company with a valuable belt, to be fired for half»yearly, intimating subsequently that he would present a gold medal to tho Volunteer who won the Belt twice in succession, or three times at intervals. The conditions udder which the niedal were to be won (not as it has been won as the following, table shows) wore that the Balt should be won twice in succession or three times at intervals. The winners of the Belt are as follows .;. 1 1. McKee 2. Maingay (disputed), Salmon taking. the Belt, but signing a written agreement tp the effect that it would count a win, for neither party. ' 3.. Salmon, Ist clear win 9 4s. McKee

5. Salmon, 2nd clear win at intervals. In the order named, making in all five times for which the Belt was fired for. Now tho • coisditions uadeii' which the Belt is fired for Appears; a clause stating all competitors finest hs gooct on the Company’s books, also the whole to be fired under the N.Z. Association ru’ea; Now sir, I recollect the time the Belt was,won,by Sergt Maingay, and, if I remember rightly, he road the , conditions out !6n the -range under which I tho Belt is fired, at the sam e time stating ha thought he was inarreateafid or so, and ; asked Sergt Hanby (who was in charge of f the firing, in the absence of Oapt Cochrane) if he knew how much he was due, and : stating his willingness to/ pay; Sergt Hanby replied it would be all right So ’far' so' good, , The nextmorning Sergt Salmon, who was 2nd best on this occasion, found out that Maingay was due the corps . a few pence and entered a protest against his win (the N.Z Association Rules state ' that all protests must be lodged within 12 hours), some 24- hours afterwards, Later :on a meeting of the Shootihg Cbinmittee ' took place, Capt Whiteley in the chair, and after a deal of discussion it was agreed that Sergt Salmon be allowed to Veaif! the Belt, but that it count a win for neither party; Both these genfclewan( Maingay afid Salmon) signing a bond to.this effect. Even if the Committee; Jbad not agreed bn this course, the protest was riot lodged within the specified time, and if those who had to do with the matter wero to keep so strict to the rules, this lapse of time would: Upset Salmon’s pretest* Cab' you Wonder, Mr Editor, at the surprise felt bythe‘shootisfc3’ of the oorps (and I believe the Captain himself was not aware the medal was to be presented until a few hours before) on the 24th of May, when Sergt Salmon was presented with the ‘ Knock Medal,’ he not having won the Belt three times at inter-' Vais or twice in succession. Trusting you will see your way to publish this somewhat lengthy latter.-—I am, etc., Anothbb Volunteer-