OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 91, 24 January 1872, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

COMPETITION FOR REPRESEN TATIVES.

Yesteijl’AV morning four of (hose who had passed the first scries in the contest for the honour of representing the district at the forthcoming meeting at Christchurch assembled at Ihe Parawni Rifle Butts to lire off at the three ranges, 400, 500, and GOO yards. Forty points is the minimum that any one is allowed to qualify for going down South, and out of the four who competed it will be seen that three passed successfully, thus making four passed out of eight who have tired at both ranges. Volunteer Hoskins has headed them all at the long ranges, making the good score of 45 points. He is undoubtedly one of the best and steadiest shots in the district, if not quite so, and we are much pleased that lie has been so successful. The following are the scores made yesterday :

Another man, Fenton, of the T.R.R., has yet to fire, lie having been prevented through illness from firing yesterday, and as lie is a very good and a stead}’ shot, it is considered almost certain that he will pass n aster, so that the chances are that one of those already qualified will have to retire in his favour. Those at present passed the ordeal are :

Hoskins, No. 2 11.R.V. - 4;> points. Paync, No. 1 R.H.'R.Vr -43 » Partingson, T.S.V. - -42 „ Snodgrass, T.S.V. - -40 „ We are very glad to be able to congratulate our Volunteers on qualifying their full complement of men, more especially as only nine managed to get through the first stage. The firing yesterday was under the superintendence of Major Cooper, Captain Williams, T.R.R. taking charge of the mantlet. The day was a very favourable one for the competitors, being nice and cloudy, with no glare of the sun and not much wind.

The whole of the volunteers of the district are most energetically pushing forward in their drill, in order that Colonel llarington may be well satisfied with their proficiency. Last evening, No. 1 R.11.R.V. met at Shorthand for parade ; Nos. 2 and 3 11.R.V. assembled at their drill shed. Pollen-street; the Engineer Corps and the T.R.R. Corps were represented at the Volunteer Hall. The members of the T.S. Company have been very industrious in perfecting themselves in the skirmishing drill, assembling every evening for that purpose in the vicinity of the Thames School. The Navals, we have no doubt, will he quite prepared for the annual inspection ; and the T.R.R. and the Engineer Cadet Corps will also he ready for the ordeal. The annual inspection of the Thames Engineer Volunteers will be held on Thursday next, at 6.30, at the Volunteer Ilali, Shorthand. All members are liable to fine of £5 for non-attendance, and dismissal from the company. The Thames Scottisli will be inspected on Friday, the 26th January, at 5.30 p.m. Absentees are liable to be fined and dismissed. A meeting will lie held after parade. The adjourned meeting of gentlemen desirous of joining the Sappers and Miners Company will be held at the Governor Bowen Hotel, this evening, at 8 o’clock. All intending members are requested to attend.

Name. 400 rds. (JOOVtis. Ttl. Hoskins. Xo. ‘J H.RA . 44*o:’4 ■13 l*ayiM\ Xo. 1 K.II.RA. o 14 Snodgrass, T.S.V. Oio-j:: 40 Bauer, Xo. 1 ll.H.K.Y. 02004 b’0202 32