Fourth Day.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1894, 28 January 1875, Page 2

Fourth Day.

The competition in these colonial matches now approaches a time when the keenest possible interest must be felt in this one or that, to be the grand result. The one grand eyent of course is the winnig of the Champion Belt, being atrophy worthy to aspire to, and inasmuch as there are only Iwo more matches to be fired (for the infantry belt) the contest waxes warm, and the excdtement is considerable. Now it appears that this district will stand a good chance ; and then that another will stand a very much better. Yesterday the Thames men were showing a considerable improvement, and took a good many prizes, but they will yet have to prick up " some" as the Yankees would say. There are a great many who have undiminished confidence in the Thames men, and some have expressed themselves willing to gire effect to that confidence in the customary way, namely, by laying wagers upon the same freely. Although betting is not prevalent—it being apparent to most persons that very much depends upon luck and circumstances—yet Hoskins has been backed in certain quarters, and though it may seem inhospitable, we could very much wish to see him or some other member of the Thames carry it off again. The question as to whether or not the Armed Constabulary should be allowed to compete in these matches has created a good deal of discussion. It has been remarked with perfect reason that these men should of necessity be good shots,

holding position in the Government service in which such a qualification is desirable ; but, on the other hand volunteers complain that the A.C. men have certain advantages which they (the volunteers) do not possess. In most cases volunteers can only devote a certain amount of their time to practice ; while it is or should be a part of the duty of the Armed Constabulary men to attain proficiency in the use of the rifle, The complaint, whenever it is made, would appear, therefore, to consist in this—that the Constabulary are professionals and that Volunteers are amateurs.