The Wairoa Shooting Match.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3784, 12 February 1881, Page 2

The Wairoa Shooting Match.

An invitation having been received from the Wairoa Volunteers to lire a friendly match at the Wairoa, Major Murray, with his usual enthusiasm* took the matter up, and very soon organised a representative team with which to try conclusions with our country brethiv a in arms. The s.s. Blanche was chartered to convey the team to Wairoa, awl His Worship the Mayor, the County/Chairman, Mr Ehrenfried, and several other

citizens baring asked to accompany them, the whole party proceeded on board about noon on Thursday last. The object of the visit was not so much to add another victory to the large number already won by our marksmen, but rather to prepare the way towards opening up a closer intercourse between the Wairoa settlers and the inhabitants of the Thames, and, if possible, to establish larger trade relationships between the two places. In accordance with this object, the visiting team was selected so as to represent as many different descriptions of business as possible, and was literally a representa tive team. The Wairoa Valley has of late years become a large producing district, and especially of those commodities of which we consume large quantities, and it is argued, with very good reason too, that a lucrative trade could be established between the Thames and Wairoa, which would mutually benefit both places. After a few hours' steaming the entrance to the Wairoa river was^ reached, and here the first incident worthy of notice happened. The worthy captain of the boat mistook the entrance of the river, and ran the steamer on a mud bank, where she remained hard and fast for some minutes, and fears were entertained that the whole party would have to spend the night on board. However, some natives were seen on the shore, and the steamer's dingey having been launched, District Marker Potts rowed off and brought two of them on board, and they very soon got the boat afloat again and piloted her into deep water. About 50 minutes' steam from here brought the steamer to the wharf, where the party were received by several members of the Wairoa team and a number of settlers, who cheered the visitors as the boat drew up. The scenery up the river was very refreshing after our dreary hills and mud flats, and was greatly admired by all on board. Arrived at Wairoa the party found that a substantial meal had been prepared for them at the Wairoa hotel, kept by host Martin, and after a good wash ample justice was done to the templing viands placed on the table. During the evening the visitors were hospitably entertained by the settlers. A concert and ball had been prepared for their amusement and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The following are the scores made by the two teams. It may be mentioned that the Wairoa team was very strong.

After the match an excellent dinner was provided for the Thames visitors by the hospitable settlers of the Wairoa, to which ample justice was done. Speeches were made on both sides, the most noticable being that of Major Murray, who distinguished himself before the Wairoans as an accomplished speaker. At 4 p.m. yesterday the party started from the Wairoa on the return trip, and, after quietly enjoying the run down as far as the Spit, to relieve the monotony of the voyage across the Gulf all were called together, and a number of toasts proposed. As the liquors were only limited in quantity, the greater part of these were dry toasts. The toast of His Worship the Mayor, however, was not forgotten, and it was given with three times three and once again. The steamer arrived off Grahamstown Wharf about 10 p.m., and all came on shore heartily well pleased with the trip and fully appreciating the unbounded hospitality with whioh they had been treated by the Wairoa settlers.

200 yds 7>l Moore ... 33333 'ol Jos Oreighton 22232 'ol C. Greighton 33344 'ol T. Wallis ... 33232 rolOoutts ...44334 rolJ. Wallis ...43334 ol ¥. Creighton 34334 ol J. Smith ... 33443 rol Tatteraall ... 43334 rol Wilson ... 44333 rol Job Creighton 32333 rolHoyle ...33233 rol McCormack 33433 rol Welsh ... 34233 400 500 yds yds T2. 23443 32333—45 22344 22333—39 42320 02300—33 33033 00242—33 33433 32304—46 32443 33302—44 33334 04223—44 34323 44243—49 34323 03003—38 44303 30004—38 43444 23333—47 00000 32224—27 30433 32334—44 04044 20202—33 Total points ... 560

WAIEOA TEAM.

900 400 500 yds yds yds Tl. VolDowuie, TSV 33333 43344 33433—49 Major Murray ... 34443 33033 20333—41 Mr Jas. Brown... 33322 30030 33203—30 Mr J. Smith ... 32232 32230 20200—26 Hennelly, TSV... 33323 33030 33433—39 Carpenter, TSY 23233 33233 32003—35 Symington, TSV 33234 34303 20332—38 S. rl.Vrtle,-^SY... 33433 32332 33223—42 Buttle, TSV ... 34323 33434 40430—43 W. Frater, TSV 23232 22203 40020—27 PO Potts, TNB 32333 23323 33044—4.0 Schofield, TSV... 33343 33443 33323—47 McOaul (iVairoa) 23233 43443 33442—47 Crawford (Wairoa) 33333 23033 23333—40 Total points ... ... ... 544 Majority for Wairoa Team ... 16

THAMES TEAM.