Thames Rifle Bangers.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3839, 19 April 1881, Page 2

Thames Rifle Bangers.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Shortland was quite alive yesterday morning with the members of this Company, who congregated at the VolunteerHall, and, atter spending some hours in decking out the building, conveyances | being in waiting, they started for the Rifle Eange at Parawai, where they made the strongest muster, perhaps, ever made by a single Company at the butts. A very pleasant day was spent, luncheon being provided on the ground, to which, as also the shooting, the hon. members and friends of the corps were invited, and received due attention. Ove.. 1 fifty members of the corps competed at the butts, where all was enjoyment, and hence no very bright shooting was made, yet some thirty prizes were shot for and won— kindly given to the Bangers by their numerous friends. Everything at the butts went merry as a marriage bell until 3 o'clock p.m., when the command " homewards turn " was given, and, the 'busses being in waiting, it was speedily accomplished. THE CONCERT. The Volunteer Hall presented a neat appearance last evening, and was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens on the occasion of the concert. There was a very large attendance of the general public, and the programme was most successfully carried out. Captain Douglas occupied the chair, and made a few remarks upon the pleasure it gave himself and the men of the Company to see so many friends on the occasion of this anniversary. He referred to the enrollment of the Company in 1869, and to the principal matters of interest occurring to the corps since that date. " The Watch on on the Ehine," the first item on the concert programme was then given, after which Sergt. Gibbs sang " Long parted have we been." Miss Manton was pleasing in her song, " Call me, darling, once again," and Miss Gribble and Mr Vowels sang their duet, " I know a bank, whereon the wild thyme grows," very nicely. Mrs Penk was encored for her song "Bobin Adair," and Mr Halliday followed with " The Ked Cross Banner." Miss Strange sang the sweet song "Killarney" very well, and Mr Vowels, in capital style, rendered "The Maid of the Athens. Miss Day and Mr Gribble each contributed a song, after which the Manning Champion Belt was presented to Vol. Long by Mr Manning. Miss Gribble followed with the pretty little song " Waiting," Mrs Corrigan in " When the swallows homeward fly;" after which Messrs Griffiths/Vowels, and Wiseman each contributed an item, the programme concluding with the National Anthem. The dance was well patronised, and m fact the whole arrangements made by the committee were a marked success.