The Ball to the Carbine Representatives.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4341, 29 November 1882, Page 2

The Ball to the Carbine Representatives.

The ball to Carbine Champion Gordon and the other representatives who contributed to maintain the reputation of the Thames at the annual colonial prize firing, proved, as we anticipated it would be, an unqualified success. The Academy of Music last night was crowded with dancers, it being estimated that at one time 125 couples were whirling in the mazy waltz on the floor. The hall was tastefully decorated with flags and various classes of weapons. In the centre of the room were the Challenge Cup and the Darling Cup, trophies of victory. The band occupied the gallery. During the time the band adjourned for lunch, Miss Ginn played two waltzes, so that pleasure's flying feet should suffer no delay. Petty Officers Henderson and Noonan acted as M.C.'s for the programme, wbicn consisted of twenty-six dances. Mr Forgie supplied the refreshments. At the conclusion of the first part, Mr E Wiseman sang the following song, which it were needless to state was enthusiastically applauded: — Am: "Ten thousand miles away." Singing oh for our jolly Navals bold, our gallant boys in blue ! Singing oh for their jolly Captain brave, and officers so true! And jolly representatives, their equals can't

be met. They are bound to win when they go in— they are the boys, you bet! . Then shout my lads, ay oh! To Dunedin they did go, To show them there the way to shoot, For Gordon shout hooray ! He thrice across the foam, The Champion Belt brought home. On his manly bosom how he wears, What none could take away.

When first the contest did begin, some scribbling fool did jeer; But as our boys made their way up, the 1 Southerners felt queer. " Fair weather shootists our great guns" their book they did not suit: To their surprise Thames took the prize, and collar'd lots of utu. Then shout, &c. For the Carbine Comp'nies' Challenge Cup, so ably won by Gill : Another "great gun" from the Thames, he proved a bitter pill. When firing off the tie that day, their man began to quake, But Gill so fit, the bull's- eye hit, and made the other shake! j Then shout, &c. Five times our boys have won the Belt—in five years running, too! Armstrong and Thomas show'd their skill, and proved their aim was true. Brownlee and all the rest did well —their scoring it was prime ;

And Peter Weir was very near—bnt better luck next time. Then shout, &c. They took their beating very bad —their illbred ways did show! Their hearts are breaking that from them the siller it should go ! / They'll stint themselves the next six months, eat nothing but burgoo ; Bnt if some day they come this way, we'll show them how we do! Than shout, &c.