Government Prize Firing.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 287, 10 April 1862, Page 3

Government Prize Firing.

RETURN OF THE FIRING OF CAPT. PARKES’ COMP ANT OF RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. APRIL, 1 & 2, 1862.

Resident Magistrate’s Court— March 31. Thomas Nathan v. Hoa' i Tekepa, a native who was charged with having stolen a lot of wood, value rs. 6d., and was fined 10s., or to work a week on the roads. A Court was held at Turakiria on the 4tli April, at which the following cases were heard. [Wirimu Takiri v. WiHhana. Debt £% for hire of a horse. Judgment given for £1 2s.

ous conduct blight to be, if possible, exposed and punished.

Fire Brigade. —lt will be observed from an adverfisment that a meeting of the inhabitants is called to be held on Saturday, for the purpose of bringing the present position of this movement before tiie inhabitants. The committee have received the assurance of assistance from two of the Insurance Companies that have agencies in - this place, and we have no doubt , the other will be equally willing so soon has asked. But before accepting tlie aid proffered, whether in tlie shape of a fire engine or otherwise, the committee feel it necessary to be assured of the support of the public, as it would be awkward t,Q accept of assistance, .and afterwards be unable to turn it to account. At the public, meeting a hearty response will no doubt be given to the proposals of the committee, as there can be but one opinion as to the desirableness of having a properly organised and equipped force of men to take the initiative, and guide the efforts of others in extinguishing fires.

6d., Meretini v. Wirihana. Damages were claimed' to the amount of A 5 for injury done to a wheat stack by a horse iu defendant’s charge. Judgment was given for A 2 10 s.

Housebreaking. —The house at fiusselvale belonging to Mi*. W. S. Russell, was broken into on Saturday last, and sevei-al articles stolen ; among others a pair of blankets, unmarked, several books and a razor. A leather desk belonging to Mr. Southcombe, who is living there at present, was cut open and several papers taken from it, which are of no value to any but the proprietor. One book was left which had Mr. Russell’s name written in it in several places—an indication that the thieves understood English, and it seems also evident that they were not maoris, from the fact, that several carpenter’s tools lying in their way, which would have been the great-] est possible prize to maoris, were left behind. The thieves had broken up part of a window at the back of the house by means of a strong stick used as a crowbar, and had thus gained, access. Mr. Southcombe was absent and the robbery was not discovei e 1 till Sunday. . Information was laid at tlie police office by Mr. Russell, but Corporal Atkinson having been in Rangifikei did not go up to investigate till yesterday; and we believe no trace of the thieves lias yet been found.

Rifle Volunteers. —A meeting of Capt. Parkes’ company was held on the 27th ult., at which the following noncommissioned officers were elected. Sergeants—Messrs. Frank Parkes, William I Johnson, H..; I. Jones, Daniel Hurley. I Corporals—J. Lockett, W. Kirk, J. Shaw, J. Pawson. The following gentlemen were elected a committee to conduct the affairs “off the company :—Dr. Tuke, Messrs. Stokes; Pawson, J. G. Woon, Findlater, Nichol, Burnett, H, I, Jones, D. Hurley—the officers being members ex officio. A'letter was read by the Secretary., which ho had sent to Sergt. Haywood of tho 57th acknowledging the value of his services in conducting the band, and hoping that if the hand should be continued, as waj the general wish, he might be able to act as heretofore. - A cheque for <£lo was enclosed as a small recognition of his past services. A letter has smog beep received from Sergt. Heywood, acquiescing in the proposal to continue as instructor,

Brutal Conduct —A number of dogs were poisoned on Saturday and Sunday nights last, belonging to parties in .various parts of the town; The poison ‘seems to have been laid cjiiefly ill Victoria Avenue, as the principal mortality was tliero. Such heartless and mischiev-

Election' of Members. to - the Provincial , Council.— The nomination of members to the Provincial Council in room of Messrs. Fox and Harrison, took place on Tuesday at twelve o’clock in the Court House. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather a large number of electors Avas present, and considerable interest was manifested in the.proceedings. Major Durie having explained the object of the meeting anil caused the writs to be read, asked those present to name candidates. Mr. T. B. Taylor proposed Mr. Harrison of Warrengate, as a fit and proper person to represent the district in the Provincial Council. It Avas well known that the seat would not have been vacant, but for the office of Sheriff haA r ing been held by Mr. Harrison at the time of the last election, which prevented him from taking his seat at the last meeting of Council. This obstacle Avas now removed, and he trusted that the electors would concur Avitli him in thinking that Mr. Harrison should be again returned. . Sheriff Harper seconded the nomination.

Mr. George Roberts proposed, and Mr. W. Kells seconded the nomination of Mr- John Garner. .

Mr. E. LeAvis projxjsed Mr. John Bryce, and Mr. Jas. Broughton seconded the proposal. , Mr. Harrison rose and said, that he should like to. say a few words before the show of hands Avas taken. In presentinghimself before the electors, he thought it proper to; remind them of the circumstances Avliich had attended his last election. About twelve months ago they had done him the honour to send him up to the Provincial Council, At that time he held the responsible and time-honour-ed office of Sheriff, aud on going to take his seat in the Council, a prohibitory act Avas sheAvn him which made the election invalid. There was, indeed, a difference of opinion on this point. But though it was a great disappointment to him to. be thus deprived of his seat, he did Avhat he censidered right. He hastened back to his constituents, and placed himself in their hail Is. He took no fnrther steps. He would noAV turn to Avhat Avas of more important e, what he considered that he, if elected, should feel himself called upon to do for their interests. Mr. Harrison then referred the necessity there was for a bridge, and urged the electors

to press the matter more on the attention of the government. It Avas by such pressure that the people in the Ilutt hsd obtained a neAV bridge so soon after the former one Avas destroyed by the earthquake some . years ago. ■He then recommended the appointment of a standing committee, by means of which the. electors and their representatives might hold frequent communication. ' After some remarks from Mr. Broughton and Mr.. G. Lloberts, urging on the candidates: attention to the interests of the district, Mr. Garner came forward and expressed liis wish, if elected, to do his best for the constituency. Mr. Bryce then shortly addressed the meeting. He alluded to-the bridge, toAvn board, and an amendment of the District High ways’ Act; to these and., other matters affecting the Avelfare of the district and province lie Avonld give liis. best attention, unbiassed by party feeling and untrammelled, by party ties. If he failed to give satisfaction to the electors, it Avould be from Avant of ability, not from Avant of will. .

A slioav of hands Avas taken, and only a feAv being held up for Mr. Garner, lie Avithdrew.

Thereupon the returning officer declared H. -S. Harrison,' Esq., and John Bryce, Esq., duly elected.

' Names. 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. Total. 11 12 4 ; 27 Sergeant D. Hurley 11 12 1 24 Coi’poral J. Lockett... 7 8 ,8 23 Sergeant Frank Parkes 11 4 , 7 22 Private W. Finnimore.. 13 - 7 2 22 10 6 6 22 11 7 O O 21 F,. R.iekarrls 9 7 5 21 }3 .Tamps Signal ... V..... & 11 •- ••8 ' ■ 5 )2 1 :21 .T Arnhstrorifif 10 7 4 = 20 Captain Frederick Parkes ... ........ 11 6 3 Private S. ■ Henson 8 . 8; 4 20 Lieutenant E. J. Brougkton 11 5 3 19 10 ’ 6 3 19 33 (t. Howe •. 7 " 10 1 18 Rercreant, H. 1. .Tones 7 : 8 3 18 Private J. Findlater 10 6 1 17 Ringeon .T. B. Tnke.. ................... 7 • .7. 3 17 Sergeant W. Jolinson 10 6 1 17 Private H. Hurley ...- 7 7 2 16 ,, B. Hood 10 3 3 16 " l £>. Small : 8 • 7 I 16. 3J T). Richardson 8 6 1 15 10 4 1 15 Corpor.d ,T_ Shaw r. 11 4 15 Private D. Strachan ............... . J3 .Tohn Hurley 8 7 2 3 5 5 15 ’ 15 ,, John Richardson '. 7 4 3 14 J3 Ct . Coleman 8 5 1 14 9 „ = 4 13 Private C. Nicol ........ io 2 ... 12 J} C4-. Hieholls >. 9 ’ 2 ... 11 jj John Cerse 4 5 2 11 Corporal J. W. Liddell ............. 9 1 1 11. „ W. Kirk 5 5 10 Private Thos. D. Jones 6 1 1 8 n J. C, Woon 4 1 2 . 7 J3 Thomas Henson 1 3 3 7 R. T)n v 5 2 7 i j, "Wj Burrows 4 • Ml 5 332 : 206 104 642 Number of Bull’s eyes 29 , 12 5 46 ■ } j j, Centres 98 52 19 16 .. ,, Outers 49 ' : 66 51 166 „ „ Misses.. ./... 24 ■ *7 0 125 -219 Average Number of Hits per man, 9.525 Points „ „ 16,05