HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 28 May 1872, Page 2

HAMILTON.

[From our own Corresjpondknt.]

May 27, 1872. According to an order received f*om Colonel Lyon commanding the district, the Constabulary and Waikato Pvitie Volunteers assembled on parade to tire a feu de join.? This is the first tome the company has appeared on parade in uniform, and the turnout does credit to our local tailor. After paying tae usual respect to- Her Majesty, Colonel Lyon expressed himself highly pleased with the uniform and complimented them on their soldierly appearance and the steady manner in -which the duties devolving on them had been performed, and hoped soon to see them more numerous. Mrs. Lyon who had kindly volunteered to present the prizes won by the Constabulary and Volunteers in the district, then came forward and said : Captain dimming, the pleasant duty of distributing the district prizes to the successful competitors devolves upon me, and it must be a source of pride and gratification that out of fifteen prizes allotted to the district, nine of them have been won by the Waiuato Rifle Volunteers, and also that you sent two representatives to compete at the Colonial gathering, one of whom had the honor to win the first prize in the 7th match, and the other to be one of the ten highest aggregate scorers in the North Island who competed with the Southern Island ten for

the challenge cup. I hope that you may maintain the reputation you have gained as marksmen, and that next year fresh laurels may be added to those already won. Volunteer Hinton was then called, and received the first prize in the first set of 11 ; Lieut, Coates had received the second prize of previous to his departure for England. Ensign McDonald stepped forward to receive the third prize of 41 10s., for Volunteer Nickisson, who was absent; Captain Gumming received the fourth, of 21 10s. ; Sergeant Small the fifth, .21 10s. ; ColorSergeant Williamson, seventh, of 21 ; and Volunteer O'Neil, eighth, of 21. In the second set Vol. McKenzie received the third prize of 21, and Volunteer Slater, the fifth of 1Z 10s. ; the whole having been put into neat blue silk bags by the lady presenting them. Mrs. Lyon then addressed the Armed Constabulary and said : "It gives me great pleasure to say that the highest Cavalry prize of i'lO was won by Mounted Constable Steele, and I may say the same to you as 1 did to the Volunteers —hoping you may be as successful, if not more so, on future occasions." Mounted Con- . stable Steele was then presented -with his prize ; '. Sergt. Berkley then received the 7th prize of 8/.; Const. Stanger, the Bth, of 11. ; Const. Gordon, the , 10th, of 41., and Const. Vernonwith the 16th, of 11. ■

A'ccornpanying each of the Constabulary prizes was a badge with the cross-rifles. Three cheers were then given for Mrs. Lyon, and one for the gallant Colonel, who thanked all present for the hearty compliments paid to. Mrs. Lyon and himself, and. he trusted'that a Rifle Association might be started in the district for the encouragement of good shooting. The men were then inarched off to their respective parade grounds and dismissed, after which the Volunteers met to elect a lieutenant, J. Highley Esq., and Ensign Macdonald were proposed, seconded, and balloted-for, when the ehairnian, Capt. Cumming, declared J. Highley, Esq., elected. Ensign Macdonald tendered his resignation. An election to till the vacancy will shortly take place. A ball was given in the Constabulary Barracks by the officers,, at which, a number of the elite were present. Dancing commenced at 10 p.m., and was kept up with, unflagging spirit till 2 a.m. next morning. ■ The Volunteers also had a ball, with a formidable programme of 26 dances, 24 of which, were only got through, when old Sol made his appearance, warning all that it was time to disperse. It was pronounced * most decided success by all present, which was due to the untiring exertions of the ball committee. The Hon. T>. Maclean, accompanied by Colonel St. John and Mr. Clarke, arrived here on Saturday afternoon en route for Alexandra, to which, place> they will proceed on Tuesday.