NOTES FROM TE AWAMUTU. WAIKATO CAVALRY. The Inter-troopal Carbine Competition.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1281, 14 September 1880, Page 2

NOTES FROM TE AWAMUTU. WAIKATO CAVALRY. The Inter-troopal Carbine Competition.

The "Warriors bold" from Cambridge and from the "Waikato Borough" have visited our village. They "came, they "saw," but they "conquered " not. My predictions were fulfilled. Te Awamutu did not intend to lose laurels. The contest throughout, was most exciting as will be seen by the detailed account of the scores. That the shooting "was excellent, is manifest from the fact, that upon the last bullet depended the issue of the day. To the Hamiltonians, belongs the credit of making "top individual score " in the person of their gallant and most popular Lieutenant "Bill Hunt." More power to his elbow ! Though Te Awamutu reigns supreme at present, they must not however be unmindful of the fact, that they were competing at their own range, and that they knew precisely the proper allowance to make, tor the nasty "chopping" wind ; at one moment a zephyr, and at the next moment almost a hurricane, which prevailed during the entire contest. Having thus unburthened myself of the chief topic, I must now retrograde and give some particulars of

The Dance before the Fray. Our visit to the Thames hpa given us " Rustics " a little information, on the point of hospitality. We did our best to entertain our visitors and we got up a " little-go dance "in their honor. The Hamilton Team were in full number " barring " their "Top i-corer " aforesaid, who did not allow his nerves tho chance of getting unstrung, by indulgence on the "light fantastic." Of the Cambridge men I saw none at the dance. The Hall was by no means crowded, but there were pleuty of dancers and the marked total absence of the '• would be jam tart folks, " contributed, in no small measure, to the success and also to the sociability of the entertainment. We cannot yet do the thing as you can at Hamilton, but I am convinced that your "team" knew this, and made allowauce accordingly. Bandmaster Sibley with his " Village orphanista " was there in all his glory, and as usual, gave m full measure of melody. On Saturday, "when the fight was done" we sat our rivals down to a dinner at Lewis' Central Waikato Hotel. About forty of us were present including Major Jackson, who had, during the whole day, presided at the Butts, where he act9d as " Recording- Angel. At the dinner, the Major took the chair, and was supported on his right by Captain Rutherford, of "Ours," while the Vice-Chair was ably filled by Lieut. Johnson, of "Yours." When we are formed into a regiment, I shall have to forego these possessive pronouns. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts (I fancy I've seen that sentence before), The Chairman proposed "The Losing Team " (and devilish glad we Te Awamutans were to have the chance of drinking it). To this toast Sergeant-Major Fisher responded on behalf of Cambridge, and the Vice-Chairman for Hamilton. The gallant Vice-Chairman then proposed "The Health of the Winning Team," whereat we tried to blush, but we somehow failed in the attempt. Captain Rutherford replied on behalf of his "Crushers," and then proposed "The Top Scorer," your adorable Bill Hunt, who had confidentially informed your own that he had intended all along to be the top scorer of the day. He now attempted to do the modest, and assured the company that "he was both surprised and delighted to find that he was so lucky as to have to respond to the toast, &c, &c." But your " Bill" is such a " jolly good fellow " that no one can take exception to what he says or does. Lieutenant George Wilkinson, of "Ours," then proposed " The Houorary Members, " of whom but one was present (Host Lewis at the moment being engaged outside in catering for his guests). The toast was ably responded to by Mr Wainwright, of whom we are justly proud, as he is now connected with us by marriage. The " Press " was duly proposed and responded to, and " The Ladies" were, as in duty bound, accorded musical honors. Major Jackson's health was enthusiastically drunk, as also was that of Sergt.Major Carley. The business was concluded by a few melodious ditties, among which were most noticeable the son<?s of Lieut. Johnson and Sergt.-Major Fisher. We tried very hard to get a song from Captain Rutherford, and, with this object, we even " voted him out of the chair," after Major Jackson had left. Although our Captain is grand at leading a Cavalry charge— vide the Thames campaign.— and can hold his own with the best of us at the Butts, he is one of tho3e " who would sincr if they could, but they cannot be made to sing.' 1 Our little dinner was a very nice affair, and is, I hope, the precursor of many another "jovial meeting." There is nothing better calculated to promote good understanding between Volunteers, than an occasional affair of this sort. In this way, " the festive board " men get to know each other, and have opportunities of making friendships and acquaintances, which they would never otherwise get. During the ' ' talkie-talkie " part of the proceeding, both Lieut. Johnson and Trooper Hungerford Koche, dilated, at some length, on the extreme advisability of holding an annual review of the whole Volunteer Forces of the Province, and of closely imitating in other respects the Home Volunteers. The motion is well worthy of consideration, and perhaps now that the ' ' useless Session " is brought to an end. the subject of "our Volunteers" will receive attention at the hands of a " Paternal and economical " Government. — [Owx CORRESPONDENT. ]