WAIKATO CAVALRY.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1307, 13 November 1880, Page 2

WAIKATO CAVALRY.

Third and Final Carbine tionThe third and deciding carbine match in the competition between the three troops composing the Waikato Cavalry was fired on the Hamilton range yesterday. The first was fired at '!> Awamutu on the 14th September, and the second at Cambridge on the 12th of October. The final result is in favour of the Cambridge team, who were also the highest scorers in yesterday's match. The firing commenced shortly after 10 a.m., under the direction of Major Jackson who kindly undertook the onerous duties of scorer, in which he was assisted by Captain Runciman and Lieutenant Fisher of the Camb.idge Troop. Several other members of the foreign troops were present, and the Hamilton troop, which was being exercised close at hand congregated at the butts during the intervals of drill. There was also a good sprinkling of civilians present. At the commencement of yesterday' » match Te Awamutu was leading Cambridge by one, with Hamilton considerably in the rear too far in the opinion of many to be able to recover itself. Opinions were however divided regarding Te Awamutu and Cambridge, and it was not until very near the end that any degree of certainty was felt in the matter. Ac the 200 yards range the Cambridge men had gained 6 on their Te Awamutu opponents, leaving Hamilton still further in the rear. Tho scores at this range were with one or two exceptions remaikably good, Lieut. Johnson of Hamilton making 18, and Trooper Forrest of Cambridge 17. At the 300 yards, Cambridge and Te Awamutu maintained their relative positions with totals each of 66, Hamilton scoring 69, Sergt. Ridler of the latter, contributing 17 by steady determined shooting. At the last range TeAwamutu so far from gaining lost ground, principally through the inexplicably bad shooting of Lieut. Bruce who only made 3, the total made by the team being only 47. Hamilton made 60, and Cambridge 61, Trooper Forrest firing splendidly for 16. On the whole the firing was much better than at the previous matches, as will be seen below. The marking was very efficiently executed by Sergt. Major Carley, assisted by Sergt. Coombes of the Hamilton Troop. The arrangements made by the Committee as to lunch &c, were eminently satisfactory. Appended are the scored of all the matches, which we give for easy reference :—: — FIRST MATCH.

Majority for Cambridge ovei Te Awamutu, 19; over Hamilton, 23.

RAPIDITY BALL PRACTISE. At the conclusion of the firing, pre-parations-were made for these events. Four men of each Troop were selected, riding in half sections on a quarter mile course over two hurdles and firing at the target at 200 yards, the time allowed being three minutes. Considerable interest was taken in this part of the days proceedings and the contest was a close one ending as will be seen below in a victory for the Cambridge Troop. Major Jackson and the officers of the Cambridge Troop conducted the scoring and time keeping Capt. Rutherford of Te Awarautu acted ac starter, and Sergt. Major Carley and Sergt. Coombes performed the duties of markers. Appended are the scores:—

102 A sweepstakes of 2s 6d per member, got up by twelve of the competitors, was divided as follows : — Ist prize, los, Trooper Forrest, 46; 2nd prize, 7s 6d, Lieut, Johnson 45 ; 3rd prize, ss, Trooper Cochrune, 43 ; 4th prize, 2a 6d, Sergeant Howie, 41. This concluded the programme. In the evening the Hamilton Troop entertained their visitors at a dinner at Gwynne's Hotel.

The Dinner;. The members of the competing teams, together with a number of visiting volunteers, sat down to an excellent spread, provided by Host Gwynne of the Hamilton Hotel, the chair being occupied in; the absence of Col. Lyon and Major Jackson, by Capt. Kunciman, having on bis right Capt. Rutherford, and on his left Capt. McPherson. The Vice-chair was filled by Lieut. Johnson, supported by Lieut. Fisher, and Sergt. Major I arley. After the fullest justice had been done to the good things laid before the guests. The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts which were duly honored. The Chairman proposed the toast of "the Houses of Parliament," coupled with the name of Mr Hungerford Roche. Mr Roche, in responding, said they had tempted him into a political speech. [The Speaker was called to order, and asked to return thanks for the Parliament.] Well, he did'nt believe in the present Parliament. [A voice ; Nobody wants you to. (Loud laughter)] Well, then, he would say he returned thanks for the members of the House, and hoped the Lord would guide their deliberations, for they needed such guidance, (loud laughter.') The chairman proposed the toast of " the Army and Navy." Capt. McPherson responded in suitable terms, and begged to propose the health of the Volunteers. He referred to the high character which the Cavalry bore as Volunteers characterising them as the best he had seen, but pointed out the necessity for maintaining discipline. He briefly dwelt upon the proposed reductions, which he considered the Government were not justified in making as the Troop had been raised under peculiar circumstances, and the action of the Government looked like repudiation. He asked them to drink to the continuance in unity and strength of the Waikato Cavalry. The toast was drunk in bumpers. Capt. Rutherford responded. The Vice-chairman proposed the visiting teams and referred in happy ternis to the good effects of meetings such as the present. Capt. Rutherford and Lieufc. Kirkwood responded. The toast of Sergt. - Major Carley was proposed by Capt. McPherson to which that gentleman feelingly responded. The toa»ts of the successful team responded by Sergt-. Major Fisher the unsuccessful teams responded to by Lieut. Johnston and Bruce ; the highest scorer responded to by Trooper Forrest : the lowest scorer, responded to by Sergt. Ridler, the Press; the Ladies: the visitors ; the H'»st and Hostess huving been duly honoured a very pleasant evening was brought to a close, and an adjournment was made to

The Ball. which came off in the Oddfellows Hall and proved a thorough success.

Hits. Misses. Pts. Lieut. Bruce ) Sub. -Lieut. Wilkinson J Trooper Graham ) Trooper Munro ( 21 4 56 18 8 46

TE AWAMUTU.

jieut. Johnson . . lub-Lieut. Hunt ?r. Younsr >. Cochrane ... Igt. Ridler 18 14 12 15 Id 14 10 13 15 18 12 — 45 11 — 3.5 15 — 40 13 — 43 8 — 40 oni

HAMILTON.

Lieut. Johnson Lieut. Hunt ... L\\ Young 3i-gt. Ridler ... Fr. Cochrane ... 13 13 15 13 12 13 13 11 11 9 7 - 33 13 — 39 S — 34 9 — 33 11 — 32 * iro

HAMILTON.

jieut. Bruce sub - Lieutuant. Wilkinson . . . 3orpl. McFarlaue Dr. Graham ... LV. Munro l(j 13 17 ](> 10 12 11 14 13 12 Id ~ 4c 12 — 3£ 12 — 4.32 — 35 Li — 41

TE AWAMUTU.

yds. Srgt. M j or Fisher 1 3 3rgt. Howie ... 14 Sub-Lieut Kirkwood 13 Fr Fergufson ... 16 fr Forrest . . 16 aw yds. 13 14 14 12 15 yds Tl. 15 — 41 13 — 41 10 — 37 11 — 39 11 — 41

SECOND MATCH. CAMBRIDGE.

Lieut. Johnson... Sub. -Lieut. Hunt Tr. Ridler Tr. B. Young ... Tr. Cochrane ... zoo yds. 13 ; 15 11 11 13 Is 13 10 12 U jd*. Tl. 10 — 35 - 14 — 42 6 — 27 12 — 35 9 — 3S 177

HAMILTON TROOP.

jds. yds. yd-,. Tl. Sergeant - Major Fisher ... H Sergh Howie ... lo Te H. Fergusson lo Tr. A. Forrest... 13 Sergt. Mackintosh 15 12 12 16 11 10 5 — 31 7 — 'Si 9 — 40 15 — 39 5 — 30 in

CAMBRIDGE TEOOP.

*ieut. Bruce ... üb.-Lieut. Wilkinson 'r.Macfarlane... 'r. Graham !r. Munro 200 yds. 15 16 15 14 16 ■500 yds. 11 13 11 10 10 400 yds. Tl. 12 — 38 9 — 38 5 — 31 8 — 32 14 — 40

TE AWAMUTU TROOP.

ambridge ... "c Awamutu [amilton ... btii 357

GRAND TOTALS.

nun, Hits. Misses. Pts. iieufc. Johnston ) iub-Lieut. Hunt j hooper Cocbrane \ 'rooper Young / 12 11 30 22 0 59 89

CAMBRIDGE. Hits. Misses. Pts. Sergt. Howie \ ,- .„ ,„ Trooper Fergusson ) ll Sergt.-Major Fisher ) on 7 -, Trooper Forrest ) Z0 7 ol 94

Capt. Rutherford Lieut. Bruce ... Sub. -Lieut. Wilkinson Tr. Graham ... Tr. Munro 200 }'ds. 13 H 12 1(> 11 300 yds. 13 16 13 13 10 400 jcU Tl. 11 — 38 3 — 32 12 - 37 10 — 39 11 — 36 183

FINAL MATCH. TK AWAMUTU.

Sgt.-Mjv. Fisher Bgt. Howie Sub-Lieut. Kirkwood Tr. Fergusson ... Tr. Forrest 14 15 15 15 17 14 14 11 11 13 11 — 39 12 — 41 10 — 30 12 — 41 10 — 40

CAMBRIDGE.