674

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

I would recommend that, in future annual competitions, members of the Armed Constabulary should
not take part. They are not Volunteers; and having no voluntary domicile as such, I could scarcely have
allowed any of them to take part, even if they had qualified, in the North and South Island Match. There
was some objection, though it was not pressed, to the mounted portion of the Armed Constabulary taking
part in the competition, because they had not qualified as representatives in accordance with the Regula-
tions; that is, that they had fired for choice of representatives with Snider carbines instead of with Terry
carbines, as the Volunteer Cavalry had done. Then, with respect to the Infantry portion of the Armed
Constabulary, they were brought to this competition at a manifest disadvantage, inasmuch as they were
then compelled by the Regulations to fire with Enfield rifles, a weapon with which they are not armed, and
with which, consequently, they had not had any practice.

It is much to be regretted that the Cavalry and Infantry Champion Belts have not arrived from England;
their non-receipt caused great disappointment to the winners of them; and the Cavalry Champion of last
year, who has not consequently had an opportunity of wearing his belt, is much and reasonably mortified.

I attribute the success of the meeting to the friendly spirit by which all hands were actuated, and to
the carefulness and zeal of the Staff officers, Captains Baillie, Stack, Cleland, Humphrey, and Sinclair, and
Sub-Inspector Marshall. I am also much indebted to Mr. Stevens, of the Defence Office, who performed
the clerical duties attaching to the meeting with his usual care and precision. Staff-Sergeant Stevens'
(from Otago) assistance was invaluable also. One feature in this meeting, and one which afforded great
satisfaction to the competitors, besides conducing very materially to the early termination of the programme,
was the rapid and most accurate marking (by disc) of the markers who were employed, four from Constabu-
lary Depôt, and one from the Wellington Store Department.

The inhabitants of Nelson cannot be too highly commended for their extreme hospitality; and to such an
extent did they carry this hospitality, that on each day of the meeting they provided a sumptuous luncheon
on the range for the whole of the competitors and staff.

I cannot omit to refer to an act of very great consideration on the part of the Government, and which
was the establishment of a telegraphic station on the range—by means of which competitors were enabled
to telegraph the value of each shot as it was fired, to friends in the remotest parts of the Colony.

On the 15th instant the prizes were presented with all due formality by the Hon. Major Richmond, C.B.,
assisted by Mrs. A. Richmond, who invested the champions, Douglas and Hoskin, with silk sashes (in the
absence of their official belts).

The Under Secretary for Defence,
(Militia and Volunteer Branch,) Wellington.

I have, &c,
WM. GORDON, Major,
Commanding Auckland District.

RESULT of the COMPETITION for choice of COLONIAL REPRESENTATIVES, 1873—in two Stages (fired on
separate days), viz.:—1st, 200 and 300 yards—5 shots at each range; 2nd, 400, 500, and 600 yards
—5 shots at each range. Highest aggregate Scorers in the two Stages to be Colonial Representatives.
Highest possible score, 100 points; minimum score to qualify, 70 points.