THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 367

that the practice has been more uniform than in last year's firing,-a result which should be a matter of
some surprise, when the for the most part worn-out condition of the rifles is taken into consideration.

The Cavalry Champion Belt again, by a remarkable coincidence, reverts to the Waiuku Troop R.C.V.,
and decorates for this year Lieutenant Barriball, one of a family of Volunteers, all of whom are expert
shots; and, by a coincidence also somewhat unusual, the Infantry Champion Belt is carried to the same
locality by its winner, Captain Hamlin, of the Waiuku Rifle Volunteers. The final moments of the contest
for this latter belt were intensely interesting and exciting, but without any disorder. The superior pre-
cision of Lieutenant Humphries, of the Taranaki Militia, seemed before his last shot to promise him the
belt; but the superior carefulness in firing of Captain Hamlin made him victorious, inasmuch as the second
shot of his antagonist at the 600 yards range of the 5th match took effect, very unfortunately, on the
wrong target, and was therefore scored a "miss." The last of the victor resulted in a tie of the aggregate
scores between Captain Hamlin and Lieutenant Humphries. The Regulations decided that the better shot
of these two was the competitor who made the highest score in the 5th match, who was Captain Hamlin.

On the 27th March, these Champion Belts and all other prizes of the meeting were presented to the
winners on a parade of the representatives (at which the Volunteer Corps of Napier were present), in a
very graceful and effective manner, and accompanied by an address exceedingly suitable and appropriate,
by Mrs. Ormond. On this day the inhabitants of Napier provided the Representatives with a very
sumptuous luncheon, as well as with a ball on the same evening; and in order that the competitors should
be enabled to participate in the pleasures of this ball, the inhabitants detained the steamer "Wellington"
until the following morning at the cost of a large amount in the shape of demurrage, so that the Staff and
Representatives have every reason to be thankful and they were indeed so for the great hospitality
extended to them by the residents of Napier.

On the following morning, the 28th, the Representatives embarked for their homes.

With respect to the propriety and advisability of always, on occasions of Colonial Prize Firing, placing
the competitors under canvas, I strongly urge the adoption of such a measure; but the firing should take
place not later than during the month of February, before the days begin perceptibly to shorten, and damp
nights, succeeded by foggy mornings, are not so likely to be experienced.

I trust that the Messrs. Tiffin have been thanked for their kindness in allowing us to do precisely as
we pleased on their property, for I am sure that our prolonged stay must have caused serious impediment
to their farming or pastoral operations; besides, it would be difficult to find in the whole Colony a better
range, with a more convenient camping ground, than that which they placed, gratuitously and unreservedly,
at the disposal of the Volunteers.

Of the assiduity and ceaseless attention of the squad officers, Major Withers (Napier), and Captains
Baillie (Marlborough), Derrom (Auckland), Pearce (Wellington), and Sub-Inspector Marshall (Armed
Constabulary), I cannot speak too approvingly; and I trust that the officer who shall next year have charge
of the Colonial Prize Firing may be as fortunate in his staff as I was on the occasion under remark; and
as regards the firing of next year, should a meeting be authorized, I would ask you to recommend to the
Hon. the Defence Minister that some other staff officer-and there are some who are senior in point of rank
to myself-may be permitted to enjoy the honor and realize the anxieties which attach to the command of
these annual competitions; for it is a duty which every officer in command of a district might very fairly
be required to undertake.

Although the number of Colonial Representatives seems to increase every year (there were ninety-six
on this occasion), I trust the accompanying detailed returns of the firing will be found to be as accurately
prepared and arranged as have been those of preceding years, seeing that they have been compiled now, as
heretofore, by Mr. Stevens, of the Defence Office.

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

I have, &c.,
WM. GORDON, Major,
In charge of Colonial Prize Firing, 1874.

AT a Meeting of Cavalry Representatives, held at the Camp, Napier, on Thursday, 26th March, 1874, Sub-Lieutenant
Barriball in the chair:-

Proposed by Mr. McKenzie, seconded by Mr. Douglas, "That the holder of the Champion Belt be a Representative at
future meetings without having to qualify."-Carried.

Proposed by Mr. Read, seconded by Mr. Rogers, "That at future meetings there be an extra Prize for Cavalry marks-
men." Carried.

Proposed by Mr. McKenzie, seconded by Mr. Douglas, "That the Rapidity and Moving Target Prizes be continued at
future meetings."-Carried.

Proposed by Mr. Hedge, seconded by Mr. Judge, "That there be more shots fired for the Champion Belt." Carried.

Proposed by Mr. Hedge, seconded by Mr. Campbell,-"That in the opinion of this meeting it is unfair to the Cavalry
Volunteers to compete with the Armed Constabulary." Carried.

Proposed by Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. R. Danvers,-"That a copy of the foregoing Resolutions be forwarded to the
Major Commanding."---Carried.

S. BARRIBALL, Chairman of the Meeting.

Camp, Green Meadows, 26th March, 1874.
MINUTES of a Meeting of the Representatives, held at the Camp, Green Meadows, on Wednesday evening, the 25th March,
1874, for the purpose of taking into consideration what alterations might be suggested to the Major Commanding for any
future Competition-Captain Hamlin in the chair.

On the motion of Lieutenant Coleman, of Waikato, seconded by Private Armstrong, of the Thames, it was resolved :---

Resolution No. 1." That, for the following reasons, the Running, Rapidity, and Skirmishing Matches should be struck
out of the programme, and steady shooting substituted, in consequence of the liability and opportunity afforded to competitors
of firing on wrong targets, thereby allowing prizes to fall to men who have not actually won the same that the rapid firing
damages the rifle, and that it endangers the lives of competitors." Carried.

Resolution No. 2.-Proposed by Lieutenant Humphries, seconded by Lieutenant Bayley," That in place of the Running,
Rapidity, and Skirmishing Matches, three Range Matches be added to the programme of future meetings, at ranges of 400, 500, and
600 yards, ten shots at each, and that these matches be included in the aggregate for the Championship."-Carried.

Resolution No. 3. Proposed by Gunner McCredie, seconded by Lieutenant King, "That at future meetings the following
discs be substituted for those used at the present meeting:-Bull's-eye, white; centre, red; outer, black."-Carried.

Resolution No. 4.-Proposed by Lieutenant Humphries, seconded by Gunner McCredie," That in future competitions
the large-bore rifle should not be brought into competition with small bores; but that, should the Government deem it
advisable to encourage small-bore shooting, a special match should be set apart for them."-Carried.

E. HAMLIN, Captain, W.R.V., Chairman of Meeting.