✨ Prize Firing Report
Numb. 27.
331
SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
OF THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1875.
Published by Authority.
WELLINGTON, FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1875.
Report and Returns relative to Colonial Prize Firing, 1875.
Colonial Defence Office, Wellington, 14th May, 1875.
THE following Report and Returns, showing the result of the Prize Firing for 1875, are published
for information.
H. A. ATKINSON,
(in the absence of the Defence Minister.)
REPORT.
Lieut.-Colonel LYON to the ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE.
Wellington, 17th April, 1875.
SIR,—
Having been directed by the Hon. the Native Minister to conduct the Annual Prize Firing
Meeting of 1875, I have the honor to submit for his information the following report on the pro-
ceedings connected therewith.
It having been decided by the Government that on this occasion the annual competition should
take place at the Thames, and as I had received instructions to go to Wellington after the meeting
was over, and having many arrangements to make before taking my final departure from the Waikato, I
found it was impossible to leave soon enough, so as to carry out all the arrangements necessary to insure
the punctual commencement of the meeting on the day appointed, viz. 25th February. I therefore
desired Major Gordon, whose services as second in command had been placed at my disposal, to
precede myself and the Representatives for that purpose.
Sub-Inspector Newall, in command of a sergeant and eleven constables of the Armed Con-
stabulary, accompanied Major Gordon.
On the 23rd of January, the greater number of the Representatives having assembled in Auckland,
I assumed command, and embarked with them on board' the colonial steamer "Luna," arriving at the
Thames on the afternoon of that day. On disembarking we were received by the Volunteer Force of
the Thames District (Major Cooper in command), by whom we were accompanied to the Camp at
Parawai, about three miles distant from Grahamstown.
The arrangements made by Major Gordon and his staff were most complete, and the competitors,
having been told off into squads, marched to their tents, previously allotted, and then to the mess-
tent, where a good supper was awaiting them.
The camp was situated on flat land on the opposite side of the Kauwaeranga Stream (crossed by a
pontoon bridge) and opposite the Native settlement, and was pitched in the same manner as that of
last year, in regular military order, in column.
The range had been selected by Major Cooper, and was within three hundred yards of the camp.
The targets (five in number), each with its marker's butt, had been erected under the able manage-
ment of Mr. Christie, Wellington Armoury.
On the morning of the 25th February, the day appointed, at 6.30, the competition commenced,
and was carried on with scarcely any interruption until the official programme was completed, and, I
am happy to say, without any accident whatever.
In all previous contests, the first match (Cavalry and Infantry), called the "Judging Distance
Match," had been included in those matches upon the aggregate score of which had depended the
Championship in both arms of the force; but on this occasion it had been decided by the Hon. the
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NZ Gazette 1875, No 27
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Report and Returns relative to Colonial Prize Firing, 1875
🛡️ Defence & Military14 May 1875
Prize Firing, Report, Returns, Colonial Defence, Armed Constabulary, Competition
- Gordon (Major), Assisted with arrangements for firing
- Newall (Sub-Inspector), Commanded Armed Constabulary detachment
- Cooper (Major), Commanded Thames District Volunteer Force
- Christie (Mr.), Erected targets at firing range
- H. A. Atkinson
- Lieut.-Colonel Lyon