332
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Native Minister that the score in this match should be excluded from the aggregate, which decision
gave general satisfaction. The Hon. the Native Minister, at the suggestion of Mr. Soall, of the
Auckland Rifle Volunteers, had consented to a Judging Distance Match (rifles not being used), but
want of time and the nature of the country prevented my carrying it out; but I trust that on future
occasions a match so important will not be omitted.

Another match at earth-coloured targets, also suggested by Mr. Soall, produced some excellent
shooting; and I think it would be advisable to have a similar match in future Regulations.

The Cavalry Champion Belt for this year was won by Mounted Constable Von Poellnitz, of
the Armed Constabulary; and the Infantry Belt by Lieutenant Skinner, Auckland Rifle Volunteers.
The contest for the last Belt was most exciting, and very nearly won by Constable Elder, also of the
Armed Constabulary, an uniformly good and steady shot; his last discharge being a "miss," against an
"outer" by Lieutenant Skinner, which, in the summing up of the different matches, placed the latter
in the position of Champion Shot of the colony, and Elder the second aggregate scorer of the colony.

The shooting throughout the whole of the meeting was very good indeed; and the statistics, as
compared with those of previous years, show that the shooting of the force of the colony steadily
improves, notwithstanding the age of the rifles now in possession of members.

The match between small and large bores again caused a certain amount of dissatisfaction, which
has been adverted to in previous reports; and, for the reasons mentioned by Major Gordon on a former
occasion, I think it would be desirable to discontinue such matches.

If a small-bore match is sanctioned, it should be confined to small-bores, and on no account
should two competitors be allowed to use the same rifle.

I would also suggest that the skirmishing matches be excluded for the future.

In the match "Moving Targets—Infantry," I recommend that the time be the same as the
Cavalry, viz. three minutes.

After the Championship had been decided, a written protest against Lieutenant Skinner receiving
the Belt was handed to me by Constable Elder, the next highest aggregate scorer, on the ground that
he had tampered with his rifle. I referred it to a Board of Officers, but the accusation was not
sustained.

An objection was also raised against the ammunition provided at the meeting by the Government,
being that of Eley Brothers, on the plea that some were deficient of powder, and some had no powder
at all.

That the ammunition was of good quality is fully proved by the fact that the firing at the meeting
was superior to that of former years, and that, acting according to my orders, Major Gordon and the
officers in charge of squads gave every competitor who found he had a defective cartridge a perfect
one in its place. I do not think, if my memory serves me right, there could have been a dozen so
exchanged.

It is needless for me to make any further remarks on the subject, as a report was sent to the
Government by Mr. Stevens, of the Defence Office; which report, together with the statements made
by Colonel Moule, Colonel Gorton, and Major Gordon, is herewith attached; and I may say that I
entirely concur with what the latter officer says on the subject.

I think I may be permitted to say that the meeting was in every way a success, and that success
is attributable in a very great measure to the officers placed at my disposal, and a more efficient staff
with Major Gordon (who in this instance volunteered to act as second in command, although he had
conducted the two previous meetings), Majors Stapp and Lusk, Captains Baillie and Derrom, and Sub-
Inspector Newall, Armed Constabulary, could not have been selected. To Mr. Stevens I am much
indebted for the zealous and efficient manner in which he performed his duties as Secretary to the
meeting.

A detachment of the Armed Constabulary acted as markers, and I cannot speak too highly of the
extreme carefulness, rapidity, and regularity with which their disc-marking was executed, and by their
efficiency conduced much to the early conclusion of the meeting.

The arrangements of Mr. Curtis, mess caterer, were in every way admirable. The supply of
provisions was ample and good, so that on the score of commissariat every satisfaction appears to have
been given.

I must not omit to mention that the Telegraph Department added much to our convenience by
establishing an office in Camp, and by attaching to it so courteous an officer as Mr. Hemus.

Mr. Christie, from the Wellington Armoury, was also present, and his services were of great
value; and I must not omit to state that Major Cooper and the Thames Volunteers contributed much
to render our visit as pleasant and agreeable as possible.

The meeting being brought to a close, on the 6th February the Champion Belts and all other
prizes were presented by Mrs. Pollen, assisted by the Hon. Dr. Pollen, who came from Auckland for
the purpose.

In the evening the Representatives were entertained at a ball and supper given by the inhabitants
of Grahamstown and Shortland, and on the following day they were enabled to return to their respec-
tive homes.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM C. LYON,

The Acting Under Secretary for Defence.
Lieut.-Colonel.