✨ Colonial Prize Firing Report
Numb. 37.
435
ET
DIEU
SOIT QUIMA
PE
PETSNE
MON DRONE
SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
OF THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1876.
Published by Authority.
WELLINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1876.
Report and Returns relative to Colonial Prize Firing, 1876.
Colonial Defence Office, Wellington, 26th June, 1876.
THE following Report and Returns, showing the result of the Prize Firing for 1876, are published
for information.
DONALD MCLEAN.
REPORT.
Lieut.-Colonel LYON to the ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE.
SIR,—
Wellington, 24th April, 1876.
Being instructed by the Hon. the Native Minister to take command at the Annual Colonial
Prize Firing Meeting, 1876, held at Wanganui, I have the honor to report that I proceeded to that
place, accompanied by the Representatives, on 22nd February, arriving the next day at 9 a.m.
The Representatives landed at 11 a.m., and fell in on the wharf, and were received by the
Alexandra Cavalry Troop, Wanganui Rifles, with their band, and Cadets under the command of Major
Noake. They then marched to the Odd Fellows' Hall, and were most hospitably entertained at
luncheon. In accordance with the wishes of the Representatives, I permitted them to find their way
out to camp in the course of the afternoon, arriving there myself at 3 p.m.
The camp was situated on the left bank of the Wanganui River, distant three miles from the
town, on the property of Mr. Churton, who had kindly placed the ground at the disposal of the
Government.
The tents were arranged in two parallel lines, doors looking inwards, officers' marquees in rear.
This plan was necessary owing to the configuration of the ground. On the plateau above, on the
same level as the range, were the tents for messing, &c.
I found everything in good order and ready for the reception of the Representatives, and am
much indebted to Major Noake and Mr. Secretary Stevens for the completeness of the arrangements,
which gave general satisfaction.
The site chosen for the range could not have been a better one, looking North and South. It had
been cleared of all obstructions—scrub burnt, fern removed. The targets and butts were erected under
the superintendence of Armourer Christie, of Wellington.
As a few of the Representatives were armed with the short Snider rifle, the remainder with the long,
and it being represented to me the minority would shoot under a disadvantage, I gave permission
for those Representatives who were in possession of the short Sniders to exchange them for long out
of the store at Wanganui, so that all the rifles were of a similar pattern. By the rules laid down this
concession need not have been made, but it is creditable to the Representatives armed with what was
considered a superior weapon, that they acquiesced in my decision.
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NZ Gazette 1876, No 37
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Report and Returns relative to Colonial Prize Firing, 1876
🛡️ Defence & Military26 June 1876
Prize Firing, Report, Wanganui, Military meeting, Rifle competition, Camp arrangements
- Churton (Mr.), Provided camp ground
- DONALD MCLEAN
- Lieut.-Colonel LYON
- ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE
- Major Noake
- Armourer Christie