Numb. 31.
375

SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
OF THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1877.
Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1877.

Report on Colonial Prize Firing.

Colonial Defence Office, Wellington, 28th March, 1877.
THE following Report on the Colonial Prize Firing, 1877, is published for general information.
DANIEL POLLEN.

REPORT.
Lieut.-Colonel READER to the ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE.

SIR,—
Wellington, 26th March, 1877.

I have the honor to forward, for submission to the Hon. the Defence Minister, returns which have
just been completed by Mr. Stevens of the Defence Office, showing the result of the different matches
which were fired under my superintendence at the Colonial Prize Firing Meeting of 1877, held at Hokitika
last month.

From these returns it will be seen that the average shooting throughout is very much higher than it
was either last year or the year before, which I attribute, in a measure, to the representatives having this
year been provided for the competition with new rifles of a uniform pattern, and first-class arms in every
respect. The range, which was situated nine miles from Hokitika, on the Arahura River, was everything
that could be desired, and contributed not a little to accurate shooting. Our only drawback was occasional
heavy rain, which interrupted the firing, and spoiled the ground for a time.

I cannot speak too highly of the work done by Assistant Armourer Christie, who preceded us to
Hokitika by a month to prepare the range. His was a very arduous task, for in addition to having to clear
about 400 yards of brushwood and stumps, raise the butts and platforms, he had two bridges to build to
enable us to get to the range, one of which had at least 40 feet of span. How he got through so much
work in so short a time, doing it so thoroughly and well, was a matter of astonishment not only to myself
but to every one connected with the camp.

I was fortunate in having associated with me such officers as Lieut.-Colonel Packe, Major Stapp, Major
Noake, Major Baillie, Captain Morrow, and Mr. Spence to assist me in carrying out the duties both on the
range and in camp. To them I must attribute the good feeling and content that existed amongst the
representatives during the whole time we were in Westland, and the absence of any hitch or unpleasantness
during the meeting.

To Mr. Stevens, who acted as Secretary to the meeting, my thanks are due for the able and energetic
manner he carried out duties which have become by no means light, and which, to enable him to comply
with the perpetual references made to him by representatives as to the state of their scores, kept him
employed late at night.

The only suggestion I have to make is, that the mode of marking I adopted, of painting out every shot,
should be adhered to at future meetings, as insuring accuracy, rapidity in marking, and general satisfaction
to the competitors themselves.

In conclusion, I beg to be permitted to record, on behalf of the representatives, staff, and myself, our
grateful appreciation of the kindness and hospitality shown us by the inhabitants of Westland during our
stay amongst them.

I have, &c.,
H. E. READER,
Lieut.-Colonel.

The Acting Under Secretary for Defence.