FIRING FOR MR. BISHOP'S CUP.

The second annual competition for the cup given by E. B. Bishop, Esq, as Chairman of the City Council for 1866, took place at Hillsborough on Saturday last. The credit of originating the idea of giving a prize, and also of practically carrying it out is due to Mr I. Luck, who, when Chairman of the Council, offered a cup to be shot for by Volunteers of the Christchurch Companies. Mr Bishop followed the example of his predecessor in office, and the first successful competition for the cup presented by him took place in December, 1866, when the Engineers were the conquerors, making a score of 268 points, being six more points than tho minimum number required to be made, which was 262. They were thus entitled to hold the cup until the second annual competition ,took place, when, if again victorious, it would become their property. The following are the remaining conditions of the match, viz :—The distances to be 200, [ 400, and 500 yard?, five shots at each ; Hythe position and targets ; weapons to be medium Enfields, and to have a minimum pull of 61bs. The triggers were tested previous to the match taking place with the weight used at the last meeting by the Council of the Rifle Aesocation, which was taken as the standard test of a 61b pull; and being a trifle less than 61b9, no competitor would have any ground for being dissatisfied with the test if his pull should be slightly less than that required. There were five representatives from each of the Companies, which consisted of the Engineers, and Numbers 1, 2, and 6. The management of the match was left to the Volunteer General Committee, and Captain Lean, their Chairman, was requested to carry out the necessary arrangements, and take command of the field. The time appointed for the Volunteers to be on the ground was v half-past twelve o'clock, but many of the men did not reach there till half past three p.m., consequently they had to be divided into two separate firing parties, each party being divided into two squads. Firing commenced by the first party at halfpast one p.m., and the match was concluded a little after five. i

The weather was beautifully fine, although in the early part of the afternoou there was a rather smart breeze blowing across the range, which somewhat interfered with the shootingThe following are the scores made :— Names. g| gllSl $ Engineers. I Lance-Corporal Innes ... 16 16 jl7 4 p Lance-Corporal Wood ford 16 9I 8 33 Sapper Barnes 21 18 15 54 Lieutenant Pavitt ... 23 20 19 62 Sergt.-Major Urquhart... 21 19 11 51 24& No. 1 Company. Lieutenant Allison ...117 17 14 j& Private Restieaux ... 21 17 15 53 j Private Oakes 20 20 10 50 Private Whale 22 15 17 54 Private Berry 18 18 12 48 253 No. 2 Company. | Sergeant Brown 18 17 18 53 Private Niemann ...! 21 :16 10 47. "Private Hobson ! 18 21 10 40 Private Rowley j 18 14 16 48 Sergeant Papprill ... 20 20 18 58 t ! 255 No. 6 Company. i Corporal Paton j 13 ;16 15 44 Private Cunningham ...I 18 17- 13 48 Private Jackson 22 ,20 17 59 Sergeant Rule 22 ,20 18 60 Private Gulliver 16 9 15 40 i 251 It will be seen from the above scores that the required number of points, viz, 262, was not reached by any of the Companies, consequently the cup etill remains in the possession of the Engineers. Saturday, the 25th instant, is the day appointed for the next competition for the cup to take place, the Volunteers to leave Christchurch.by the three o'clock train.