RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 305, 24 December 1891, Page 2

RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

(Notes by Nokdenfeldt.)

Shooting men generally are looking forward with pleasure to Saturday, when the annual prize-firing of the local Rifle Association takes place. Mr Dormer, the Secretary, has everything in apple-pie order, and if the weather is favourable on Saturday conic tall scores may he expected. The firsb match on the programme is the officers', seven shots at 200 yds standing, and 300 yds kneeling. This match was won last year by Sergeant Parslow with the Bcore of 47, but it will probably fetch over 50 this time. The win nor should turn up in Osborne, Head, or Parslow. The next match we come to is the " Nursery," for those who have never won a priza an an Association meeting, 10 shots at 3CO yards. Only about 20 entries are in for this event as yet, and the result should be, Baddily 1, Moore 2, Head 3 : with one of the country visitors for a " boil-over." The third match is for Beck's Cup, etc., ranges 200 ; 400, and 500 yards, live shots at each. This Cup must bo won twice in succession, or three times at intervals, and has been won once or twice by Parslow, Fairs, Skinner, Taylor, Buchonan and others, Gunner E. Buchanan winning it last year with the good score of 59. It is a very hard task to pick the winner, but 1 will select the following,

viz. :—Henderson, Tobin, Head, Weir (Thames). The fourth match is the Citizens', for prizes in kind, seven shots each at 200, ?00, and 500 yards, and is the _ principal competition of the day. This match, which was won last year by Seaman Weir (Thames Navals) with the moderate scoreof 74, should result in a big struggle between the "sharks." Tobin. Doughty, Head, Parslow, McCallum, Osborne and Henderson should be " there or thereabouts."

The aggregate match for District Medal and Star Cup, "Herald" Cup and ten money prizes, is decided by the twenty highest aggregate scorers in matches 1, 3, and 4, firing ten shots at 500 yards, the latter scores being added to the former. Last year Sergeant Parslow won with 204 points ; Weir, 19S ; Buchanan, 193 ; and Osborne, 192. This time it will probably take 212 points to win, and the finish should be fought out between Doughty, Tobin, McCallum, Taylor, Weir, Greenshields, Parslow, Nutt, Baddily, Skinner and Osborne.

A novelty has been introduced in the shape of a three-men teams match, seven shots at 200 and 500 yards. About ten teams are entered, and an interesting contest is expected. The Victoria lliiiea and " A " Battery read best, and I expect the Battery'a best team to win. The Martini-Henry match, seven shots at 300, 500 and 600 yards, will not be fired till January 9th, as Saturday is likely to be fully taken up with the rest of the programme. Shooting commences ac 8 a.m. sharp.