FIFTH DATS FIRING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 42, 20 February 1897, Page 2

FIFTH DATS FIRING.

MATCHES YESTERDAY AFTER-

NOON,

EXCELLENT SHOOTING iIADE.

The fifth day's shooting ab the Narrow Neck Range, North Shore, in connection With the New Zealand Rifle Association's iannual meeting, waa concluded, about Bix ■o'clock, last evening, after a very successful day's markstnanship. The matches fired during the day were the Chrißtchurch, Grand Aggregate, Last Try, Nursery and Bronze medal matches, and the day was therefore a very busy ono. Some really line shooting was done, ecpecially by the "Wellington and Canterbury men* while the two principal Auckland representatives, Eead and Steadman, both of Whangarei, also showed excellent marksmanship.

The following are the details of tha shooting yesterday afternoon in addition to the particulars given in the Star :—

GRAND AGGREGATE MATCH.

The Gkand Aggregate Match was open to the 100 highest scorers in bhe seven principal tnabches. 'The distances were 500, 600 and TOO yards, seven shots ab each range. It Was optional on tha parb of any competitor who had not won more than £8 to compete in this match or the Laat Try. Twenty-five prizes totalling £38 were offered for this event), the first pri^e being £6 and the second £5. Chief Potty Officer 0. Williams, of tho "Wellington Navale, won this match with tho flne total of 95 points, making hia tofeal prize money won np to laab evening £23. Thiß event croaked great interest* as it aranked in importance nexb to tha Champion Alabch. The winning scores were:—soo ;yards ranee, 5555551, total 34 ; 600 yards range, 4555555, total 34 ; 700 yards range, total 27 ; grand total 95. The scores ate:

Chief Petty Officer Williams, Wallington Navulß, £6 95 D. McLean. Wairoa Mounted Rifle?, £5 93 Marshall, Wellington City Riflos, £3... 91 Hawthorne, Wellington City Rifles, £2 91 W. Loveday, Woodville Rifle Club, £2. 90 AY. H. Ballinger, Pebone Rifle Club, £1 90 C. Hollard, Petone Rifle Club, £1 ... 88 A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards, £1 S8 Banks, Hon. Reserves, Chrisbchurch, £1 88 "Weir, Thames Navals, £1 87 Manning, Hon. Reserves, Chrisb-

church, £1 «' Wakelin, Hon. Reserves, Chriatchurch, £1 86

G. Robinson, Upper Hutb Rifle Club, £1, „ ... 86 I). Henderson, Thames Navale, £1 ... 86

Bobilliard, Kaiapoi Rifles, £1 ... ... 85 J. Turner, Wellington City Rifles, £1 85 Bombardier King, Oamaru Garrison, £1 85 Pebty Officer G. Spinley, Ponsonby Navals, £1 85 Boleyn, Port Victoria Rifle Club, £1 84 Simpson, Kaiapoi Rifles, £1 ... ... 83 O'Neill, Alexandra (Javalry, £1 ... 83 Kruse, Wanganui Rifles . 83

Lester, "A " Battery, Auckland ... 82 Smith, North Wairarapa Rifle Club ... 82 Bairston, Carterton Rifle Club... ... 82 Counted out: Parßons, McHattie, Gundry, Ross, Trovithick. OTHER MATCHES. The Last Tky.—Open to all compotibora who have not won more than £8 in prizes /In any of the foregoing matches; 500 yds range, 10 shots. First prize £6, one of ~; £5, one of £4, one of £3 three of £2, and twenty-six of £1. This match was commenced at 3.30. The winner was Corporal Halpin, of the Wellington (Jky Rifles, a young shot (20 jeura of age) who made the creditable score of 48 out of a possible 50. This ia iHalpin's first meeting, His score read: 555355555b. The prize list is :— Corporal Halpin, Wellington City Rifles, 555355555, £6 48 Han by, Te Arohaßifle Club, 5554455545, £0.. 47 Wt)lch, North Wakarapa Rifle Corps, 5553545455, £4 46 Lieutenanb Robinson, Rirerton, £3 .... 46 Willoughby, Petone Rifle Club, £2 ... 46 Scott, Wacganui Navals, £2 45 Hasbie, Oamaru, £2 44 Ttobson, Napier Rifles, £1 44 Purnell, WanganuiNavals. £1 44 Langham, Woodville Rifles, £1 ... 44 Pollock, North Dunedin Rifles, £1 ... 44 Maingay, Te Aroha Rifles, £1 43 /Smith, Oamaru, £1 ••■ 43 Kobertson, Chrißtchurch, £1 42 McF&rlane, Wairoa, £1 42 Bunckenberg, Wellington City Rifles, £1 42 Rule, Oamaru, £1 42 Sheppard, Thames Navalß, £1 42 Private Hazard, Auckland, £1 ... 41 Johnson, Wairoa, £1 ... 41 H. Hoileins, North Wairarapa Rifle Club, £1 ' 40 Johnßon,'Southland, £1 40 Salmon. To Aroha, £1 40 lirant, Woodville, £1 40 Cochrane, Te Aroha Riflea, £1 39 A. Henderson, Auckland, £1 39 Hollard, Potone Rifle Club, £1 ... 39 C. Hoffeins, Wairarapa, £1 38 Sergeant Hazard, Auckland, £1 ... 38 Coltman, Waimate, £1 37 Wiliason, Wellington, £1 37 McCartney, Portobello. £1 37 Matthews, Wairarapa. £1 36 Counted out : J. Spinley, Humphries, Orr. Nursery Match.— Open only to members who have never won a prize or prizes of over £4 at any previous Association Meeting, and whose winnings do not exceed £5 ab this meoting, ab 500 yds range, 10 shota. Petty Officer Morgan, of the Ponsonby Navals, won this match with a good score of 48 out of a possible 50. The scorew and prizes are : Petty Officer Morgan, Ponaonby Navalß, £6 48 McFarlane, Wairoa, £5 47 Craw, Little River £3 46 YVillason, Wellington, £2 ... ... 46 H. Hoffeini?, Masterton, £2 ... ... 45 Gibbons, Thames, £1 45 Kelling, New Plymouth, £1 45 Boleyn, Auckland, £1 45 Burnand, Auckland, £1 . \ 44 Johnston. £1 44 Gundry, Thames', £1 43 Marshall, Wellington, £1 43 O'Neill, Wanganui, £1 43 McDonald, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, £1 43 Earford, Marton, £1 ... 42 Irvine, Wairarapa, £1 ... 42 Johnßtoii, Wairoa, Hawke'a Bay £1 ... 42 Pollock, Dunedin, £1 42 Salmon, Blenheim. £1 42 Nuts, Auckland, £1 42 Hill, £1 42 Longley, Auckland, £1 41 Preston, Auckland, £1 ... " 41 Potter, Auckland, £1 41 Orr, Auckland, £1 ... ... . ... 41 Hanby, Te Aroha, £1 40 Counted out: Cox, Hastie, Hazard, Dickeon. Bronze Mkdal.—This match was partly fired last evening the 200 and 500 yards etagea being finished when firing ceased. Head, of Whangnrei, was leading ab this etajje. The 600 yards range was to be fired thfa morning. THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIFTY. Only ton shots remained to be fired today at the 700 yarda range to decide the vviniKT of the Rifle Championship for 1897. The final fifty shots with the best aggregates* entitled to fire in the championship final today were the following :— A Ba'liptfor, Wellington 529 L'nief Petty Officer Williams, Wellington * 522

King, Oamaru ... ... .., >f^.,. 512 Hea.d, Wh,angarei ... 510 Hawthorne, Wellingrt^Vi.'.T ... ... 508 G. Loveday, Wq£ dv jfi e "'" jj ... 506 Corporal P. dn ks, Uhristchurch 50,6 Hoil-.Vd, Pebone Rifle Club ... ... 505 Votr Thames , ... 503 Baireton, Carterton 502 Steadman, Whangarei 502 Kruse, Wanganui... ... 502 Simpson, Kaiapoi 498 Robinson, Upper Hubt Rifle Club ... 49* Love, Wellington 494 Craw, Little River 49). McHattie, North Wairarapa 489 A. Smibh, Oamaru 488 Turner, Wellington 487 W. H. Ballinser, Pebone Rifle Club ... 485 Winslade, Wanganui 484 I). Henderson, Thamea 482 Howe, Wellington 481 Robilliard, Kaiapoi ... 481 McFarlane, Chriebchurch ... ... 480 Gundry, Thamea 480 G. Spinley, Ausklam! 479 O'Neill, Alexandra 479 W. A t Grace, Peboiio Rifle Blub ... 479 Hale, Wellington 478 Wakelin, Chrißtchurch ... .- ... 477 Okoy, New Plymouth 476 J. G. Wilson, Woodville 476 Phillips, New Plymoubh 474 McCarthy, Auckland 473 W. Loveday, Woodville 473 E. Buchanan, Auckland 473 Lester, Christchurch 472 McLean, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay ... 472 Harding, Blenheim 472 Parsons, Chrißtchurch 471 Strachau, Alexandra 470 Gardiner, Auckland 470 Churton, Wanganui ... ... ... 470 Sommerville, Alexandra 470 lagpen, Woodyille „ 469 T. S, Robinson, Christchurch 469 H. Marshall, Wellington 469 J. Ross, New Zealand Volunteers ... 468 F. Wilkie, Upper Hubt Rifle Club ... 467 UNION S.S.- COMPANY'S CUP. The Cup presented by bhe Union Steamship Company, which goes to the highesb aggregate ecerer in the Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch matches, has this year been won by A. Ballinger, Wellington, with 230 points. Ho will hold ib for a period of twelve monbhe. Should he succeed in again winning it ab the 1898 meeting it becomes his absolute property, or failing bins, it muab be won three times at intervals. Mr G. W. Skelton, of the Bluff Rifle Club, won the Cup lasb year, with a score of 219. The scores of the winner and the nexb three' highest men are:— A. Ballinger, Wellington 230 Captain Steadman, Whangarei ... 220 Bandmaster King, Oamaru ... ... 219 G. Loveday, Woodville 219 A COMPARISON :■ SPLENDID SHOOTING RECORDS.

As showing the high standard of excellence of the shooting done at) this meeting over previous firing, it will be of interest to compare the top aggregates in the various matches at this week's meeting with those obtained at the meeting of tha Association of last year at ©atnaru. The comparison may be made by a glance ad the following figures:—

Nelson Match : 1897, A. Ballinger, 95 points ; in 1896, VV. B. Scotb, 87 points. Hawke's Bay Match : 1897, William*, 96; in 1896, Ross, 92. Marl borough Match : 1897, Hollard, 49; ia 1896, Wbyte, 49. Wanganui Match : 1897, Smith, 46; in 1896, Wilßon, 43. Auckland Match: 1897, King, 95; in 1896, Skelton, 90. Ladies' Match: 1897, W. H. Ballinger, 48; 1896. Trevithick, 47. Ghristchurch Match : 1897, Williams 46 ; 1896, Patchie 46. Wellington Match: 1897, Wilaon 95; 1896 (Obago Match being the corresponding one), Rule 94. Otago Match : 1897, Macfarlane 46 ; 1896 (Auckland Match being the corresponding one at Oamnru), Wilnotb 46. Grand Aggregate Match : 1897, Williams 95 ; 1896, Winberford 93. Lasb Try: 1897, Halpin 48 ; 1896, Hollard 49.

! This shows a decided improvement all round in this year's shooting. Ab the ' Oamaru meeting last year the range background was the open sea, whereas in the > present instance the sky is the back-ground. > The excellent quality of the ammunition » this year contributed much towards the > successful Bhooting, while the fine weather ■ also conduced to good scoring. Ab last • year's meeting 250 men competed (includ- ■ ing 42 from Australia), while this year : there were 163 competitors. The champion of 1595 scored in all 532 points, 1 and the score of lasb year was 530. 1 This year's champion score therefore will be i considerably ahead of the last bwo championship aggregates, a fact which taken with the other figures given serves to stamp the Auckland meeting concluding to-day aa a remarkably succsaeful one as far as the shooting standard is concerned. The general opinion of leading riflemen present ab the meeting is that on the whole some of the best shooting erer done in New Zealand or Australia has been put up at thiß week's meeting. HIGHEST POSSIBLE SCORES. Up to this morning, no less than seven competitors had .-nade the highesb possible scores ab individual ranges, bhab is, a bull's eyo for every shot they tired. The list is as follows :— Range Match Score J. G. Wilson ... 200 yds Nelson 35 A. Ballinger ... 500 yds Nelson 35 A. Smith ... 500 yds Kawke's B. 50 Private Robilliard 500 yds Auckland 35 McLean 500 yds Wellington 35 AicHabtie, Wairarapa. 500 yds, Grand Aggregate Match ... 35 Head, Whangarei, 500 yds, Bronze Medal Match 35 PREVIOUS BELT WINNERS. The following are the previous rifle champion belt winners for the last twentythree year 3 (the firet championship having been won in 1861 by Lieub. Brighton, of Auckland :— 1874 —Capbain Hamlin (Waiuku Rifles). 1375 —Lieutenant Skinner (Auckland). 1876—Private Wiinocks (Clutha). 1877 Lieutenant Poynter (Nelson). 1878—No competition. 1879—Corporal W. Ballinger (Wellington). 1880— Sergeant Okey (Taranaki). 1881—Lieutenant Poynter (Nelson). 1882—Corporal Hutcbinson (Dunedin). 1883—Sergeant Kennedy (Dunedin). 1884—Private W. Churton (Wanganui). 1885—Lieutenant Lucas (Thames). 18S6—Sergeant Remington (Wanganui). 1887—Captain W. B. White (Auckland). 1888—Major Purnell (Wanganai). 1889—Sergeant Parslow ("A" Baktery, Auckland). 1890—P. O. Williams (Wellington Navale). 1891—Private C. Kruse (Wanganui). 1892—Sergeant Doughty ('• A " Babiiery, Auckland). 1893—Private A. Ballinger (Wellington Guards). 1894—Captain E. R. Smith (Dnnedin) 1895—Mr W. H. Ballinger (Pebone). 1896—Sergeant Wakelyn (Hod. Reserve Corps, Chrisfcchurch).