AUCKLAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 64, 17 March 1898, Page 9

AUCKLAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

FIRING AT AVONDALE.

This morning a series of rifle matches under the auspices of the Auckland KiHe Association Avere commenced at Avondale, on the new range recently obtained by the A'karana KiHe Club. There are nine matches in all on the programme, and those not completed to-day Avill be fired on Saturday afternoon, including the ladies' and cadets' matches. In all about forty riflemen entered for the competition. The matches set down on the programme are:—Star Cup match, " Herald " Cup match, Citizens' match, Avondale match, Nursery, Champion aggregate (700 yds), Teams match, Ladies' match and Cadet match. Numerous money prizes were set down to be awarded. Mr G. J. Dormer acted as secretary for the competitors, and the firing was under the supervision of a committee consisting of Messrs JR. Abbott, Hazard (senior), Doughty, Nutt, Captain W. li. White, Lieut. Cox, Gunner Henderson and Private Chatfield. A start was made with the firing at 8.30 a.m.. At this time the wind was blowing a violent gale, which made it difficult for the marksmen to hold their rifles on to the targets from the kneeling position". Soon afterwards heavy rain came clown and operations were for a time suspended. The firing- off at the first rarige (200 yards) for the 'Star Cup occupied an hour and a half, and there beingthen no sign of the wind moderating an adjournment was made for lunch. The following are the leading- scores in the first, range (200 yards) of the "Star" Cup (and S money prizes): — Bollard ■ 33 Doughty 30 Maingay :'-o Gardenei' .- 28 Cox 27 Buchanan 27 "Woods .' 24 Skinner 23 J. Spindley 22 Captain. White 22 (.!. Spindley 21 Campbell *. 21 Captain Robertson and Quarter-master-Sergeant Kearsley are acting as range-officers.