AUCKLAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 8

AUCKLAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

I * ~~ Good progress was made with the programme ot the Auckland liifie Association's meeting oil March IS, three matches being' completed before the order to cease |ire for the day. These were the matches for the 'Star' and | 'Herald' bupsj and the Avondale I Match, all three of which were won by I Major White.; The competitors were allowed to use either the .303 rifle or j the Martini Henry, and the results of I the shooting: impressed one and all | with the superiority of the small-bore I weapon. The highest range score of the day was made by Mr E. Buchanan, of the Akarana Rifle Club, who put on 34 out of 4possible 35 at 500 yards in the 'Star'; tup Match. His shots were: 55554551 •'.

The absence of young", shots from the numerous volunteer companies

now existent in Auckland was the

subject of general comment yesterday. Although a, Nursery Match and a Tyro Handicap were placed on the

programme for their benefit, only one of the new companies, the New Zealand Natives No. 2, was represented,

three members of that corps having1 entered. The want, of a rifle range is no doubt th# chiei/.oause of the apparent lack of interest, in shooting" on the part of our volunteers. Considering" how necessary it is that every volunteer should be efficient with the rifle, this neglect of their education in

shooting1 is to be deplored. On the first day's shooting Major White is leading" in the Champion Aggregate with 222, Private Tobin being" second with 202. The Champion Aggregate Matcjh, seven shots at 700

yards, is being fired this afternoon. It is open to the twenty hig-Tiest aggregate scorers in the 'Star.' 'Herald' and Avondale Matches, and the score made in the match is added to the scores? in those three matches, the highest grand aggregate 'scorer winning the ehamnionship. The Tyro and Nursery Matches were nlso proceeding this afternoon. The Teams and Ladies' Matches will probably take place next Saturday.