THE COLONIAL RIFLE MATCH.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1865, 7 April 1869, Page 2

THE COLONIAL RIFLE MATCH.

[Abridged from the " Ofcago Daily Times," April 3.] The result of yesterday's firing, which took place on Mr Townsend's farm, at Green Island, some four miles from Dunedin, leaves Uβ [the Otago people] no reason for anything but gladness. Every province of the Middle Island was represented there, and in addition, the County of Westland sent three representatives ; but our Volunteers have proved that at the butte at least they are able to hold their own against them all. Leaving out of consideration the winning scores in th c Cham* pion Match altogether, we find that the gene* ral average of the men who represented us was far above that of the Volunteers from the other colonies. The figures speak best for themselves, and we therefore give them :— Otago (12 lowest scorers) average 35*6 Canterbury (all floorers) , „ 303 Southland (one rep. only) „ 38 Marlborough (all scorers) „ 303 Nelson (all scorers) „ 28 Weatland (all scorers) „ 283 Thus it will be seen that wherever there has been more than one representative, we are largely in the majority. A table we append below gives the average of the different provinces, irrespective of the distinction drawn here. When we come to look at the pme list, however, the prospect is all the more flattering. The result of the only match yet finished shows thus:— Score, i Ist prize, £50—Lieut Goldie (Otago) ... 48 2nd prize, £25—Corpl Treseder (Otago)... 48 3rd prize, £15—Capt M'Farland (Otago).. 47 4th prize, £10-—Vol. Cameron (Canterbury) 46 This is the prize list. Three of our men come next with 44, and a brace of 43'e ; and afterwards we find the score tails from 40 down to the lowest score ever made in a representative conteet of this sort. We have no wish to inquire too curiously into the justice of the Wimbledon rule, which gave to Lieutenant Goldie the first prize. Perhaps it is a juat one, but it is one at which those who suffer from it will always cavil. In the matches between New South Wales and Victoria, the tie difficulty was always a very great one, until Colonel Pitt hit on the happy idea of counting back on the score, and eettling the matter that way. As an example, let us take the scores of Lieutenant Goldie and Corporal Treseder yesterday, at the 600 yards range. They stand — Goldie ... 4 4 2 2 4 Treseder ... 3 3 2 4 2 By Colonel Pitt's system, Goldie would still take the prize j but had Treteder scored a centre last instead of first, the decision .would have been reversed. It will be seen that this system leaves the prize in all ties entirely to chance, and where the merits are so evenly balanced, thia is no doubt an equitable way of getting out of a difficulty.. To come to the scores of yesterday, there is no doubt tliat the best shooting of the day was made by Captain M'Farland, who, out of a score of 47, made eight bulla'-eyes, three centres, and three outers. He lost the first prize by missing the target in his second shot at the 600 yards range. At the longer range he shot splendidly, scoring 18 out of a possible 20. This,

without any disparagement to his m ""*"*"* cessful competitors. Aβ a nil! T? m *' the Volunteers ehot with the &ss?*s* one or two of the Weatland reprelV\ bvit had the General Hay, a weS lrei used in Australia, before the introdLt^ 011 the improved Whitworth which is now the arm used i n mVS • er » colonial matohot. The attendance ground was not bo large aa might v ° expected, but should the weather p*!??* to-day, we may expect to ccc a much !•• assemblage as the Volunteer Band wiIU S " ? attendance from one o'clock. After the CX m pion Match, the competitors eat down f substantial lunch, provided by Mr T r Eagerty, of Green Island. The second mlt of the series could not be finished before dif the 200 yards range having to be fired f? , morning. The other matches fixed for t« J are :—Match at 700 and 800 yarde • Jn, .J *? at each range, and a eight ehot 'allowed.! each. Firat prize, £15; 2nd, £10, 8?!? Match for cadets at 150 yards—Firs* £10; 2nd, £7 ; 3rd, £3. Vβ now U B the scores :— i{,IJX Champion Match—4oo, 500, 600 «-<!. five shots at each range—First prize V^ , 2nd, £25 •, 3rd, £15; 4th, £10. * § ° 5 The following table showa the ecore M obtained, 4 represents a bullVevo, 3 a 08n*"fl and 2 an outer:— l '

Squad No. 1. 400 500 600 m Wales,Otago ... 33313 22320 2045345 Dickaon, Canterbury 23342 30323 30022-32 Richardson, Otago 34343 32333 32224—44 Fuller, Otago ... 24233 00000 00020-S Robertson, Otago... 32322 32322 32200—31 Clode, Riverton ... 33324. 43r32 02423-38 Innes, Canterbury... 33343 23443 B3G3o~»g<i M'Farland, Otago... 84242 40424 8443<i~4<? Philpot, Pioton ... 43332 43322 02020-83 Morgan, Canterbury 23334 00003 03022~2S Wearing, do 22003 30433 00000-on Goldie, Otago ... 33444 43322 44224-48 Restieaux, Cantrby 22334 23344 22222-40 Tresedor, Otago ... 83444 43482 33242-48 Martella, Picton ... 03 '24 3000b 32220—91 Catley, Nelson ... 34423 43222 02032—|q Mansaen, Nelson ... 22244 00000 00300—1? Squad No. 2. Grant, Otago ... 44243 22032 244,24—4g Barnes, Canterbury 30000 02003 02000—10 Smith, Otago ... 43444 02333 00020-42 Skeet, Nelson ... 23403 04042 00432—31 Black, Otago ... 44333 42320 03403-33 M'Gregor, Otago ... 24433 34233 04224—48 Cowie, Otago ... 03334 03233 33300-38 Trevale, Canterbury 03333 00333 23083*»82 Douglas, Otago ... 44443 23233 30323-$ Moss, Westland ... 34432 30202 00400-27 Dobbie, Otago ... 34232 34043 02380-80 Cameron, Cantrbry 23443 23444 30343—4g Downes, Marlboro , 43343 42033 22420-S9 Preshaw, Westland 44433 32403 00202—84 Fisher, Weatland ... 32334 82303 20000-28 Dalziel, Otago ... 38333 22204 00204-81, By the following, the publio will eso the scores made by each competitor at the different ranges : — Squad No. 1. 400 500 600 Tl. Wales, No. 1 ... 16 9 12-3? Dickson, Canterbury .., 14 11 -7—'B2 Richardson, W T ... 17 14 13-44 Fuller, DNB ... 14 0 2—16 Robertson, No 2 ... 12 12 7-^Bl Clode, Riverton ... 15 12 11—88 Innes, Canterbury ...16 16 6-38 M'Farland, Artillery ... 15 14 18-47 Philpots, Picton ... 15 14 4-33 Morgan, Canterbury ... 16 3 7—25 Wearing, do ... 7 18 0-20 Goldie, PC N B ... 18 14 16-48 Restieaux, Canterbury ... 14 16 10-40 Treseder, No 1 ... 18 18 14-48 Martella, Pioton ... 9 3 9-21 Catley, Nelson ... 16 18 7-3S Manasen, do ... 14 0 B—l7 Squad No 2. Grant, DNB ... 17 9 16-42 Barnes, Canterbury ... 8 5 2-10 Smith, DNB ... 19 11 2-88 Skeet, Nelson ... 12 10 9-81 Black, Waikari ... 17 11 10-88 M'Gregor, No 1 ... 16 15 12-43 Cowie, No 2 ... 18 U ' 9-§ 3 Trevale, Canterbury ... 12 9 li~3^ Douglas, No 1 ... 19 13 11-48 Moss, Westland ... 16 1 4-2? Dobbie, DNB ... 14 W 8-38 Cameron, Canterbury ... 16 17 18-46 Downes, Marlborough ... 17 12 10—Sf Preehaw, Weatland ... 18 12 4-84 Fieher, do ... 15 11 2~» Dalziel, Waikari ... 15 10 6-81 The subjoined shows the average made hf each province repreeented, at the wrioui distances and in the match as a whole:-"" No of Name of Represen* T<*» Province, tatives. 400 500 600 average. Canterbury... 8 ... 12.1 11.2 7 /SO-* Southland... 1 ... 15 12 11; n Marlborough 3 ... 13.2 9.2 7.2 80.3 Otago ...15 ... 10.2 11.8 10.6 87.14Nelson ... 3 ... 14 7.2 6.1 IS Weatland ... 3 ... 16.1 10 8.1 »•« Second match: 200, 500, and 600 ymn fire shots at each range; any position rttw two last ranges. First prize, £20 j 2as> * viU « 3rd, £5. Squad No. 1. 600 m % Skeet ... 82032 ... **£H! Barnes f... 32020 ... OOJg-g Richardson ... 34042 ... 4 S I Fuller ... 80022 ... »og^. PMlpot ... 02434 ... g£| M'Gregor ... 24843 ... JggJJ M'Farland ... 00304 ... t Knig lanes ... 34222 ... «gj» -"£ Wales ... 23422 ... gjgrg Catley ... 40030 , f^jg Trevale ... 22303 ... JJgtlS Fieher ... 24033 ... OOO^g Clode ... 04342 ... Ogg-g Dickson ... 40343 ... Wearing ... 30020 ... JJJJ° j Manssen ... 30002 ... 000W Squad No. 2. ' Ie Downes ... 32433 ... ggg-J, Cowie ... 34042 ... Douglas ... 02004 ... °™Z^ Dakiel ... 43003 ... JSLtfRestieaux ... 42200 ... gg^a Black ... 23202 ... Wg*^ MarteUa ... 02332 ... S-»l7 Grant ... 20203 . ... JJgJ.jl Robertson ... 30242 ... S^^l9 Smith ... 30333 ... JSJ^iS Preehaw ... 22-423 ... S-J g Dobbie ... 20340 .. Cameron ... 23344 ... SL-20 Mose ... 34323 ... Zo ° , M The Mowing table ehowi tha mc»*» kby each man at the rafigee eho* orm !

Squad No. 1. 600 600 Tl. «. * ... 10 8 — 18 Barnes — 13 9 — 22 Bicbardwm — 2 g Fuller - 13 8 — 21 Fhilpot - 16 14 _ 30 KcFarland •• 2 — 15 J° n f 8 '" 13 10 — 23 Wee - 7 9_i6 Cstfey - 1Q o — lO Trejale - 12 0 — 12 Fubcr - 13 v _ 27 Clode •• 14 9— 2 3 Dickson ••• - o—s Wearing - g Q _ g Haneeen Squad No. 2. Downes ;;; Jf 3-18 Cowie « ,_ ■,„ Ifcbid ». W 9 19 Beetieaux «• « 11 — 20 ?f*£lla ... 10 3 — 13 ££t •• 7 10-17 Gram .. ~ 22 Bobertaon ... " " ~ g Smith ••• & 7-19 OamerOn ••• It 5Z20 Mora .« I 5 5 — 20 The officers of the day were Captains Cantrell and Peterson and Lieutenant Shand. [From the "Otego Daily Times," April 6.] Saturday caw the conolusion of the Volunteer shooting, and the state of the weather, it is to be regretted, made that conclusion anything but satisfactory. During the latter part of the day a strong and fitful wind blew across the ranges, and rendered it impossible for any of the marksmen to get on the targets, ij a consequence, the scores made were in come instances ridiculously low. |The highest eoorer was Captain M'Farland, with 29 ; in the two last shots he got a bull'e eye and a centre. Aβ he was within one of 30, the number required to be made before any prize is given, the whole of the moisey will revert to the Treasury. In the match left unfinished on Friday, the superiority of the Otago marksmen was again evinced, three out of four prizes falling to us, thus :— First prize, £20, Corpl M'Gregor (Otago) 41 Second prize, £15, Lieut Wales (Otago) 38 Third prize, £10, Vol Clode (Southland) 35 Fourth prize, £5, Vol Robertson (Otago) 35 Wales pulled up at the short range, when he scored 15 againet M'Gregor's 11, Clode'e 8, end Bobertson's 13. The Cadet Match was very exciting, but after that the whole interest in the shooting died out from the cause stated above. In the last match we shall merely give the scores of those who made 20 and over. Match 11.—200, 600, and6ooyards; five shots at each range. First prize, £20; 2nd, £15; 3rd, £10; 4th, £5. Squab No. 1. 200 500 600 Tl. Sfeeet, Nelson ... 23032 32032 32003—28 Biohardson, Otago 233C3 34042 42030—33 Fuller, Otago ... 02202 30022 20000—15 Philpot, Marlboro , 33032 02434 23300—32 McGregor, Otago ... 42023 24343 42233—41 Wales, Otago ... 33432 23422 22402—38 Trevaie, Canterbury 00322 22303 00000—17 Fisher, Weetland... 22220 24033 00000—29 Clode, Southland ... 20222 04342 04343—35 Dickson, Canterbury 40232 40343 33000—34 Squad No. 2. Downes, Marlboro' 02234 32433 03000—29 Cowie, Otago ... 20222 33042 20302—28 Douglas, Otago ... 22222 02004 02023—23 DalzieJ, Otago ... 20323 43003 22023—29 Black, Otago ... 24022 23202 32024—30 Martella, Marlboro , 23223 02332 30000—25 Grant, Otago ... 23233 20203 33004—30 Bobertfion, Otago... 32422 30242 443b0—35 Smith, Otago ... 22042 30333 22300—29 Bobbie, Otago ... 02230 20340 00222—22 Cameron, Canterbury 42322 23344 02000—31 Mcs*, Weetland ... 02200 84323 30020—24 The following will show the scores made at each range :— Squad No 1. 200 500 600 Tl. Skeet, Nelson ... 10 10 B—2B Richardson, Otago ... 11 13 9—33 Fuller, Otago . ... 6 7 2—15 Philpot, Marlborough ... 11 13 8—32 M'Gregor, Otago ... 11 16 14—41 Wales, Otago ... 15 13 10—38 Trevaie, Canterbury ... 7 10 o—l7 Reher, Weetland ... 8 12 o—2o Clode, Southland ... 8 13 14-35 Dickson, Canterbury ... 11 14 9—34 Squad No 2. Downes, Marlborough ... 11 15 3—29 Cowie, Otago ... 8 13 7—28 Douglas, Otago ... 10 6 7—23 DtOziel, Otago ... 10 10 9-29 Black, Otago ... 10 9 11—30 Martella, Marlborough ... 12 10 3—25 Grant, Otago ... 13 7 10—33 Boberteon, Otago ... 13 11 11—35 Smith, Otago ... 10 12 7—29 Dobbie, Otago ... 7 9 6—22 Cameron, Canterbury ... 13 16 2—31 Hois, Weetland ... 4 15 5—24 Boose of the competitors retired, and their scores are not included. Match Hl.—For Cadete. Five shots at 150 yards. First prize, £10 j second do, £7 s third do, £3. •Pickering, Marlborough ... 42422—14 Bruneden, Canterbury ... 22312—10 Gully, Nelson ... 02322— 9 Fiaher, Canterbury ... 23320— 9 Black, Nelson ... 00333— 9 Adams, Nelson ... 22334—14 Sinclair, Marlborough ... 23243—14 Davis, Canterbury ... 04323—12 The three ties shot off with the following *etuit:— Pickering ... ... 16 Sinclair ... ... 14 Adams ... ... 15 Match 1V.—700 and 800 yards. Ten shots »t each range. Sight shots allowed. First pnze, £15; second do, £10; third do, ££. 700 800 Tt. Great, Otago ... 14 12—26 Treseder, Otago ... 11 12—23 M'Farland, Otago 10 19—29 Boberteon, Otago 15 8—23 Fieber, Weetland 12 12—24 «o prize was awarded, A return to town was effected as Boon as £psablfr, and the Volunteers did not again aseMsH ) THE DIKSEB, *kjeh/was given in the evening to the *oioQteer Bopresentatires from other pro-

vincee at the New Masonic Hall, and was, considering the unpropitioue weather and the [ short notice given, well attended. The chair was occupied by Lieutenant- ► Colonel Cargill, who was supported on the j right by Captain Peterson, Captain Copeland, Mr Cameron of Canterbury, the Mayor (Mr i Birch), Mr B. B. Cargill and Mr John Hay ; on the left by Mr Q. Brodie, Mr James Macaesey, Mr B. Qilliee, Mr F. D. Main, M H.R., and Mr Clode, Biverton. The vicechair was occupied by Major J. Bathgate, and amongst the other gentlemen present were Captain and Adjutant Atkinson, Mr GK K. Turton, MrF. Bussell, Mr St John Branigan, Mr A. Carrick, Mr T. M. Wilkinson, Mr G. Whittingham, and Sergeant Taylor, the present holder of the Champion Belt. Among the toasts drunk were " The Colonial Government and Houses of Assembly," " Hie Honor the Superintendent and Provincial Government of Otago," " The Representatives from the other Provinces," "The Successful Competitors," "The Unsuccessful Competitors," "The Bising Generation—the Cadets," and " Prosperity to the other Provinces."