FIRING FOR THE ALFRED MEDAL.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1881, 26 April 1869, Page 3

FIRING FOR THE ALFRED MEDAL.

The rifle competition for a splendid gold medal, manufactured by Messrs Petersen and Co, of High street, Chrietchurch, and given by them in honor of the visit of HBH Prince Alfred to Canterbury, took place on Saturday, at the rifle butts, at Hillsborough.

The lists were open to the Canterbury Militia and Volunteers, members of the Canterbury Rifle Association, and the crews of any of H M ship then in port; and the ranges were at 200 yards (Hythe position), and at 600 yarde (any position). The rifles used were to be of the Government pattern, including Enfields, Sniders, and cavalry carbines.

In addition to the gold medal, three other prizes, which had been purchased by subscription, were also competed for. The second prize was a handsome silver cup, value ten guineas, and two other cups, value two guineas each, constituted the third and fourth prizes.

The competitors, seventy-two in number, including eight of the crew of H M S Blanche, under charge of the gunner, Mr Painter, were divided into eight squads, Captain Packer, of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, being in command on the ground. The weather was favourable; the light of the sun was not too strong, and there was scarcely any wind ; the scoring was not however high, the highest score being made by Mr R. J. S, Harman, who won the gold medal and who made 31, viz., 19 at 200 yards and 12 at 600 yards. Mr Harman shot with a medium Enfield. The Blanche men fired with Sniders. The firing, which began shortly after ten a.m., terminated a little before dusk.

It will be the duty of Colonel Packe to award the other prizes. AbHEH the Duke of Edinburgh was not on the ground, the prizes will be presented on the Queen's Birthday. The following are the scores:— Squad No. I.

* Ketired. The following is a description of the Alfred medal, which is most artistically designed, and the ■workmanship beautifully executed. The face bears a profile bust of EBH with his name and rank engraved around it, an embossed circlet of laurel leaves surrounding the outer edge. The centre of the reverse has the words " The Alfred Medal," with the name of the winner and the date when won. Around these are the words—" To commemorate the visit ofHRH to Canterbury," and a wreath of terns encompasses the whole. Two bars, joined by crossed rifles, affixed to the medal by a patent swivel, will be used for bubpendiDg it to the breast of the wearer.

ame. 200 Yards. Yards. Lieutenant Papprill Private Jackson Private Schneider Sergeant Berry Sergeant Kule Sergeant Jenkins Sergeant Frew Gunner Oakes Gunner Raven Private Conolly 16 17 15 16 15 11 13 16 13 17 13 8 10 7 12 0 16 4 2 11 29 25 25 23 27 11 29 20 15 28 Squad No. II. Name. 200 Yards. 600 Yards. Total. i Sapper Beattie Sapper Stewart Private Dixon Private Cameron Private Sandford Private Allen Private Purcell Private Townsend Private Bailey Private Glaseford 11 13 i 15 16 14 10 II 14 i 14 * 4 15 17 30 25 24 12 11 21 20 20 I 9 10 j 2 0 8 6 6 • Retired. Sqxjd No. III. Name. 200 Yards 600 Yards. Total. Gunner Fox Corporal Harland ... Private Walters Private Vincent Mr Herman Gunner Whale Sapper Stanley Private Pearce Private A Pearce Sergeant Clarke 14 9* 15 10 19 14 14 15 9* 7 8 3 12 11 11 8 21 23 13 31 25 14 23 13 7 20 * Retired. Squad No. IV. Names. 200 Yards. 600 Yards. Total. Mr Cuff Gunner "Well* Gunner Hamner Gunner Caro Private Hunter Private Miller Private Torioli Gunner Bestieaux Private Waring Private Farland 12 12 12 9* 11 12* 4* 14 17 14 9 6 2* 2* 21 18 7 4 2 21 21 16 * Retired. Squad No. T. Name. 200 Yards. 600 Yards., Total. Lieutenant Pemberton Lieutenant Wolfe — Private Stewart Sergt-Major Hawley ... Sapper Jenkins Sapper Lockwood Bandsman Jones Mr Thompson Corporal Paton Mr Ganderson 14 15 2* 13 16 0* 14 7* 15 12 * 3* # 0 16 6 20 13 8 28 20 * Eeti

f QF4D NO. i i 200 j Yards i Name. I 600 J Total. j Yards.! Corporal Pate ...j tapper Barnes ... j Geo Coplestone, I i H M 8 Blanche \ ' A Clarke Lieutenant Pavitt ...; Sers»t.-Major Urquhart ! Sapper Burton ...j Mr Bird ...! Color-Sergeant Mey- 1 hen, R M I 15 9* 6* 15 16 12 8* 15 10 4 j 19 I ■ j i 11 ! 26 5 i 21 I 13 25 7 J 17 # Retired.. Squad No. VII. Name. 200 I Yards. 600 i Total Yards, j H Thomas, H M S Blanche Albert Smith, H M S Blanche Mr Painter, gunner H M 8 Blanche ... 6* 2 i J 12 10 Burnett Private Sanford Corporal Hawkins 9* 8* 12 3* I 2 14 * Reti ired. Squad N< O. VII Name. 200 Yards. 600 Yards. Total. William Harcus, H MS Blanche ... Thomas Selby, H M S Blanche Alfred Sorners, H M S Blanche ...I William Youills, HMS Blanche Robert Smith, H M S Blanche George Ballard, H M S Blanche 0 13 9* 20 9* 12 12 3* 3#