NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8737, 8 March 1894, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

700 Yards.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP. In carrying through their annual meeting in five and a half days the New Zealand Rifle Association has achieved a record. The weather, however, has been so beautifully fine all through that there was no delay on this score and the arrangements made by the Council and the officers of the Association caused the shooting to be got through expeditiously. Tne Championship was fired in the afternoon, and considerable interest was taken in the shooting of Captain Smith and P. O. Henderson. The Southern man finished well and came out Champion with thirteen points to the good. Shooting commenced yesterday morning with the Last Try, in which 106 men took part. The weather was fine, but there was a slight wind from the south-west, which changed to the east later on. It was found that one competitor had been using English made ammunition in the match and he was suspended from taking further part in the meeting pending a meeting of the Council. The Council subsequently inflicted a fine of £1 upon the offending competitor. The following is the prize list in the Last Trt. Open to all competitors who have not won more than £8 in prizes in any of the previous matches.. 500 yards; ten shots. Thirty-three prizes; value £65. Mr Cox, Woodville, R.C., £3 ... 47 Lieut. Robinson, Riverton, £6 ... 46 Mr Norton, Pahiatua, R.C, £5 ... 46 Private Richardson, N. Dunedin, R. £4 45 Mr Raven, Petone R.C, £4 ... ... 44 Mrßencon, Feat hers ton R.C., £3 ... 44 Private Cameron, Hon. Reserve Corps, [ £3 44 fMr Rule, Oamaru, £2 44 Private Ssott, Manchester R., £2 .„ 44 Mr Wilmot, Queenstown R.C., £2 ... 44 Mr R. Treleaven, Lyttelton R.C., £2... 43 Private D'Auvergne, Hon. Reserve Corps, £2 ... ... ... 43 Mr W. Jones, Dunedin R.C, £2 ... 43 Private Churton, Wanganui R., 43; Mr W. Scott, Dunedin R. 0., 42; Sergeant Anderson, Wanganui X., 42; Mr J. G. Wilson, Woodvilie R.C., 42; Mr Eldridge, Lyttelton R.C., 42; Lieutenant Salmon, Blenheim R., 42; Sergeant Doughty, A Battery, 42; Major Acheaon, Riverton, 42; Mr E. Scctt, Waipukurau R.C, 42; Mr Gates, Greytown R.C., 41; Private Son tag, Dunedia C.G., 41; Sergeant Saywell, Manchester R., 41; Mr Randall, Petone R.C, 41; Sergeant Henry, Wellington G., 41; Lieutenant Hughes, Wanganui R., 41 ; Mr J. Chicken, Woodville R.C., 41; Private Black, N. Dunedin R., 41; Corporal Meddings, Christchurch C.G., 41; Corporal Webster, A Battery, 40; Mr J. Wilsoa, Petone R.C, 40, took £1 each. Sergeant-Major Every, Oamaru; Mr McKenzie, Southland R.C; Gunner Pearson, Timaru N.; and Mr Martin, Peninsula R.C., were counted out. The scores of some of the other Canterbury men who fired in the match were—Mr H. Field 39, Sergeant Coltman 39, Mr G. A. Lewin 59, Sergeant vVakeiin 39, Lieut. Sandford 38, Sergeant Guy 37, Mr S. Harris 37. In 1890 this match was won with a score of 46, in 1891 with 44, in 1892 with 48, and in 1893 with 48. Mr Cox's score was made as follows :— 500 Yards.

5435555555— 17.

There were 81 competitors in the Nursery match. The following was the prize list in the Ncbskry Match, open only to members who have never won a prize or prizes of over £2 at any previous Association meeting. 600 yards, ten shots. Twentysix prizes, value £50. Mr Dodds, Port Chalmers R.C, £8 .„ 47 Gunner Greenshields, A Battery, £b ... 46 Mr J. G. Wilson, Woodville R.C., £5... 46 Gunner Dobbs, A Battery, £4 ... 46 Mr Cox, Woodville R. C., £4 45 Corporal Gillan, Duaedin H.R., £2 ... 45 Mr J. G. S. Tonkin, Warkari R.C., £2 44 Private Woodhouse, Christ's College R. t 44; Mr Raven, Petone R.C., 44; Mr G. A. Lewin, Lyttelton R.C., 44; Mr A. Y. Smith, Southland R.C., 44; Lieutenant Salmon, Blenheim R., 44; Sergeant Borough, Nelson, 42 ; Mr Loveday, Woodviile R.C., 42; Mr Grace, Petone R.C., 41; Trooper Macfarlane, Wairoa M.R., 41; Bugler •Mooseman, Wanganui N., 41; Mr H. S. Izard, Grey town R.C., 41; Mr P. O. Irvine, Port Chalmers N., 41; Mr A. G. Creagh, Oamaru R.C, 41; Private Stennard, Kumara R., 41; Corporal Meddinga, Christchurch C.G., 41; MrS. Harris, Little River R.C., 40; Sergeant-Major Every, Oamaru, 40; Mr O'Kane, Queenstown R.C., 39; Mr E. G. Scott, Waipukurau, 39. The following were counted out:—Private Scull, Victoria R.; Gunner Pearson, Timaru N.; Mr Holland, Petone R.C.; Mr Cuningname, Port Chalmers R.C. ; Colour-Sergeant Green, Kumara; Mr Seymour, Woodville, R.C. . Scores of 35 and over by other Canterbury men were—Mr Wagataffj Mr Trelearen and Mr Field, Lyttelton Rifle Club, 38; Private T. S. Robinson 37, Sergeant Coltman 35. The top score in this match in 1892 was 47, and iv 1893,48. Mr Dodda compiled his score as under:—»

500 Yards.

4555553555—47.

There were four teams entered for the volley firing match. Lieutenant Sandford was in charge of the Canterbury team and handled his men well. Their volleys were fired with great regularity, and were most favorably commented upon. The Auckland ! team scored most points on the target, but lost 15 points for bad volleys. lieutenantColonel Gordon was the umpire, and gave his opinion as to the quality of the volleys, the Council fixing the number of points to be deducted as penalties. The following was the result of the VotiET Firing Match, open to twenty Volunteers from each of the provincial volunteer districts, and to the Per* manent Force. Distance, 500 yards. Seven volleys, any military position. Prizes given by the Hon. the Defence Minister. Cakterbuet, £20. Deduct for Bad Hits. Points. Volleys Total 120 ... 385 ... Nil ... 385 Auckland, £10. 114 ... 398 ... 15 ... 383 Wanganui, Taranaki and Napier, £5. 108 .„ 364 ... 20 ... 344 The team entered by Otago and Southland scored 107- hits and 337 points; 10 points were deducted for bad volleys, leaving • total of 327. Auckland won last year with a score of 388 points, 25 points having been added for good volleys. The Champion match was commenced at half-past one, when there was a fair attendance of spectators in addition to those who were engaged at the meeting. Captain Smith got. an outer and a richochet for his two sighters, and his first four counters were outers. Henderson starting with, an outer, then got two bull's-eyes, followed by another outer, and this reduced Captain Smith's lead by six points. The latter's next three shots added eight to his score, while Henderson gained another point on the leader in the same number of shots. A magpie and an outer were registered for Henderson's eighth and ninth shot respectively, and his tenth was a miss. Henderson's score was thus 28, and his grand total 483. Captain Smith, with one point behind, and three shots to go, soon however placed the issue beyond doubt, getting aa,

inner for his eighth shot; he followed it np with two bull's-eyes, making his grand total 495. The win of Captain Smith wa3 very popular, his cool and steady shooting being much admired. The two men who had been third and fourth on the list, Lieutenant Jack and Gunner Head, botli started badly, and the latter only scoring 19 fell back considerably. Jack's first shot was a miss, and this was followed by an outer and two more misses. He then got on better and finished with 24, which enabled him to retain fifth position. Gunner Howe with 35 and Mr J. Gray with 33, came up well and tied for third place. In firing five shots each to decide the tie Guy scored 11 and Howe 10. Private A. Ballioger also tied with Mr F. Humphreys for the tenth prize, and in the shoot off last year's champion scored 16 to Humphreys' 13. Private J. Macfarlane of the Hon. Reserve Corps improved his position two places and took seventh prize. On the conclusion of the match Captain Smith was heartily cheered. In responding, Captain Smith said that thongh he was not • prohibitionist, he did not intend to follow the example of previous belt-winners and treat all and sundry at the canteen. What he intended to do was to divide a portion of the money he had won between charities in Chriatchurch and Dunedin and to give the balance towards the Markers' Match. His remarks were received with hearty approval by those present. The following is the prize list in Thb Champion Match; 10 shots at 700 yards. Captain Smith, Dunedin City Guards, Champion Rifle Belt, Gold Medal given by Defence Minister, and £35 ... 466 30 496 Petty-Officer Henderson, Thames Navals, silver star, N.Z.R.A., and £25 ... 455 28 483 Mr James Gray, Dunedin R.C , silver star. N.Z.R.A.,and£2o... 444 33 477 Gunner Howe, D Battery, Wellington, silver star, N.Z.R.A., and £15 442 35 477 Lieutenant Jack, Dunedin C.G., silver iUr, N.Z.R.A., and £10 452 24 476 Mr A. France, Karori Rifle Club, £5 441 33 474 Private Macfarlane, Hon. Reserve Corps, £5 442 30 472 Mr W. Smith, Southland R.C., £5 447 25 472 Mr A. J. Cameron, North Wairarapa Rifle Club, £5 ... ... 435 36 471 Private A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards, £5 443 27 470 Mr F. Humphreys, Waipukurau R.C. 440 30 <70 Gunner Taylor, A Battery, Auckland 436 33 469 Gunner Head, A Battery, Auckland 450 19 469 Petty Officer Spinley, Ponsonby Navals 436 32 468 Mr Warring, Marton-Hunterville R.C. 432 35 467 Private W. B. Scott, Honorary Reserve Corps ... ... 433 34 467 Mr R. Morrison, Dunedin Rifle Club 436 30 466 Mr N. Dodds, Port Chalmers R.C. 444 22 466 Lieutenant Grant, Waimate Rifles 440 25 465 Mr G. C, Proudfoot, Dunedin R.C. 447 17 464 Private McKay, Hon. Reserve Corps -; 428 34 462 Lieutenant Kirk, Petone N. 427 33 460 Lieutenant Ross, Napier ... 429 31 460 Private T. A. Jones, Dunedin C. G. 439 21 460 Trooper Strachan, Alexandra Cavalry 433 21 459 Mr J. G. S. Tonkin, Waikari R.C. 421 37 458 Sergeant Davis, Wairoa Mounted R. 436 22 458 Private McKeich, Tuapeka R. 423 34 457 Mr W. A. Grace, Petone R.C. 427 30 457 Private Mooseman, Wanganui R. 422 34 456 Mr Trevethick, Petone R.C. 423 33 456 Private Robilliard, Kaiapoi R. i ' ' 430 26 456 Mr J. J. Spiers, Oamaru R.C. 421 34 455 Private A. Gunderaen, Hon. Reserve Corps ... 425 30 455 Mr W. Smith, Taueru R.C.... 425 30 455 Petty Oflicer Harris, Wellington Navals 420 33 453 Bombadier Brown, A Battery, Auckland 420 33 453 PrivateTobin.AucklandCß. 421 31 452 Sergeant Thorpe, Wairoa Mounted R. ... ... ... 438 14 452 Mr J. J. Speight, Dunedin R.C. 431 19 450 Sergeant Green, Kumara R. 422 27 449 Petty Oflicer Williams, Wellington N. 430 19 449 Mr W. H. Ballinger, Petone R.C. 421 28 449 Private Kruse, Wanganui R. 421 27 448 Corporal T. H, Anderson, Hon. Reserve Corps ... ... ... 425 23 448 Gunner Greenshieids, A Battery, Auckland 433 13 446 Mr J. Cunninghame, Port Chalmers R.C. ... 420 23 443 Private G. Frazer, Kaicangata R. 420 23 443 Gunner Dobbs, A Battery, Auckland 435 2 437 Lieut-Stubbs, Kumara R.... 419 7 426 Captain Smith's score in the Champion Match was compiled as under :—

The details of the scores of the next four men were— Petty Officer Henderson... 2552342320—28 Mr J. Gray ... .* 5432343522—33 Gunner Howe 3433224455—35 Lieutenant Jack ... 0200423553—24 The Champion. Captain Edward Robinson Smith, who won the Championship of 1894 with the handsome majority of 13 points, is a native of Otago, in which province he has resided all his life. He was born in 1856, and is therefore thirty-eight years of age. Captain Smith has been shooting since a lad, and was a member of a cadets' corps previous to joining the Volunteer Force. Even when a lad he excelled in shooting, as in 1872 he was classed as Champion of the Cadets. After this he took up shooting in earnest, and a few years later attended an Association meeting. There he met with signal success, and in 1879 he was second to Corporal W. H. Ballinger for the Championship. Since that time he has attended many meetings of the Association, and in each has figured prominently in the prize list. The last meeting he attended previous to this one was the Exhibition Meeting, held in Dunedin in 1890. He is at present in command of the Dunedin City Guards, the members of which Company are exceedingly proud of him. He is by profession a sharebroker. Captain Smith, it may be mentioned, is not a teetotaller, and he also smokes, but he says that he drinks so little that it cannot affect his shooting, whilst his smoking is restricted to an occasional cigar. He is about sflloin high, and has fine clear grey eyes, of great , power, which once more proves the truth of of the old saying that grey-eyed men make the best shots. The Rifle Cup, which goes to the highesc scorer in the Champion Match, excluding the aggregates, was won by Mr J. G. b. Tonkin, of the Waikari Rifle Club. North Canterbury, with a score of 37, made np as follows :—

700 Yabxs.

The Diitrict Representative Match followed the Championship. Seme very good

I shooting was made at the first range, but ! as the light was failing before the last range J was completed and the wind was somewhat difficult, the scores at the longer distance were uneven. The Wellington team scored 822 at the 500 yds, Canterbury 816, Otago 791, Wanganui 783 and Auckland 783. Tne first-named maintained their position to the close of the match, and Wanganui passed j Canterbury. For the Auckland team Petty Officer Henderson—who was second for the Championship compiled the grand score of 93 oat of a possible 100. The following was the result of the District Representative Match. Ten shots at 500 and 600 yards. Open to twenty Volunteers from each of the districts as specially constituted. Prize Exhibition Challenge Shield, Hobson'e Cap and £20 to the winning team. The shield and cup to be held for one year. Wellington team first. Mr A. France, 44 at 500 yards, 41 at 600 yards, total 85 ; Private A. Ballinger, 41, 42—83 ; Mr J. Wilson, 39, 42—82; Mr A. J. Cameron, 41, 41—82; P.O. Williams, 45, 36—81; P.O. Armstrong, 38,42—80; Gunner Howe, 47, 33—80; Sergeant Henry, 46,33—79; Mr Smith, 47, 32—79 ; Mr Randall, 42, 34—76 ; Mr W. H. Ballinger, 41, 34—75; P.O. Harris, 42, 32—74; Mr Wiikie, 43, 31—74; Lieutenant Kirk, 39, 31—70; Mr Trevethick, 42, 28—70 ; Mr Oates, 40, 28— 68; Mr Holland, 38, 29—67; P.O. Stitt, 43, 24—67; Mr Grace, 30, 35—65; P.O. Sedgewick, 34, 27—61. Total, 1498. The total scores of the other teams were —Wanganui, Taranaki and Napier, 1474; Canterbury, 1462 ; Otago aud Southland, 1452; Auckland, 1399. The scores of the men composing the Canterbury team were:—Corporal T. H. Auderson, 43, 39—82; Sergeant Guy, 45, 37—82; Sergeant VVakelin, 42, 39—81 ; Private McKay, 44, 37—81; Lieutenant Grant, 43, 36—79; Private Shaw, 43, 35— 78; Private Macfarlane, 42, 35—77; Petty Officer Waugh, 41, 35—76; Sergeant Manning, 39, 36—75; Mr H. Field, 42, 32 —74; Private Robiiliard, 44, 29—73; Mr J. G. S. Tonkin, 41, 31—72; Private Robertson, 41, 31—72; Private Gundersen, 37, 54—71; Private Woodhouse, 38, 33—71; Mr Wagstaff, 39, 26—65; Private Sim, 39, 23-62; Private W. B. Scott, 41, 21—62; Corporal Lavery, 40, 21—61. Total, 1462. The following are the details of the score of 1893 made by P.O. Henderson in the District Representative Match:—

500 Yards,

4545545545—46.

600 Yards.

5555455553-47.

The sum of £10 has been collected among the competitors for a match among the markers, and it will be fired this morning. Exclusive of yesterday's matches, the following win £10 and over:—Private W. B. Scott, Hon. Reserve Corps, £17; Captain Smith, Dunedin', £16; Petty Officer Spinley, Ponsonby N., £16; Mr J. Gray, Dun edin, £16 ; Gunner Head, Auckland, £16; Lieut. Ross, Napier, £16; Petty Officer Henderson, Thames, £15; Mr W. H. Ballinger, Petone, £13; Private Woodhouse, Christ's College Rifles, £13; Gunner Greenshielde, Auckland, £13; Lisut. Jack,Duaedin, £12; Mr McGregor, Oamaru, £12; Mr Proudfoot, Dunedin, £11; Mr Craigie, Invercargill, and Mr Dodds, Port Chalmers, £10; Mr F. Humphreys, Waipukurau, £10; Mr W. Smith, luvercargill, £10. The presentation of prizes will take place in the Oddfellows' Hall at 2.30 p.m. to-day.