RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9363, 12 March 1896, Page 5

RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

(PBSSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) OAMARU, March .11. The arrangements are almost completed for the federal meeting under the auspices of the New Zealand Rifle Association, which opens on Friday at a range situated about) four miles on the north aide of the range, and lying between the railway line and the i ocean, the latter providing a background for the targets. Some little dissatisfaction waa expressed by the Queensland representatives ab the second postponement, owing to their eagerness to get baok home, and one of their number, Lieut,. Clarke, has already left on hia return to Queensland. The delay was altogether unavoidable owing to the large amount of work which was found necessary on the range. Major Sommerville had been informed that the site chosen waa perfectly level, and that beyond measuring off the range; and erecting the targets but little attention would be required. However, on his arrival, he found that the trench had been dag out at a wrong angle; also, that when the targets were hung on the posts they could not be seen from the firing points. This neeeaeitated the erection of mounds in some places to a height of 3ft 6in, but now they are all but ready, the finishing touch being applied to-morrow. As mentioned, a trench waa out to the extent of three chains, and this had to be set right. The opening ceremony will be performed by Mrs Aitken, the Mayoress, at 10.30 on Friday morning, and immediately on its conclusion the Nelson match, 200, 500 and 600 yards, seven shots, will be fired, and that will probably constitute the day's work. The entries are nob yet complete, but are expected to be fully 250, if not more. Of these forty-four are from Australia. Moas of the men are here, and, as there is no camp this year, the accommodation has been taxed to the utmost to provide for tho sudden influx. It waa first intended to use thirty targets, bub the undulating nature of the ground prevented this, aud the number has been reduced to twenty-five. The meeting ia expected to extend over at least seven shooting days, the Federal Match taking <juite a day. J. Sloane ia captain of the Viotoriana in the Federal Match, Lieutenant Keating is in charge of the New South Wales men, and Major Byron will look after the Queenslanders. Tho manner of selecting the New Zealand team, for this match ia not yet decided, but it will be suggested to the Council that the highest seven in the grand aggregate for the champion belt shall be members of the team, and thftt the Council shall appoint the remaining trio. This latter precaution will probably be taken to prevent a good shot, who may have had a little the worst of the'luck, from being excluded. Major Sommerville will probably captain the team. Another proposal, which the Council will consider to-morrow night, is whether the Australian representatives will be allowed to fire iv the final stage of the championship. Hitherto this has hot been allowed, the fiaal stage being strictly confined to New Zealauders. The visitors would not, of course, be entitled to hold the belt, but it is their desire to see how their score wonld compare with the New Zealandere', and it will be further suggested that in this stage they may be entitled Jto oompete for the money prize attached thereto. The latter probably will meet with objections from certain quarters. A good deal of praotioe has been indulged in here by the representatives, but complaints loud and deep are made against the ammunition, and these are apparently borne out by the erratic shooting made. Unless the new ammunition which will be used at the meeting comes up to expectation the Association may expect to hear these complainta voiced even with greater force, and the men are al' anxious to see how the new stuff will turnout. There are already rumours of f protest against the ammunition, but oi what grounds is not yet revealed, thougfc the weight of the bullet is Baid to be one. It will be hard, indeed, on the men if the ammunition should fail them as they will find it quite difficult enough to hang on if the prevailing wind (north-east) comes on with any strength. Even to-day, with a light wind, a strong draught came over tho cliff, and cauaed a difference of 3ft in the wind between the left and right flanks. The following previous holders of the champion belt will take part in the meeting :—Churton, Wanganui (1884); White, Auckland (1887); Williams, Wellington . (1890); Kruse, Wanganui (1891); Doughty,. Auokland (1892); A. Ballinger, Wellington (1893); Smith, Dunedin (1894); W. Ballinger (1879 and 1895); Ross, Napier (winner of the carbine belt 1884, 1886 and 1889). Sergt. Patelow, of Auckland, one of the most able and popular marksmen in the colony, will be absent.

The men will be taken out by train at 7.45 eaoh morning, returning to town about 6.30 p.m. Major Sommervllle is in com* mand, and Captain Lomax is appointed officer in charge of the range. \