NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9365, 14 March 1896, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE OPENING DAY.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) OAMARU, March 13. There was lovely weather for the opening of the rifle meeting, there being a bright sun, with a fresh north-easterly breeze. The competitors expressed themselves pleased with the general arrangements, though they are nob favourably impressed with the raised mounds, as they fear that they will shake with the recoil after each shot.

The total number of entries is 254, distributed as follows : — Otago and Southland, 89; Wellington and Wairarap-v, 39; Canterbury. 39; Hawked Bay, 17; Wanganui and Taranaki, 16; Queensland, 15; Auckland, New South Wales, and Victoria, 12 each; Nelson, 2; South Australia, 1. Though none of tbe men are living ont on the range it preaent s every appearance of acamp. A large number of tents have been erected for tbe convenience of the competitors, and three large marquees have been erected for Q-ieensiand, Victoria, and Now South Wales, respectively. At 11 o'clock trie " fall in " was sounded, and a quarter of an hour later the Mayoress arrived at the 200 yards range, where a rifle had been laid by the champion, W. Baliinger,

Mijor Sommerville thanked .the Oatnaru residents for their generosity, and referred to the importance of the meeting as a federal one. He welcomed the visitors from Australia, and said that while every courtesy would be extended they must not look for favours. There was die range, and like the New Zealanders they must do the best for themselves. He regretted that it was possible that this would be the last meeting the Association would hold, as he had been informed that they could not look for any further support from th* Government. Mrs Aitken theu fired the first shot, which brought up the inner disc, jusb on the edue of the bnlls' eye, amid cheers. The Mayor, iv declaring the range open, thanked Mr John McLean for the free use of the property, and tuso the peoplefor so readily responding to the loeil Committee's request for as-ustauce. tie also welcomed the Australians, and trusted that they would go away svUfied with their visit aud that they would have a fun* share of success. Speak ing a little sdfishly, he would like to see the New Zealanders secure the handsome trophy in the Federal Match, though they would have to put their best leg forward to do so. O niiaru had promised to provide a lange aud pi-.za money for the O-nuru Match. Iho range was before them, aud he hoped they would be pleased with it. He then handed M-«jor Sommerville a cheque for £150.

The Hon. W. Hall Jones regretted the absence of the Defence Minister, who was detained in Wellington on important business. The Government, he said, was alive to the importance of maintaining th* defences of the colony in a high state ot efficiency, aud every member of the Government was similarly impressed. He regretted to hear the remark of Major Sommerville that this was likely to De the last gathering, and said that if it rested with him there would be a meeting next year, aud fot many years to come. (Cheers.) He referred to the Johannesburg incident asanecessity for efficient marksmen. The Government had during tne past year expeuded £30,000 beyond the preceding year, «nd the Johannesburg affair may have had something to do with their advanciug the defences. Six Maxims, he said, were being imported, aud so keenly did the Government feel on the defence questiou, that they were approaching tue Imperial autho ritics with the view of securing officers to complete the military s aff of the colony. The presence of the squadron in New Zealand waters must have been enuoui aging to Volunteers, as in the eveub of war they would know that they would have outside assistance. He referred to the recent increase iv the defence vote by the Imperial Government, and said that while at Home they were fully alive to meet any emergency, su was New Z -aland quite prepared to uudortake her shire. The Martini* Henri rifle had been adopted on the recommendation of the military adviser, and the Government could not go behind that. The Lse-Metford was no doubt a good weapon, but a long distance rifle was not of such necessity here as iv other couubries. Then again there was the cost. They would find that when the Governmeut changed the weapons it would be from the Martini to a weapon of the future. He welcomed the visitors and trusted that New Zealand would shortly send a team to Australia aud also to England. The colouists had held their owu iv other outdoor sports, and ho did not fear the result if a team were sent to compete ab the Bisley meeting. They could feel assured that this would nob be the i&Bb meeting. As to the defences they had no anxiety about them, as everything had been done to put them on a proper footing. He was confident that Imperial defence would eventually come as sure as uighb followed day. The hon. gentleman's speech was received enthusiastically.

Three cheers for the Mayoress termi nated the ceremony.

Among the distinguished visitors on the rauge were Colonels Webb (Dunedin), Gordon (Christchurch) and Sumpter (Oamaru), and the Hon. George Jones, M.L.C The Government has passed a vote for the picnic to the visitors, which will probably be held at Elderslie on Sunday. The 200 yards range took almost a couple of hours. The shooting throughout was fairly good, wtiila some first-class scores were put on, clearly proving that the ammunition is good, but the real test will be at the longer ranges. The competitors generally express themselves pluased with the range, and though the fresh wiud continued it was steady from the If b. Following are the scores at the 200 yards rauge:—Head (Auckland), 35 ; W. Loveday (Woo-iville), Robiliiard (Cnristuhurch), 34 : Sloan (Victoria), A. Ballinger (Wellington),' Browne (Auckland), Bunny(Petone), Sinks (Chiiitchurch), G. Loveday (Woodville), Robinson (Itiverton), Grant (Bri.-dune), Fraser iKnitangata), Smith (L'unedin), 33. A number of others made 32 aud 31.. The match will not be finished until close ou 5 o'clock.

At 2 30 a start was made with the 500 yds range and, though the wind remained steady, it was soon apparent that something was wrong as the shooting was very erratic and miss after miss was recorded in quick succession. The ammunition, of course, came in for its full share of condemnation, bub it may be that men < failed- to gain a proper elevation, or that the waving grass somewhat interfered with them. Be what it may there was no doubt that the shooting at 500 yards was about the worst seen ab au Association gatheriug at that range for some time. One prominent Victorian and noted reliable shot expressed au undoubted opinion that tho fauib lay with the ammunition, and said that from a cartridge he opened he had observed that the grain was irregular and there waß too much dust in bhe powder, a circunntauce which he said should not oe found in the case of now powder. Other well-known marksmen in New Zealand loudly condemned the ammunit on, to which they attributed the low scores made by themselves. Ou the other hand, those who gob on fair scores had nothing to -say against the ammunition. Ab the 500 yds the chief scores *were— Rule (Oamaru), and W. Smith (InvercargUl), each one point below the po&sible; Johnston (Dunedin), 33; Smith (Dunedin), Moody (Queensland). 31 ; Banks (Christchurch), Hall (Wellington), Parker (Christchurch), W. Scott (Christchurch», Head (Auckland), Robinson (Christchurch), Smith (Dunedin), Crease (Queensland), 50 each; Donald (Wairarapa), Robettson (Tuapeka), and Morrison (Marton) failed to find the target at all, while there were several others who only got one or two shots on, and those poor hits. Coming back to the 600 yds, the leading scores were—Head (Auckland), 65 ; Smith (Dunedin), Rule (Oamaru), 64; Banks (Chrisfechurchi, 63 ; W. Scott (Christchurch), Moody (Queensland), 62; Parker (Christohurch), Kirk (Wellington), J. Jounaton (Dunedin), W. Smith (Invercargill), 61. At the 600 yds much the same order prevailed as at the previous range, and "bursting" was reported in all directions. The chief scores at the range were—Cameron (Oamaru. 30, Raven (Wellington), Wilson (Woodville) 27, Tattle (Oamaru), Sontagg (Dunedin), Treve thick (Petone), Scott (Christchurch), Wilkie (Upper Hutt), Mclvor (Kaikoura), White (OAmaru) each 25.

The following is the prize list of the Nelson match, 200, 500, 600 yds, seven ' shots; not counting for the Belt:—Private W. Scott (Reserve Corps, Coristchurch) 87» , £8; Wilson (Woodville Rifle Club) 86, £6 ; i Wilkie (Upper Hutt Rifle Club) 85. £5 ; Sergeaot Moody (A Company, Queensland) 85, £4; Cameron (Oamaru Rifle Club) 84, £4; Private A. Ballioger (Wellington Guards) 83, £4; Pn'v ite Raven (Wellington Guards) 81, £3 ; '.' mw Greenshields (A Battery, Auckland) bl. £3 ; Private Fraser (Kaitangata Rifles) 81. £3; W. Smith (InvercargUl Rifle Club) 81, £2; Gunner Taylor (A Battery, Auckland) 80 £2; G. Ferguson (Queensland RifU Club) 79, £2 ; Grace (Petone Rifl« Club) 79, £2; Little (Oamaru Rifle Club) 78, £2; Sergeant-Major White (Oamaru Artillery). Patterson (Hawera Rifle Club), W. Loveday (Woodville Rifle Club), Sergeant Parker iChrtstchurch City Rifles), 78 each; Robinson (Upper Hutt Rifle Club), Captain McKenzie (invercargill Battery), Private Robilliard (Kaiapoi ftifles), Rule (Oamaru Rifle Club), Captain Smith (Dunedin City Guards), Gunner Head (A Battery, Auckland)^*77 each; Nimmo (Oamaru Rifle Club), Gunner Smith (Oamaru Artillery), Averv (Pahiatua Rifle Club), Spiers (Oamaru B>fl* Club), Wills (Southland Rifle Club), 76 each ; Cox (Woodville Rifle Club), Lieutenant Jack (Dunedin City Guards), Sergeant Kruse (Wanganui Rifles), 75 each; Corporal Gargett (Brisbane Volunteers), Kellina (Hawera »Rifle Olubl. 74

each, £1 each. Counted out—Gray fvia... Rifle Club), C. Hale (Wellington uS? Loster (Christchurch). Last year Barn (Karon) won this match with 93, wiiile _> was counted out. " The Government has decided to gi Ye a silver cup as au extra prize in the Federal Match. l The number of Rifle Club members nrs sent is 97, and members of defence com." and Volunteers 157. rp " The -lay being a public holiday, thera was a larger atteudance of the public than usual at opening of these gatherings. There i« every indication of what promised to be a successful meeting beiu_ utterly spoilt by the wretched ammunition which has been issued to the men, and the antioi. pation that the complaints respecting the* ammunition issued lor practice would b» voiced with greater force aniens the amy stuff was an improvement has been fujj y realised. At the finish of the 200 yds range the men retired for luush, aud the opp (ir ;,. nity was taken to get the opinion of some . f the leading marksmen as to the raii» t ammunition, &c. The geuera.l opmiou was favourable to the range, though there were uot a few who looked with disfavour on tho water background ; yet ihia was not regirded as any great drawback, and the Victorians spoke of the range as very similar to their range at Wilhamsiown. One aud all, however, admitted that the shovi ra.nce was not the true test of the quality the ammunition, aud before finally passing it as good they preferred to wait the result of the shoouing at 500 aud 600 yards. Firing had not long been resumed after lunch before complaints were long and conbinuous iv condemnation of the ammunition and a ulance at the score shots revealed tho fact that misses were almost as numerous as hits. Not only were the lesser lights failim? to find the target, but some ol the best; known Australian and New Zealand shooting men were in dilliculties. With the weather evidently all in favour of the men, and at a distance ab which usually good scores are registered, it was apparent ilnt the men were suffering under some disability, When asked as to the ciuse, the majority without; hesitation pub ib down to the ammunition which they characterised as " vile htulT. 1, _ few were inclined to partially attribute tlit cause to incorrect elevatiou ; but, it' this wai * correct, had to explaiu how the marksman, could first get a bullaeye, and theu perhaps a couple of misses which they would follow up with another bullseye; and this was happen* iug all along the line. Then again others complained of the waving grass in front of the targets, which somewhat resembled a mirage, and finally the background came in for a little abuse. There were, however only a few who took exception to the laet until late iv the day, when they complained that the ouly portiou of the target they could see was the bullseye, and they could not trace the edge of the target. At 600 yds therj was no improvement, if auything it waß worse, and when cease-firing wai sounded the majority of the representative! were in anything but a happy frame of mind, and this is hardly to be wondered at when such wretched Bcoring was being made. As an iustauce of the poor display ab 600 yds, the following scores by hitherto reliable msu may be quoted :—Wakelin (Christchurch) 5, Churtou (Wanganui) 9, Williams (Wellington) 11, Ross (Napier) 12, While (Auckland) 13, Hauby (Victoria) 17, Doughty (Auckland) and W. Balliuger (Wellington) 18. Something tike from 30 to 33 would be a fair score for any of the above named. On the men returning to the parade ground the one absorbiug topic was the ammunition, aud ib was uuiversally agreed that ib was absurd to go on at the present conditions. Numbers of the Australian men declared that they would uot tire in the Federal match with the present ammunition, while several New Zealanders threatened to return home at ouce, as hitting the target was simply a questiou of luck. This eveniug representatives from tha districts have held meetings ab their respeo* tive hotels, and the feeling is that it is useless to go ou with the present ammunition, the Australians beiug particularly severe in condemning ib. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Council with a view to remedy tbe evil, bub the Council at ptesent is powerless, though every effort is being made to get fresh ammunition from Wellington or Dunedin. Major Sommerville is in communication with the -Defence , Depf.rttn.enb at Wellington, askiug if the supply of Victorian manufactured ammunition iv stock there is available, failing which an endeavour will bo mada to get a supply of the New Zealand ammunition of 1894 make from Dunedin, which is said to be fairly good. In any case the Association could nob be in a worse position than ib is now. This unfortunate oitcutrtstauce has thrown the Association on the horns of a dilemma, aud the members of bhe Council admit that they caunob proceed with this am munition, and the programme as iv the book Ciiuuot, at all events', be gone on with to-morrow.

To-nighb it was proved that the Marl* borough .Kvuooli Mm.en, 500 ben ■hots, counting for the belt, be taken iv the morning. In this match Kynoch provides the ammunition himself, and if the proposal is carried out it wi 1 be interesting to watch and comparo the scores in the match with those at 500 yards to-day. In the afternoon ib is proposed to take the Ladidrt' Match, 400 yards, ten shots, standing, kn-soling or sitting, and not counting for the bolt. The reason of this course is to enabie better quality ammunition to be secured before the principal matches begin. In addition tc the inferior quality of the powder the cartridges appear to be of faulty construction, as iv innumerable iustances the pin is driven right through the cap. The weather keeps fine.

/(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) ' OAMARU, March 13. The first competitive shot was firea hi Wakelin, who scored an inner. The weather was all that could be desired for shooting, but the ammunition proved the very worst that had over been used at any meeting. Wakelin, after scoring 28 ao 200 in the Nelsou match only got ■ on 13 at 500 and 5 at 600. Two of bis shots dropped yards short of the target at 500, Canterbury, however, scored well in the match, Scott, of the Reserves, getting first place with 87, just beating Wilkie, of , Upper Hutt, by 1 point. Parker 78 and Robilliard 77 were the other two Canterbury representatives that gob into the prize list. Banks went back with 62, but only put on 9 at 600. Lester, E Battery, was counted out wibh 74. Neal, of the Canter- / bury representatives, fired well at 200, and although the ammunition told even here, the average all round was nearly 3_, _; Robilliard put on 34. Head, of Auckland, ■' '' was the only man that got a possible, Lester 32, Albion 31, Parker 31, Treleaven , 31, McFarlane 30, Harris 30, Ritchie 32 and Scott 32 were the best at 200. Scott, Banks and Parker were the only men to pub up a score at 500, making 30 each. In the evening a meeting of Canterbury competitors was held ab the Empire Hotel to protest against the ammunition aud to r» quesv the Couueil only to hold the short distance matches to-morrow. A meeting of the captains of the Australian teams with Major tfommerville was held, ab which*;, after considerable discussion, it was deaided-,/ to fire the Kynoch match first thing to*-";.," morrow and to folio wit with the ladies-nabob,/„ not counting for the Belt. In the mean* _ : > lima Major Sommerviile had telegraphed to - Wellington regarding rresli ammunition. The northern competitors held an indignation meeting, and a deputation, headed by W. H. Ballinger, wa ted upon Major Summerville re the matches for next day. Several competitors declare their intention to retire from the meeting rather than fit* with the present ammunition.