OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9670, 8 March 1897, Page 2

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

The first of the prize competitions in connection with the Christchurch City Rifles was fired at the Bromley range on Saturday. The matches were handicaps, the handicaps being apparently on a liberal scale. In the first class, seven shots at 200, 300 and 500 yds, the highest scores were:—ColourSergeant Bean (handicap 17) 98, Private Williams (15)91, Corporal Dodd (7) 87. Second class, ten shots at 200 and 500 yds— Private Glover (15) 65, Private Cork (scr) 64, Corporal. Woodfield (8) 60. Third class, ten shots, 200 and 600yds—Private Fleck (3) 68, Private Sycamore (5) 62,. Private Bradley (scr) 59.

On Saturday, so far as weather and light went, it was favourable for the annual field firing of the Kaiapoi Rifle Volunteers at the Beach road butts ; but the wind at times was baffling across the line of fire, but the average of the shooting of the fifty who competed was above the average. The prizes varied from £2 to 2s 6d each, out of a sum of £20 annually voted by .the Corps. The ranges were 200 yds and 600 yds, ten shot 3at each, Martini weapons. The brothers Simpson, sons of Lieutenant Simpson, made a close finish for first and second, Corporal C. Simpson (from scratch) scoring 45 and 46 at the respective ranges, and Private G. Simpson making 43 and 43 in the competition, which, with his handicap of five, brought them level in the prrand totals. .Thfc following were the prize takers :—Corpl. Charles Simpson, scr, 91; Private Gilbert Simpson, 5, 91; Private P. Bate, 3, 88; Corporal L. Oram, 5, 86; Private H. Hayman, 3, 85; Private W. Pearce, 4, 82 ; Private F. Smith, 5, 81; Sergeant A. Pearoe, 3, 79; Private T. Hanna, 8, 78; Private T. Templeton, 12, 77; Private P. Keetley, 12, 76; Private A. Whitley, 20, 76; Private (jr. Templeton, 5, 74; Colour-Sergeant Blackwell, 8, 74; Lieutenant J. Simpson, 3, 73; Private T. Drabble, 6, 73; Private F. Robilliard, 3, .73; Private A. Wright, 6, 72; Private W. B. Stevenson, 8, 72; Private A. Fraser, 4, 72 ; Private A. M. Clark,' 16, ;72; Private J. Higgins, 7, 69; Private H. Driscoll, 9, 69; Private J. Balch, 5, 68 ; Private J. Graham, 16, 67; Private H. Featherstone, i 2, 67.

On Friday evening, at an inspection parade of the Kaiapoi Rifles, fifty-two attended under the command of Captain Millar and Lieutenant Simpson. Up to the present no intimation has been made as to the holding of the Easter camp.