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THE COLONIAL RIFLEMEN AT BISLEY.

{from our own correspondent).

LONDON, July 16.

This week the New Zealand riflemen, after several weeks of hard preliminary practice, have got to work in earnest, and so far have done fairly well in the competitions, although, perhaps, not enough to afford very strong promise of highest honours being attained. Still there is plenty of time for them to forge ahead.

In commenting on the conditions under which they would have to compete, I mentioned the difficulty that would be experienced in shooting with an unaccustomed rifle, namely, the Lee-Metford, instead of the Martini-Henry, and I also pointed out that this difficulty would be materially accentuated if the weather should happen to be windy, owing to the greater effect produced by strong cross winds on the liee-Metford bullet as compared with that on the heavier MartiniHenry. These expectations have been borne out in experience. It is somewhat unfortunate for the New Zealand competitors that during this week there should have been a special prevaleoce of very strong winds, amounting occasionally to a stiff gale. This has militated against them, but still it is satisfactory to learu, as I do from one very good judge, that cousidering the heavy winde "the New Zealand shooting waa really marvellous," particularly at the 800yd3. All the New Zealand men are doing well, and hopes are entertained that. although their scores are not yet so big as they should be, they will make up for lost time at a later period.

In the Imperial Competition, seven shots at 200, 500 and 600 yards, Webster, who scored 94, was the only New Zealand man high enough to fire in the final. The other scores were Horn 91, Simpson 90, Sommerville 90, Hawthorne 88, Banks 88, Ballinger 88, Williams 86. In the Secretary of State for War Competition, ten shot 3 at 800 yds, Banks, who made 46, was the only New Zealander to get money. Webster, who scored 45, was counted out.

For the Association Cup, seven shots at 200 and 600 yds, Hawthorne 67, Sommerville 64, and Banks 63, are the only ones finished.

In the continuous matches the scores so far are as follows :—Hipplestone Hawthorne 35 (possible), Howe 34, Simpson 34, Wilmot Hawthorne 35 (possible). Fletcher Banks is at the top so far with 26. Late this afternoon I learn by telegram from Bisley that our New Zealand men have won high honour in connection with the Kolapore Cup. There have never befoi-e been so many entries, especially as regards the " outside" places, New Zealand, Victoria, Queensland, Canada, Natal, Cape Colony, and India all competing. In the first stage, 2uO yards, Victoria led with 253, but New Zealand was close up, being second with 247, thus beating Great Britain's 244 and Canada's 243. In the second stage the contest gained immensely in excitement, New Zealand tying with Victoria for first place with 512, beating the Mother Country, which came next with 504, and all the other colonies. After a very keea contest at the third stage the Kolapore Cup was won by Victoria, New Zealand being second by only 3 points. The winning score was 751, New Zealand scoring 748. Canada was third with 735, and Great Britain fourth with 732. The double colonial victory was very popular. The Victorian and New Zealand teams were cheered to the echo and remarkable enthusiasm was manifested.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18970826.2.53

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9815, 26 August 1897, Page 6

Word Count
566

THE COLONIAL RIFLEMEN AT BISLEY. Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9815, 26 August 1897, Page 6

THE COLONIAL RIFLEMEN AT BISLEY. Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9815, 26 August 1897, Page 6