NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9986, 16 March 1898, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

GOOD SHOOTING BY* CHRISTCHURCH MEN. „ ■. *

(press association telegram.)

OAMARU, March 15.

When the competitors were proceeding to the range this morning a dense fog huug like a pall over Oaniaru, and it was almost impossible to discern objects more than 100 yards distant. On the range much the same thing prevailed, and although the men fell in at 8.30; the time appointed to begin, and were marched to the firing points, Major Sommerville wisely gave the order to cease firing, declaring that it was unfair to ask men to shoot through such weather. Half an hour later the sun broke through, a fresh wind sprang up and the fog cleared, and shortly after nine a start was made. Even then the light was very tricky, while a baffling wind was blowing from the rear. The Colonial ammunition was withdrawn and that of Victorian make used, yet the men were dissatisfied, and many openly confessed, as the day wore on, that they would prefer to shoot with the colonial ammunition of December, 1897, which yesterday the Council decided to have withdrawn. Application has been made to allow the competitors to have the option of using the Colonial or Victorian ammunition, and very probably the request will be conceded, as several of the Council are of opinion that there is very little difference. Colonel Penton visited the range to-day. He took a lively interest in investigating the manner in which the meeting is conducted, and is believed to be favourably impressed. Nine teams have entered for the Champion Teams Match, which is decided by the grand aggregates of the five highest men from any corps or rifle clubs in the Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Wanganui, Oamaru, Christchurch, Wellington and Otago matches. Owing to no money having been subscribed by the local residents towards the Oanaru match, the prize money for this match has been reduced from £120 to £63, the latter amount being the amount awarded to other matches.

Operations began to-day with the 500 yds range of the Hawke's Bay match, and here Captain Smith, of Dimedin, exchampion and Volunteer Pearson, of Timaru, each got on the fine score of 48, aud of SO, while Volunteer White, of Oamaru, and Sergeant McFarlane, of Chriatchurch, were close up with 46, There were eeveral 45' a and 44'e, but taking the shooting generally it was not first class. At 600 yds the shooting was even worse, and the only decent scoi-e put on was that of Mc C. Reynolds, of Carterton, who rang on 46 for his ten shots. Many of those who had got on good scores at the short ranges fell away here and finished in the ruck. With the finish of this match, which was the first counting for the belt, the men adjourned for lunch.

During the afternoon a couple of single range matches, each counting for the belt, were shot off. In the first, the Marlborough, at 500 yds, was witnessed some excellent shooting, both weather and light having improved. Sergeant Somraerville, of the Alexandra Cavalry, a promising young shot who was one of the New Zealand contingent whjch visited London during her Majesty's Jubilee, won with the good score of 48 out of 50. He was tied by four others, but his was the best 48 under the rules of the Association. In the Wanganui match, 700 yds, the shooting was about as poor as could be seen, and several of the competitor's managed only to hit the target once out of twelve shots including their sighters. Quite half of the scores were under twenty o t ut of a possible fifty, and the only .fair score was that of Volunteer Robinson, who secured five under the possible. Certainly the wind was unsteady aad the light gradually failing, the latter to such an extent that there were some complaints of the men having to continue to such a late hour (six o'clock).

To-night the weather is threatening, and a light drizzle fell for a time. The following are the details of to-day's shooting:— Hawke's Bay Match, 500 and 600 yards, ten shots at each; counting for the ' belt. Volunteer McGregor (Qanmru), £7 ... 87 Volunteer Mackay' (Chrisfcchurch),' £6 86 Volunteer T. Fraser (Kaitangata), £5 86 Sergeant McFarlane (Christchurch), £4 85 C. Reynolds (Carterfcon), £4 ... ... 84 J. Robs (Napier), £3 ... ... 84 Sergeant Little (Oamaru), £3 ... 84 Volunteer Howe (Wellington), £2 ... 83 Volunteer Whit*(Oamaru), £2 ... 83 W. Nimmo (Oamaru), £2 ... ... 82 T. Steadman (Whangarei), £2 ... 82 Volunteer Richardson (Dunedin), 8$; Lieutenant Dodds (Port Chalmers), 81; McHattie (Masterton),Bl; Volunteer Pearson (Timaru) 81; Volunteer Perkins (Christchurch), 80; Welch (Masterfcon), 80; Colour-Sergeant Smith (Oamaru), 80 ; G. Craw (Akaroa), 80; W. Ballinger (Petone), 80; Sergeant Purnell (Wanganui), 80; Volunteer G. Fraser (Kaitangata), 80; F. Ingpeh (Woodville), 80; Captain Smith (Danedin), 80; Volunteer Bentley (Christchurch), 79; Volunteer Gosney, Timaru, 79; Volunteer J. B. Bairstow (Carterton), 79: Captain McKenzie (Invercargill), 78; Volunteer Robinson (Christchurcn), 78; J, Be?g {Dunedin), 78; Volunteer Black (Dunedin), 78 ; Corporal Hawley (Wellington), 78; Volunteer Jones (Oamaru), 78; W. Speedy (Masterton), 77 —£1 each. Counted out—Volunteer A. Ballinger (Wellington), Sergeant Buckenberg, F. Wilkie (Upper Hutt), R. L. Rule, Trooper O'Neill (Wanganui). Last year Williams, of Wellington, won this match with 96, and the 87 which won to-day is only two points below those counted out at Auckland. Mablborough-Kynoch Match ; ten shots, 500 yds, and counting for the belt. Sergeant Sommerville, Wanganui, £7* '•■ • and Kynoch cup ... ... ... 48 Volunteer T. Robinson, Christchurch, £6 ... ... ... ... 48 W. Montgomery, Invercargill, £5 ..." 48 W. Randall, Petone, £4 ... ... 48 Volunteer MfJiore, Christchurch, £3 ... 48 Corporal Simpson' (Kalapoi), £2, 47; Volunteer T. Fraser (Kaitangata), £2, 47; Volunteer Richardson (Dunedin); £2, 47 ; Sergeant Little (Oamaru), £2, 47. Sergeant Hunkenberg (Wellington), 47 ; Volunteer McGregor (Oamard), 47 ; Sapper Lester (Christchurch), 47; J; Spiers (Oamaru), 46 ; W. Speedy (Masterton), 46; Volunteer. Hale (Wellington), 46; W. Nelson (Woodville), 46; J. Mathias (Petone), 46; Volunteer A.. Ballinger (Wellington), 46; W. Grace (Petone), 46; Volunteer Pearson (Timaru), 46; Volunteer Turner (Wellington), 46; Trooper Thorpe (Wairoa), 45; G. Begg (Dnnedin), 45; Volunteer Pollock (Dunedin), 45 ; G. Craw (Akaroa), 45; Volunteer White (Oamaru), 45; Captain McKenzie (Invercargill), 45; J. G. Wilson (Woodville), 45; J. Ross (Woodville), 45 ; W. Bairatow (Carterton), 44; Volunteer Harris (Christchurch), 45; McHattie (Masterton), 44; Colour-Sergeant Smith (Oamaru), 44—£1 each. " . Counted ont—Raven (Petone), Kruse (Wanganui), McDonald (Danedin), Davis (Blenheim), Forsvth (Riverton), Ingpen (Woodville), Hollard (Petone). The lastnamed won this match last year with 49, and 45 was counted out. Wanganui Match, ten shots, 700 yards. Volnnteer Robinson (Christchurch), £7 45 Volunteer A. Ballinger (Wellington), £6 42 J. G. Wilson (Woodville), £5 ... 42 Sergeant Bunkenberg (Wellington), £4 42 Volunteer Jones (Dunedin), £3 ... 41 H. Walden (North Wairarapa), £2 ... 40 Captain Stedman (Whangarei), £2 ... 40 Volunteer Richardson (Dunedin), £2 ... 39 Volunteer Has tie (Oamaru), £2 ... 39 Volunteer McKay (Christchurch), 39; W. Ballinger (Petone), 38; J. Wilson, (Petone), 38; W. Montgomery (Invercargill), 38 ; Volunteer Whyte (Oamaru), *7; J. Armstrong (Danedin), 37; Volunteer Bentley (Christchurch), 37; Volunteer Pearce (Kaiapoi), 37 ; Volunteer G. Fraser (Kaitangata), 37 ; Corporal Simpson (Kaiapoi), 37; Volunteer-Claridge (Wellington), 37; Sergeant McFarlane (Christchurch), 36; Lieutenant Domigan (Gore), 36; ColourSergeant Stephen (Timaru), 36; Bandmaster King (Oamaru), 36; Captain Rntherford, (Kaitangata), 36 ; J. Rosa (Napier), 35; Sergeant Allport (Nelson), 35 ; J. McHattie (North Wairarapa), 35; Lieutenant Robinson (Riverton), 35; G. Loveday (Woodville), 35; Volnnteer Jones (Oamarn), 35; Captain Nimmo (Oamaru), 34; G. Craw (Akaroa), 34—£1 each. Counted out—Allen (Port Chalmers), Woollett (Dunedin), Harding (Blenheim).