NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9989, 19 March 1898, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

SHOOTING IN THE GRAND AGGRE-

GATE MATCH.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) OAMARU, March 18. " What a capital day for shooting ! " was the general expression early this morning, but this opinion was changed before the sun had crossed the meridian. There was every appearance of fine weather when a start was made with the Grand Aggregate Match, but with the completion of the 600 yards range the wind, which had been steadily increasing in force, became so fierce that there was no longer any doubt that the question of continuing shooting would have to be taken into consideration by the Council.

At the first distance, 500 yds, J. G. Wilson, Woodville, scored the possible, while Captain Rutherford, Kaitangata, and Mills, Invercargill, put on 34. «• Robinson and MacGregor, with 33 each, maintained their positions in the aggregate. Harding managed only to register 30, while Ross and Richardson each scored one more. Smith, of the Southland Riile Club, was the victim of one bad package of Auckland ammunition. His first sighter was a miss, low ; then he got four outers, mostly missfires, and discarding the package for another he wound up with three bulls and a magpie. Walden mis-sighted throughout at 600 yds, with the result that he missed every shot. His attention was called to the elevation by. Ross, who was lying down with him, but in a nonchalant manner he said it was all right, and wAen his last shot was fired the North Wairarapa man found that he had been wrongly sighted. The best scores made at 600 yds were those of T. Eraser (Kaitangata) and Ross 31 each. .tfctV'two ranges completed the leadi og totals were ___cGregor (Oamaiu) and 62 each. This distance brought Maodyegor on top agjin in the aggregates, h«£ having made 89, while Robinson starring with an outer and a miss totalled oaly 20. Harding, who came with such a rattle yesterday, made an even greater failure, registering but 14. At 700 yards the velocity of wind had increased, and shortly after the first squads had finished bang went number five target and then four others. Major Sommerville, who usually knows the right thing to do at the right moment, gave the order to cease firing, as he was afraid that tbe whole of the targets would go, and there is no donbt he was right in his judgment. By noon the wind was blowing at hurricane force, and the canteen marquee had been levelled. As there were one or two short range matches included in the programme, an attempt was made to get through these; but immediately the small target was put up the wind caused its collapse, and no further shooting was done for the day. This was unfortunate,' for many of the men were anxious to get away to-morrow, and both Majors Sommerville and Collins were sincere in their endeavour to assist them.

As was anticipated, the Council has decided to fire the 700 yds range over again when the weather moderates. This decision gave general satisfaction, though, of course, there were a few cavillers. The two leading men for the aggregate had completed their shooting this forenoon. MacGregor had scoredll and Robinson 13, and neither will be sorry to have the opportunity of firing afresh. Steadman and Richardson, with only one shot to go, had not increased their previous total. Seventeen shots have yet to be fired to decide the championship. The leading aggregates at present are:— McGregor (Oaraaru)... ._ .. 470 Robinson (Christchurch) .- ... 467 Ross (Woodville) ... ... ... 466 Steadman (Whaogarei) .-. ..'. 456 Rutherford (Kaitangata) ... ... 454 Wilson (Woodville) ... ... ...453 Richardson (Dunedin) . ... ...451 Harding (Blenheim)... ... ... 447 Simpson (Kaiapoi) ... ... ... 446 Armstrong (Dunedin) ... ... 446 McKay (Christchurch) ... ... 445 Domigan (Go:e) ... .- ... 445 Kruse (Wanganui) ... ... ... 445 Lester (Christchurch) ... ... 442 Craw (Akaroa) ... ... ... 442 Pearson (Timaru) ... ... ... 442 King (Oamaru) ... ... ... 441 With two distances completed in the grand aggregate match the highest scores for it are:—Ross, Woodville, 62; McGregor, Queen's Rifles, 62; Wills, Southland, 60; Rutherford, Kaitangata, 60 ; Wilson, Woodville, 60; Simpson, Christchurch, 58 ; Montgomery, Southland, 58. Owing to the delay the shooting cannot be finished before Monday, and the championship will be decided on Monday forenoon, and tbe prizes presented at 2 p.m. on the range.