NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9990, 21 March 1898, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TEL .GRAM. ) OAMARU, March 19,

The weather was tine with a strong wind from the right when the shooting began on Saturday morning. At the final range of the Grand Aggregate Match the shooting was very poor indeed, and both Smith, of Invercargill, and Bentley of Christchurch, failed to find the target, while, many others only got on a shot or two. In fact the wind completely baffled the men, many of whom blamed the ammunition for it, but this was not correct. Wills, of Invercargill, made top score of 8 . in the Grand Aggregate Match, Montgomery, of Invercargill, Ross, of Napier, and Mc (.regor, of Oamaru, scoring 81 each, Sergeant McFarlane, of Christchurch, finishing with 79, a point better than Corporal Simpson, of Kaiapoi. During the afternoon the wind, which threatened to increase in velocity, gradually steadied, and this enabled the men to proceed with the long range shooting. The Volunteer Match was first taken af_S_ the Last Try, and Bandmaster King, of Oamaru, 90, came out on top with a good score considering the conditions, which were none too favourable for shooting. In this match G. Aitcheson, Kaitangata, and Ching, of Stoke, each put on 30. At 500 yards Pearson, Timaru, and A. Ballinger, Wellington, were the best, while Allport, Nelson; Beadle, Dunedin ; Manning, Christchurch ; and Pearce, Kaiapoi, were only one point behind, and just ahead of Bunkenberg, Wellington, and Jones, of Dunedin, who had rung on 30. At 600 yards the wind was very tricky, and some of the competitors emulated Sergeant Sommerville, who had missed all his shots at 500 yards. McGregor, who leads for the belt, was one of these, and he had with him J. Cameron (Christchurch), Beadle (Dunedin), Robinson (Invercargill), Wickens (Wellington), and Taylor. Of course either the ammunition or weapon, which is that of the Government issue, i-s blamed, and the men will not admit that they themselves are the cause.

The bronze medal match was taken next, and here again the shooting was not first class. At 200 yards C. Reynolds (Carterton) and Captain Williams (Napier) each got on 33; and Ingpen (Woodville) 32 and W. Nimmo (Oamaru) 30. At the next distance Montgomery secured 30, and Nimmo, Welch (Wairarapa) and Speigfit (Dunedin) were close up with only a point behind. - At 600 yards Montgomery was, again the best marksman, and finishing with 25, secured the chief prize, beating Love, ot Wellington, by 4 points. All through the match, and indeed all the afternoon, the wind proved very tricky, and many of the younger shots found it most difficult to hang on. The volunteer tyro match, which, like the volunteer match, is new to the Association gatherings, wa3 taken next, and despite the unfavourable elements, Trebilcock (Christchurch) and Grant (Invercargill) got on the good scores of 47, and finished first and eecond.

It was now four o'clock, and with the view of allowing the northern men to catch Monday's express it was decided to push on with the companies teams' match and the nursery match. In the latter several of the competitors have finished and gone away from Oamaru, but there are several others who have not yet finished, and it would no doubt have been wiser on the part of the Association, considering the circumstances and the order in which the men fired if they had postponed * this match until Monday. However, in fairness to the Council it should be mentioned that the men themselves were so anxious to get away that there was no option but tb go on. In the Companies' Teams Match oniy ten teams are taking part, and consequently the prize money has been reduced to £15, £10, £7, and £4. Only two ranges were completed, viz., the 200 and 500 yards. At the shorter distance the No. 1 team of the Dunedin City Guards had a point advantage over'the Hon. Reserve Corps No. 1 team, the scores being 142 and 141. Next came Kaitangata Rifles 136, and the Petone Rifle Club 135. At the next range, however, Moss, one of the leading team, made a bad burst, and the Honorary Reserves, who finished up with 138, shot up into first place, while the Timaru Port Guards, with 143, were second. Kaitangata Rifles, Petone Rifle Club and Woodville Rifle Club, with 137, 138 and 145 respectively, passed the Dunedin Guards, who got on 124. Sergeant McFarlane, of the Hon. Reserves, is the highest individual scorer, with 63, and those .close to him are :— F. Ingpen (Woodville), Captain Rutherford (Kaitangata) and Volunteer T. Robinson (Hon Reserve), 60; Sergeant Wakelin (Hon. Reserves) 60. There is still the 600 yards' range of this match to be fired. The Nursery Match will be finished early, then the District Match and the volley firing will be taken, thus leaving only the championship to be decided, and this will be shot about 12.40 and the prizes presented on the range about 1.30. Grand Aggregate Match, at 500, 600 and 700 yards seven shots. Wills, Invercargill, £8 ... ... 84 Montgomery, Invercargill, £6 ... 81 Ross, Napier, £5 ... ... ... 81 McGregor, Oamaru, £3 ... ... 81 McFarlane, Christchurch, £3... ... 79 Simpson, Kaiapoi, £2 ... ... 78 McKay, Christchurch, £2 ... ... 77 Rutherford, Kaitangata, £2 ... ... 77 Hastie, Oamaru, £2 ... ... ... 76 Howe, Wellington, £2 ... ... 76 Ingpen (Woodville), Chalmer (Port Chalmers), 75 ; T. Robinson (Christchurch), G. Loveday' (Woodville), Craw (Akaroa), 74; Jones (Dunedin), Speedy (Wairarapa), King (Oamaru), 73; Richardßon (Dunedin), 72; Harding (Blenheim), Lester (Christchurch), O'Neill (Wanganui), Jones (Oamaru), Wilkie (Upper Hutt), Shelton (Bluff), 71— £1 each. Counted out—Allport (Nelson), Raven (Wellington). Last Try Match, for those who have won not more than £8 at the meet; ten shots, 500 yards. Sergeant Kibblewhite, Dunedin, £7 ... 46 Lieutenant Robinson, Riverton,. £6 ... 46 Mr Trevethick, Petone, £5 ... ... 45 Private Pollock, Dunedin, £4 .... 44 Private Jackson, Wellington, £3 ... 44 Trooper Thorpe (Wairoa) £2, 43; Mr Creagh (Oamaru) £2, 43 ;; Mr Matthews (Wairarapa) £2, 43; Private Pearce (Kaiapoi) £2. 42. Private Aitchison (Kaitangata), 42 ; Sergeant Drew (Wanganui), Private Moore (Christchurch), Lieutenant Waters (Port Chalmers), 41; Sergeant Trebilcock (Christchurch). Sergeant Ching (Nelson), Lieutenant Brooks (Tuapeka), Private B. Haipin (Wellington), Sergeant Waugll (Timaru), Private Dawes (Blenheim), Captain Gates (Carterton), 40; Captain McKeich (Tuapeka), Sergeant Claridge (Wellington), Private McLelland, Sergeant Manning (Christchurch), Sergeant Forsyth (Dunedin), Corporal Barraclough (Oamaru), Private Faber (Wellington), Gunner Grundy (Timaru), Gunner Winslade (Thames), Private Gosey (Timaru), 38; Sergeat Burten (Christchnrch), 37—each £1. Counted out—Sergeant Haipin (Wellington), Harris (Christchurch), Edinger (Wellington), Welch (Masterton), Allen (Port Chalmers), Leavers (Karori).

Volunteer Match, open to volunteers only, 200, 500 and 600 yards, - seven shots at each range. Bandmaster King, Oamaru, £8 ... 90 Sapper Lester, Christchurch, £7 ... 86 Lieutenant Dodd, Port Chalmers, £6 ... 85 Sercreant Little, Oamaru, £5 ... ... 85 Private Richardson, Dunedin, £4 ... 84 Sergeant Allport, Stoke, £3 ... ... 84 Sergeant Manning, Christchurch, £2 ... 84 Private Howe (Wellington), 80 ; Sergeant Tonkin (Dunedin), 80 : Private Love (Wellington), 79 ; Private Jones (Dunedin), 79 ; Private Hastie (Oamaru), 78; Private Aitcheson (Kaitangata), 78,; Sergeant Ching (Stoke), 78; Private Pearce (Kaiapoi), 78; Private T. Fraser (Kaitangata), 78 ; ColourSergeant Stephen (Timaru), 78; Corporal Simpson (Kaiapoi), 77: Private Harley (Welbngton), 77 ; Lieutenant Brooks (Tuapeka), 77; .Private Beat (Stoke), 76; Sergeant Shanks (Gore). 76; Private A. Ballinger (Wellington), 76 ; Sergeant Wakelin (Christchurch), 75 ; Private Dawse (Blenheim), 75 ; Gunner Winslade (Thames), 75 ; Lieutenant Domigan (Gore), 75; Lieutenant Dempter {Dunedin), 75—£1 each. Counted out - Sergeant-Major Kibblewhite (Dunedin). Bronze Medal Match, open to winners of bronze medals of the Rifle Association ; 200, 500 and 600 yards, seven shots at each. Mr Montgomery, Bluff, £3 and medal... 84 Private Love, Wellington, £4 ... 80 C*B__n Niutou, Ngapera, & ,„ 80

Mr J. Welch, Masterton, £2 ... 79 Mr Speight, Dunedin North, £2 ... 77 F. Ingpen (Woodville), 77 ; Winslade (Thames), 75; Craigie (Southland), 74; Private Harris (Christchurch), 72; Captain 72; Harford (Marton), 71—£1 each. Volunteer (Tyro) [Match, open to nonprize takers at previous meetings. Government rifles ; ten shot, 500 yards. Sergeant Trebilcock, Christchurch, £6 47 Bombardier Grant, Invercargill, £5 ... 47 Private Gosney, Timaru, £4 - 46 Sergeant Halpin, Wellington, £3 ... 44 Private Pearce, Kaiapoi, £4 ... ■•• 44 Sergeant Worseley (Timaru) and Private Pearson (Timaru) 43; Sergeant Tonkin (Dunedin), Trooper Wain, Corporal Edinger (Wellington) 41; Sergeant Stephen (Timaru) 40; Private Jones (Oamaru), Seaman Johnston (Bluff), Sergeant Beadle (Dunedin) 39, Corporal Fave_ (Wellington) 38— £1 each. Counted out—Lieutenant Brooks (Dunedin), Sergeant Ching (Stoke), Sergeant Claridge (Wellington). Companies Teams Match. Honorary Reserves, No. 1 team (Christchurch), 279 ; Timaru Port Guards, 275; Kaitangata Rifles, 273 ; Petone Rifle Club, 273; Woodville Ri_3 Club, 270 ; Dunedin City Guards, No. 1 team, 266 ; Honorary Reserves, No. 2 team (Christchurch), 261; Wellington City Rifles, 249 ; Dunedin City Guards, No. 2 team, 245; Wellington Guards, 241. This match is unfinished. Nurskrv Match ; ten shots at 500 yards. Pearce (Kaiapoi), 46; Brooks (Tuapeka), 46; W. Nimmo (Oamaru), 45; Wardle (Lyttelton), 45 ; Campbell (Invercargill), 43. This match is unfinished. Following are the fifty who compete in the final stage of the Championship on Monday morning :—McGregor (Oamaru) 489, T. Robinson (Christchurch) 488, J. Ross (Napier) 485,,Harding (Blenheim) 474,, Rich ardson (Dunedin) 473, Rutherford (Kaitangata) 471, McKay (Christchurch) 469, Lester (Christohurch) 467, (Staadman (Whangarei) 466, Simpson (Kaiapoi) 466, Montgomery (Invercargill) 464, Pearson (Timaru) 463, Wilson (Woodville) 461, Craw (Akaroa) 461, McFarlane (Christchurch) 460, King (Oamaru) 459, Domigan (Gore) 468, J. Armstrong (Dunedin) 458, G. Loveday (Woodville) 456, Kruse (Wanganui) 453, W. Ballinger (Wellington) 453, Sommerville (Wanganui) 453, Ingpen (Woodville) 452, Jones (Dunedin) 451, Hale (Wellington) 448, Nimmo (Oamaru) 448, Mcflattie (Masterton) 447, Whyte (Oamaru) 446, Hastie (Oamaru) 446, Begg (Dunedin) 441, A. Billiuger (Wellington) 440, Bunkenberg (Wellington) 439, Howe (Wellington) 438, Smith (Oamaru) 437, Raven (Wellington) 435, Wilkie (Upper Hutt) 434, Dodds (Port Chalmers) 433, Little (Oamaru) 433, Perkins (Christchurch) 429,1. Fraser (Kaitangata) 429, j. Bairstow (Carterton) 429, Turner (Wellington) 429, Purnell (Wanganui) 428, Boleyn (Lyttelton) 427, Chalmer (Dunedin) 423, Lyders (Dunedin)422, Rule (Oamaru) 422, VV akelin (Christchurch) 420, Bentley (Christchurch) 420, Spiers (Oamaru), 417, Wilson (Petone) 417. The last two are a tie for the fiftieth place, and will fire off three shots at 600 yds to settle it.