OUR MEN AT BISLEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 6

OUR MEN AT BISLEY.

. * . WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. 'AN INTERESTING LETTER. Fridav, .Mini' !), saw the arrival o[ (ho Now Zealand liisjuy (cum ill good health and condition (writes our social covn-s----pondDiit from Hi.-loy camp). The voyage was one on which the learn may congratulate, themselves, the "howling wind" and the "foaming sea" being conspicuous by (heir entire absence, fold we certainly had until we rounded the Horn, but warm clothes and plenty of exercise mado the time pass bearably. Dances and concerts, in which members of the team were conspicuous, helped to liven the spare moments of the passengers, and, in the deck games, the team figured more largely still. Landing at .Monte Video, Rio, and Santa Cruz ile Telicriffe increased our knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese, but sadly decreased our available cash. Notwithstanding that, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Chief among the fights is Ihe Corcovado Mountain at Rio, the view from which pen cannot describe. Other objects of interest were the Dreadnoughts. "Sao Paolo' and "Minas Geraes," both of which wo found at anchor in Rio Harbour. .Monte Video and Santa Cruz were both interesting, but could not compare with Kio. Smallpox on Board. The day after leaving Monte Video Captain Clifford notified the passengers that a case of smallpox had been reported by the doctor. The case turned out to lie a baby, which, accompanied by its father, had joined tho boat at Monte Video. Naturally the report caused considerable conccnv among the passengers, and the rush for vaccine kept the doctor busy. The case, however, was immediately isolated on tho fovedeck, and approach, forbidden. The next nueslion was: "Could wo land at Kio?"' Anxiously we waited tho port doctor's verdict. Ten minutes passed, and then came the cheerful news, "All passengers may land." Immediately there was a rush for the boats, and many a hat was dangerously near going overboard, so anxious wore tho owners to show tho state of their feelings. After a delightful day spent on shore the further good news awaited us that the case had been landed, and that it was a very mild one, tho infection from which fumigation would prevent. At Bisley Camp. The tedious journey up the Thames to the Victoria Dock being completed, the team, after making its adieux, left for its temporary quarters at the Wavorloy Hotel, Southampton Kow. Saturday and Sunday were, spent in visiting the High Commissioner's Office, ordering uniforms, and sight-seeing, and, on Monday afternoon, tho team left for Kuaphill, Surrey, tho permanent quarters. This delightful little village is situated about half an hour's walk from the Bisley Camp, and its walks and general freshness are much apprerialed by tho team.

On Tuesday morning we made fho first visit to Bisley Camp in search of letters, rilles, etc. The letters read and rooms assigned, the rifles were produced, and (heir smothering of grease removed. They wore found to ho of territorial pattern ■with "lugs" on either side of (he foresight, which is knife edged, and built up. The holt lias no cover, and is spanned by a bridge. Naturally members of the team were anxious to try what was to them a new weapon. The opportunity was given that afternoon with very fair results. Next day—raw and handicapped as we were—we all entered for the London and Middlesex Association's meeting, held on tho Bisley Range. The day of the meeting was beautiful, but marked by a.most fitful breeze. In fact, many old consider it one of the worst days they had ever experienced at Bisley. Their First Efforts. Thero were three matches—Vice-Presi-dent's Match, 10 shots at .100, in which CitthbeHcon (17), Halliday, Frank, and Ncodham (46), and .lames (45) reached the prize list. The bull's-eye (reduced to 18in.) will partly account for these scores being well up in the prize list at such an casv range. In the Grosvcnor Challcngo Cup-301) and GOOvils, 10 shots at each—Frank (S!>), Hondorsoa (85), Cox (85), Lovcday (S5), Marshall (85), and King (St) were most successful, .while Wakely, of Feathcrston, took a tyro prize, with 7G. In (he last match—The President's, seven shots at 200, 500, and GOO-King and Halliday wero both counted out, with 95. All the Now Zealanders shot before the late evening, when tho wind dropped, and allowed some good scores to be put up, notably those of \Y. C. F. Cook (103) and G. C. Churchill (Honourable Artillery Co.). and Maurico Blood (Stock Exchange Kifle Club), 100 each. The aggregate was won by Sergeant-Major .?edgewiek, 3rd Dragoons (235), with Churchill and Mann—both noted shots of the Honourable Artillery Co.—second and third respectively. The New Zoalamlers finished as follow:—

Frank, 14th, 225; Cos, 39th, 221; Loveday, 42nd, 221; Hallidav, 51st, 220; King, 55th, 21D; Marshall, 60th, 219. Amongst the competitors were: Sergeant-Major Wallingford t'Gth, with 22G); Major Richardson (59th, with 210); Captain Davios (30th, with 225); Sergeant Fulton (31st, with 225). Four ladies tried their luck, one, Mrs. Alton, getting 25th place, with 228. The others were Mrs. Chapma.'i, Miss Smith (South London R.C.), and Mrs. Holmes, who nil compiled respectable scores. Slack Management. To. Now Zealand eyes, tho running of the meeting was slack, competitors went down almost as I hey wished, -and coaching was freely indulged in. Some fired singly, some in twos, and some in threes. Sighfcers were allowed at GOOyds., and not at 500. although this was remedied later on. Somo were allowed practice shots; others were denied the privilege, owilis to shortage of time. It is to bo hopcil that moro system exists at the big meeting. Team Weak in Coaching. I understand that it is possiblo that S-ergea.Tit-Ma.jor 'Wallingford will rehire via Sydney with the team, and that, if his appointment is made in lime, he will compete, as a New Zealnndor for (he King's. At anyrate, he hits placed ins services as coach at our disposal for ~ie teams' match. We arc exceedingly fortunate in this, as coaching is our weak point, and, many a time, the wish has been expressed that Ching, of Nelson, or SMie other good coach'bail been added to the I earn. However, if ■Wallingford is available, we stand a good chance, as ho is probably the finest shot, if not in the world, at least in the British Dominions, and his experience of Bisley will be invaluable.

Up till Coronatioa time, practices will be continued, and will bo resumed after tho festivities are over. Much is yet to be done, as Bisley takes a lot of studying. Tho augles and lights and winds are ,'o different from those we are used to in New Zealand. Distances seem greater, and there are many eondilio.'.is lo wiiic> we will have lo adjust ourselves.

[As tho cables recorded the other day, Ihe New Zealand team's hopes in (he Teams' Match—the ' Kolaporo Cup competition—were not realised.]