N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3538, 10 November 1882, Page 4

N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

(by telegeaph.) Dunedin, November 8

The shooting to-day was the most important one of the meeting and excited a good deal of interest as it was known that the championship would be decided during the afternoon.' The weather was extremely cold and showers passed over the range. Very few spectators were present; in fact, there has not been a large attendance of the public at any time during tho whole meeting. The firing to-day was very slow. The Rifle Company's Challenge Match, which started early in the morning, only finished at 4.30 p.m.

The twenty highest aggregate scorers for the carbine belt then took up their positions for the last match, ten shots at 500 yards. The greatest interest was shown in the result, as Gordon, Allan, Weir, and Gill were within a point or two of each other. Allan started with a mis?. Thi3 appeared to dishearten him, and he finished with a poor score. The others, however, made fair shooting. Turner, of the Wellington Artillery, scoring 43 out of a possible 50, and beating all the twenty at this range by seven points. At 5.10 pm. the last shot for the carbine championship was fired, and Colonel Stavcley, amid great enthusiasm, declared Lieut. Cordon, of the Thames Naval Brigade, to be the winner, and as he won last year he retains the belt as his own property. Seaman Gill, of the Thames Navals, and Bombardier Turner, of the Wellington Artillery, tied for second place. In firing off the latter made a miss, and Gill, making a bulls-eye Bcored second position. Seaman Weir, of the Thames, is fourth, aud F. France, Wellington .Navals, is fifth. The following are the full scores of the twenty : — Lieut. Gordon, Thamea Navals, 312; Seaman Gill, Thamea Navals, 305 ; Bombardier Turner, Wellington Artillery, 305; Seaman Weir, Thames Navals, 304 ; F. France, Wellington Navals, 303 ; Trooper Ferry, Alexandra Cavalry, 302 ; Bandsman Howe, Wellington Navals, 301; Sergt. Allen, Dunedin Artillery, 300; Thomas, Thames Navals, 300; Sergt. Wellington Artillery, 298 • Seaman Floyd, Th-imcs Navals. 294 ; Lieut. M'Credie, Wellington Artillery, 293 ; Capt. Somerville, Alexandra Cavahy, 293; Captain Holmes, Wellington Artillery, 290 ; Seaman W. Harris, Wellington Navals, 288 ; Lieut. Ross, Napier Artillery, 287 ; Seaman Stitt, Wanganui Navals, 28b'; Gunner Jack, Dunedin Navals, 283 ; Gunner M'Kenzie, Wellington Artillery, 280. Gordon, along with the belt, takes the N.Z.R., a gold star, and ££0 ; Gill takes the N.Z.R., a silver star, and £25 ; Turner the N.Z.R., a silver star, and £15 ; Weir £7 10a., and France, £5. Turner being the highest scorer at this range will be the recipient of a cup presented to the association by a Dunedin citizen. At the conclusion of the match Gordon was carried shoulder high up to the pavilion. The final stage or the Rifle Championship was then proceeded with, and at 6.15 p.m. Sergt. Kennedy, of the South Dunedin Rifles, was declared the winner, with a score of 316 ; Vol. Coventry, Dnnedin , Guards, 311, second; Vol. Harding, Oamaru, 311, third ; Sergt. Hogg, Clutha, 305, fourth. J. and W. Wiliocks tied for fifth place, and in firing off the latter scored a bull's-eye to bis brother's 3, and took fifth prize. Harding and Coventry also tied for second position, and in firing off the latter made a bull's-eye to Harding's 3. There was not so much interest taken in the rifle belt, as it was a foregone conclusion that an Otago man would win it. Lieut. Grossman, of Nelson, who was well up for the belt, made an unfortunate mistake at the last range, which completely threw him out of the contest When at the 500 yards he by some means put his first five shots on the wrong target and of course they were counted as misses. Kennedy was loudly cheered on his victory, .and he also was carried shoulder high up the range. The following are scores of the twenty highest for the rifle belt:—Sergt. Kennedy, South Dunedin Rifle, 316 ; Vol. Coventry, Dunedin Gards, 311 ; Vol. Harding, Oamaru Rifles, 311 ; Sergt. Hogg, Clutha Rifles, 305; Vol, W. Wiliocks, Clutha Rifles, 301 ; Vol. J. Wiliocks. Clutha Rifles, 301: Sergt. M'Lntchie, Bruce Rifles, 298 ; Corporal Webster, Dunedin Guards, 296 ; fceryt. E. Mooseman, Wanganui Rifles, 295; Lieut. Reed, Bruce Rifles, 294: Vol. Borne, Clutha Rifles, 292; Corporal Sutton, Spring Creek Rifles 290; Vol. 11. Mooseman, Wanganui Rifles, 389 ; Corporal D. Mills, South Dunediu Rifles, 288; Volunteer Miller, South Dunedin Rifles, 287 ; Volunteer Brooks, North Dunedin Rifles, 287 ; Volunteer Foster, Wanganui Rifles, 286; Lieut. Crosfman, Nelson Rifles, 285; Lieut. Purnell, Wanganui Rifles, 283; Sergt. Johnston, North Dunedin Rifles, 278. Kennedy, in addition to the belt, takes a gold star aud £50 ; Coventry, a silver star and £25 ; Hardinrr, silver star and £15 ; Hogg, £7 10s ; Wiliocks, £5. The extra match for the cup presented by Mr Fergus, M.H.R., was then competed for. The conditions of the match were 18 shots at 200 yard?, standing position. M'Cartney, of Portobc-110, won the first prize with a score of 30. The other principal scores were— Farslow Auckland, aud Mills, Dunedin, 29; Nutsford, Patea, 26 ; Harding, Oamaru, 25. 'I'his was the best match of the day.

In the last range for the rifle belt Harding, Oamaru, was the highest scorer and takes a cup presented to the Association.

Dunedin, November 9

This morning tbe competition for the Union Steamship Company's trophy was decided. Private Sontag, of Waikari, was the winner.

The distribution of prizes took place afternoon, the Mayor of Dunedin officiating. Gordon (carbine champion) and. Kennedy (rifle champion) received their prizes. There was great enthusiasm displayed on the belt being handed to Gordon. The Mayor siid" that Gordon had proved himself the bent carbine shot iv New Zealand, not only at this meeting, but at all previous competitions, and he hoped that he would long continue the interest which he now took in a contest of this kind. On descending from the platform Gordon was cheered vociferously. This is the first occasion on which Kennedy has won the rifle belt, and he also received hearty cheering. Gordon takea £67 10s in money prizes, aud Kennedy £70.

At tLe review tin's afternoon 900 VoluiitcciM were present, including the Dunedin, J.nvercar/»il], and o:imaru companies. 'J'he different movements were well executed, and the march past elicited applause from the spectators, who assembled in large numbers. The weather throughout was fine. The follow ing are the competitors who have taken upwards of £10 in prize money during the meeting .-—Sergeant Kennedy (South Dunedin Rifles) ,£7O, the rifle champion belt, and the New Zealand Rifle Association's gold star; Lieutenant Gordon (Thames Naval Brigade), £67 10s, the carbine champion belt, and gold star; Tolunteer J. Coventry (Dunedin City Guards), £41, silver star and cup; Private Harding (Oamaru), £38, silver star aud trophy; Seaman.

Gill (Thames Naval Brigade), £37 and silver star; Volunteer J. Wiliocks (Clutha Rifles). £22; Seaman Weir (Thames Naval Brigade), £20 10s; Petty Officer F. France (Wellington Naval Brigade), £20 and Hyndraan's medal; Volunteer D. Mason (Clutha Rifles), £20 ; Corporal Turner (D Battery, Wellington), £19, silver star, and Mayor of St. Kilda's trophy ; Volunteer W. Wiliocks (Clutha Hifl.es), £18; Color-Ser-geant Hogg (Clutha Rifles), £15 10s ; Volunteer Sontag (Waikari Rifles), £15 and Union Conpmy's cup; Volunteer A. Ballinger (Wellington City Rifles), £10 and Nelson cup; Volunteer H. Brookes (North Dunedin Rifles), £14; Gunner W. McKenzie (D Battery, Wellington), £13; Volunteer E. N: Smith (Dunedin City Guards), £12; Volunteer O. Home (Clutha Rifles), £12 ; Volunteer J. Home (Clutha Rifles), £12 ; Sergeant Allan (Dunedin Artillery), £12 : Corporal Crazie (Invercargill band), £12; Bandmaster A. Mooseman (Wanganui Rifles). £11.