TEE BISLEY RIFLE TEAM

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 43, 19 August 1902, Page 7

TEE BISLEY RIFLE TEAM

Last week's perfect if somewhat sultry summer weather (writes a correspondent to tho Oauiaru Mail under date London, 4th July) proved an agreeable change for the riilo tejni after the almost continuous downpour experienced since their arrival. Mackintoshes were hastily exchanged for tho light gear worn in the tropics on the Paparou, and the team revelled in the sunshine. Owing to the postponement of tho Coronation festivities, practice was continued steadily, some fine scores being registered. The members of the colonial teams havo been made Hon. members of the "English Twenty, Club," and on. 20th June -Messrs. King, Hawthorne, and J. G. Wilson took part in a. competition of tho club. Two matches wore fired, the first at 200, 500,, and 600 yards, and the second at 900 and 1000 yards, seven shots at each range. In the first competition Mr. King, with 95, was one point behind top man, Mr. Hawthorne making 91 and Mr. Wilson 89. In the second competition Mr. Hawthorne came out on top with the fine score of 61 — 29 at ,900 yards and 32 at 1000 yards. It is not yet" known what prizes the New Zcalandcrs are likely to secure, but Mr. Hawthorne is certain of dne for his longrange shoot., Tho Frnze'r rifles brought by the team from thfr colony .hove developed defects arising from their having been (ap the boy paid, of his breeks) "new too soon." Lieut.-Colonel Sommerville has obtained from the War Office fifteen regulation Lee-Etifie!ds. These were, as, he put it, "extra-specially selected," and *eem to be giving the team every satisaftcion. So far the authorities hnve paid no attention to the plaint of the colonial riflemen nnent the monstrous charge of 10s per 100 rounds for practice ammunition. The Federal team have also "kicked" at this "immoral fleecing of the innocents," a,nd, with Colonel Davics, nn native, not to say aggressive, ally, and 'Richard Seddon also on the warpath. Lieut. -Colonel Sowmerville bns hopes that the charge will nob only be reduced to reasonable limits, but abandoned altogether, and the money already paid out refunded — in due course. Personally. I think the cbarjre will be discontinued, but it is only the very «ancuine man who is hopeful of cet« tinct back cash once a Government department has pot a crip on it. [A cable message has lately informed us that the charge for ammunition has been discontinued.]