THE RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. FINAL DAY'S SHOOTING.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 59, 11 March 1905, Page 6

THE RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. FINAL DAY'S SHOOTING.

THE VOLUNTEER TEAMS MATCHES . (From Our Special Reporter.) THE HANGB, This Day. A mere handful of men, not more, than 60, aro in camp this morning to woe out the final of tho most successful rifle meeting yet held in tho colony. This morning the weather is again perfect, uo wind nnd a warm sun. Tho Inat stage of a very harmonious meeting wus marked by a discordant note raised by Sorgt. Tinnoy, of the Wellington Guards. When the entrants for the company or bivtt.ilion teams matches paraded, it was found that a few members of the Tarunaki and tho Christchurch Engineers were M'ithout pouches, which meant disqualification unless the other contestants raised no objection. Colonel Collins, who waived tho point as Commandant, asked tho sergeants in chargo of the other two teams, Sergt, Lester (Taranaki) and Sergt. Tinney (Wellington Battalion) what they intended to do. Lester did not object, but the Wellington non-com, did, and then tho Colonel said that as two teams must be disqualified, thero could be no contest, as the rules declared there must be thrco contesting teams, or no match. Eventnftlly the threo necessary pouches were found, and the Colonel allowed another panicle, and the inspection wns satisfactory. Before- sending tho four teams down to tho ranges Col. Collins addressed the men. Ho recited tho incidents above recorded, and concluded by declaring that he thought the action of the Wellington team "was moat unsportsmanlike," particularly as tho absence, of a pouch would not have affected tho men's shooting. In the volley-firing match, 600 yds and 7QQyd:», seven volrcys at each nmge in prono position, time for shooting 45sec, with magazines, Nelson scored 221, Taranaki 101, Canterbury Engineer!) 182, and WolKngtou 135. In tho rapid-firing (Commrtnder-in-Chiefs match), Nelson 32, Tarnnaki 26,, Canterbury 19, and Wellington 18. The Colonbl Ammunition Company's match (No. 20) nnd Challenge Cup whs won by JMson, 17 hits, Canterbury Engineers and Taranaki, 21 each, Wellington 8. Rapid-firing, 600yds— Nelson, 32 ; Tnranaki, 26: Canterbury, 19 j Wellington, 18. Nelson won three of tho events, making it* representatives 1 winnings for the meeting £141, two cups, and a shield.