VOLUNTEER'S COLUMN.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 815, 15 December 1865, Page 2

VOLUNTEER'S COLUMN.

Yesterday, after the match between the Cunediu and Port Chalmers divisions of the Naval Brigade, Lieutenant Robertson and Petty Officer Hardy challenged Captain Paterson and Lieutenant Thompson to lire a scratch match at 500 yards, 3 shots each, which resulted as follows :—Captain Paterson, 9 ; Lieutenant Thompson, 9 ; Lieutenant Robertson, 10 ; and Petty Officer Hardy, 11—thus leaving the challengers the victors by 3 points. On Saturday last the Oamaru Rifle Rangers elected their officers as follows : —Captain, Mr. O'Meagher; Surgeon, Dr "Wait ; Lieutenant, Mr Fotheringhaiu ; Ensign, Mr Locke ; Senior Sergeant, Mr Williams ; Covering Sergeant, Mr J. Lees ; and Corporal, Mr R. M. Payne. Tub General Government Gazette contains the Regulations for shooting for the Government Prizes, for Volunteers and Militia, for the years 1535-6. The Colonial prizes, are to be shot for in Wellington, on a day to be named. There are five Colonial prizes, the first being £ 100, and. leave to wear the champion pouch and belt till the next annual competition. The second prize is £75, with the medal given by the National Rifle Association. Competitors for the Colonial prizes will fire at ranges of 400, 500, and 600 yards, 5 shots at each range, without artificial rest, any position. Size of target,. 6x6; centre, 4 feet ; bull's eye, 2 feet. Value of points—bull's eye, 3 ; centre, 2 ; outer, 1. For the colonial prizes not more than 23 competitors can be permitted, of whom the Province of Otago may send two. The passages of these competitors to and from Wellington will be paid by Government, and a sum of ten shillings a-day will be allowed to each non-resident during his detention at Wellington. Competitors for the colonial pi'izes will be chosen as follows : The 20 best shots for each set of district prizes will fire three shots at each range of 400, 509, and GOO yards, without artificial rest, any position ; size of target same as used in firing for district prizes, and value of points the same. The highest scorer will be the representative of the district to compete for the colonial prizes, but no district will be allowed to send a representative who does not score at least 30 points. Every intending competitor must give notice in writing of his intention to the commanding officer or Adjutant of the district in which he resides on or before

the 24th of December next. For District prizes, Otago is divided into two districts, with, four prizes for each—first £lO, second £7«105., third £5, fourth £3. Competitors for the district prizes will fire at ranges of 300, 400, and 500 yards—s shots at each range, without any artificial rest, any position ; size of target and value of points same as for the colonial prizes. No prizes will "be given in any district unless there are 20 competitors. The Government long or medium Enfield rifle or the breech-load-ing carbine must alone be used, and no prizes whatever -will be given in any case for a less score than 20 points. Two sighting shots at each range will be allowed competitors. Every intending competitor must give notice in writing to the Adjutant or commanding officer for the district prizes before December 24th, and for the colonial prizes before the 30th December next, and then some day in the month of January will be apx>oinfced for the firing.