THE RIFLE COMPETITIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 7153, 5 March 1887, Page 2

THE RIFLE COMPETITIONS.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

CHRISTCHURCH,,March 4.<i| Some interesting changed werV made in l the positions of the leading aggregates for the belts to-day. When! firing was resumed this morning, Captain Whitejhad a lead'd 6 points for'the rifle belt, - : butprfter the fiist! stage of $e Wanganui Ma^hAnd the final stage of the Christchurch Citizens’ Match had been got off, he, was only 3 points to the good, Captain Little (Hobson Rifle?, Auckland) and Private Johnston (Clutba) tieing for second place, Toward evening the final distance of the Wanganui Match taken, and with far White completely broke down, scoring only 13 ior his teh shots' at 600 yds, while Captain Little put on 31, and Private Johp6jkpn.20 t This gave Little a decided lead for the championship, the principal aggregatesbeing little 338, Jonnston 327, White 328; but as fifteen shots have yet to be fired it is impossible to foretell where the coveted prize will go to. In the Carbine Match the alteration of position was even more pronounced. M‘Gorkindale, of Oattiaru, who now makes his first appearance at a colonial rifle meeting, gained 16 points over the veteran, Parslow, heading him at the close of the day by 15 points. . . | The Christchurch Citizens’ Match was concluded at 4.30 this afternoon, Private Johnston with 79 taking first place, a position he occupied in the Hawke’s Bay Match, fired on Tuesday. The shooting, however, was nothing like as good as it was last year, When the winner scored 95. It U worthy of notice that out of thirty-one prizes given Otago takes no less than eleven--a most creditable performance. The following is a list of prize-takers : Christchurch Citizß>s’ Match. -200, 800, and 800 yards; seven shots at each distance; first ptlso LB and silver cup (presented by the Sydenham hotelkeepers)! valued at LIQ ; second, L 8 add plated surer cup'; third, L 6 and a revolver; 4th, LB and a table; fifth; L 4 and a silver-plated jug; sixtn, LS and a silver-plated cup; seventh, L 3 and a cose of colonial wines; eighth, L 3 and a ease of colonial beer; ninth, L 8 and a tea and coffee service; tenth to fifteenth, LI and trophies; sixteenth to twenty-third, LI and trophies; twenty-fourth to thirty-first, LI each. 200 800 800

The Otago men scored as follows : North Dunedin Rifles Frederic, 70; Volunteer Hutchinson, 87 ; Crawford, 63; Corporal T. Hutchinson, 69; Black, 64; M'Nab, 66; Boothby, 49; Miller, Peninsula Navals—Lloyd, 71; Oakdon, 65; M‘Gregor, 60; Morris, 57 ; Begg, 66 ; J. A. Sanderson, 64 ; J. Sanderson, 62. West Taleri—Kernpshell, 70 ; WDormid, 34. Wakati - M’Miikan, 70; Hay, 68; Dalziel, 68]; Jones, 57; M'Beath, 64; Sonntag, 49; Wilson, 46. South District Mann, 70; Corporal Gcddcs, 66 ; Private Geddes, 54. Clatha—Johnston, 79: Hogg, 66. Oamaru—Morris, 71; Tomporo, 50; Hart, 64; Somerville, 57; Gibbs, 63 . Scottish—Leslie, 44; Paterson, 40. Otepopo Cosgrove, 66; Patten, 37. Eist Taleri—Hendry. 70. South Dunedin—Wpkinson. 65. City Guards-Richardson. 63; Crawfoid, 4#5 M'Chrthy, 45. Dunedin Artillery—Chalmois, 45. Naseby—Law, 65; Hosio, 69. Kaitangata— Simpson, 66. Caversham—Ml nc, 40; Crosswell, —; Staffmajor Burns, 61. Sandymount Dickson. 55. Waitahuna—Martin, 66. Engineers—Lyders, 70 O imnru Artillery—Oreagh, 68; M'Oorkindale, 71; Rule, 62 ; Harding, 60.' Port Band—Birnos, 60. Port Navals - Harrhy, 65; U'Donaid, 61; Buckley, 40; Wilson, 45. Oamaru Navals—Lewis, 69 Dunedin Navals— Woollett, 43.

Owing to the strong glare of the sun towards evening, it took the markers some time to register the hits on the targets, and as a result the Wanganui Match was not completed till dusk, the last squads abaclutcly firing in the twilight. At 600 yards the shooting was indifferent, and most of it would have disgraced the local Rifle Association’s meeting. Misses were made in abundance. Three men actually failed to hit the target in their twelve shots, while Private Dickson, who was the winner of the aggregate prize at our own last Association meeting, only made six points. Wanganui Match (for rifles only). yards; ten shots at each distance.

Counted out: Rout (Auckland), M‘Kenzie (Riverton), Soper (Spring Creek),. Inglis; (Thames), 50 each. . Maboh 3. An early start was made this morning: with the second distance of the West Coast; Match (carbines only), the first stage of’ which was fired yesterday. The weather! was fine with a strong southerly wind. The prize-money is well distributed, Wellington’ being first, Auckland second, Otago, third, and fourth. Tub West Coast Match.— Booyds and 608 yds; ten shots at each distance.

Counted out: Gunner Beal (Auckland), 50. In the same match last year 84 secured the first prize, and 67 seventeenth, showing, a falling off in the firing, for which the defective quality of Kynock’s ammunition! is alone to blame. The Otago men scored thus: —

Port Navels-M Donald, 46; Wilson, 83; Buckley, S3. Oamaru Artillery M'lJorkindale, 60 ; Rule, 47; M'Groeor, 45; Crcatrh, 20. Peninsula Naval*— Begg, 68; Sandertoo, 40; Lloyd, 36; Oakden, 34; M Q.oitor, 32; Wt-ir, 23. Dunedin Navals—Woolle t, 49. Port Chalmers Artillery—Waters. 52; Driver, si; Watson, 41; Harding, 45; Mitchell, S3; Ashe-, 3!; Hornby, 81; Bandsman Barnes, 40 Engineers— Lydors, 36. Oamaru Navals—Lewis, S3. Dunedin Artillery—Chalmers, 80. . ,

Oamaru has been selected as the scene of next year’s meeting. The, decision was come to mainly in consequence of the liberal manner iu which the Oamaru residents promised subscriptions when there was a talk recently of not being able to ■ get a suitable range near Christchurch.... The voting was nearly two to one in favor of the White City; but most of the Wellington and Marlborough representatives were absent from the camp, and they are furioUs at the decision arrived at. To-day Captain M’Credie (Wellington) and Captain Rogers (Blenheim) are very active in endeavoring to get the representatives to sign a roundrobin asking the Council to get the,matter reconsidered, - with a view to having J<he decision reversed and Blenheim selected.' The majority, however, are unlikely to sign/ in which case the move will fall through. - : 1.40 P.M.

The leading riflemen continue to hold their positions. The Otago Match (seven’ shots at 200, 300, and 500 yards) is now being taken. At. the first distance Little made 30, Johnston 27, White 28, Kempsbell 29. Their aggregates now are— r

Of the carbine men MlGorkindale continues to hold his lead, but, lias fallen off. M’Corkindale's aggregate now is 3fiQ; Howe stands at 351, and Parslow at--349, “ At the 200 yards of.the Otago Match the bpst stores weretnade byYolunteer Hutchini son (Dunqdin),, and JCtdpr-rargeant r ßat-

the defeotlveammuand it is proposed to buh»?Bsnook on Monday night. \ f | \. 2.30 p.m. £ A japjiltity has arrived Ar&n the cartridges being of 5 a Mglft j color were eagerly sought for. of round the camp to ths ambulangg Wp\- this implying that his “jjjblc.” In the j,second Match Johnston made thrfe rnisses, diring Little a lead of 22 poThts. is coming up fast, and is now only 3 points behind Johnston. M'Corkindale is increasing bis lead for the carbine belt.

.jm ■ • The second range of the Otago Match was completed at 350 p.m, Purnell (Wanganui) has made 66; Rule (Oamaru), 63; Rodgers (B'enheHn)j*s3. The rifle aggregates are— 1 Little - .. .. .. .. 887 ’ ~ White .. .. .. 876 Jobneton .. .. .. .. 80S : Kempshell .. .. .. .. 862 The carbine aggregates are— M'Ccf indale 881 . Howe 377 Pa-slow .. ~ .. 373 : 3.57 P.M. It has been arranged that the championship will be concluded on Monday at six o’clock. The Team Match will be fired on Tuesday. ■

The annual meeting was held in the camp last night, Captain Somerville in the chair, and about 300 members present. The election of a Council resulted as follows Captain Rawlings, Nelson ; Captain Rogers, Blenheim; Captain Creagh, North Otagp; Captain Acheson, Invercargill; LieutonanCcolonel Mahon, Auckland •..Private Richardson, Dunedin; Captain M'Credie, Wellington ; Captafal Somerville, Wanganui; Mr Meddihgs, Christchurch; -Lieutenant Ross, Napier; Captain-'Lucas, Thames; Lieutenant Findlay, Smith Canterbury, It was resolved—" That a member of Council elected for any particular district shall reside within the district which he is elected to represent.” “ That this meeting understand that every member elected to the Council shall attend the next meeting of the Association unless prevented by circumstances over Which he has no control.” Captain Collins, of Wellington, was unanimously elected honorary secretary and treasurer, with a hearty vote of thanks for past services. It was decided to ask the . Defence Minister to procure 500 Martini - Henri rifles for the use of the Association at once.

A suggestion, from Colonel Bailey that each man should fire in his own district for Association prizes could not be entertained. A vote of thanks was passed to the Defence Minister for the assistance he haa at all times given to the Association. 'On the motion' of - Captain Rogers, an honorarium of forty guineas Was voted to Captain Somerville for the valuable assistance and services rendered-by him to the Association.. ■

yds. yds. yds VPrivate Johnston, Olutha .. 27 25 27 79 17 Captain Little, Auckland Private Gonfcy, Thames 27 26 21 — 28 25 21 — 77 Gunner Webster, Auckland 1 • SO 22 22 — 71 Private Love, Wanganui 81 21 19 — 71 Sergeant Benton, Feathcrston 27 21 21 — 72 Private Wright, Kaiapoi .. 26 25 22 — 72 Private Morris, Oamaru 27 21 21 — 72 Gunner M'Oorkindale, Oamaru 25 22 21 — 71 Gunnmr Lloyd, Peninsula N. 21 26 21 — 71 Private Howell, Taranaki 28 26 19 — 71 Private M'Keczie, Uastcrtpn . 28 21 , 19 — 71 Private Richardson City 0. .. 28 25 IS 71 Mr Haokworth, civilian 21 21 25 — 70 Private Cato, Wellington 23 23 21 — 70 Corp. Lyders, Dunedin Engrs 21 16 23 — 70 Mr Ferguson, civilian .. 26 22 22 — 70 Sergt. Kempshell, W. T.ieri .. 28 23 19 — 70 Private M'Meikan, Wakari .. 29 23 18 70 Sergt. Remington, Wanganui SI 21 18 — 70 Sergt. Mann, South District .. 27 26 17 70 Private Fndrio, N. Dunedin 20 26 16 — 70 Private Rout, Auckland 26 26 19 — 69 Corporal Lavory, Christchurch 28 22 19 — 69 Private Gulliver, Rangiora .. 21 22 22 — 68 Captain Cooper, Auckland .. Private Walker, Napier 28 22 20 — 08 26 23 19 — 63 Lieut. Benton, Feathcrston .. 27 22 19 — 68 Private Gentry, Blenheim 25 25 18 — 68 Sergt. Parslow, Auckland Art. 26 27 IS — 63 Corporal Uaddock, Blenheim 21 22 15 — 68

Corp. Sandford, Choh. Ridas, L10 .. 300 yds. SO 600. yds. 81 - Tl. 70 Major Burns, Otago, L7 .. 85 27 — 62 Captain Little, Auckland, LO SO 31 — 61 Private A. Ballinger, Wellington, L5 28 82 - 60 Corporal Maddock, lilonhelir, Li . Sergeant Crowther, Invercargill, L4 80 27 - 67, 20 29 - 55 Vol, Lewis.Ctiiislobuich Reserves, L3 32 23 — 65 Corporal Fairs, Auckland, LS .. 32 22 — 61 Vol. J. Ballinger, Wellington, L3 .. 28 SO - 68 Captain Cosgrove, Otopopa, L2 29 25 — 63 Sergeant Chuck, Blenheim, L2 31 19 - 63 Suigt. Kcmpshell, WestTaieri, L2 25 27 — 62: Private Hoggan, Mastorton, L2 29 23 - 62 Private Gentry, Blenheim, LI 80 22 - 52 Sorgt. Mann, South District, LI .. 31 21 — 62 Captain Purnell, Wanganui, LI : . 28 23 - 61 Cj plain Lucas, Thames, LI .. Lieutenant Okcy, Taranaki, LI 28 23 — 51 SI 18,61 Sergt. Parkos, Wanganui, LI 23 27 - 60 Private Clark, Thames, LI.. 24 20 - 50, Sergeant Jones, Wakari, LI 27 2i — 60,

3"K) BOO yds. yds. TI. Gunner Howe, Wellington Art., L10 ,, 36 35-701 Gunner Lumsdcn, Auckland Art,, L7 .. 33 27—65; Gunner M'Oorkindale, Oamaru Art., L8 38 22 - 60! Staman Begg. PeninsulaNavals, L6 .. 26 23-68 P.0 Taylor, Wellington Navals, LI .. 32 26-68' Oorp. Williams, Napier Artillery, L3 .. 23 83-56 Gunner Payne, Auckland Artillery, L3 26 81-58; Gunner M'Pherson, Invercargill Art, Lt 83 23-66 Seaman Weir, Thames Navals, L2 81 21-56! Gunner Lewis, Oamaru Navals, L2 .. 81 : 24—65, Oorp. U'Konzio, Wellington Art., LI .. 27 26r-63 ( Sergt. Parslow, Auckland Art., XI .. 31 22-63; Lieut. Waters, Poit Chalmers Art. LI.. 31 21-52; Seaman Thorburn, Thames Navals, LI 88 10-62; Trooper Wall, Wairoa Light Horse, LI 26 28—51* Gunner Driver, P.O. Artillery, LI SO 21—6l| Sergt.-major Jackson, Timaru Art., LI 26 26-611

The leading carbine aggregates now are :— M'Corkindale, Oamaru Artillery • • •• S3S Paralow, Auckland Artillery .. 830 Howe, Wellington Artillery .. Webster, Auckland Artillery 326 ,, „ 3U Drummond, Napier Artillery .. 813 10.25 a.m

Little . 868 Johnqton , White '.. . ... 861 Kempshell .. . . ... ..840