THE COLONIAL PRIZEFIRING MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 8771, 11 March 1892, Page 2

THE COLONIAL PRIZEFIRING MEETING.

WELLINGTON, March 11. The thirty-first annual meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association opened at 2 30 this afternoon, Mrs Reeves firing the first shot. The weather is dull, with a fresh nor'-wester blowing across the range. The total number of entries to hand so far is 225, but the list is expected to be increased to 240. The competitors generally speak well ot the range. Only the long distance ranges of the first match will be completed to-day. A meeting of members of the Association waß called this morning, when Major Sommeiville explained that owing to some mistake the trench was not plumb. There was a difference of sixteen yards between the firing points and the trench. So far as No. 1 target was concerned the distance was correct, but on the others the distances differed until 25 target, where it was the maximum mentioned. A vote of thanks was carried to Major Sommerville for his explanation, and the meeting suggested that the range should he named the Sommerville range, in recognition of his many years' valuable services to the Association.

Competitors are to have the opportunity of taking the value of thoir sighting shots if they deßire to do so. Some difficulty has been found in securing a person to take the catering. Objeotion has been taken to the large number of men living out of camp, and also that some of those inside are cooking for themselves. The matter will be inquired into by the Council probably this evening. Sergeant-major M'Pherson, of Oimaru, has been appointed Btaff sergeant-major. The prize money in the opening match has been reduced from Ll2O to LBO. 3 PM. A large number of visitors arrived from Wellington by special train. The fiist Bhot was fired by tho wife tf the Minister of Justice in the unavoidable absence oi Mrs Hal'ancr, MBJir Sommeiville, from the firing point at 500 yards, briefly accorded a welcenn to the visitors, and, having laid the gun, Mrs Reeves gave the necessary pull, and a bull's-r y,3 was recorded amidst cheers. The Wellington Match is now proceeding,