The N.Z. Rifle Association.

Hastings Standard, Issue 248, 16 February 1897, Page 2

The N.Z. Rifle Association.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

[By Telegraph.]

(P, r p r ,. ss JssiH-iatimi.)

Auckland, Feb. I<>

The New Zealand Ritie Association's annual meeting was opened by the Mayoress this afternoon. The lady was almost within scoring the possible, the inner disc coming up on the line of the bull's eye in a good direction. The Hon Thomas Thompson, Minister of Defence, in a short but felicitous speech, congratulated the association on the position it held, and promised that every assistance would be given by the Government. Major Sommerville replied, and then shooting commenced - Only the 200 yards of the Nelson Match, not counting for the Belt, was completed, and the position was kneeling, sitting, or standing. Some capital ahooting was made.

Only one range was finished, and the leaders are : —Wilson (Woodville) the possible 35, King (Oamaru) 84, M'Kay (Christchurch) 111, H. Doughty (Auckland) 31, Low (Wangauui) 88, Robinson (Upper Jiutt) 88.

This day

The weather is fine, but very hot. The entries are not up to anticipations, and the prize money will be reduced according, which has created a good deal of dissatisfaction. The 500 yard range is not yet ready, and the Nelson match could not be finished this morning. The prize money in the Otago match has not yet been decided, but resulted

Oaten (Carterton), Chicken (Woodville), Mickio (Cpper Hntt), Crow (Akaroa), Harding (Blenheim), Raven (Wellington), Mellattio (Wairarapa), (i. Loveday (Woodville), .lackson (Wellington), King (Oatnaru), L'romlfoot (Dunedin), Parslow, Wickham, Gardener, Hawthorne, McCarthy, Buchanan (Auckland), and W. 11. Ballinger (Wellington), 12 each : A. Cameron (Wairarapa), -11. Ladies' Match, 10 shots at 200 yds, squatting (not counting for belt).

Simpson, Hunting, Cox, Henderson, Ingpen. and Webster -Hi each ; Oates, Waite, S. Wilson, Scott, Taylor, A. Ballinger, <!. 11. llotVems, Head, Pollock, (iardiiH'r, and A. .1. Cameron lo each; Somerville, McKay, I >ouglas, Okey, Lester, Hawthorne, Ross, Halo, and Winslade 11 each. Later. In the Ladies Match, to he tired to-morrow afternoon, there are eighteen entries, fourteen being local ladies. The Otago Match, which was completed this morning, was ten shots at HOOyds, and was won last year by Willmot (Queenstown) with a score equal to Macfarlaue's. Only 10,' i men are competing, which is about the record for the least attendance. The South f-dand, except Christchurch, is very poorly represented. Wilson, of W oodvilie, bring tho highest aggregate scorer in the Otago and Ladies Matches, wins the Carbine Match with l)."t points. lbtwson and t,Vs gold albert and medal is awarded to the competitor who makes the fewest misses at tho meeting. On the last occasion tho trophy given for tho name thing took about twelve mouths before a decision was arrived at. The Cup presented by the Natives' Association is be awarded to the highest scorer in the Auckland, match, and in future t!s< Cup shall go to the highest score in the match named after the locality where the uieftiug is held. The trophy to be> won twice in succession or fhr>*<- times at interval™, before becoming the pro]N% o£ any person. Th>; annual meeting is to be held on Friday night. The pri.-e.- !.«>■■ been reduced as - I'7o matches to and 4*Ut> - , i'Mt « Ilob-N.u and Company's Cup will j Ik-coiuc the pn,>{>*.-rty of the district S winch wins it !i\> tones, all previous j \xin-i to ro.int. ! The lady conn*'ti tors are iua>le hoi: .rary members of the Association. I " LatentM v (irlant*, Hot). lb serve., Christth t-ih, woa tbu Cttrbmtt Cup, uui J \VU*oa

as follows :— Macfarlane (Christchurch) ... 16 Head (Whangarei) ... 15 Langham (Woodville) ... ... 41 Banks (Christchurch) ... 41 Love (Wellington) ... 44 Mathews (Wairarapa) ... 18 Hale (Wellington) ... 48 Irvine (Woodville) ... 18 Howell (Auckland) ... 48 Parsons (Christchurch) ... ... 18 Harris (Christchurch) ... 18 Manson (Christchurch) ... ... 48 Hazard (Auckland) ... 18 \Y. Lovedav (Woodville) ... 13

\Y. li. liallingpr (lYtono) ... 48 Leslie (Wellington) ... 4 H Preston (Aueklaml) ... 17 Maefarlane {('hristchurcb) ... 17 Mellattie (Wairarapa) ... ... 47