CHRISTCHURCH COMPANIES RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 985, 19 April 1862, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH COMPANIES RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

On Wednesday last, the Ist and 2nd companies of Canterbury Rifle Volunteers assembled on their shooting ground, in Hagley park, to fire for Messrs Hibburd and Co.'s rifles. The weather was all that could" be desired ; a soft light, and scarcely a puff of wind. On y the ground we observed Captain Aynsley and several Ivaiapoi gentlemen, but the muster of spectators was very small. There was a marquee on the ground, where an excellent lunch was provided for all who were disposed to accept the liberality of the officers. Thirty members of the Christchurch companies and Mr. Joseph Beswick, of Kaiapoi, contended for the prizes, but we are sorry to say that the Christehurch has not clone anything on this occasion to elevate the fame of Canterbury. Of the 31 competitors, only 12 scored more than 14 points out of 15 rounds, and one individual, from whom we might have expected better things, absolutely never hit the target; another only scored 1, and several did not reach 7. The total shots fired were 465, the points scored, 386; a most unsatisfrctory result to all parties concerned. No. 2 company was singularly unfortunate, only one member we believe (Mr. Mountford) making above 14 points! It is. only just, however, to say that many of the competitors have had but little practice; by and by, we hope to see them do better. We subjoin a return of the firing of those who scored above 14 points, from which it will be seen that the highest number obtained was by a member of No. 5 (Kaiapoi) Company,—Mr. Joseph Beswick..

KAMES. O o -3 O5 O •a | a I o o • r-t Beswick, Jos. (Jvaiapoi) Bishop, E. B. ...... Johnston e, A. ' Johnstone, T. Guinness, F. Lowther, Herbert Ballavd, J. p Medrtings, Win Mouutfbrt, B. W. Hilliard, T. G. ... "." Barnes, W. H Tombs, Wm. 8 10 9 10 9 9 9 10 7 10 11 8 10 3 8 10 7 5 5 G 6 5 4 7 G 8 4 1 4 6 5 3 5 1 0 0 24 21 21 21 20 20 19 19 18 16 15 15 3 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 6 4 4 8 5 7 8 7 7 4 4 5 3 7 1 2 1 7 6 3 5 1 2 1 2 3 2 6 4, 2 2 4 3 6 7 8 7