Waikaka Notes.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 214, 12 November 1896, Page 2

Waikaka Notes.

Net to be behind other great centres, Waikaka determined to celebrate our future king's birthday with the usual concomitants of such an anniversary. A strict holiday was proclaimed and duly observed, all commercial and State business having been suspended. So universal, indeed, was the observance that the dispensing.establishments partially followed the general example. The Rifle Club had arranged for a match open to all-comers, but no doubt owing to the desire to take advantage of the recent favorable change iv the weather, none from outside turned up. The members of the club had provided a very nice collection of prizes to be shot for, and it was a pity that more compstition was not forward. Some half-dozen members, however, were present, and one outsider, who evidently did not feel very much at home, to judge from his uncertain manipulation of the " Old Bess " style of weapon he used. It is to be feared, however, the marksman rather libelled the gun, for, when taken in hand by another competitor, it seemed to behave with proper and becoming gravity. Still the " outsider " regards with much disfavor anything " made in Germany." Considering the total want of practice, aud the very unfavorable light, the shooting was not by any means bad. Mr A. Hamilton showed good form throughout the three ranges, viz., 200, 300, and 400 yds, winning the second distance and the aggregate, coming in second for the 200 yds range. Mr McLean ran him pretty close, however, being only one point behind for the aggregate, making the same at the 300 yds. Following are the prize ecores : — 200 yds (seven shots). — James Harvey (21) Ist, jewel case, presented by Mr A. Hamilton ; A. Hamilton (20) 2nd. 300 yds. — A. Hamilton (22) Ist, ink-stand, presented by Mr A. McDonald ; J. McLean (22) 2nd. 400 yds. —D. Johnston (24) Ist, album, presented by Mr W. F. Bennetto ; J. McLean | (20) 2nd. | Aggregate. — A. Hamilton (61), book, pre- | sented by Mr J. McLean. ! The other prizes were all cash. I If the club intends to continue, and there ' is no reason why it should not, it would be | well to dispose of the present supply of arms (Sniders to wit) to some of the tribes away in Central Africa. No one with the slightest taint of civilisation would take them at a gift. The ammunition, too, seem"? admirably adapted to the weapon. As an illustration of the certainty of rifle- i shooting — the uncertainty of cricket is not a circumstance to it — I may mention an incident that ocourred at Monday's match. ; One man, in his eagerness to commence action, omitted the formality of adjusting the sight on his piece. Of course it was but a trifling omission and really did not affect the result, for, while the sight was set for 100 yds, he took careful aim at the mark, 200 yds, and scored. By the time, however, , his turn came to fire again, he discovered that the sight xequired adjustment, and, ;

having set it, took deliberate aim the second time, and — missed. The marksman counted upon nothing less than a "bull" at the second attempt. — Own correspondent.