SOUTHLAND DEFENCE ASSOCIATION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1272, 29 December 1903, Page 2

SOUTHLAND DEFENCE ASSOCIATION.

The third annual prize tiring held by the Association opened on the Grasmere range on Boxing Da; and continued on Monday. The rain which fell early in the morning delayed proceedings, but a good start was made at 9 a.m. This year there were 102 competitors, as against 140 last year, the deficiency being caused by the absence of Dunedin men, who are not granted railway passes. Home fair but not much brilliant, shouting was done. At 200 the nmrksnianship was good, two man putting on 33. At the 500 yards range Priv. France (Gore) just missed the possible. At 600 yards the wind got puzzling and variable, and several of the leading competitors went down, Corp. Graham (Gore) taking second, and Priv. Bannerman (Gore) third. At 700 yards (not counting for the championship) 72 men competed, the wind being puzzling. Private France (Gore) was the winner of the Nursery match with a good score. Private Young (Go're) being third. Tho Gore Rifles won the Mackenzie cup right out, their team having taken it last yeai. For the volley firing match, seven shots at 700 yards, for teams of five, seven squads entered, and fired within the time limit of 45sec. The winners turned up in the Bluff Guards, with 20 on the black and eight on the white—a total of 48. The Oreti and Gore Kiflcs tied for second with 44 points each. The championship event was the first event on the second day. This was won by Mr A. R. Wills (S.R.C.). with Gore competitors occupying the following positions: Corp. Graham, third; Priv. France, tilth, Priv. Bannerman, eighth, and Capt. Domigan ninth.

The Mackenzie Challenge Trophy, which was instituted in 1902, was won by Gore twice in succession. The previous trophy of the Association was the Caledonian Cup, and was won by the Southland Rille Club. This trophy waa presented in 1895, and it was 11)01 before it had been won right out. Gore won it in 1000, and was only two points behind in 1901. Having in two successive yeaiseomo out on top, while in four years the company have been first three times and second on one occasion, shows what remarkably good shots there are in the corps. Prize-list :

Mackenzie Cup Competition, open to teams of live men from any corps or riflo club within the boundaries of the old Southland sub-district; seven shots euch lit 200, 500 uud 000 yds. 200 500 000 yds yds yds T1

Southland Kille Club .. -102 Bluff Guards .. .. 101 Oreti Hiflea B Team .. 357 Gore Eiiliis 1! Ten in .. 382 Mataura Riile Club.. .. 3SI Mercantile Killes .. .. 31/0 Awarua Bides .. .. 31!) The following were the scores made by the Gore Killea B Team and the Mataura ltiile Club:—

200 yds, seven shots—Serpt. A. Cowan (Winton), 17s Gd, 33, 1; Lieut. Salmon (Bluff), 17s (id, 33. 2 ; Trooper A. R. Ayson (Murihiku), 8* 9d, 32, 3; Mr Joe Johnston (S.R.C.), 8s <Jd, 32, 4; Capt. Mackie (Clinton), 7s (id, 32 ; Priv. G. Young (Gore), ss, 31 ; Corp. Graham (Gore), is, 30; Priv. McKenzie (Gore), 4s, 30. 102 entries. 500 yds, seven Lennie (Oreti), 20s, 35, 1; Priv. France (Gore), 15s, 34,2; Sergt. Capstick (Bruce), 10s, 33, 8; Capt. Domigan (Gore), (is, 32 ; Mr A. Balneaves (Mataura R.C.), (is, 32 ; Trooper A. R. Ayson (Murihiku), (is, 32; Trooper W. S. Ayson (Muvih'ku), ss, 31; Sergt. Kelly (Gore), ss, 31 ; Priv. G. Young (Gore), Is, 29. 102 entries.

7()oyds, seven shots—Trooper A. H. Ayson (Murihiku), 20s, 2!l, 1; Priv. Norris (Bluff), 15s, 2i), 2; Priv. McCormick (Winton), 10s, 27, ;i ; Priv. Young (Goro), lis, 20; Priv. Preece (Gore), ss, 25; Mr A. Balneaves (Mataura), Is, 22; Mr J. Hamilton (Mataura), 4s, 22. 72 entries. Nursery Match, 200 and 500 yds, seven shots—Priv. France 'Gore), 15s, (i2, 1; Capt. Mackie (Clinton), 12s lid, GO, 2; Priv. Young (Gore), Ms (id. 110, 3 ; Mr T. Mcliowan (Matp.urn), 4s, 57 ; Priv. Biinncrmaii (Gore), 2s, 54; Priv. McKer.zie (Gore), 23, 53 ; Corp. Hunter (Tapanui), 2s, 40. 52 entries. Head and Shoulders Match, under Service conditions; seven shots at 300 yds. Priv. Young (Gore), 15s, seven Mis, 1; Mr J. Murphy (S.R.C), Priv. Phillips (Colac liny), Priv. McKenzie (Gore), Priv. Mcltae (Awarua), and Mr A. K. Wills (S.K.C.), wi.h six hits each, divided 7s (id ; Tr. A. K. Avson (Murihiku), five hits; Tr. W. S. Ayson (Murihiku), four hits. Lnst Try, open to those who had not won prize money of the value of 10s ; seven shots at 500yds-Sert;t. Shanks (Gore), £l, 31. 1 ; Priv. Urie (Winton), 15s, 31; Sergt. Duthie (Bluff), 10s, 31; Priv. \V. 11. Johnston (liiutl) 7s Gd, 31; Tr. \V. S. Ayson (Murihiku), 7s lid 30; Lieut. Gilkison (Mercantile), (is, 20. Counted out: Priv. Cox (Gore), 20. Teams Volley Firing ; seven volleys at 500 yds, within time limit of 45sec, under vice conditions—BlulT Guards won this with a score of 50 ; Gore and Oreti ltilles divided second and third money (113) with a score of 44 each. GUA.ND AOOIIKGATE. Mr A. E. Wills (S.K.C.), £2 10s and championship .. .. ..131 Tr. A. U. Ayson (Murihiku), £1 10s .. 120 Corp. Graham (Gore),'£l .. .. 123 Sergt. Cowan (Winton), 15s .. .. 121 Priv. France (Gore), 15s .. ..121 Corp. Cockroft (Oreti), 10s .. ..120 Sergt. Farrell (Awarua), 10s .. .. 120 Priv. Bannerman (Gore), 5s .. .. lis dpi. Domigan (Gore), 5s .. .. 118 In the final stage for the championship, 10 shots at 700 yds, Wills seored 41, Ayson 38, Graham 35, Cowan 30, France 35, Cockroft 30, Karroll 35. Bannerman 35, Damigan 34.

Goke A Tuam. Corp. Graham .. ao 2'J 211 — 88 fiiv. France .. 28 35 24 — 8(1 Capt. Doaiifian .. 21) 32 '23 — 84 Shanks ... 28 2'J '23 — 80 Sergt. Kelly .. 28 31 10 — 09 4C7

Goue Bu lks B Team. Priv. Young 31 2!) 25 — 85 Priv. Banniiiman .. 21) 25 211 - 85 Priv. McKenzie SO 23 27 — 83 Priv. Preece 30 27 22 — 711 Priv. Cox.. 21 22 11 — 55 382 Maj'auba Rii'Li: Cldji. Mr Iialr.caves 2!) 32 2-1 - 85 Mr MoGowan 211 28 23 — 80 Mr Stendman 2H 22 25 — 75 Mr Wallon 2li 24 22 - 72 Mr Smith 21) 21 10 — 00 381