RIFLE MATCH AT RANZAU.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 100, 1 May 1867, Page 2

RIFLE MATCH AT RANZAU.

A trial of skill between two companies of the Volunteers of this province, which came off yesterday on the' property of F. Kelling, Esq., M.P.C., at Banzau, excited considerable interest in the two localities more immediately concerned in the result of the competition — Nelson and "Waimea-

wobt. We believe that a challenge was sent by the Wai mea-west Volunteers to the City liiiies, No. 1, some weeks ago, and was at once accepted, but the gaieties consequent upon the late Viceregal visit precluded the possibiltr of fixing an earlier date for the match. The eleven members of the City Rifles, chosen to represent the corps, left town yesterday morning in one of Mr. Newton's omnibuses, accompanied by Captain M'Tavish, Captain and Adjutant' Lockett, and Ser-geant-Major Al borough, and found the representatives of the Waimea-west Company, accompanied by Captain Blundell, already on the spot. The shooting began a little before noon, iv a paddock near Mr. Rolling's residence, which had been kindly lent by him for the purpose, A considerable number of spectators were present, including the Hon. Major and Mrs. Morse, the Misses Ivelling, and a fair sprinkling of the ladies of the neighborhood, who evidently took great interest in the proceedings. Captains M'Tavish and Blundell took the scorns of their respective companies, whilst Captain Lockett and Sergeant-Major Alborough marked at the butts. The two companies shot at three several ranges — 300, 400, and 500 yards ; and after shooting off the first range, the whole party adjourned, on Mr. Kell ing's invitation, to the large barn near his house, which forms such a conspicuous landmark from the AVaimea plains, where they were regaled with a capital luncheon, consisting of literally "'all the delicacies of the season." After ample justice had been done to the viands, to which, doubtless, the exercise in which the party had been engaged added no small zest, the health of Mr. Kelling, with hearty thanks for his generous hospitality, was proposed by Captain M'Tavish, and drank with all the honoi*s. Mr. Ivelling responded, expressing the pleasure it afforded him to see his friends around him on the occasion ; and Captain Blundell then proposed health and prosperity to the City Eifl.es No. 1, to which Lieutenant Percy made an appropriate reply. The health of the ladies, coupled with that of the Misses Ivelling, was then given by Captain M'Tavish, and received with all the enthusiasm with which the toast is ever welcomed by military men. Shooting was then resumed, and was brought to a termination a little before dark, when the Volunteers left for their respective homes, carrying with them jyleasant memories of tlae day's amusement. On reference to the score given below, it will be seen that our Nelson braves did not distinguish themselves on the occasion, and, in fact, the firing on their side was far below their general average. Tin's may, perhaps, be in some degree accounted for by the circumstance that the target was more elevated than that at which they are accustomed to fire ; but, be that as it may, the inglorious fact remains that they were beaten by 40, the City Eilles scoring 385, whilst their opponents made 425. It is only fair to add that they bore their defeat with the best possible spirit ; the joyous sounds of song and merriment, which ever and anon proceeded from the omnibus which conveyed them to town, being anything but indicative of despondency or chagrin at their ill fortune. We understand that the return match will take place on the Nelson ground in about a month's time, when we hope that our local Volunteers will show to better advantage. City Kiflks. 300 400 500 yds. yds. yds. Total. Private W. Morrison ... 17 17 10 .44 Private J. Marsden ...15 14 13 42 Private E. Mum-11 ... 16 13 10 39 Sergeant C. Martin ... 14 9 15 38 Sergeant J. Sharp ...14 12 11 37 Private J. Catley ... 16 12 9 37 Private G. Elliott ... 14 13 10 37 Private W. Skeet ... 18 13 2 33 Corporal Gully ... 12 9 11 32 Knsign Sinclair ... 9 10 G 25 Lieutenant J. Percy ... 8 7 G 21 385 Watmea West Volunteers. 300 400 500 yds. yds. yds. Total. Bugler Tunnicliff ■ ... 17 17 13 47 Private C. Tom linson ... 17 17 13 47 Ensign G. liutherford... 18 15 10 43 Sergeant E. Thomas ... 15 10 16 41 Private Eord 16 14 10 40 Private W. Kent ... 18 12 9 39 Lieutenant W. Barnes .. 15 14 7 36 Private Boddington ... 14 ]2 9 35 Private Arnold ... 11 16 8 35 Private A. Blundell ... 13 11 10 34 Private Price 12 12 4 2S 425