THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1207, 27 September 1867, Page 4

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

(Prom the Illustrated London News.) Nothing cnnld exceed the desolate appearance which the Camp at "Wimbledon presented on the morning of Thursday, July 10, for the heavy night's rain Lad in many placcs obliterated all traces of earth, and left m its p]nco largo ponds of water. A large number of volunteers hud taken their departure for their homes. At iatervals the rain fell heavily on those who were left, but at about dinner-time the weather closed up, and the shooting proceeded with great spirit. The principal item in the programme was the_Klcho Oimpetigo Shield, the annual competition between eight representatives of England, Scotland, ana Ireland. This match is shot with any description of rifle, at the respective distances of 800, 900, and 1000 yards. At the 800 yards' range the Scottish had made 408 points, against 401 by the .English, giving the; Scotch a majority of four only, the Irish making a total of 380. In the second range of 900 yards the English made 360, tho Scotch 351, andlrish 324, making the gross totals at the two ranges of 800 and 900 yards as follows :—England, 7(J4; Scotland, 759;' and Ireland, 704. As tho day advanced, the interest in the contest in-: creased. At the 1000- yards the score was of the most fluctuating description ; sometimes tho English had the lead, sometimes the Scotch; and this continued throughout the whole period. As the contest approached a termination numerous visitors crowded round the firing points, and every shot was watched most anxiously. At length the whole fifteen shots at this extended range were fired, and comparing notes it was found that the score stood a3 follows : —England, 1097 ; Scotland. 1096, giving Kngland a majority of one only ! At the time, the gun fired the Irish had eight rounds to fire, but as they could notjpossibly make up the required number this made no difference to the result. As soon as it was known that the English had won there was loud cheering. In the last range of 1000 yards the Scotch had first completed their shooting, and the gross score they made had be n declared. The number was communicated to the English just as Private Baker, of Bristol, was about firing his last shot, and the Inst shot on tho English side. On the numbers Iming stated to him'he jocularly ex- : claimed, " if ere goes to win the shield: for England." He fired, made a bull's eye;'and thus determined the contest. Had he made anything less than a bull's eye Scotland would have been entitled to the prize, as they had'made the' greatest score at the longest range. Such 1 an* exciting scene as the declaration of the winner of this pi-ize by the bare' majority of one has never been witnessed since the institution of the' National Rifle Association. ' i