RIFLE MATCH.—DUNEDIN V. AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1311, 29 January 1868, Page 3

RIFLE MATCH.—DUNEDIN V. AUCKLAND.

The challenge thrown Out by Mr. W. Sly, of the Scottish Rifles, Dunedin, to fire a friendly match with the best-shot in the Auckland Rifle Volunteers, was accepted by Mr. W. H. Hazard, of No. 1 Company (although not'professing to be the crack shot in the corps), end the match came off at the butt*, Point Chevalier, yesterday. The competitors left Auckland at nine o'clock, and were accompanied by a very large number of the Auckland Volunteers. The weather was fine, with a light northerly breeze blowing across the target. Xhe firing, on the whole, was not equal to what might have been expected on either side, although Hazard succeeded in beating his opponent by snn 8- The ran B es decided upon were 300, 400, and 500 yards, seven shots at each range, in any position. At eleven o'clock the bnag wns co mißenced . when about to retjro to tif fi I y- 3DRB [t wao discovered that Hy's rifle aTdtr £? J*' ° Wlng to the baek "Sbt being consxderrtly bent. Accordingly, with th« conslnt of

Mr J Hazard, end their referees, Mr. Sly obtained another rifle, and the range st 400 yards was fired over again. Hatard led off well at the first rango with two centres, followed by an outer, two centres, and two bulls'-eyes, giving him a total of 22 points. Sly commenced with an outer, but his next two shots fell short of the target. His succeeding shot, however, gave a better result, he having placed bis ball in the centre of the bull'e-eye. Ho then scored two centres and wound up with another buU'e-eyo, making a total score of fifteen points. At the next rango Hazard made a splendid scoroof twenty points, whilst hie opponent only succeeded in adding twelve to lm name. By this timo Hazard was fifteen points in advance of his opponent, but at the last range ho was unable from some unaccountnblo reason to hit the target, whilst Sly managed to add ton to his name, which brought him within five of Hazard. Considerable excitement prevailed throughout the contest, and although the iotal scores of eithor competitor wore far below the overage, both men are known to be good shots, und better scores may be expected at the return match, which we bohovo will take place when Mr. Sly (who is connected with tile s.e. Willington) returns from Dunedin next month. Mr. Hazard is deaemng of every praise for nw promptness in taking up the challenge- on tho part ot the volunteere, and we are glad 10 bc« thai- '■-•>:■ has come off victorious. We were rathfr HiifHeH -a« lit. Morrow, who has the honov of holding ti'.' chamy'.on belt, did not come forward and accept the chal!co.<;a. The, following is the score with the p' : -is adu-.d : 300 yds. 400 yds. 000 v<is. Xotui, W. H. Hazard .'',324334 0333344 0000000 12 W. Sly 2008-12* 0020343 2032300 37