INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2521, 23 February 1872, Page 2

INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH.

"We are glad to sec that the proposed International match, a match in which the winning team can gain nothing but honor, has excited so much interest and competition among the Voluuteers of Auckland. It shows that they are willing to give time and trouble towards perfecting themselves in the use of the rifle, irrespective of whether there are any prizes to bo won by their practice. We are informed that about forty men ha7o competed for the honor of representing their nationalities, and that applications have been made by Volunteers residing in tlie out-districts, even in the Waikato, to be allowed to enter their names for the match.; and we hope that the gentlemen who may arrange the preliminaries of any future competition of the same character will be able to extend the privilege to all Volunteers of the province. The idea of having rifle matches between representatives of the different nationalities of the United Kingdom, originated with the Volunteer meeting at Wimbledon, and such a competition has for many years past been one of the most prominent features there. The contest is for the honor of holding, until the next competition, a challenge shield, presented by Lord Elcho. Each team of eight wears a distinctive badge, and the country which wins the match takes possession of the shield and lodges it in one of the principal buildings in its capital town.

Thus, when the English have been victors they have drawn the trophy on a gun carriage to London and placed it in the Guildhall. At present the score runs thus :—England has won in seven trials, Scotland in three, and Ireland has made no show as yet.

In the match coining off to-morrow there is no tangible proof of victory to be fired for ; if there were, there might be some difficulty in finding suitable places in which to deposit the trophy ; but in other respects it is intended to adhere to the established tradition, as badges of distinction will be worn bj T each team. The English are mounting St. George's Cross (a red cross on a white ground) ; the Irish a gold harp on (of course) a green ground, with a wreath of shamrock surrounding it; and the Scotch a silver thistle on a blue ground. The firing is iutended to take placc to-morrow at Mouut Eden, commencing at about 1 o'clock, and we hope that the teams may have respectable shooting weather, so as to assist in bringing to a successful conclusion what has been pronounced to be " the best match of the season."