THE RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING AT NELSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5396, 4 March 1879, Page 2

THE RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING AT NELSON.

[from our own correspondent.] Rifle Camp, Nelson, Monday. The first match was commenced this afternoon. Mrs. Pitt opened tho proceedings with a bull's eye. Only one range, 200 yards, was fired, the remaining ranges to be Bred iu the morning. Good, though nit excellent, shooting was made, one scoring 27 out of the possible 2S, beside several 26's. In this match, as far as I can learn, the Auckland, Thames, and Waiuku representatives have shape ! ra'.her poorly. Kelly made 25, Moore 24, Bow.leu, McT.cjd, Leigh, ami Clark, 22 ; Cameron, McCarthy, Adolph, aud Currie, 21, the remainder being .under centres. Very few are, however, too far behind to be out of it, and to-morrow's shooting at the long ranges will mike some trifling revolutions in the position of competitors. This match doe 3 not count for the championship, and therefore opinions are not very rife yet as to the chances of particular men. The only betting I hive hetrd of at present is a double on Skinner and Armstrong for the two belts. The knowiug ones are trying to get 15 to 1 agaiust it. The range at Bridgewater is said to be the he3t ever yet used for the firing, and the arrangements seem very perfect, with two exceptions, which are the miserably small discs used for marking and the doiges of tho caterer, who will not allow water on the dinner-table, thinking to force a large sale of non-Templar drinks. Just now the camp is rousing for fun after tea. The Auckland squad has invested iu a concertina, and the Ilobson Baudsman is now discoursing popular airs to an admiring crowd of Southerners. One of the Waiuku men has been practising the " Conquering Hero " for some time on behalf of his comrades, and Skinner has had "champion" painted on his tent, so as to be sure of no mistake. Everyone is still hopeful, and tomorrow night I hope to send you news of a great advance of all our men toward the championship. [mess association:] The Volunteers attending the Association, together with the Nelson men, at church parade yesterday, were nearly 300 strong. The men arrived here by train, and camped in 32 tents, to the number of about 150, besides officers' tents. The camp is conveniently near the railway station, aud has been excellently arranged. Entries for the first match have been taken, and it commences at 3 o'clock, but is not expected to finish to-day. In addition to the champion belt, it has been decidcd to give the gold Association medal for second man, and £5 for third in the carbine champion belt match. The additional prizes are: Association medal and £10 to the winner, and silver medal and £5 second.