RIFLE SHOOTING AT NELSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5397, 5 March 1879, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING AT NELSON.

[PKR "HERALI)" SPECIAL WIRE.] [from our own correspondent.] Rifle Camp, Nelson, Tuesday. The first match was concluded to day, when the 500 and 600 yards ranges were fired. Great dissatisfaction prevailed this morning on the competitors discovering that the ranges had been very incorrectly measured, and there was some talkof firing thefir3t range again, but tbi3 was soon dropped. The 200 yards range was 3G yards too long, and the GOO yards, 75 yards. This mistake was rectified before proceeding this morning, but it was followed by one equally unsatisfactory to half of the competitors,— namely, that o£ squadding the- men. The result was that the morning squad had a dead calm to shoot iu, and won nearly all the prizes, while in the afternoon a very stiff breeze completely nonplussed the competitors. Many of the Auckland and Thames men were unfortunate in getting into the last squad. As will be seen by the scores, three prizes—the sth, 10th, and IStb, —fell to the share of the Auckland men, —namely, Moore, Bowden, and Leigh,—the former making a fine score of GS ; Bowden spoiling a splendid score by beiug obliged to lire his last shot in a heavy gust of wind, which shifted the bullet over the top of the target. Skinner and Woolley were close up, with GO c.ich, Skiuner being a partner of Bowden in his misfortune with the last shot. Tho Thames men aud the remainder of the Aucklanders do not shine as yet, Cooper making a dead sot for bottom place, and nearly, if not quite, succeeded. Kelly had a grand show, but missed his sixth shot at 500 yards, and made five points and as inauy misses at GOO yards. The second and third matches were commenced while the afternoon squad finished the first. Little Moore, who has made himself a great favourite amongst us, stands second at present in tho third match with 33, the top man beiog 37. Barns, of Nelson ; Harris, Thames ; Carrie, Waiuku ; and Leigh, Auckland, are well up with 33 in tho second match, but this unfortunate afternoon squad is determined to wipe out their disgrace by a tall score to morrow; and, judging by tho threats of the Hobson bandsman, something heavy may be expected. The Engineer has done a good deal of sapping and mining iu the Hills, but is making great promises as to storming the first prize to morrow. Daring the day a number of ladies visited the camp and range, and the knowing ones credit us with spoiling our scores more by payiDg attention to eyes brighter than bullseyes than by misfortune. A concert takes place here to-morrow to console the unfortuuate, of whom more to-morrow. [PUBSS ASSOCIATION*.] Firing commenced at 1 o'clock. The weather was overcast, but splendid for shooting. Squads from yesterday completed the 500 and GOOyds. 200 yds. 500 yds. GWyds. Tl. Oaklay, Tarinaki .. .. 22 2G 22 70 Hutcbinson, Otago 22 26 22 70 Paynter, Stoke .. .. 23 24 22 69 Moore, Auckland .. .. 23 21 24 C 3 Ballington, Wellington .. 20 25 22 67 Monk, Wellington .. 24 26 1G 6C Bowden, Auckland .. 22 23 20 65 i£artell», Ficton .. .. 22 25 22 64 Atcheson, Riverton .. 24 21 29 61 Prome, Wellington .. 25 20 19 64 The others are :—Buckley, Christchurch, 60; Kent, Nelson, 52 ; Allan, Thames, 54; Doig, Stoke, G3; Philpotts, Picton, 51 ; Gorrie, Blenheim, 49; Sutton, Blenheim, 49 ; Ballinjer, Wellington, GX ; Hunter, Nelson, 37; Hancock, Riverton, 55; Sutton, Blenheim, 49; Cording, Wellington, GO ; : Harding, Oamara, 62 ; Kermoai, Port j Chalmers, 52 ; Clark, Thames, 61; Harris, 31; Laird, Wanganui, 41; Soper, Blenheim, j 50; Boyd, Nelson, 81; Thorburn, Nelson, 30 ; How3en, Christchurch, 47 ; Cressock, Stoke, 54; Haycock, Wakefield, 41 ; Grey, Waagmui, 43; Jenkins, Christchurch, 4S ; Fairs, Aucklaud, 51 ; Nicholson, Wanganui, 54 ; Bold, G2 ; Marshall, Westland, 57 ; Leigh," Auckland, G3 ; Winsefc, 36; Crossman, Nelson, SS; Hood, Blenheim, 56; Freeth, Picton, 41 ; Wilcocks, Clutha, 56; Armstrong, Thames, 55; Miller, Dunedin, 59; Crapp, Napier, 55 ; Stagg, Marlborough, 34; Small, Thames, GO; Burns, Nelson, 53 ; Morris, Oatnaru, 61 ; Curry, Waiuku, 47 ; Cuff, InvercargilJ, 55 ; Lancaster, Wellington, 56 ; King, Oamaru, 62 ; Hunter, Stoke, IS ; McKenzie, Blenheim, 46 ; Wansetfc, Nelsou, 2S ; Burr, Napier, 4S; Silcock, Wakefield, 53; Woolley, Auckland, 60; Judge, Christchurch, 50; Freefcb, Picton, 48. 5 p.m. This afternoon the first squad fired in matches 2 and 3, which are the first ones counting in the belt competition,—the former being for the ritie belt, the second for the carbine belt—distance 200 yards. Seventysix have fired in the two matches. At , present the top scores in match 2 are , —Burns, Nelson, 36 ; Kitchcn, 35; Paynter, Stoke, 35; W. Ballinjer, Wellington, 35; King, 34 ; Atcheson, 34 ; Marshall, 33 ; Lee, ; 33; L\ogers, 33; Crossman, Nelson, 33 ; 1 H. Currie, 33; P. Adams, Nelson, 33 ; McKenzie, 32 ; Cuff, 32 ; Morris, 32 ; Capt. Small, 32 ; Willcocks, 32; Hutchinson, 32 ; Freeth, 31; Lancaster, 30; Freeth, 31 ; Dalloa, 31 ; Philpotts, 31 ; Gorrie, 31 ; Sutton, 31; A. Ballinger, 30 ; Hancocks, 29 ; FT. Satton, 29; Cording, 29; R. Harding, 29 ; J. Hunter, 29. i Fur the Carbine Match, — Nev, 35 ; Moore, 33; Armstrong, 33; Cropp, 29; Bowden, 30; Price, 31; Hunter, 31; Woolley, 32 ; Judge, 30 ; Stone, 33 ; Leech, 31 ; Captain Gully, Nelson, 31 ; Harris, 33 ; Laird, 2S ; Lloyd, 21 ; Houston, 30 ; Hood, 30. The first match is not completed yet.