RIFLE COMPETITION.—CAPTAIN CLARK'S BELT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6214, 17 October 1881, Page 3

RIFLE COMPETITION.—CAPTAIN CLARK'S BELT.

The annual firing for the district belt presented by Captain Clark (the present Mayor of Auckland) for competition amongst the Auckland volunteers, took place at the Mount Eden Rifle Range on Saturday. The firing was at the Wimbledon targets. The wind, of which there was very little, was northerly. The rain, which had been threatening all the afternoon, came down heavily at 3 o'clock. Firing was postponed in consequence, after two ranges had been completed. It will be resumed next Saturday, at 2 o'clock. All those whose scores are under 20 points should stay at home as they hare no chance of competing successfully for the belt. Very little interest was shown in this competition. Major Derrom was in command, assisted by by Captain Mahon. All other officers, except Major Morrow and Lieutenant Robinson, who were competitors, were conspicuously absent. The scoring was very poor, indeed, the highest being only 34 at two ranges, with 10 rounds, out of a possible 50, i caused no doubt by the entire absence of practice at the standing and kneeling positions, both of which are positions constantly used on service. The average is wretchedly low, being very little over 20 points out of 50. There are only 27 of 20 points and upwards, and these average a little over 20 points a man. This is not good enough for Parihaka. The following are the scores. We may add that the position was standing at the first range and kneeling at the second :—

Volunteer Buchanan, No. 3, IS; Sergeant Bloxsome, Victoria, 18; Captain Uirnie, Scottish, IS; Sapper Allen, Engineers, IS ; Corporal Cooper, Victoria, 17 ; Sergeant Soall, No. 3,17 ; Sapper Vr'oolley, Engineers, 17 ; Volunteer H. Townsend, No, 3, 17 ; Volunteer Hazard, No. 3, 17; Volunteer Jones, Victoria, 17 ; Volunteer Cameron, No. 3, 10; Volunteer Harley, Victoria, 16 ; Gunner A. Payne, Artillery, 15 ; Volunteer Pithkethloj-, Victoria, 14; Volunteer I>o<lds, Nuvals, 14; Gunner Grant, Artillery, 13; Sapper Gapos, Engineers, 12 ; Volunteer McCarthy, Ilobaon, 12; Sapper Harley, Engineers, 7; Volunteer Allen, Navals, 0. The Thames Scottish Battalion held the second competition for Mr. .Lewis' silver cup to-day. Tiie ranges were 200 yards, 400 yards, and 500 yards—seven shots at each range. The day proved fine, but very gusty ; but, notwithstanding this, good scores were made. The score was won today by Volunteer Brownlow, with the fine score of So points. The following are some of the highest scorers :—Browlow, So; Downie, 82 ; Kendall, 7S ; Brownlee, 75; Buttle, 74 ; G. Lawlor, 74 ; G. Clark, 74; Heron, 74; Griffin, 72; Creigliton, 65 ; Richardson, 04 ; Burns, 5S ; Ingles, 57; Scott, 57. Besides the cup the scores to-day count the first aggregate for two valuable prizes presented to the battalion by Auckland merchants.

Names. 200yds.300yds. Ag. Gunner T. Cell, Artillery .. .. 13 10 — 34 Sergeant C. Watson, Victoria ..20 14 — 34 Volunteer J. Fairs, Victoria ..15 15—30 Serjeant D. llay, No. 3 .. ..15 14 — 29 Gunner W. Trayes, Artillery .. 11 17 — 23 Sapper Sterling, Engineers ..14 14 — 2S Sergeant McLeod, Victoria ..11 16 — 27 Major Morrow, No. 3 .. ..12 15 -27 Volunteer Skinner, Victoria ..10 11 — 27 Volunteer James Leigh, No. 3 .. 15 10 — 25 Volunteer Adams, Victoria ..10 9 — 25 Volunteer E. Townsend, No. 3 .. 11 13 — 24 Volunteer T. Fairs, Victoria ..13 11 — 24 Lieutenant Robinson, No. 3 ..16 8 — 24 Volunteer Hamilton, Victoria .. 9 14 — 23 Gunner J. Trayes, Artillery ..15 8 — 23 Volunteer Teirney, No. 3 .. ..15 8 — 23 Volunteer Smith, Navals .. ..17 (5 — 23 Volunteer Belsham, Victoria ..13 9 — 22 Volunteer J. Elliott, Jlobson ..12 9 — 21 Sergeant C. Taylor, Victoria .. 13 S — 21 Volunteer J. W. Leigh, No. 3 ..16 5 — 21 Sapper Shaw, Engineers .. .. 4 16 — 20 Vohintoor.T, Loo, Victoria.. .. lO* 10 — 20 Gunner Henderson, Artillery .. 14 0 — 20 Volunteer W. Partington, No. 3.. 14 0 — 20 Volunteer Nicholson, No. 3 ..16 4 — 20