NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7885, 2 March 1887, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PP.S3S ASSOCIATION.] Cheistchdroh, Tuesday. The shooting was resumed again this morning, but in consequence of the frequent ohanges in the weather, the shooting has been somewhat erratic, especially so in the afternoon, when very poor scores were registered at the 500 yards range of the H.B. match. The competitors declare that winds came both up and down the range at one time completely baffling them, and this together with the varying light makes it extremely difficult to keep on the target. In the Hawke's Bay match private Richardson, of Dunedin City Guards, disputed one of bis shots, and when the range officer proceeded to the telephone connected with the butts to inquire, Richardson accompanied him, as did Lieut. Griffiths, of Blenheim, who was firing from the same mound as Richardson. A protest was at once entered against these two on the ground of leaving the firing point, whioh is said to be a breaoh of clause 27 of instructions to register keepers, which reads as follows : " When once a competitor has joined a squad l he shall not leave it before he has either retired or has completed his firing, and the register-keeper is instructed to see that ' the rule iB observed. The question was at once reported to the staff, who upheld the protest but allowed the men to continue firing. Richardson and Griffiths objected to the staff giving a decision, and it has been agreed that the Executive Council will decide the protest. Should the Council uphold the deoision of the staff both Richardson and Griffiths lose all chance for the belt, as scores in this match will not be allowed. Iu addition to these Riohardson is well up In the prize liat, and ho will lose that if the protest goes against him. The representatives continue to growl at the ammunition, but nothing can be done as there is no other sort in the colony, and frequently the bullets only go half .way to the target. The following is the prize list in the

! Hawkits' Bay Match, 200 and 500 yards ten shots ; open to all members and counting for both belts : — Vol. Johnstone, Clutha Rifles, £10 ... 80 Corpl, Maddook, Blenheim Rifles. £7 ... 79 Captain White, Gordon Rifles, £7 ... 79 Pt. Richardson, Dunedin City Guards, £5 ' 78 Col.-Sergt. Admodt, Wanganui Rifles, £4 78 Vol. Churton, Wanganui Rifles, £4 ... 77 Sergt. McKenzie, Blenheim Rifles, £4 ... 77 Sergt. Glbb, Oamaru Rifles, £3 75 Lt. Hogg,. Clutha Kiflos, 23 75 Sergt. Guy, Temuka Rifles, £2 74 Vol. Hughes, Wanganui Rifles, £2 ... 73 Baudman Badger, Greymouth Rifles, £2 73 Vol. Love, Wanganui City Rifles ... 73 Col.-Sergt. Hale, Wellington Guards ... 73 Lt. Foster, Wanganui Rifles, 73 Sergt. McCarthy, Dunedin Guards ... 73 Sorgt. Manning, Lyttelton Artillery ... 70 Vol. Clark, Thames Rangers 72 Vol. Tyler, Rangiora Rifles 72 Seaman Chapmtn, Lyttelton Navals 72 Lieut. Okey, Taranaki Rifles 72 The last 9 take £1 each. Vol. Kidd, Kaiapoi, 72, was counted out. Should Richardson be disqualified he will take last place, and others go up accordingly. The Auckland Match, 200, 300, anJ 500 yards, seven shot*, open to all, and counting for both belts, commenced at four o'clock, and when " Cease Firing " sounded only one range was completed, and the following are the scores of 30 and over :— Corpl. McKay, Riverton Rifles ... ... 33 Serge. Guy, Tomuka Rifles ... ... 32 Vol. Dowuie, Thames ... ... ... 32 Capt. Little, Auckland 31 Major Browne, Otago 31 Seaman McGregor, Peninsula Navals ... 31 Vol. Johnston, Clutha ... ... ... 31 Sergt. Cumber, Beach Invercargill Rifles 31 Pte. McKay, Rangiora 30 Fergusson, civilian ... ... ... 30 Gun. Williams, Wellington 30 Vol. Churton, Wanganui 30 Corpl. Hutchinson, Dunedin 30 Lieut. Soutay, Wnikari 30 Vol. Toper, Spring Creek .... ... 30 Sargt. Howe, Naseby 30 Vol. IngHs, Thames ... ... ... 30 Vol. Da'ziel, Waikarl 30 This match, it is expected, will finish about one o'clock to-morrow. [BY TBLKGBini.— OWN COliKKi-PONDENr.] Christchuboh, Tuesday. There was glorious weather for the second day's shooting, but both light and wind were baffling, the light especially being very peculiar. The background of the targets is a hill covered with tussocks, which look like waves of the sea when the wind sweeps, and is very embarrassing, with sun shining as well. The wind comes from all quarters ; one minute from right, next left, miking shooting very uncertain. The Auckland men were completely out of it in the Hawke's Bay match, those well up at 200 yards going all to pieces at 503, with the exception of Captain White, Gordons, who takes the third prize of £6. and private Clark, Thames, one of £2. Better shooting is being done by yoar men iu the third match (Auckland) now being fired. Three men will probably bo disqualified in the Hawke's Bay match, Richardson, of Dunedin City Guards, and Griffiths, of Blenheim Rifles, both for leaving the firing point after commencing and before competing ; also, private McKay, Rangiora Rifles, for cleaning out his rifle contrary to the rule. These oases will be decided by the Council at its next meeting. The Auckland men are enjoying themselves thoroughly. Webster was not very woll to-day, which will probably account for his score not being better. Parslow is as jolly as ever, and not a bit discouraged. No doubt be will give a good account of himself for the carbine belt. All the camp speak highly of the arrangements, the beds being clean, and the food first rate. There is a first rate supply of splendid water from an artesian well. The following are the scores of the Auokland men for the Hawke's Bay match : — Captain White, Gordon ... ... ... 79 Private Clark, Thames ... ... ... 72 Captain Little, Hobson ... ... ... 71 Gunner Webster, "A " Battery ... 69 Seaman Weir, Thames ... ... ... 67 Captain Lucas, Thames ... S --<> • jittery Go " Sergeant Taylor, Gordons ... ... 65 Sergeant Hodgkinson, "O" Battery ... 64 Vol. Gentry, Thames 63 Sergeant Searell, Ponsonby Riflas ... 62 Vol. Rout, Victorias ... 62 Guuner Beale, "O" Battery ... ... 61 P. O. Smith, Auckland Navals 60 Seaman Benjamin, Auckland Navals ... 60 Corporal Fairs, Victorias 59 Seaman Thorburn, Thames 59 Vol. Downie, Thames ... ... ... 58 P.Oi Allen, Thames 57 Volunteer Handley, Viotorias 57 Captain Cooper, Victorias 65 Volunteer Taylor, Gordons 54 Lieutenant Leigh, Gordons ... ... 54 Volunteer Inglis, Thames ... ... 54 Seaman Moore, Auokland Navals ... 54 Seaman Brownlow, Thames Navals ... 52 Volunteer Cliino, Thames 50 Gunner Lumsden, "A " Battery ... 50 Corporal Skinner, Victorias ... .... 49 Gunner Younghusband. "O" Battery. . 49 Sergeant Jamev, " O " Battery 45 Sergeant Lee, Victorias 45 In the Auckland match the 200 yards range is finished, and in the first two squads at the 300 yards most of the Auckland men are well up so far.