TEE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8157, 20 January 1890, Page 6

TEE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

WINNER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

THE TEAMS MATCH WON BY THE

I "A" BATTERY. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunkdin, Saturday. Hap the Rifle Association had the choioe of weather they could not have had a better day for firing the championship than was experienced on Saturday. The sun shone out brightly while there was barely a breath of wind to cool the atmosphere. About nine o'clock the proceedings opened with the Teams Match, for which 27 teams bad entered. Owing to there being no targets available at the GOO yards, it was arranged, in order to expedite the . shooting, to substitute the 300 yards for the 600 distance. At the first distance all possible was made by Sergeant Parslow (Auckland Artillery) and Mr. Gulliver (Rangiora Rifle Club). It is worthy of mention that the last named gentleman has not previously fired at the range, as he had been engaged all the week at telephone work. The Rangiora team made the best score at this distance, putting on 164, or the splendid average of almost 33 per man. At 300 yards the Wellington Isavals made 141, the rawonga Rifle Club and Kaitangata Rifles coming next with 136 each. Private Bassford, of the Christchurch Reserves with 31 had the best individual score. Going back to the final distance the leading teams were Wellington Navals, 293; Rangiora Rifle Club, 292 ; Auckland Artillery, 291. The excitement was great at the 500 yards range. However, the "A " Battery ran clear away from all the other teams, eventually winning by 23 points. This was due in no mean measure to the grand shooting mado by Sergeant Parslow, the retiring champion, who made the fine score of 99 points out of a possible 105, made up as follows :—Parslow, 200 yards, 5555555 ; 300 yards, 4544455; 500 yards, 5455554. Although the Yarrawonga Rifle Club (Victoria), was the only team eligible to compete from the other colonies, the Adelaide Ride Club also fired, and they scored 412 points. With the Teams Match concluded, the lunch adjournment was made. On resuming, tho Grand Aggregate Match, which commenced on Friday, was proceeded with. Additional interest was centred in this match as the championship was drawing nigh. On commencing the shooting -it the 700 yards yesterday, the positions were: — Taylor, 377 ; France, 370 ; Jones, 370 ; Williams, 36S ; White, 361. Taylor only put on 20 with his seven shots, while France's score was 32, Jones' 24. White made one under the possible, thus bringing him well up to the others. Going back to the 700 yards, the positions were; — France and Taylor, 403; Williams and White, 395; Jones, 394; and Okey, 389. At this distance Taylor again foiled to keep up his average shooting, and when his last shot had been tired left him with the small score of 15. For a time it appeared that Franco had also burst up, as he missed his first four shots including one sighter; but having once found the target he got on an average of inners, 16 points, which gave him tho lead by one point over Taylor; tho scores being—France, 419; Taylor, 418. Williams got on 22, and was third with 417 ; White wound up with 16, his total being 411, Okey next 408. It was new four o'clock, and a large number of spectators from Dunedin had assembled on the range to witness the final struggle for the belt, but owing to there being over an hour's delay in working out the highest 50 aggregates none of them were able to see the firing off, as a special train left for town before the shoot ing commenced. Sharp at live o'clock the final stage which was to tell us the IS9O champion was commenced, and excitement ran very high, as the leading men were all of a bunch. France, Williams, and Taylor were near together on the right of tho range, though on separate targets, and their positions could be easily watched. Taylor opened with a bullseye and followed it with an inner. France had a miss for a start, and then a magpie. Williams had an inner and outer, and White a bullseye and outer. Taylor then had the lead over Williams by four points, and it looked almost a moral that he would win, but his next two shots missed the target, and when he had fired half his shots his score was only 11, while Williams was 10, France 18, and White IS. France was then leading with 437, Williams 433, Taylor and White 429. The excitement was now intense, and largo crowds assembled behind the mounds on which the four men were firing, and Franco's friends were already congratulating themselves that ho would be declared tho champion. But their exultations proved to be premature. Taylor was the first to finish, winding up with a bullseye, his total being 31, mid his grand aggregate 4-19. Williams kept well on, and was next to complete, his score being 30, and his grand aggregate 153. White followed with 37, and a grand aggregate of 448. The positions were then : Williams, 453 ; Taylor, 449 ; White, 448. The excitement now increased, and the crowd moved to the mound from which France, who had three shots to go, was firing, lie wanted eight to tie Williams, and nine to mako him the champion shot of the colony. As each shot was fired, all eyes were bent on tho target, and the crowd almost held their breath as the eighth shot was fired, which was disced as magpie, as was also .his ninth shot. France had now only to hit the target to tie for or win the coveted prize, but he dwelt rather long in taking aim, and that was regarded as ;<n ill-omen. So it proved, for he missed rather low to the right, leaving his brother volunteer, Petty-officer Williams, of the Wellington Brigade, champion of New Zealand by two points; Seaman France, of tho same corps, second; Gunner Taylor, of Auckland Artillery, third; Lieutenant White, of Auckland Guards, fourth; Lieutenant Okey, of the Taranaki Rifles, fifth. The champion was hoisted shoulder high, and carried round to receive the congratulations of his many friends. The other leading men were also well received. It will be seen that the first three for championship are reps, from companies armed with carbines, and it is also noticeable that the first and second in the Teams' Match are also carbine company representatives. The individual shots of the leading men in the final stage were—Williams, 4232554254,35; France, 0355535330, 32; Taylor, 5400225535,31 ; White, 5254245424, 37. The highest individual scores at this stage were—Lieut. Ross, Napier, 42; Bombardier Doughty, Auckland, 40; Lieut. York, Waitohuna, 38; Lieut. White, Auckland, 37; Private Cameron, Christchurch, 37 ; Private A. Ballinger, Wellington, 37 ; P.O. Williams, Wellington, 35 ; P.O. Pallthorpe, Wellington, 30 ; Lieutenant Okey, Taranaki, 30 ; Private Humphrey, Rangiora, 36 ; Sergeant McGregor, Oamaru, 30. The championship was not decided until a quarter to six, and Captain Somerville agreed to postpone tho intercolonial and district matches until to-morrow morning. The team to represent New Zealand in the Intercolonial Match liavo been chosen by Major Acheson, Captains Somerville, and Codings as follows : —P.O. Williams, Wellington ; Seaman Franoe, Wellington; Gunner Taylor, Auckland; Lieut. White, Auckland ; Sergeant Parslow, Auckland ; Major Purnell, Wanganui; Lieutenant Okey) Taranaki; Lieut. Ross, Napier Sergeant McCarthy, Dunedin; Sergoant Jones, Waikari. The North Island has eight and the South Island two representatives. The Victorian team consists of Captain Ilanby, Captain Draper, Lieutenants Eales and White, Corporal Kirk, Bombardier Grummett, Privates Mitchell, Degrandi, Sloan, and Buley. At the Centennial Meoting in Melbourne, in 1888, New Zealand won the Intercolonial Match by 44 points. The Press Mn f ch was fired yesterday, but owing to the time being inopportune none of the pressmen assisting at the meeting took part in it. The Christdhurch rep. left on Friday, understanding that it was not to come off, and is to be allowed to fire on his own ground. The first and second men have been protested against on the grounds that they are not bona fide. Pressmen.

Lieutenant Eales, of Victoria, won the Union Company's Cup, and he states he will probably be a competitor at the next meeting. The most of the Northern men will leave by express train on Tuesday, the North Island men reaching Wellington on Wednesday. The Melbourne contingent, with two or three exceptions, leave for Melbourne on Tuesday. Captain Hanby and Lieutenant Eales, however, visit the Lake district, and probably return to Australia via Wellington.

The following is the result of yesterday's shooting:— Tkams open to teams of five men from any volunteer corps in New Zealand, or any bona fide Rifle Club ; 200, 300, and 500 yards ; soven shots at each distance ; 10 prizes, value £200 ; Ist prize £60 and Rifle Challenge Cup, 2nd £40, 3rd £25, 4th £15, sth and Gth £10 each. Auckland Artillery ... 447 Wellington Artillery 424 Rangiora Rifle Club ... ... 423 Dunedin Guards 423 Wellington Navala 422 Queenstown Artillery 414 The above are prize winners. The other teams scored its follows : — West Taieri Rifles 414 Yarrawonga Rifle Club 414 Rangiora Club 413 Kaitangata Rifles 419 Wellington Guards 408 Hon. Reserve Corps, Christeliui'cii ... 408 Port Chalmers Artillery ... 416 Dunedin Artillery ... 401 Peninsula Rifle Club 407 Wellington Navals (No. 2)... —. ... 399 Waikari Rifles ... _ 396 Wauganui Rifles 394 Alexandra Cavalry ... 398 Marton Rifles 393 North Dunedin Rifles ... ... ... 389 Cromwell Rifles ... >. ... ... 387 Masterton Rifles _ ... 379 Blenheim Rifles ... ... 37(5 Timoru Rifles ... ... 367 Dunedin Rifle Club 305 Dunedin Rifle Club (No. 2) 303 The Dunedin City Guards and Rangiora tied for third and fourth places, and agreed to divide the prize-money. Tho West Taieri Rifles and Queenstown Artillery tied for last place, and in firing off the latter won. Last Thy Match (not open to those in Grand Aggregate Match); ten shots at 500 yards. Captain Kirk, Melbourne, £12 ... ... 46 Lieut. Tobin, Roval Irish, Auckland, £8 46 Private Welsh, Jvaitangata Rifles, £6 ... 4o Gunner Greenwood, Oamaru Navals, £}) 4o Lieut. Rutherford, Kaitangata Rifles, £5 45 Lieut. Swan, Napier Artillery, £4 ... 44 Lieut. Benbow, Featherston Rifles, £4... 44 Private Salek, Ashburton Rifles, £4 ... 44 Lieut. Cosgrove, Oamaru Rifles, £4 ... 44 Lieut. Turton, Cromwell Rifles, £4 ... 43 Private Fox, Cliristchurch Reserve, £3 ... 43 Sergt. Cato, Wellington City Rifles, £3... 43 Sergt. Smaill, Kaitangata Rifles, £3 ... 43 Sergt. Jones, Waikart Rifles, £3... ... 43 Private Jones, Grey mouth Rifles, £3 ... 43 Mr. Smith (civilian), £3 42 Mr. Holdgate (civilian), £3... ... ... 42 Private Wright, Kaiapoi Rifles, £3 ... 42 Sergeant Dauvergue, Rangiora, £3 ... 42 Pt. Reilly, Yarrawonga Rifle Club, £3 42 Trooper O'Neill, Alexandra Cavalry, £3 42 Lieut. MoKcish. Tuapeka Rifles. £3 ... 41 Corporal Ross, Otago Hussars, £3 ... 41 Sernt. Remington, Wauganui Rifles, £3 41 Capt Montgomery, Otago High School, £3 41 Sergeant kempshall, est Taieri, £3 ... 41 Private Gill. Victoria, £3 _ ... 41 Trooper Peake, Alexandra Cavalry, £3... 41 Private Morrison, Dunedin, £3 41 Sergeant Ross, Otepopo £3. ... ... 41 Private Armstrong, Dunedin, £3 40 Mr. Johnston, Clutha Rifles, £3 40 Mr. W. Robertson, Peninsula R. Club,£3 40 Sergeant Mitchell, Duuedin Artlillery,£3 40 P.O. Taylor, Wellington Navals, £3 ... 40 Gunner McCallum, Auckland, £3 _ ... 40 Private Binney, South Australia, £3 ... 40 Mr. Humphrey, Rangiora, £3 ... ... 40 Sergt. Wemyss, Blenheim City Rifles, £3 40 Lieut. Kennedy, East Taieri Rifles, £3... 40 Private Wairing, Marton Rifles, £3 ... 40 Corporal Scott, Wellington Artillery, £3 40 Tr. AleCorkindale. N. Otago Hussars, £3 39 Sergeant Eraser, Nelson Artillery, £3 ... 39 Private Wright, Kaipoi Rifles, £3 ... 39 There are 21 prizes of £1 each. Grand Agokkuatk Match for 100 highest aggregates in Belt matches ; seven shots at 500, 600, and 700 yards. Bombardier Grummett, Victoria, £12 ... 8G Lieut. Okey, Taranaki Rifles, £8 ... 84 Seaman France, Wellington Navals, £6... 81 Private Scott, Wellington Guards, £5 ... 80 Bom. Doughty, Auckland Artillery. £5... 80 Captain Hogg, Clutha Rilie Club, £4 ... SO Gunner Driver, Port Chalmers Art., £4 79 Lieutenant White. Auckland Guards, £3 79 P.O. Pallthorpe. Wellington Navals, £3 78 Lieutenant York, Waitehuna Rifles, i' 3 78 Corp. Hutchison, N. Dunedin Rifles, £3 78 Mr. Sloan, Yarrawonga, £3 ... ... 78 Cant. Proudfoot. Duuedin Artillery, £3 78 Private Dunne, Irish Rifles, £2 78 P.O. Williams, Wellington Navals, £2... 77 Private Degrandi, Victoria, £2 ... _ ... 76 Sergt. Chalmers, Dunedin Artillery, £2 76 Private McKenzie, Masterton Rifles, £2 76 Corporal Jolly, Cromwell Rifles, £2 ... 76 Gunner Hunting, Napier Artillery, £2 ... 76 Private Mitchell, Victoria, £2 76 Sergeant Martin, Waitahuna Rifles, £2... 76 Sergt. Sandford, Christchurch Rifles, £2 75 Mr. W. Wilcocks, Clutha Rifle Club, £2 74 Captain Ferguson, Victoria, £2 74 Sergeant McGregor, Oamaru Rifles, £2 74 There are 13 prizes of £1 each. CuAMi'ioxsini', open to 50 highest (exclusive of Australian representatives) aggregates in matches counting for belt, 10 shots at 700 yards. Prizes:—lst, champion rifle belt, gold star, and £60 ; 2nd, silver star and £40 3rd, silver star and £30; 4th, £20 ; sth, £10 ; eight prizes of £5 each. The scores in this match are added to the previous aggregate. P.O. Williams, Wellington Navals ... 453 Seaman Prance, Wellington Navals ... 451 Gunner Taylor, Auckland Artillery ... 449 Lieutenant White. Auckland Guards ... 448 Lieutenant Okey, Taranaki Rifles ... 438 Lieutenant York, Waitahuna Rifles ... 433 Pte. A. Ballinger, T ellington Guards ... 432 Sergeant Jones, Waikari Rifles ... _ ... -131 Bombardier Doughty, Auckland Artillery 431 Sergeant Kav, Oamaru Rifles 425) Captain Proudfoot, Dunedin Artillery ... 428 Gunner Driver, Port Chalmers Artillery 428 Lieutenant Davev, Petone Navals ... 428 Private Foster, Christchurch Rifles ... 42S The four last firo off for positions, the three highest to bo included in the prize list. The other aggregates were :— Sergeant McGregor, Oamaru 423 Pt. Cameron, Christchurch Reserves ... 423 Lieutenant Ross, Napier Artillery ... 423 Lieutenant Prain, Napier Artillery ... 423 Lieutenant Morrison, Dunedin Navals ... 422 Pt. McCarthy, Victoria Rifles, Auckland 419 Private Scott, Wellington Guards ... 419 Gunner Howse, Wellington Artillery ... 419 P.O. Pallthorpe, Wellington Navals ... 418 Captain Hogg, Clutha Rifle Club ... 417 Seaman Balcoine, Wellington Navals .... 417 Pte. Armstrong, North Dunedin Rifles... 416 Gunner Gardner, Dunedin Artillery ... 416 Gunner Buchanan, Aucklaud Artillery... 416 Pte. Humphreys, Rangiora Rifles ... 415 Sergt. Frederick, North Dunedin Rifles 415 Private Kruse, Wauganui Rifles 414 Captain Patrick, Waitahuna Rifles ... 413 Major Purnell, Wanjjauui Rifles 413 Sergt. Kitchen, Wellington Artillerv ... 411 Capt. Hutcheson, North Dunedin Rifles 408 Private Blane, Masterton Rifles 407 Sergt. Grey, Christchurch Scottish ... 406 Sergt. Dan vendue, Rangiora Rifles ... 406 Captain Jolly, Cromwell ... 403 Engineer Lloyd, Dunedin Engineers ... 403 Sergt. Chalmers, P't Chalmers Artillery 403 Corporal Elliott, Waikari Rifles... ... 403 P'vte Simmonds, Dunedin Irish Rifles... 401 P'vte Dunne, Dunedin Irish Rifles ... 398 Private Acheson, Kaitangata Rifles ... 398 Private Coventry, Dunedin Guards ... 397 Gunner Webster, Auckland Artillery ... 395 Private Hardin, Blenheim City Rifles ... 395 Sergeant McCarthy, Dunedin Guards ... 394 Sergeant Mahaffey, of the Queenstown Artillery, the fiftieth man, did nob shoot in the final stage. The visitors aro to bo entertained at a smoke concert to-morrow night at the presentation of prizes. Hospital Orderly Coombes, of Christchurch, who died on Friday, was buried this afternoon with military honours. There was a large attendance of the local volunteers and shooting representatives, and the streets were thronged with people. WKiJiiNGTON, Sunday. The result of the Rifle Championship created great excitement here, Seaman Williams's (Wellington Navals) victory being a very popular one.