NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8470, 22 January 1891, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

THREE MATCHES CONCLUDED.

AUCKLANDERS DOING WELL. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION. Napier, Wednesday. During this morning the light was rather changeable, and a shower fell for a few minutes, but there was very little wind during the day. Taken on the whole, the weather was in favour of shootists, and some very good scores were put on. There were no complaints regarding the marking, and everything worked smoothly. Three matches were got off. At 8 a.m. a start was made with the Hawke's Bay Match (the first which counts for the championship), of 600 and 600 yards, ten shots at each distance. Corporal Hutchinson came within one of the possible at the first range. His second sighter was •an inner, all the rest of his shots being bull's eyes. On going to the next range he fell to pieces, his score at 600 yards only amounting to 28. Seaman Stitt, Wellington Navals, made 48 at 500 yards, but at the next distance he was not so successful, only putting on 36. The first money in the match fell to Corporal Ballinger, of the Wellington Guards, who, although only 44 at the shorter range, headed' the list with 46 at the 600, thus running up a grand total of 90, an improvement on the score of 85 by Gunner Gardiner, "B" Battery, Dunedin, which took first prize in this match at the Association's meeting last year. White (late of Gordon "Rifles and Auckland City Guards, and now a member of Auckland Martini-Henry Rifle Club), tied with Gunner Webster, " A" Battery, Auckland, for second place, each having scored 47 at 500 yards and 42 at 600 yards, but in classifying the scores White was given the pride of position. Private Cameron, Otrigo High School Cadets, and Sergeant McCallum, " O" Battery, Auckland, took fourth and fifth positions respectively, their scores at the two ranges being each 46 and 41. The last squad in the match finished firing shortly after twelve o'clock. The following is a complete prize list: —

Hawke's Bay Match, open to all members of the New Zealand Rifle Association : 500 and 600 yards; 10 shots at each range. Forty-seven prizes, value £120. Corporal Ballinger, Wellington Guards, . £12 ... 90 Mr. White, Martini-Henry Rifle Club, Auckland, £10 89 Bombardier Webster, "A" Battery, Auckland, £8 S9 Private Cameron, Dunedin High School Cadets, £6 87 Sergeant-Major McCallum, "0" Battery, £5 ... ... ... ... ... ... 8/ Sergeant Tiffin, East Coast Hussars, £4 86 Bandsman King, Oamaru Garrison, £4 ... 86 Sergeant Martin, Waitakuni Rifles, £1... 85 P.O. Williams, Wellington Navels, £4 ... 84 Seaman Stitt, Wellington Navals, £4 ... 84 Private Ballinger, Wellington Guards, i £3 83 Gunner Weir, Thames Navalß, £3 ... 83 Lieutenant Hughes, Wanganui Rifles, £3 83 Lieutenant Atkinson, Wellington City Rifles, £3 83 Sergeant Parslow, "A" Battery, £3 ... 83 Sergeant Grant, Waimate Rifles, 82; Sergeant Perry, Alexandra Cavalry, 82 ; Private Bunting, Hughton Guards, 82; Private Gates, Greytown Rifles, 82 ; Lieutenant Kirk, Petone Navals, 82 ; Lieutenant Okey, _ Taranaki Rifles, 81 ; Sergeant Frederick, North Dunedin Rifles, SO; Lieutenant Oakden, Peninsula Navals. 80; Mr. Rendall, Manawatu Rifle Club, 80; Private Scott, Honorary Reserve, Christchurch, 80; Gunner How, D" Battery. Wellington, 80; Corporal Burnett, Wanganui City Rifles, 80 ; each take £2. The following take £1: Private Wakelyn, Honorary Reserve, Christchurch, 80; Sergeant-Major McLean, Wairoa Mounted Infantry, 79; Gunner Buchanan, A" Battery, 79; Sergeant Remmington, Wanganui Rifles, 79; Private Banks, Honorary Reserve, Christchurch, 79; Sergeant Frazer, "H" Battery, Nelson, ■ Private Bowman, Dunedin Highland .wi;!«-.s, 78; Private McCarthy, Waikari Partes, 78; Mr. Sloane, Yarrawonga Rifle Club 78 ; Seaman France, Wellington Navals, 78 ; Lieutenant Foster, Wanganui Rifles, 78 ; Private W. Eaton, Napier Rifles, 78; Corporal Guise, Wellington City Rifles, 78; Private J. Scott, Christchurch Rifles, 78; Seaman Burns. Wellington Navals, 77; Bandsman Newall, Taranaki Rifles, 77; Captain McNab, "G" Battery, Invercargill, 77 ; Private Robilliard, Kaiapoi Rifles, 77; Private G. Frazer, Kaitangata Rifles, 77; C.P.O. Armstrong, Wellington Navals, 77. The following counted out: P.O. Woollett, Dunedin Navals; Mr. Law, Dunedin Rifle Club; Corporal Doughty, "A" Battery; Corporal Hutchinson, North Dunedin Rifles. The Marlborough Match was commenced attwoo'clock. In this match at Wingatui last year Captain Hanby, of Melbourne, made the possible, but on this occasion the top score was 48, which was registered by both Private Wakelyn, Honorary Reserves, Christchurch, and Bandsman Newall, Taranaki. Newall put on bull's-eyes up to the two last shots, which were inners, but Wakelyn finished up with bulls (having made two centres previously), and consequently took first money. Trooper Strachan secured third, and Private A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards, who had been shooting consistently during the day, scored 4'/, and dropped into fourth position. This was the second match oountiiig for the Champion Belt, and at its conclusion Bandsman King, Oamaru Garrison, was in the van with an aggregate of 132 ; Private A. Ballinger and Mr. White coming next with 130. The following is the prize list of the Marlborough Match, open to all members ; 500 yards, 10 shots. Thirty prizes, value £70. This match counts for the Champion Belt.

Private Wakelyn,Christchurch Reserves, £8 ... 48 Bandsman Newull, Taranaki, £6 48 Trooper Strachan, Alexandra Calvary, £7 47 Private Ballinger, Wellington Guards, £5 <17 .Sergeant Gillies, Otago High School Cadets, £4 .47 Bombardier Doughty, "A" Battery, Auckland, £4 A 1 Captain Montgomery, Otago High School Cadets, £1 .4.7 Captain Somerville, Alexandra Cavalry, £3 46

Bandsman King, Oamarti Garrison, £3... 46 Gunner Weir, Thames Navals, £3 46 Mr. Speedy, Tenui Rifle Club, £2 4(j Lieutenant Summers, North Dunedin Rifles, £2 ... . 45 Private Salek, Ashburton Rifles, £2 4 - r > Gunner McGregor, "J"Battery,Oamaru, £2 ... ... . . 43 Private Anderson Wanganui Rifles, £2 41 The following take £1 each —Mr. Sloane, Yarrawonga Rifle Club, 44 ; Sergeant Sandford, Christchurch Rifles, 44: Private Scott, Honorary Reserves, Christchurch, 44; Seaman Burns, Wellington Navals, 44 ; Sergeant Martin, Waitahuna Rifles, 44 ; Gunner King, " F ' Battery, Napier, 43; Mr. Hay, Auckland Martini-Henry Club, 43; Petty Officer P&lethorpe, Wellington Navals, 43; Gunner Kelly, " A " Battery, 43; Seaman Stitt, Wei-

lington Navala, 43; Private Kruse, Wanganui Rifles, 43 ; Trooper Chapman, Alexandra Cavalry, 43; Chief Petty Officer Armstrong, Wellington Navals, 43; Private Bunting, Wellington Guards, 43; Sergeant Parslow, "A" Battery, 42. Tho following counted out: — Private McCarthy, Waikari Rifles; Drummond, Napier; Son tag, Waikari; Fox, Christchurch; and Greer, Fitzherbert Rifle Club.

About four o'clock the competitors lay down to fire the Wanganui Match. The light was somewhat fluctuating, but, in other respects, the men had not much cause for complaint. Contrary to expectation, the shooting at this range was very poor, and several failed to hit the target. Sergeant Porry (Alexandra Cavalry) ran up a score of 42, which took first money. Sergeant Peacock, Masterton Rifles, and Lieutenant Morrison, "B" Battery, Dunedin, coming next with 40 each; Lieutenant Eales, of Victoria, who has not been shooting well, seemed to pull himself together at this distance, and got into the prize list with 35 points to his credit. At the last meeting of the Association the highest score in this match was 44, made by Gunner Taylor, "A" Battery, Auckland. Following is the prize list:— Wanganci Match: 700 yards. 20 shots. Thirty prizes, £70. This match counts for Champion Belt. Sergeant Perry, Alexandra Cavalry, £8... 42 Sergeant Peacock, Masterton Rifles, £6 40 Lieutenant Morrison," B" Battery, Dunedin, £5 40 Bombardier Webster, "A" Battery, £5... 39 Private Cato, Napier Rifles, £4 ... . 38 Private Kruse, V\anganui Rifles, £4 ... 37 Rrivate Wakelyn, Christchurch Reserves, £4 37 Private McCarthy, Waikari Rifles, £3 .. 37 Private Askew, Christchurch Rifles, £3 37 Mr. Greer, Fitznerbert Rifle Club, £3 ... 37 Gunner Taylor, A" Battery, £2... ... 36 Mr. White, Auckland Martini-Henry Club, £2 36 P.O. Williams, Wellington Navals, £2... 36 Sergeant Tift'en, East Const Hussars, £2 36 Captain Cooper, Victoria Rifles, £2 ... 36 The following take £1 each Private Tait, Napier Rifles, -35 ; Seaman Weir, Thames Navals, 35; Captain Somerville, Alexandra Cavalry, 35; Private Chambers, Napier Rifles, 35; Mr. Hay, Auckland Rifle Club, 35; Private Robilliard, Kaiapoi Rifles, 35; Gunner McGregor, J" Battery, Oamaru, 35; Corporal Doughty, "A" Battery, 35; Bandsman King, Oamaru, 35 Lieutenant Eales, Victoria, 35 ; Private Banks, Christchurch Reserves, 34; Mr. Sloane, Yarrawonga Rifle Club, 34; J. Dickson, Peninsula Rifle Club, 33; Private Fox, Christchurch Reserves, 33; Gunner E. Buchanan, "A" Battery, 33. Counted out: T. Frazer, Kaitangata, and Cameron, Dunedin.

_ With the exception of Private A. Ballinger no very great, difference was made in the aggregates by the result of the Wanganui Match. Ballinger fell completely to pieces at the range, and could only pub on 14, which brought his aggregate down to 144. King scored 35, and thus kept at the top of the list with 167, although Mr. White, Auckland Martini-Henry Club, who was two behind him at the conclusion of the previous match, gained one on him through scoring 36 at the 700 yards match. Wakelyn scored two more than Weir in the Wanganui Match, and passing him took up third position on the list with 165. Sergeant Perry, who was the top scorer in the Wanganui match with 42, came up with a run, and tied with Seamen Weir, of the Thames Navals, for fourth position, each having 164. The following are the highest aggregates for Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Wanganui matches :— King, Oamaru 167 White, Auckland 166 Wakelyn, Christchurch 165 Weir, Thames ... ... ... ... ... 164 .Sergeant Perry, Wanganui 164 Tiffin, Gisborne 160 Williams, Wellington 360 Doughty, Auckland 159 Somerville, Wanganui 157 Cameron, Dunedin 157 McCarthy, Waikari 157 McCallum, Auckland ... 156 Kru<se, Wanganui 15<! Scott. Christchurch Reserves ... ... loft Sloane, Yarrowonga 156 Newall. Taranaki 155 Ciito, Napier 155 Banks, Christchurch 154 Morrison, Dunedin . 153 Martin, Waitahuna 153 Purslow, Auckland 153 McGregor, Oamaru 152 Stitt, Wellington 151 Tait, Napier *" 151 Bunting, Wellington 151 Buchanan, Auckland 149 F. France, Wellington 149 G. Frazer, Kait-mgata 149 Okey, New Plymouth 149

vyivcy, iicvY 1 Ijmuiuii ... ... ... ivy The Nelson Match, 500, 600 and 700 yards, and the Ladies Match, 200 yards, both counting for the Champion Bait, will be decided to-morrow. So far, very satisfactory progress has been made, and it is now almost a certainty that the Champion Match will bo tired on Monday afternoon. A meeting of the Council was held this afternoon, when it was decided not to permit the use of leather bands around rifles while shooting, or allow a handkerchief to be placed between the cheek and the rifle, or used as a pad for the butt of the rifle. Great inconvenience is caused owing to the long distance between the camp and the nearest telegraph station. It is stated in the camp that the spot likely to be chosen for the permanent site for the future meetings of the Association is at Silverstreain, about 19 miles from Wellington, on the Master ton line.

Fredericks, the marker injured at the butts in the Wellington match yesterday, had his finger amputated at the Hospital last night. An examination showed that he had been hit by a bullet and not by a splinter. The officers are at a loss to account for the accident unless it was that Fredericks, who was turning a target, had reached his hand above the sides of trench. This is the first accident that has happened in connection with the Association. A subscription list has been started in camp for the injured man. It is probable that Frederick will have another of his finders amputated, as there is danger of mortification setting in.

At a meeting of competitors this morning it was unanimously decided to continue the new system of counting sighting shots throughout the meeting.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Napier, Wednesday. The following are the Auckland scores :—

Hawkk's Bay Match. Doughty, 77; Kelly, 76; Tobin, 75; Henderson, 74; Cooper, 74 ; Shepherd, 74 ; Craig, 71 ; Hay, 69; McCarthy, 65; Greenshiclds, 63; Spinlcy, 63; Osborne, 60; J. Buchanan, 57 ; Skinner, 57 ; Haultain, 53 ; Taylor, 47. Marlborough Match.—McCallum, 41; Taylor, 41; Tobin, 41 ; White, 41 McCarthy, 41; Henderson, 40 ; Haultain, 39; E. Buchanan, 37 ; Skinner, 30 ; Hay, 35 ; Greenshields, 35; Cooper, 34; Webster, 34 ; Osborne, 34 ; Craig, 33 ; Spinley, 37 ; Shepherd, 26; J. Buchanan, 25. Wanoanui Match.—Webster, 39 ; White, 36; Taylor, 36; Cooper, 36 ; Hay, 35 ; Weir, 35; Doughty, 35; E. Buchanan, 33 ; Osborne, 32 ; Henderson, 31 ; Skinner, 31; McCarthy, 29; McCallum, 28; Paralow, 28 ; Craig, 28 ; Spinley, 27 ; Tobin, 27 ; Kelly, 27 ; J. Buchanan, 19 ; Haultain, 18 ; Greenshields, 16; Soall, 14. The Auckland aggregates up to to-night are—White, 166; Weir, 164; Webster, 162; Doughty, 159 ; McCallum, 15S ; Parslow, 153; E. Buchanan, 149; Hay, 147 ; Kelly, 146; Henderson, 145; Cooper, 144; Tobin, 143; McCarthy, 135; Craig and Skinner, 132 ; Osborne, 126 ; Taylor, 124 ; Shepherd, 121 ; Spinley, 118 ; Greenshields, 114; Haultain, 110; J. Buchanan, 101. The Taradale people are treating us well. They gave a ball last night, and are to have one on Thursday and Monday for our benefit.