NEW ZEALAND RIFLE TEAM FOR BISLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE TEAM FOR BISLEY.

TO THE EDITOR. Si*,—l see by advertisement in to-day's Herald that the Auckland volunteer officers intend holding a series of competitions in Auckland to decide on two men for the proposed New Zealand rifle team to go to Bisley in connection with the Record Reign Celebrations. The conditions imposed by these officers are (1) that only volunteers may compete, and ('2) that competition is limited to " efficient" volunteers, namely, those who have attended a certaiu number of daylight parades during the year, and gone through certain useless " class firing." On inquiry, I find that through perhaps no fault of their own, a number of our best shots have not been returned as "efficient" this year, including such steady and experienced marksmen as Doughty, Greenshields, and Nutt, to say nothing of Head and Steadman, of Whangarei, whom I consider about the best two shots in the province. If the Government does decide to send a team at the colony's expense, surely the very best rifle shots should be sent irrespective of whether they are volunteers, members of rifle clubs, or civilians. It is urged by certain volunteer officers who are more or less interested that only efficient volunteers may compete for the Queen's Prize at Bisley: but this is a difficulty that might easily be overcome in an exceptional case lib that of New Zealand, where most of tho best shots are members of rifle clubs. Another strong argument against having the competition here as arranged, is the fact that it would debar volunteers from the country districts. I would suggest that the whole New Zealand team should be selected by a committee consisting of Champion Bollinger, Majors Sommerville and Collins, as these gentlemen are the best able to form an opinion as to the merits and claims of the rifle shots throughout the colour. Apologising for trespassing on vour valuable space, and hoping that the Minister cl Defence will take the matter in hand before it is too late,—l am, etc., Moncrieff M. McCallum. Wairere, Devoiiport. April 6,1897.