THE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11907, 7 March 1902, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

HYDE WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP. [BY TEIEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Tkextuam, Thursday. The weather was again fine to-day, with very little wind, and the shooting was Rood. TEAMS' MATCH. The proceedings commenced with the Team*' Match, 27 competing. The Petone Rifle Club was first, with the splendid Average of 92 per man out of a possible xOS. The conditions of the match were 200 yds, 500 yds. and 600 yds, seven shots at each range. The results are : — Petone Rifle Club, No. 1, £20 and district challenge shield jw Opaki Rifle Club, £15 }» Wellington Guard,, £10 450 Kaitangata No. 1, &> _ JJJ Canterbury Engineers, £5 "» Karon Rifle Ciub, No. 1, £5 448 Karori Rifle Club, £d **£ Ohinemuri, £5... - ; * M Napier Guards, Stoko Rifles, Manchester I Rifles, and Napier Rifles, +36 each; Paranaki 1 Rifle-, 433: Victoria Rifles (Auckland), 432; I (lore Rifles, 431; Hastings Rifles, 428; Petone Rifle Club, No. 2 428; Hon. Reserve i Corps iChristohurch), 424; Highland Rifles I (Wellington). 422; Linwood Rifles, 420; Upper Hutt Rifle Club, 418: Wanganui Rifles, I 418- Pahnorston North Rifles, 417; KaitanI -rata Rifles, No. 2, 411 Timaru Port Guards, I 409; Amuri Mounted Rifles, 354; Imperial Rifles, Christchurch, 382. KYNOCH CUT'. Hoffeins (Wanganui) wins the Kynoch Cup, and not Welch, as previously reported, m the two rapidity matches. NURSERY MATCH. Tho next match was the Nursery Match, open to members who hare never won a prize of over £2 at any New Zealand Rifle Association meeting, and whose winnings do not exceed £5 at this meeting. Tho scores i arc: — O'Malley (Amuri), £5 ... 50 Goo (Linwood), £4 50 Arroll (Nanier), £2 10s 49 Henry (Ooaki), £2 10s 49 Bickerstaff (Napier), £2 ... 49 Griffin (Ohristchureh), £2 48 Speck (Stratford), £2 48 Aiohcson (Clevedon), £2 48 Shaw (Ohinemuri), Perrin (Paimerston North), McKio (Piako), Stevenson (Mataura), Meade (Auckland), 48 each; Martin (lCaiapoi), Harpham (Taradale), Parker (Feilding), Spry (Christohuroh), Pethig (Rangipra). Pollard (Auckland), Jack (Linwood), Wain (Studholme), Cox (Auckland), Hnggerty (Upper Hutt), Aitken (Manchester}, Ramsay (Hawke's Bay), 47 each; £1 each. TYRO MATCH. The Tyro Match, for members who have never won- a prize at any meeting of the association, 500 yds, 10 shots, was then fired. About 200 competed. The scores are: — Graham (Gore), £5 50 Thomas (Petone). £4 49 Shaw (Ohinemuri), £2 10s 49 Tan (Rongomai), £2 10s 49 Prouse (Horowhenua), R. Biekerstaff (Napier), GrLndell (Napier), Pethig (Rangiora), McKee (Piako), Heatley (Hastings), Perrin (Palnierston North), 49 each; Henry (Opaki), Christ-c-nson (Duneain), Arroll (Napier), Benton (Kaiwaiwai), Cox (Auckland), Symonds (Hastings), Wilton (Mauriceville), Williams (Napier), Stewart (Ashburton), Wilson (Waimate), Thome (Christohuroh), Spry (Christchurch), Martin (Timaru), 48 each ; £1 each. Counted out: Ramsay (Hawke's Bay). EXTRA MATCH. An extra match, open to volunteers and cadets only, 300 yds, seven rounds, target head and shoulders, independent firing, was then fired, the scores being: — Captain Okey (Taranaki) Whitley (Kaiapoi), Head (Wellington), Morrow (Canterbury), Ilobbs (Wellington). Shaw (Ohinemuri), Tonkin (Dimedin), McConnell (Christchurch), MoKee (Piako), Macaskill (Wellington), Martin (Timaru), McConnell (Ashburton), 7 hits, £1 18s 4d each. Waugfa (Timaru), Christenson (Dunedinl, i Drummond (Wanganui), Heatley (Hastings), Maingay (Piako), Wain (Studholme), Johnston (Clutha), Kemp (Canterbury), Speck (Stratford), Stevenson (Waimate), Hollard (Wellington), Tueley (Woodville), Turner (Wellington), Cadet White (Auckland), Lacey (Wellington), Hobbs (Hastings), H. Stevenson (Wellington), 6 hits, 9s 5d each. To-morrow morning the Contingent Match will be fired. About 14 are expected to fire. This will close the 1902 meeting. TEAM FOR BISLEY. Lieutenant-Colonel Sommervillc has requested' the 50 Ugliest aggregates to write to him as to whether, if selected in the team for Bialoy, they would be prepared to go. Tlie fact of them being asked to send in their names will not in any way bind the Executive Committee to select them. The rnai nobject is to ascertain what men can leave the colony with absolute certainty.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP. At a quarter-past four the bugle Bounded for the 50 who had qualified to fire in the championship to assemble, and all paraded. The attendance of the public was limited, and the spectators practically confined to competitors who were not taking nart in the match. The weather was dull, with a fresh southerly breeze, which came in from the right, but remained steady, and did not trouble the men. Of the ex-champions, who were competing at the meeting, Williams (Wellington), Okey (Taranaki), Churton (Wanganui), Kruse (Wanganui), and Wakelin (Christchurch), did not qualify. On the other hand, among the final 50, were ex-champions King (Oanuuru), A Ballinger (Petono), Nelson (Woodvillej White (Auckland), and W. Ballinger (Petone). Of these, A. Ballinger and W. Ballinger, have each won the belt twice, and had they won to-day the coveted trophy would have become their own property, W. Ballinger was too low on the list to have a possible chance, and though Arthur Ballinger shot fairly well, he never advanced his position. Hyde and Hawthorne, who eventually proved the winner and runner-up, have a unique record at the meeting, having gone to the front at the start, and held their positions throughout. When the men went to compete in fiie final stage to-day there were not a few who. remembering Wanganui last year, when Nelson nulled 12 on the leader and won the belt, thought that the loaders would certainly have ono burst at the meeting, and that that was reserved for the championship match; also that such redoubtable shots as W. Loveday (Woodrille), Kino (Oamaru), and A. Ballinger (Wellington)" who ( finished fourth, fifth, and sixth for last year.* championship, being within cooey of the leaders, one of them would be hailod tho winner. The result was, however, never in doubt.

On drawing for targets it was found that Hyde was on 23, and had as his mate Sergeant Okey, of Taranaki, there being 25 targets in use, and two competitors on each target. Strangely enough Hawthorne drew *2 target, and had Ching, of Nelson, to keep him company. Loveday was on target seven, and King on 11. After Colonel Sommerville, who posted Captain Robinson, of Costlecliff, Wanganui m the butts, was satisfied that all was ready, ! the bugle sounded, and the men lost a littlo time in trying to find the target with the sighting shots. None of the first 10, however, got anything of any moment, magpies being the highest registered, and those were scored by Hyde, Hawthorne, and Carlson. However, immediately the " business" began in real earnest, Hyde showed that his pro- , vious shooting at the 700 yds was no fluke, and his first five shots resulted in 23, Hawthornu only registering "20. Yet this was higher than any of the placed men, except Anderson, who, having missed his sighter, had 22 to his credit with five shots. Bidwell, ho was fourth when the shooting began, was first to "burst," and he soon lost his position. With this exception those next to tho loaders, though making no gain on the leaders, were keeping well in order, but it was noticeable that Anderson was shooting so well that unless something unforeseen happened, he would be amongst the first flight, and eo it proved, for he shot from seventeenth to fifth.

All the interest was confined to mounds on which Hyde and Hawthorne were firing, and when the former had fired hi? ninth shot', it was apparent that the championship for 1902 was in his keeping. This fact must have been known to Hawthorne, but it did not impair his shooting, for, finishing with a dcggodness that has market! his shooting throughout the meeting, he scored three bulls with his last shots, and thus reduced his opponent'.- advantage by one point. Loveday and King finished in the order they started, also A. Bollinger, but the latter was separated from the former by Anderson, who, as previously mentioned, put on top score forth d match. A glance at the subjoined soores will show how the leading men fared in the. Championship Match:— Hyde, 5155*43353 41 Hawthorne, 5445252555 ... . '" Jo XV. Loveday, 2245555255 ... ." |" 40 King, 3542324535 "' % Anderson, 5255554555 ... . "' j ( , A. Balliuger, 2534344543 ... " '," 37 Maingay, 2455255555 ... "' "' i\ Carlson, 4525554525 43 11. King, 5523452524 ... "" '" 37 11. llandell, ... ," "', 53

Hyde, the winner of. the belt, is * man, about 35 years of age, and though he ehok at Trontham ono year, and also at Oarnaru in 1896, he has never been prominent a* a shooting man. Ho is a non-smoker, and a most abstemious man, though not nutting himself down altogether as a total abstainer. Hie shooting throughout has been moat consistent. and his win very popular. Hawthorne is an old Wellingtoniao and though in previous association meetings he has not been in on top of the tree, h» gave ever} - promise of some day developing i nt „ a top notcher. Of the others little need l>e said. Last yp ar Loveday and King (Oarnaru) tied for fourth position, the forme, winning the shoot off and A. Ballinger was then sixth. Thj e .. ' Loveday i* third, King fourth, an Railing sixth. King's shooting for the last th * years is worthy of note. At Wanganui in 1900. he won the championship. Next v ' at. Wanganui, he was beaten on* a tie* f o l fourth position; while this year he is fourth Truly, Bandmaster Kins and Arthur Hal linger may be regarded as the two beet shots New Zealand possesses at the present mo ment. CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH, open to the 50 highest aggregates in Bolt matches* in shots; 700 yds. "' ™ The following are the scores, includinr th« aggregates in former matches and scores in this match: — G. Hyde (Opaki Rifle Club) 459—41—500 Champion Rifle Belt, gold modal given \1 Defence Minister, and £25. ,y 11. Hawthorne (Karori Rifle Cluh) L<u 42—496. silver star and £20. ' S *"~ W. Loveday (Woodville), 446—40_jp silver star and £15. 60, Bandmaster King (Oamaru), 442~-V>~ no silver start and £10. "«~*<B, Private Anderson (Kaitingata Rifles) 431 _ 46-477. £5. n «J. Wl--A. Ballinger (Potonc Rifle Club), 438-37 476, £5. ' H ° a -*<- Volunteer Carlson 1 Victoria Rifl ' *<*> land), 435-42-475, £5. C '' Allcku£^&i?is? 7 (Pinko Mounted R;n».. 432—43—475, £5. umm "»loi|, R. A- King (Ooaki Rifle Club] 437-Wi. 474. £5. ' of^ R. Randall (Karori Riflo Club), 431-43-474, £5. * "^--"JBidwoll (Wairarapa) . , ail n ... Head (Highland Rifles) . Jtn £ i* Nelson (Woodvillo Rifles) ... t'£ | \f Winsiade (Wanganui) ... 475 ™ Ji* Aitcheson (Kaitangata).,, 43s f, *I"J, Hale (Wellington) ... Jg £ ' Ayscm (Gore) . JS X *I° Puruell (Wanganui) ... ;;. Jg gg j Craw (Manawatu) ... Jo? if *£ Webster (Auckland) ... ",; Jg g J 7 ,?. Cullon (Napier) ... .. £■ J? {«■ shanks (Gore)' ; ;;; Jg g » Davidson (Wairoa) ... 4 « Si ■*£ Sanford (Ohristdrarch) '" 4§ 4] SS Simpson (Kaiapoi) .., ... 421 « : «M Chin 3 (Nelson) " 426 S JK Turner (Wellington) ~. !.l 425 WJg Sergeant Okey (Taranaki) ... 420 43 « Domigan (Gore) ... 'IS £ JSPerrin (Palmorston North) Z 421 41 ig Hewlett (Christchurch) 401 J, 1& Moles (Napier) ... ... " 43} * J® Wilson (Woodville) ... 4 26 » 2*l Raven (Wellington) ... 2 420 J g Shaw (Ohinemuri) ... 401 -.A ~„ Heartly (Hastings) ... J." 4J7 J* g Drummond (Dannovirke) ... 427 51 «„ Lindsay (South Canterbury)... 416 42 58 Thorpe (Wairoa) ... ... }{? ™ Jj?! Irvine (Kelson) 47 S }*' Colonel White (Auckland) ... 417 39 }»! W. Ballinger Petone) ... 416 40 £| Haszard (Ohmomuri) ... 45 JJ }§ .Tones (Wellington) ... "| 417 M«c Smaill (Kaitangata) ... ... 4 if, 73 J??, Love (Feilding) ... Hfi ,» J„ Bunting (Petone) ... 417 3s .. 111 - Cox (Auckland) ... Aq S.Jg: Eva (Opaki)'... - ::: s'°5 '° § § livana (Wairarapa) 415 '30 ' 445 RIFLE CHALLENGE CUP Anderson (Kaitangata) having made the Iysli«st soor-o in the above match holds the Kitie Challenge Cup for a year. His score was 46 out of a possible 50, and that wit M outer. Cullen (Napier) and Crow (Mana. watu) each iicored 45. NOTES BY OUB SPECIAL COKRBBPON.

The results of the volley firing was posted this morning, when it was seen that the Ist Wellington Battalion were the winnirTwlto 'V ". « U of .'»». points. 190 of which were ofl: the rifle and 14<> points for precision, drib i and volleys; whilst Auckland's No. J teaia' followed them up with 313 points, scoring the same on the targets as Wellington, viz, 190 points, but for precision, drill, and volley*! had only- 123 points, thus losing the match" o.V 23 points. Auckland had again to not m with a second in tlio field firing inatoh, for the Ist Wellington Battalion again supDlied tho winners, bat No. 2 Battalion flkuraki) were only two point* behind. ' - . This, mornings work started with tho' Teams Match, and this has for , some days past been the subject of much discussion, The Victoria Rifles (tho winners last year) have steadily held their own in the aggregate shooting, but the favourites at; starting, were Potone R.O. No. 1. Karori R.C. No. 1 and No. 2, Kaitangata Rifles. Victoria Rifles, Timaru Port Guards, and Wanganui Rifles, A total of 27 teams competed. The first range was 200 yds standing, and at this ranee Petone No. 1 averaged 27 points per man;Karon No. 2, 27; Karori No. 1, 25; Kaitangata Rifles, 22; Victorias. 23; Petone No. 2, 24; Christchurcb. Hon. Reserve, 25; Timaru Port Guards, 24; No. 1 Ohinemuri Rifles, 25; Wanganui Rifles, 22. The Victorias scores at 200 yds were? Captain Skinner, 29; Lieut. Cox. 25; Private Tobin. 19; Private Carlson, 23; Private Cox, 20. The No. 1 Ohinemuri score* stood: Lieut. Hubbard. 18; Sergt. Shaw, 24;; Private Comes, 27; Private Denneriey, 25: Private Jackson, 22. At 500 yds, with a perfeet light and no wind, the scoring was of a' splendid order, and possibles were being put! up all along the line. No. 1 Ohineranris, stood: Hubbard, 35; Shaw, 33; Cornea, 34;Jackson, 31; Denneriey, 32. Victorias: Ski ner, 35; It. Cox, 35; Carlson, 35; Tobin, 29;, W. Cox, 32. Leaving 500 yds the scores stood;, Petono No. 1, 304; Opaki, 298; Kaitangata,, 261; victorias, 282; Kaitangata No. 1. 292;, Ohinemnri, 281; Karori No. 1, 287; Napier Bines. 292; Wellington Guards, 295; Karori No. 2, 295, Gore Rifles, 287; Canterbury Engineers. 291; Timaru Port Guards. 277; Wanganui, 275; -Napier .Guards, 286; Petone No. 2.: 282; Taranaki, 287. The Victorias scores at the finish stood: Captain Skinner. 29. 35, 3994; Lieut. Cox, 25, 35. 34—94; Private Carlson, 23, 35, 30-88; Private W. Cox. 20. 32, 30-82;! Private M. Tobin, 19, 29, 26-74. The Ohino-j mnris totals were: Lieut. Hubbard, 18, 35. 30-83; Sergt. Shaw. 24, 33, 32-89; Private Cornea. 27, 34. 32-93; Private Denneriey. 25.' 32. 31-88; Private Jackson, 22. 31. 31-84. The other totals were: Taranaki. 433; Napier Guards, 433: Wellington Guards, 450; Optiki. 458: Canterbury Engineers. 449; Karon .n0... 1, 448; Victorias. 432; Petone. 460; Karon No. • % 442; Tima.ru Port Guards. 409; WangamU Rifles. 418; No. 1 Ohinemuri. 437; Kaitangata No. 1. 449: Stoke Rifles, 456; Wellington Humlanders. 422. „_„, Ties were then fired off between Lawrence. Evans. Lower, Wilson, and ttaugh £«■«» 50th place in the aggregate, three shots a* 600 yds, Evans winning with three bulls. * tie between Foist, Buckingham. an ° raw i" the last try, each of whom sored 14 on too first tie. was also decided by firing one W* at. 500 yds, Feist taking second place, MCKing ham third, and Craw fourth. i m Tho next match taken was the Nursery^ »| shots at 500 yds, and 75 competitors nrea. and again some splendid scoring was recoraea. Gee. of Luiwood, and O'Malley. of Anran. scored the possible, with several 49's to > oll '?*j and 48's were not uncommon. Mead starteo with a magpie and followed with nine nunseves, Shaw, Achieson. and JfcKee also get' ting on 48. The various scores are:Shaw, Achicson. MnKeo, 43 each: Pollard, V.. Cox, 47: Hubbard, Jackson, and Hansard. 45; Senior, 44: Denneriey and Let ham. «i Becklington. 42; Newall. 40: Onim. 39; J* White. 38; Bcaeelov, 37; Potter, 34; Mackesy. 31. ~■ . ♦ After lunch tho Tyro was fired. 10 shot* W 500 yds, and another good scoring match was the result, 162 competing. Graham scored toe possible, and following on for his next tnrw shots scored three more bulls. The local scores were:—McKee. 49; Shaw. 49: W. Cox. 48; Letham and Senior, 47: Hubbard. 46: Achieson and Faszard. 45: Bedlington an<J Pollard. 44: Jackson. Denncrlev, Mead, o li a Mackesy. 43; Beaseley. 42; L. White, oj; Orum, 36. Immediatelv following this came the Champion match, in which the following local men firedCarlson, 433: Maineav, 432; Webster. 429; Shaw. 421; R Gov. 490j Lieutenant-Colonel ■White, 417; Hazard, 415. Appended are the detail scores:— ; . Grand

Private .T. Carlson, 4525554525: 42 475 Serjeant W. Mnincrav. 24V2.S r >!V. r A- 43 ... *•» Gunner .T. D. Webster, 5253544425: 39 ... 468 T.ieiit.-Col. W. P. White. 4554535224: 39 ... «6 Private Shaw. 3345445>42: 39 *2 Private N. Hansard. 55542*3552: 40 ■•• £* Private E. O Cox. 5342420335: 31 451 The majority of the Auckland men left at four p.m. for home, via Rimutnlu line..ana the remainder staved to fire in the Rapidity match, and left at nine p.m. for Wellington, and return home via Manawatu line to-mor-row, catching Friday's steamer from 'New Plymouth.