NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

♦ CAVALRY TOURNAMENT. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Richmond, March 10. There was a large attendance at the Cavalry tournament. The arrangements were good, and the weather perfect. First Contest.—Files of two men to ride a quarter mile, taking two fixed fences 3ft. 6in. high, and on arriving at 200 yards from the firing point to dismount and fire as many shots as possible. Time, 3 minutes. The winners were : First prize, £ls, McLean and Walkington (Wairoa), 3 centres 10 outers, 90 points ; 2nd, £lO, Howie and Thurston (Wairoa), 15 centres 9 outers, 87 points ; 3rd, £5, Johnston and Aitken (Wairoa), 2 centres 24 outers, 80 points. The other squads were : Smith and Thurston (Alexandra), 65 points ; Somerville and Laird (Alexandra), 43 points. Somerville's horse refused the jumps, and the time had almost expired when he arrived at the filing point. McLean was thrown going over the second fence, but jumped up and ran to the firing:

point. SECOND Contest. —Squads of three to ride half-a-mile, jumping four fixed fences 3ft. 6in. high. On reaching the 100 yards range the flank men to dismount and fire five shots, the centre file holding their horses. They then remount, ride the remainder distance, jumping the four fences ; flank files again dismount, aiA fire as many shots as possible. Time, 6 minutes. The winners were : First prize, £2O, Johnson, Walkington, McLean, of Wairoa, 36 centres, 14 outers ; total points, 186. 2nd, £ls, Thurston, Mussen, Smith, of Alexandra, 36 centres, 10 outers ; 174 points. 3rd, £lO, Somerville, Higgie, Laird, of Alexandra, 33 centres, 13 outers, 171 points. The others are Aiken, Howie, and Thurston, of Wairoa, 159 points. Third Contest. —Each competitor starts at gallop for post practice, each ring taken counting as one point, and each neck cut fairly through as one point. Time, 30 sees., four necks and four rings in line. Winners : Ist prize, £B, Laird, of Alexandra, 7 heads, 6* rings ; 2nd prize, £6, Mussen, of Alexandra, 6 heads, 7 rings. In the ultimate ties Laird's total was 4 and Mussen's 3. 3rd prize, £5, J. Thurston, Wairoa, 4 heads, 8 rings. The other were—Higgie, Alexandra, 11 ; Aiken, Wairoa, 11 ; Smith, Alexandra, 11 ; Howie, Wairoa, 8 ; D. Thurston, Alexandra, 5. Fourth Contest. Pursuing practice.— Squads of three men riding abreast ; to start at gallop cut pursuing practice ; half-points for good dressing and excellency in swordman-

ship. Winners : Ist prize, £B, J. Thmston, Howie, and Aiken, of Wairoa, 13,points ; 2nd prize, £6, Somerville, Higgie, and Laird, of Alexandra, 12 points ; 3rd prize, £4, D. Thurston, Mussen, and Smith, of Alexandra, 9 points. The others are Captain Walkington, Johnson, and McLean, of Wairoa. 8 points. At the conclusion of the tournament, there was a parade, and the prizes won at the meeting were distributed by Mrs. J. Richmond, wife of Mr. "Richmond, M.H.R. In presenting Sergeant Okey with the rifle belt, she said she had great pleasure in making the presentation. The splendid shooting he had made in the late contest, combined with the high position he had secured in last year's contest, convinced her that she was, in the name of the Association, conferring this much-coveted honor on the right man. Three cheers were given for Okey, after Mrs. Richmond had placed the belt on him. That lady then presented Gunner Thomas with the carbine belt, congratulating him upon winning it, and extending her congratulations to his corps, which, for a second time in succession, had sent the best carbine shot to the meeting. Three cheers were given for the ex-champion. Gold medals were presented to W. Ballinger, Lieut. Gordon, Okey, and Thomas. Silver ones to Hutchinson, Smith, Mapp, Purnell, Rogers, and Somerville ; and bronze ones to Sutton, Jamieson, Neill, Rule, Soper, Hood, and Gee, each being presented with suitable remarks. The cups for North and South Island were presented to the winners in the rifle and carbine matches, cheers being given for the winners ; after which Major Baillie, on behalf of the Volunteers attending the meeting, thanked the people of Nelson most sincerely for their welcome reception ; and as regards the shooting, he said he was surprised at its excellence. Colonel Packe said he found this meeting had gone on without the loss of a single moment. The shooting was magnificent, and he complimented Okey on winning the rifle belt, remarking that four years ago, at Hokitika, he (Okey) had shot remarkably well. He also congratulated Captain Wildman, of the Thames Navals, who for a second year had shepherded his men, and for a second time the carbine belt had been secured by his corps, and he warned other corps that the Thames men would win it altogether, unless they were on the look-out. He thanked the ladies of Nelson for their presence, and spoke in the warmest terms of Mr. Canning's generosity in placing his grounds, luncheon, &c, at their disposal. He also thanked all the people of Nelson for their hospitality. Three cheers were given for Colonel Packe, and other staff officers; and by the Nelson men for their companionship during the meeting. Thanks having been returned, the force was dismissed, and the meeting was at an end.