THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 868, 19 October 1888, Page 15

THE VOLUNTEERS.

RIFLE MATCHES.

WELLINGTON V. WANGANUI. VICTORY FOR WELLINGTON. A decidedly interesting rifle match, and one which created much interest in shooting circles, took place on Saturday last between the Alexandra Cavalry (Wanganui) and the City Rifles (Wellington', resulting lu a win for our local representatives by 56 points, the scores being—City Rifles, 1046 ; Alexandra Cavalry, 990. The conditions of the match were 15 men a side, ran es2oo, 300 and 500 yards ; 7 shots at each range ; any position ; Kynoch ammunition; Wimbledon targets and scoring ; Snider rifle or carbine, the latter condition being inserted as several of the Wanganui team fired with the rifle instead of carbine. The local men fired at the Polhill Gully range. The weather was not so favourable as it promised, light and wind being very changeable. As the afternoon wore on, the wind suddenly changed to a southerly, and heavy rain set in, rendering good sighting impoasible. The Wanganui men, who fired on their own range, had also bad weather to contend with, which may in some manner aceonnt for thoir being so far behind our local men, as the Alexandra Cavalry are a wellknown shooting corps, possessing many excellent marksmen, and holding the premier position in shooting matters in the Wanganui district, a district which,--on many occasions, has carried off the championship of the Colony. The score made by the winners on this occasion is 14 points ahead of the score they made in the match fired under similar conditions against the Gordon Rifles (Auckland),!.whom it will be remembered they defeated by 55 points, the respective scores being City Rifles 1032, Gordon 977. The range totals made by the Cities on that occasion are so close on the scores of the present match that it is interesting to note them. The totals are as follow, the latter match being given first 200yds, 399 and 395; 300yds, 348 aud 342 ; 500yds, 299 and 295. The average for the fifteen men is nearly 70 points a man, a record which is indeed very creditable. The personnel of'tbe team Was the same as in the former match, with the exception of Atkinson, who replaced A. Moore, and Baggett took-Roberts’ place, as both were unable to take part in it. The fine score of SI by Volunteer A. O, Atkinson, who only recently joined thejoorps, deserves special mention, while McGregor, who has a splendid record as a teamsman, came next with 78, Harris (a second-class shot) running him very close with 77, 57 of which he obtained at 200 and 300 yards. Major McCredie, New Zealand Rifle Association, aoted as referee and. scorer for the Alexandra Cavalry, and tested the triggers and examined the ammunition before firing, while Sergeant Robinson, D Battery, aoted as referee In the butts on their behalf. The result was not received in town till after 5

o'clock, and when made known ivas received with goneral satisfaction. Wo congvatulate the City Rifles upon this l ist but not least important victory to their oreciu.

The following are the totals of tho Wellington City Rifles : —Volunteer A. G. Atkinson, 81; Volunteer McGregor, 7S; Volunteer G; Harris, 77 ; Sergeant Mcßean, 73 ; Lieutenant Guise, 72 ; Volunteer Cato, 72; Colour-Sergeant Davis, 69; Volunteer G. Fearn, S 9 ; Corporal Jackson, 69; Captain Collins, 6S; Volunteer Baggett, 67; Volunteer Wilson, 66 ; Volunteer Hansen, 66 Madelv, 63; Volunteer Luke, 56 ; total, 1046. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wanganui, October 13. The following ate the scores made by the Alexandra Cavalry in the match on Saturday. The weather was very bad. There was a high wind across the range, and the olouds of sand, with the bad light, prevented good shooting, though some excellent scores were made : —Trooper J. Perry, 84 ; Sergeant Massen, 79 ; Trooper Parkes, 75 ; Trooper R. Peake, 73 ; Trooper J. Bryce, 70 ; Trooper W. T. Watt, 69; Trooper J. Watt, 66 ; Captain Sommerville, 66 ; Trooper 11. Hewitt, 65 , Quartermaster Sergeant Chavannes, 62 ; Sergeant Perry, 60; Sergeant Morgan, CO ; Sergeant Garner, 5S ; Corporal Lopay, 53 ; Trooper A. Cameron, 50. Grand total, 990 ; average per man, 66. Mr Harper, late of Wellington, aoted as referee for Wellington. J. Perry, with 33 at 300yds, astonished those on the range, and before it was aocepted Captain Sommerville had the target examined by the referee, who was satisfied. CITY RIFLES v. KAIWHARA RIFLES. This match took place on Saturday afternoon, resulting in the defeat of the country team by 92 points. Conditions ; —lO men aside ; ranges 200, 300 and 500 yards ; 7 shots ; any position ; Wimbledon targets. Each corps fired on its own range. The weather was unfavourable for good shooting. Corporal Palmer, Kaiwhara Rifles, acted as referee in town for his team, while Sergeant Naughton, Wellington Rifles, looked after the interest of the city team at Kaiwhara. Tho following are the scores :—City Rifles— Volunteer McGregor, 78; Corporal Guise, 72 ; Volunteer Cato. 72 ; Colour-Sergeant Davis,-69 ; Ceiporal Jackson, 69 ; Corporal Collins, 68 ; Volunteer Wilson, 66 ; Corporal Hansen, 66 ; Sergeant Madeley, 63 ; Volunteer Luko, 56 ; total, 679. Kaiwhara Rifles —Sergeant Darrell, 67 ; Volunteer Hogg, 66 ; Sergeant Sinclair, 66 ; Corporal King, 62 ; Sergeant Coleman, Cl ; Corporal Bowler, 56; Volnnteer Coleman, 55; Volunteer Harris, 53 ; Corporal Sedgewick, 42 ; average for one man, 59 ; total, 557. Majority for City Rifles, 92 points.