VOLUNTEERS AND SHOOTING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 30

VOLUNTEERS AND SHOOTING.

PETONE RIFLE CLUB. The Petone Rifle Club held a competition on Saturday afternoon for Mr P. Casey’s trophy, scores to count for the bronze medal and aggregate. Mr R. C. Kirk got a second leg -in for the trophy and won it. The ranges were 209 (kneeling), 500 and 600 yards. The B Class also held a competition for a trophy presented by Mr P. Casey, 10 shots at 300yds, scores to count for aggregate. This competition will close on Wednesday next. A Class.

WELLINGTON GUARDS. The above company held competitions for A and B Classes at Evans Bay range on Saturday for a new set of trophies, the ranges being COO and 700 yards, 10 shots at each. There was a good muster of A Class shots, but only one of B Class turned up. The shooting all round at 600 was very good, especially A. Ballinger’s 4> out of 50, but the change of light and wind at 700 yards made it very difficult for good shooting there. Below we give the scores of the highest:— 600 700

Kynock ammunition was used. The final competition for the bronze medal and A and B Class trophies in the gaily will take place next Friday morning. KARORI RIFLE CLUB. Members of Karori Rifle Club held a competition on Saturday for trophies. A. Vennejl secured his second leg in for Levin and Co.’s trophy, and R. Randell his first leg in for the olub trophy; ranges 300 and 500yds, 10 shots. R. Randell made the fine score of 46 points out of a possible 50 at 300yds. This is believed to be a Wellington record at that distance. Following .are principal scores: — 300 500

Lieutenant-Colonel Newall has been visiting various parts of the Manawatu district with a view to selecting a suitable site for the forthcoming encampment of Volunteers at Easter. The instruction of a squad of the City Rifles in the Maxim gun drill took p'ace at the Mount Cook Drillshed last week, Ser-geant-Major Richardson being the instructing officer. in a recent issue of the Melbourne Argus appeared the following : —With regard to the proposal to re-arm the infantry and mounted men of the Victorian military forces with the '303-bore Martini-Enfield rifle, Captain _J. Whitney, senior, of the Colonial Ammunition Company, who has just returned from an 18 months* visit to England, states that the proposal is justified by the fact that the 303 single-fire rifle has been universally adopted at Home, and it is recognised as specially suitable for the English cavalry. The objections raised on the ground of the difficulty of cleaning, Captain Whitney regards as baseless, and cites an instance of a '303 rifle from whichhe hasfiredßooo rounds of ballistite cartridges, a similar powder to cordite—andwhich has never had a drop of water or acid applied to it in the cleaning, and yet is as free from corrosion now as the day it was purchased. Mr Sydney Bateley, of Messrs Greenwood and Bateley, ammunition manufacturers, of Leeds, England, and Home secretary to the Colonial Ammunition Company, who arrived in Melbourne by the same vessel as Captain Whitney, has come out to take 3teps for extending the company’s operations on a federal basis, and to initiate modifications in order to meet all the requirements of the latest ammunition developments. The annual muster parade of D Battery, N.Z A.V., took place on Tuesday at the Mount Cook Drillshed. There were 55 of all ranks on parade, and Lieutenant Hume was in command. The arms were inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, who expressed himself as very pleased with their cleanliness. The Battery was put through fire discipline under Lieutenants Hume and Rose, and by its smartness gained a compliment from the inspecting officer.

The Institute Naval Cadets paraded last Tuesday, under the command of Captain Wallace, Lieutenant Fitzgerald being also present. The corps was exercised in company and sword and bayonet drill by the non-commissioned officers, the lads showing great improvement. Four new members were elected. After parade the prizes won at the camp for shooting were presented, Cadet Riddick, Bugler Earl and Bandsmen J. and T. Crewes being the winners.

Auckland, February 5. At a meeting held last night it was resolved to form a corps to be called the Queen’s Own Mounted Rifles. About 25 names were given in, and Colonel Banks said that as soon as the membership reached 30 he would submit the application to Wellington, and he had no doubt at all that the authorities would sanction it.

200 500 600 yds. yds. yds. Hdp. Tl. R C. Kirk 31 34 30 — 95 J. Wilson 31 30 28 — 89 R. Walker 2(5 28 27 6 87 C. Trevefchick... 28 29 28 — 85 C. Hallord 25 26 29 — 80 W. H. Ballinger 2(5 29 25 — 80 H. Raven 24 30 22 ■— 76 B Class. 300 yds. Hdp. Tl. A. W. Broadway . 3) — 39 W. Dick .... .. 33 2 35 C. E. Hallord . 32 3 35 J. Burnby... .. .. 33 _ 33

yds yds Tl. Private 0. Hale - ... ... 37 38 75 Private A. Ballinger... ... 45 30 75 Private B. Love ...' 33 31 67 Lance-Corporal Leslie ... 39 28 67 Corporal Edinger ... 39 27 66 Private Kitchen ... 37 26 63

yds. yds. Tl. A. Vermeil ... 42 43 85 R. Randell ... 46 37 83 Olaridgo (visitor) ... 38 44 82 C. Harrison ... 38 43 81 A. Henderson .. 36 43 79 E. Randell ... 33 39 77 Marshall (visitor) ... 38 38 76