NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3675, 27 February 1899, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION

J V r iAN6ANUI ArEET'IN'G. , ‘ DRESS ASSOCIATION. - Wanganui, February 25. 1 TharvNjßW.r'Zealand Eihe As.sj3 fci^tionren-jqyed-flayelyrfeather foe. "the'Opening of its thirty-eighth riieetog; which is being carried outsat-' Putilsi; ‘Situated about a mile from town, on the opposite side of the, river “from the town. The site is a, r very pretty one, and the shooting is'iif 'tlie directimiwldes'irKd. Jby tne men, ■-namely, ; due. south. ... '" arrangements 'complete S!--tliooshGutiug- itßo If, is concerned; but;J;here : has. ,-bepn a,, good deal of grumbling ,catering;, After the official' ceremony'- this-morn-ing a start Was made at eleven o’clock with the Nelson Match, - 200, 500, GOO yards; seven shots at-each range, and not counting for the'belt. r There was a rvery ’fair- attendance of the public, who exhibitod.the keenest interest in - the- ' shooting,- altogether. There are 220 entries/which ,;,is .sonic twenty short •■of - the; number vow/which the prize- list -is a reduction in the-prize money is anticipated, for the financial 'positionOof/the' iassociation is none tod good.. - -■- ; - T - V.. The wind ' beginnings ’of the meeting cam'e lightlyr from -the><ensty hut towards midday 'drew round from tlie' front, ’freshening }J durihg . the afternoon, hut .towards;,.the -finish/of the Nelson match 1 died. away-. - -r •'« -The- ammunition used 'is’- of’‘lß9B colonial manufacture,- and ‘so ‘far has given every satisfaction.' - '’/ 1 In view of the fact that the l..'association may die with-.the termination'df this meeting, the question, as to I ,the disposal of the belt is freely'discussed, and-it is interesting to note that , at the meeting are ■ Ballinger, Brothers, of Wellington, and Champion! McGregor,; of Oamaru, each of whom, were they to be successful - this year, would -retain the covoted trophy as their own. All three are fancied, particularly the latter, , who, with 83, was just; out of the prize list to-day.. 1 , . . ■ C.P.O. Williams/ who secures the first prize in" the Nelson Match- -to-day; will bo remembered, as the winner of the championship at Dunedin in 1890. He, with Lesthr, rattled on the possible at 600 yards this afternoon, each gaining the association prize of £1 for range possibles. N J .. • • ■.' ■ Comes, 1 of Te /Atoha, was. successful in*placing all’ hi&; shots in- the centre at 600 ; yards, and ' takiss'£3;’ the- association’s range prize.; j . Willm-ms's score is three ahead- of the ‘ winning ; s‘co,rc- at Oamaru last year. >' . ! At the .second - ranges' Lieutenapt ’ Kirk, of Wellington, had -a; slice, of bad luck, putting ■a ' bull’s eye* on • the wrong -target. , • . , . .: At 600 yards, Comes,- -after > Bringing up the magpie and the 'outer- discs with his sighters, put - on seven consecutive bulls. i ’ Following is the prize list i, — - >.-••/ ( Nelson ,"Match.—2oo, 500, ,600yds; seven shots at each range; knoelit-g at 200yds j

not counting for belt, i> . V Williams (Wellington), .£7 ... ... ... , 9.3 Lestor'(Chriatchureh), -C6"..V - i.v. •... 94 A. Ballinger (Wellington)/... ... 93 iticbardaon (Dunedin), -C4 ... .;. ... 91 Mcoreman (Wacranui),-£4... ... ... 90 G. Loveday (Wondviilel, .£3 _ 90 Hobbs (Ohinemmi). -C3 ... .1; ... 90 Sommorvillo (Wanganui), £2 ... ... :90 Welsh (North Wairarapa). -E2 ... ... 90 G. Frazer (Kaitongata),-S3 ... ... 89 Eaven (Wellington),-63 "... i ... ... 88 Kruse (Wanganui), £2 ... ... ... 87 The following take jGI each: — ■ McLean, Wairoa, 87; Dodds, Port Chalmers, 87; Jackson. Christohurnh, 86 ; Watson. Port Chalmers, 86; Howe, Wellington. 86) Wakelin, jr., Invercargill, 86 : Entherford. TTaitaugata, 86; Chnrton, Waiiganui,- 86 ; Win, Oamttru, 85 ; Otey.New Plymouth;B3 ; Gray, Marten, 85; W. Ballinger, Wellington, 85 /Matthews. North Wairarapa,', 83; Donnigan. Gore, 85 ; Anokkind, ,83 • Avery,'Ohinenmtu, 84; Pring, Mauaia, 84; Perry,-' Wanganui, 1 81 ; ■ McParlane, Christchurch, 81 ; Smith, Kaiiangata, 84 Harford, Marton. 84; Bairatow, Carterton, 81.. Counted out—Armstrong (Dunedin)i ‘B4 -* At the invitation of ;Mr , Hatrick, the Mayor, the competitors will' go up the Wan ganui river on Sunday. . ; ■ -.- On Monday morning the Hawke’s Bay Match, 500 and 600yds, ten shots at each range, will be taken. , i '

A COUNCIL MEETING.. CUTTING DOWN THE PRIZE MONEY. •' ; ' r ''WANGANra,' February. 2G. At a meeting of the council of the New Zealand ; Rifle " -Association, the financial position .was discussed, and it was decided to strike out (except in the match finished yesterday) all first prizes, and also an additional £1 prize in each match... The District Match is struck out, and tho-.money prize in the Championship ‘Mateh’sis t 'reduced from £35 to £3O for the winner of the belt, from £25 to £22 10s for the second man, and from £ls to £l2 10s for third. Altogether a saving will'be effected of

about £IOO. What is now known as the Ladies’ Match (not the match' for ladies) will ;in future .be known; as the Auckland Match. The annual meeting will be held on Tuesday: night. , -.Competitor? are delighted, to iliear that if the existence of .thel association is coritinhed Major Somiheri'ille is willing 1 tb” cdritinue as its head. Si'he weather continues verV fine?