RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4319, 30 March 1901, Page 5

RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

NELSON WINS THE CHAMPION. • SHIP. PBESS ASSOCIATION. WANGANUI. Alarch; 29. Tho fifty competitors who made the highest aggregate scores iu th© principal matches of tho Now Zealand Rifle Association’s meeting fired 1 off the final stage for the championship this morning —ten shots at 700ycb. Nelson, of Woodvdilc, made tho excellent score of 49 out of the possible 60. and so won the Championship Belt. The following were the detailed scores: Grand

Gleadow (Napier), Woollett (Dunedin), MoFarlano (Christchurch), Kemp (Christchurch)'and Eandell (Wellington), each 044, tie for the last prize of £3, and will fire off.

Others who fired were:—Feist (Wai. rarapa), 543;' Marshall (Karori), 542; Lacey (Wellington), 541; W. Ballinger, (Wellington), 539; Watts (Christchurch), 539; Wain (Studholxne), 537; F. Williams (Woodville), 637; Webster (Auckland), 535; Burns (Karori), 534; Head (Wellington), 533; Trovethick (Petone), 533; Martin (Tima.ru), 533; Keunard (Marion), 532; Parkes (Palmerston North), 530; Wickens (Wellington), 529; Hoffeins (Wairarapa), 529; T. Fraser (Kaitangata), 525; Buntin (Christchurch). s2o ; Chilton (Wanganui), 525; Skinner (Auckland), 523; Needham (Palmerston North), 522; Sontag (Dunedin), 521. Nelson, the Rifle champion, also wins tho Rifle Challenge Cup, as the highest scorer in the match.

Beginning eleven points behind his dub mate, Wilson, who was at the head of the aggregates this morning, he never thought he had a chance for the Belt. At the 700 yards’ range, with liis first five) shots, he brought up the “bull” disc, and when those then on, top had fired a similar number of shots, the aggregates were; —Wilson 550, Bang 549, the latter having pulled a point on the former. Then came Arthur Ballinger 548, Nelson next with 547, and W. Loveclav fifth with 546. Nelson had found the spot, and he plugged in three more “bulls.” Then ho got an inner, and finished with “bull,” malting the second score in- Now Zealand of 49 out pf 50 in a ten-shot match at 700yds, this, j too, with the tension of shooting for one of the most coveted trophies in New Zealand. Ballinger was, perhaps, one of the first to finish in the final stage, and lie was then second to Nelson. King, who got an ‘outer’’ with his third business shot, finished up with three “mags,” and left his aggregate 566. With Nelson’s total at 570, Ballinger’s 567, Boveday’s and King’s 566, J. G. Wilson had still four shots to go, and there was a chance, that the older rifle, man would hold his-position. He scored 34 —35 —and lost the belt by a point. W. Loveday and King tied for fourth place, the former winning the shoot-olf. ■

At the presentation ,o‘f prizes • tonight the prominent shooting men, including, of course, the champion, ware accorded a heartv and enthusiastic reception. Nelson, who made perhaps the most remarkable score ever recorded in New Zealand, of 49 out of 50 at 700 yards, received a great ovation.

Tl. Nelson. Woodville, 49 (£33, tho 570 Belt, and gold medal).... and Wilson, Woodville, 37. (£25 569 silver star) A. Ballinger, Wellington, 39 (£lo 567 and silver star) W. Loveday, Woodville, 37 (£10 566 and silver star) Kins, Oamaru, 36 (£8 and silver 566 star) ... ... Humphreys, Hastings, £5 (38) (38) . 664 Sergeant Okey, Taranaki, £5 564 G. Loveday, Woodville, £o (33) ... 602 Turnbull, Gore, £5 (ov, ... Purnell, Wanganui, £5 (37) Domigan, Gore, £4 (32) ... 560 558 556 Balfour, .Napier, £4 (37) ... 652 Thorpe, Wairoa, £4 (39) ... Taylor, Auckland, £4 (41), 552 550 Pearscn, Timaru, £4 (33) 549 Turner. Wellington; £3 (39) 549 548. Hawtbome. Wellington, £3 (38) ... (Jox, Auckland, £3 (40), ... ■ 547 547 Wiuslade, Wanganui; £3 (34)