NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 3458, 3 March 1886, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

(by telegraph.) Wasrasui, March 2. The protest* lodged against Purpell and others for usins long snider rifles is creatine a good deal" of interest among a large section of the competitors, who believe the Council will uphold the protest. The Conncil have held two meeting, but no definite decision ha 3 been arrived at, owing to some members of the executive, who are competing in the matches, being unable to attend the meetings. The general opinion is that it would have been better had the protests been considered immediately after lodged, before the belt matches commenced. As it ia now, some of the competitors have fired in to-day's matches cinntiog for the belts, and should the Conncil disqualify those using long rifles, there are several who may be considered " probables " for the rifle belt that will lose all chance, as their scare in to-day's match would be disallowed, and they would blso lose what prizi-money they have won. The armorer's report on long rifles is not at all in favor of that weapon, and he declared that if he had to choose the weapon with 'lnch to fire, he would prefer one of those issued by Government. Should the protest be upheld the principal Bhots aflvcted will be Captain Pnrnell, Lieutenant Fiyger, Lieutenant Foster, and Sergeant Mooseman, all of Wangauui. The protests will ba decided before commencing the shooting to-morrow. The greater part of to-day was occupied tn firing off the Hawkes' Bay match, which is the first counting for the belts, and Downie, of the Thames, heads the list with a fine score of 83; Mooseman, of Wanganni, coming second with 82; and Gedde3, ef Dnnedin, third, with 81.

Late in tbe afternoon the Auckland nntch was commenced and the first stage was completed before the cease firing wa3 wooded, Captain Lucas, of the Thames, the-present rifle champion, heading the list with a fine scere of 33 oat of a possible 35. Several others were closed up, including Frederick (Dnnedin), Handly (lackland), and Morris (Oamarn), all of whom made 32.

A. general meeting of the Association will ba held on Saturday night to consider its position, and to decide where the Dext meeting will be held. Blenheim or Christchnrch is mentioned a3 the place where it is likely to be held.

The following i 3 the result of the Hawse's Bat Match. 200 and 500 yards; wanting for Ride and Carbine Belts); ten ahota at each range. Private Downie, Thames Rangers, L 10... 83 Sergeant Mooseman, Waneanui City Bines, L 7 ... ._, S2 Private Geddes, Sooth Dnnedin'Biflesj L 6 . gj PrivateMaddock, Blenheim Bifl'es, Ls* SO Sergeant Webb, Wellington Artillery, M _ 7S Gunner Banting, Napier Artillery, 13 78 Lorporal Barlow, Auckland Artillery, -L3 ... ... yc Private Malt, Waimea Rifles, 13 .'.'.' 77 «rpant Knchen, WeUington ArtiUery, L " 77 There are eight other prizes of LI each. . . -March 3. At a meeting of the Extcutivo Council ot the ;N e w Zsahnd Rifla Association, the natter of shooting with long rifles was diseased and, it being the opinion <f the tonocdthat it was the intention of tho Aisocutton that Volunteers ehonld fire *"& ng 3a as bsned by the Xew Zealand government, it was decided, "That the find that the riHes under protest were not issued by the JN'ew Zealand Uov er n metltj and they ara na aatlsfied „ , tte y b «V the Government viewer's mark, and decide that they shall not be i m BDy com Petition." A further reso3 Wa ?- carried t0 th e **«* that, in ««s did not press for any forfeiture of On™ *° a m , the Ellington Match, the «; e ° d^ ide not to enforce any; &7ZTf- - The ae Paration or altering of tte.condition, for the team matches, so as cn«J^ e » car^ inea I'om rifles, was diseased, but no decision was come to. Klf- h hard] y a brea,h oi w « d , but flight is not favorable for good ahcottmiLj , Anck l ai »d Match is being coni££?» 3Dd wUI be fini shed early ic tho Whk ' h tbo Marlborough Zlt °°° ana m y* is > *« rifles only, y£* commenced. th e e f °U°wii>g ara the prize-takers in

[ Auc'Klakd Match (to count for the two . Belts); 20 >, 300, ar.d 503 yards ; seven shots at each. Thomas, Thsmes, LlO 84 ■ Monlden, Auckland, L 7 ... . Mahon°y, Wanganui, L 6 ... ... 79 Ferjusqn, Tiraaru, La 79 : emington, Wanganui, L 5 79 Lieutenant Wattle, Auckland, L 4, ... 79 Craig, Wanganui. L 4 79 Cooper, Auckland, L 3 ■•• •• 78 f'ayne, Auckland, 1.3 ... ••> 78 : Richardson, Donedin. L 3 77 M'Vichan, Waikari, VI 77 Serceant Moosemai, "Wanganui, L2 .. 77 Willotks, I lutha, l2 77 H-.n Hey, Auckland, 1 2 77 Chuck, blenheim, L2 77 There were ten other prizes of LI each. With two matches finished the following are the highest aggregates for the belt 3 : RIFLES. Sergeant Mooseman, Wanganui City Rifles - 15S Private f'owuie, Thames Fa->gers ... 156 P.ivate Willcocks, Clutha Rifles ... 152 Corporal J. Th.mas. Thames Rangers 150 Lien - enant Ferguson, Timaru Rifle 3 ... 149 L : eutenant Wratt, Waimea Idfles ... 149 Private M'Mickan, Waikari Rifles ... 149 . Lien'enant Flyger, Wanganui City Rifles 147 Lieutenaot Hogg, Cluthi Rifles ... 147 Sergeant Parker, Wanganui City Rifles 147 Captain Ache3on, Riverton Kifle3 ... 146 Sergeant Chuck, Blenheim Rifles ... 146 : Private Gree, K3iwaa Kifles 145 Private Mason, Clntha Rifles 145 Lieutenant Cooper, Victoria Rifles ... 144 Private Geddes, Hnuth Dunedin Rifles 144 : Corporal Jones, Waikari Rifles ... 143 Lieutenant Little, Hobson Rifles ... 143 Private Koeseman, Wanganni City Kifles : 143 I Private Gibiin. Stoke Rifles 142 Sergeant Lee, Victoria Rifles 142 CARBISES. Corporal Parslow, Auckland Artillery 154 Sergeant Kuchen. Wellington Artillery 153 Cor,-oral M'Kenzie, Wellington Artillery 150 Gunner Bunting, Napier Artillery ... 148 Sergeant Webb, Wellington Artillery 148 teaman Mahoney, Wanganui Navals... 144 f-'eaman Stitt, rt anganui Navals ... 143 Sergeant Gray, Wellington Artillery ... 142 Lieutenant Moore, Auckland Navals... 142 Petty - i fHcer Monlden, Auckland Navals 142 Lieutenant Ross, Napier Arti'lery ... 142 Trooper W. Watt, Alexander Cavalry 142 Gnnner Woolley, .Auckland Artillery 142