The Rifle Association Meeting.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6211, 21 March 1895, Page 3

The Rifle Association Meeting.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) 'Trentham, March 20. CHAMPIONSHIP. Sharp at three o'clock the final stage of the Championship began, and as was anticipated, a great struggle ensued, the Ballinger Bres. eventually tieing for the Belt, but in firing off W. Ballinger, with the magnificent score of 24 out of 25, beat his brother and secured the coveted trophy. The following is the result of the Championship in all its stages : Captain W Ballinger, Petone Rifle Club. L 25, and gold medal given by Defence Minister 532 Volunteer A Ballinger, Wellington Guards, silver stai and Ll7 10s ... 532 Volunteer Richardson, North Dunedin Rifles, silver star and Ll2 10s ... 526 Sub-Lieut Kirk, Petone Rifles, silver star and L 8 ... ... ... ... 524 Sergt Wakelyn, Christchurch Hon. Reserve Corps, silver s'ar ai d L 6 ... 520 Volunteer Winslade, Wanganui Rifles, L 4 520 T H Head, Whangarei Rifle Club, L 4... 518 J Ross, Waipukurau Rifle Club, L 4 ... 514 Sergb-Major Perry, Alexandra Cavalry, L 4 511 Corporal Brown, A Battery, L 4 ...511 There was a large attendance of the public in the drillshed to-night when the prizes won at the Rifle Association meeting were presented to the successful competitors by the Mayoress of Wellington. In addressing the competitors Major Sommerville said the shooting at the meeting had been so good that it was almost a record, not only for the colony, but also for the whole world. The winners were loudly applauded as they were handed their prizes. The two Bellingers, Richardson, Kirk, Doughty, Wakelyn, Robinson, Parslow, and the two Victorians (Hawker and Steward) being accorded an especially hearcy ovation. At the conclusion of the presentation, at the call of Major Sommerville three hearty cheers were given for Champion W. Ballinger, and also for the ex-champion, Captain Smith. Major Sommerville mentioned that the Premier would have been very happy to be present at the presentation ceremony, but he was kept away by a prior engagement. The excitement over the championship increased as the brothers Ballinger lay down to fire off the tie for the Belt. Captain Ballinger was on 17 target and Arthur on 14. The former was first to finish with 55554, or within one of the possible at 700 yds. The issue was not long in doubt, though his brother made a gallant effort to get up, and his score of 44545 at this stage is seldom headed. That they received the hearty congratulations of friend goes without saying, and the champion, in a few words, told those assembled that he and his brother had often fought out ties, and being of opinion something like that would happen that day, they had on the previous night decided to divide the prize money in the event of a win, and devote L 5 towards the funds of the Association. The brothers were then carried shoulder high round the camp. Captain Ballinger won the Belt in Nelson in 1879, and Arthur Ballinger secured it here a couple of years ago, Wakelyn and Winslade tied for fifth and fired off; Wakelyn securing 16 and Winslade 15. Wakelyn therefore takes fifth place. Captain Ballinger, the champion, is a non-smoker, and has been a prominent shot for years. He visited Victoria one year and New South Wales last year, when he was eighth for the Queen's Prize. Captain Ballinger resigned from the volunteers last year, and is captain of the Petone Rifle Club. He is 36 years of age. His brother deserves every credit for his shooting.