LATIONS FOR THE COLONIAL RIFLE MATCHES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1863, 20 December 1867, Page 5

LATIONS FOR THE COLONIAL RIFLE MATCHES.

A numerously-attended meeting of Volunteers wa« held last evening, in flic Drill Shed, DowJing street, " for the purpose of considering the .Regulations under which it is announced the Colonial Prizes are to be shot for." The meeting w:ia convened by Major Bathgate, to whom (in the absence from town of Lieut-Col. Cargill), a requisition signed by the Captains commanding the several Dunedin corps, was presented. Major TJathoath presided. He read the requisition; and lie reminded the Volunteers, that they must not indulge in inure fault-finding with the Defence Office, but that if they offered suggestions, based on good grounds, those suggestions would no doubt receive careful consideration.

Capt. MTaiuand (Artillery), felt that the Volunteers had nothing to do with, the prizes offered, or the ranges named as those to he shot at; hut the Volunteers were deeply interested in getting their beat men to he their representatives, and in thoso representatives having a fair chance of showing what they were worth, when they got to Wellington. Ho believed the Otago Volunteers were unanimous on this point —Three shots at any one range, were not enough to he a test of any man's shooting. —(Applause.) He knew, from his own experience, that there was a certain amount of luck in shooting—that was to say, the beat in!w might begin with a miss or with a bad .shot ; and if either happened, tho best man would iiot have a chance of proving himself, when but three shots at a range were allowed. He was convinced that a single competition for representatives was not enough ; but the principal objection to the Regulations was the limitation to three shots at a range. He moved—

That tho Volunteers of Otago learn with regret the reduction in tho number of shots to be fired in the Representative Competitions and Colonial Matches, and (in the absence of preliminary competitions, when the aggregate scores would bo taken as the best test of steady and good shooting) they feel satislied, that in order to secure the best marksmen as the representatives of this Province, more than three shots per man at each range is required.

Corporal Sfeioht (No. 1 Company) seconded the motion.

Gunner T chiton knew that from tho Companies shooting regularly at the Kaikorai, some 20 or 25 men could be picked out, as tolerably equal shots. If theso men competed with three rounds each, it would require probably'2o competitions before, the man who won on the first morning was again the winner. His belief was that one competition was not, under "any circumstances, sufficient for choosing representatives ; but, »? he agreed that it was right not to raise more difficulties than were unavoidable, he was content to ask only that more than three shots at a range should be allowed. The number ought to be 10 ; and to ask for five or seven was to be very moderate.—(Applause.) It seemed to him to bo absurd, to say that the man who was to be the Champion Shot of the Colony, should be so on such a test as firing nine shots. —(Applause.) The resolution was unanimously adopted.

Capt. Fulton (West Taieri) moved —

That this meeting respectfully requests tho Officer commanding to convey to the Defence Minister, the opinion of the Otago Volunteers, as expressed in the foregoing resolution, and to suggest that the number of rounds to bo iirJd in the Representative Competitions, and Colonial matches, he increased to Jive or seven shots per man, at each range.

It might bo that the reduction in the number of shots from five to three, had been made with a view to enabling Prince Alfred to be present; but Volunteers would agree that for a person not directly interested, watching a riilo match was one of the "slowest" things possible. To expect that His Royal Highness would be present dnring tho whole competition, was simply out of the question. He (Captain Fulton) hoped that the opinions of the different Companies would be expressed before the resolution was adopted. Ho believed that in his Company, there was unanimity on two points—there should be more shots at each range ; and thero ought to be more than a single competition for representatives;

Capt. Cot-eland (North Dunedin), seconded the resolution. Last year, the Otago men were hurried off to tba ranges as soon as they landed at Wellington. That did not prevent their winning for the Province four out of the five prizes. But what chance would any man have, if he was to fire as soon as he landed from a sea voyage ; and had only three sliots at each of three ranges to fire ? —(Applause;) Corporal Tiikssider (No. 1 Company) thought that if the matter was properly represented at Wellington, the author! - ties Would see clearly that the Regulations ■ were not what they ought to be, ftnd would consent at once to increase the shots at each range to live, if not to more. The motion wa3 unanimously adopted.

On the motion of Gunner Tuiuox, seconded by Gunner Hauuy, it. was reBolvcd—

That copies o£ the foregoing resolutions bo

forwarded to the commanding officer*! in the other Provinces,' with & request that they will endeavor to procure the co-operation of the Volunteers under them, in having the number of shots increased as BUggcat«d in the preceding renol ution.

Captain Stavklkv (Naval Brigade) moved—

That this meeting desires to thank the Colonel and Adjutant for their activo exertions in endeavoring to supply ibo Volunteers of this Province with Government ammunition for practice, and would point out that the stock received from Wellington, some months since, ia expended, and that unless a further supply is obtained at .•».:•• early date, the Volunteers of this Province will not bo in a position to practise or fire for the Colonial and District prizes with Government ammunition.

Capt. M'F.uilaxd seconded the motion. He urged the importance of the Voluntecrn knowing with what particular brand of Government ammunition they would have to fire at Wellington, and of their

practising with that brand, if it could possibly be obtained.

The resolution was adopted'; and it was agreed that a question should be put to thu authorities on the subject of the brand.

TheCuAiiiMAN'congratulated the Volunteers on their steady practice, and especially those who went to the Kaikorai. The indomitable energy and zeal they showed, by getting up so constantly at four in the morning, and taking an hour's walk to the butts, was beyond praise. While that spirit was maintained, there need be no fear for Otago's laurels. The proceedings were concluded by thanks to Major Bathgate, for convening the meeting, and for presiding.