THE FEDERAL RIFLE MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10617, 12 March 1896, Page 2

THE FEDERAL RIFLE MEETING.

(Pee United Press Associatiok.l Oamaru, March 11. v Arrangements are almost completed for the Federal meeting, under the auspices of the New Zealand Rifle Assooiation, which opens on Friday.! The range is situatedabont fonr miles oa the north side oE the town, and lying between the railway lias and the ocean, the latter providing the back ground for the targets. Some little dissatisfaction is expressed by the Queensland representatives at the second postponement, owing to their eagerness to get bick home, and one of their number (Lieutenant Clarke) has already left to return to Queensland. The delay was altogether unavoidable, owing to the large amount of work which it was found necessary to do on the range. Major Sommerville hnd been informed that the Bite chosen waa perfectly level, and that, beyond measuring off the range and erecting targets, little attention would be required. However, on arrival he found that the trench had been dug at the wrong angle; also, that when the targets were hung on the posts they could1 not be seen at the firing points. Thii necessitated the erection of mouuds in come places to a height of 3ffc 6in, bat now all is ready save the finishing touches. A3

mentioned, the trench was out to the extent of three chains, and this had to be sat right. The, opsning ceremony will bs performed by Mrs Aitkeo, mayoress, at IO.^O on Friday morning, and immediately on its conclusion the Nelson Match (200, 500, and 600 yards, savon shots) will be fired, and that will probably constitute the day's work. The list of entries is uot yot complete, bat there is expeefced to hi fully 250 if not more. OF these H are from Australia. Most of the men are here, and in there is no camp this year the accommodation has been taxei to the utmost to provide for the sudden influx. It was Best intended to use 30. targets, but the undulating nature of the ground prevented this, and the number has been reduced to 25. The meeting io expected to extend over at least ssven shooting days, the Federal Match tilting quite a day. J. Slcaae is captain of the Victorians in the Federal Match, Lieutenant Kejtiug is in charge of New South Wales, and Major Byron will look after the Queenstaaders. The manner of selecting the New Zealaud team for this match has not yet been decided, but it will be suggested to the council that the seven highest scorers in the grand aggregates for the Champion Bslt be members ot the team, and that the council appoint the remaining trio. This latter precaution will probably be taken to prevent a good shot who may have had a ljttle the wor3t of die luck from bolng excluded. Major Somiuerville will probably captain the team. Another proposal which the council will consider to-morrow night is whether the Australian representatives will be allowed to fire in the Una! stage of the Championship. Hitherto this has not boeu allowed, the stage being strictly coufiusd to New Zsalandgrs. The visitors would not, oE course, be entitled to hold the bslt, but it is their desire to see how their Ecores would compare with those of the New Zsalandera, and it .will be further suggested that in this stage they bs entitled to compete for the money prizes attached thereto. The latter proposal will meat with objections froml cartain quarters. A good deal of practice has been indulged in here by representatives, but complaints Joud and deep are mada against the ammunition, and these, apparently, are borne out by the erratic shooting made. Unless the new ammunition, which will be used at the meeting, comes up to expecSatiot. the association may expect to henv these complaints voiced even with greater force, 'i'hu men aro all anxious to ccc how the new etnff will turn out. There are already rumours of a protest against the ammunition, but on what grounds is no-: yet revealed, though the weight of the bullet is said to be one. It will bo hard indeed on the men if the ammunition uhould fail them, as they will find it quite dilEoult enough to haug on if the prevailing wind (north-east) comes up with any strength. Even to-day, with s, light wind a strong draft came over the cliffa and caused a difference of 3ft ia the wind between the left end right flank. The following previous holdei'3 of the Champion Belt will take part in the meeting:— Churtou, Wanganui, 1884-; White. Auckland, 1837; Williams, Wellington. 1890 ; Kruse, Wsnganui, 1891 ; Doushty, Auckknd, 1892; A. Bullinger, Wellington, 1893 ; Smith, Dunedin, 1894 ; W. Ballinger, 1879 find 1895 ; Ross, Napier, winner of the carbine belt 1884, 1886, 1888. Sergeaut Pnrslow, of Auckland, oue of the most able and popular marksmen in the colony, will be an absentee. The men will be taken out by train »t 7.45 each morning, returning to town about 630 p.m. Major Sommerville is in command. Captain Lomax ha 3 been appointed officer in charge of the range,