THE FEDERAL RIFLE MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10618, 13 March 1896, Page 2

THE FEDERAL RIFLE MEETING.

(Per United Peess Association.)

Oamabu, March 12,

At a meeting of the Rifle Association to-night Humphries (Taranaki) and Izard (Wairarapa) resigned their seats,,and Atkinson (Hawera) and Major Douald (Wairarapa) were appointed to the vacancies and attended the meeting. It was decided that no hand grips be allowed on rifl.s. This decision will probably affect Quteuslanders seriously, as they use* hand grips, ewing to the excessive heat experienced in their colony. The council decided to strictly enforce the time limit for individual shots. The question of allowing the Australian visitors to compete in the final stige for the championship wa 3 held over for further discussion. Objection was taken on the ground that an Australian might be t£e highest aggregate, and would take the chief money prize in the match, while a New Z .slander would have only the barren honour of holding the belt. It was also pointed out that no doubt the prize money iv this match had induced a number of colonial shots to attend the gathering. As there is no' immediate necessity to settle the question, it will be tslked over to-morrow, and again discussed by the. council in the evening. A proposal was made to firs the Federal Match at as early a, ' date as possible instead of after tbe championship. This, too, was deferred pending a communication with the Union Company respecting the departure of steamers for Australia, and it was decided that the six highest volunteers in the aggregates bs membei'3 of the New Zealand Federal team, the council to select the remaining four. In the event of the Federal Match being fired before the Championship, it was decided the aggregates be struck at that period. Major Sommerville and Lieutenant Kirk (Wellington) were chosen the New Zealand representatives to attend the meeting of the Australian Federal Council, which will be held here on Monday evening. The council decided to disallow the use of pads of any description. This decision will prevent the use of handkerchiefs in protecting the cheek against the recoil of the weapon, a system which has been hitherto freely adopted by competitors.

The weather to-night is fine, and there i 6 every appsorance of it continuing so.

The Intercolonial Challenge Cup, which accompanies the Federal Match and which is at present held by the Queensland team, is on view here. It is of massive silver, handsomely chased, and tt-nds 3ft. Gin high. The trophy was presented by Mr Johu M'Sregor, of New South Wale*, aid is said to have cost between lOOgs and 500gs. The cup is to be fired for for 12 years, at the end of which time it becomes the property of the colony wbich has most wins engraved. It has been shot for on seven occasions, .Victoria winning four times, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales one each. New Zealand would have to win it fivu years running to secure the trophy, while the other colonies except Victoria would have to win it four times out of tbe nest five competitions. It, therefore, appears almost a certainty that it will become the property of Victoria.

The Hon. W. Hall-Jones arrived to-night, and will represent the Government at the opening ceremony to-morrow. Majors Sommerville and Collins interviewed the Minister to-night, and urged that Government assistance should be given towards entertaiuing the visitors at a picnic at Elderslie; . It was pointed out tbat the amount required would be about £35: Mr Jones promised to communicate with the Premier on the subject.