THE FEDERAL RIFLE. MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10619, 14 March 1896, Page 6

THE FEDERAL RIFLE. MEETING.

j(EgK United Press Association.)

Oajiabu, March 13.

■■■-~ $h» .Federal Rifle meeting opened thi»moraing- under the most favourable circumstances, there being a bright ran with afresh north-east breeze from the left, which blew direct across the range. The day being a public holiday there was & good attendance of the public The total number of entries is 254, as follows :— Otago and Southland, 89; Wellington and Wairarapa, 39; Canterbury, 39; Hawkes's Bay, 17; Wanganai and Taraniki, 16; Queensland, IS; Auckland, New South Wales, and Victoria, 12 each; Nelson, 2; South Australia, 1. Though none are living out on the range it present* every appearance of a camp, a large number of tents having been erected for the convenience of competitors, and three large marquees erected for the Queensland, Victorian, and New South Wales teams respectively.

At 11 o'clock the fall in was sounded, and a juarter of an hour later the mayoress arrived it the 200 yds range, vrhere a rifle had been laid by the champion, VV. Ballinger.

Major Somerville thanked the Oamara residents for their generosity, and referred to the importance of the meeting as a federal one. He welcomed the Tiaitors from Australia, and said while every courtesy would be extended they must not look for favours. There was the range, and, like the New Zealander, they most do the best for themselves. Hs regretted- that it was possible this would be the last meeting the association would hold, as he had been informed that they could not look for any further support from the Government.

. Mm Aitkeu firod the flrstshot, which brought np an inner disc jusS on the edge of the bull's eye, amid cheers.

The Mayor, in declaring the range open, thanked Mr John M'Lean for the ftea use of his property, also the people for readily responding to the local committee's request for assistance. He alse -welcomed the Australians, and trusted they would go away satisfied with their visit, and that the would have a fair share of success. Speaking a little selfishly, he would like to see the New Zeal&nders secure "the handsome trophy in the Federal Match, though they would have to put their brat leg forwards to do no. Oamaru had promised to provide a range and prize money for the Oamara match. The raige was before them, and he hoped they would be pleased with it. The Mayor then haaded Major Sommerville a cheque for £l£o.

The Hon. W. Hall-Jones regretted the absence of the Defence Minister, who was detained in Wellington on important buainess. The, Government, he said, were alive to the importance of mainlining the defences of the colony in a high state of efficiency, »nd every member of the Government, was similarly impressed. Ho regretted to hear the remarks of Major Sommerville that this was likly to be the last gathering, and said if it rested with him there would be a moating next year, and for many years to come.— (Cheers.) He referred to the Johannesburg incident as showicg the necessity for efficient marksmen. The Government had daring the past year expended £30,000 beyond the preceding year, and the Johannesburg affair may have had something to do with their advancing the defences. Six Maxims, he said, were being imported, and bo keenly did the Government feel on the defence question that they were approaching' the Imperial authorities with the view of securing a complete military staff for the colony. The presence of the squadron in New Zealand waters mast have been enconraging to volunteers, as in the event of war they would know that they would have outside assistance. He referred to the recent increase of the ..defence vots .by the Imperial Government, and said while at Bomb they were fully alive to meet any emergency, so was New Zealand quite prepared to undertake ber share. The Martini-Henry rifle hud beep- adopted on the recommendation of the military adviser, and the Government could not go behind "that. The Lee-Metford was no" doubt a good weapon, bat a long-distance rifle was not of such necessity, here as-in other countries.: Then again there was the cost. They would find that when the Government changed the weapons it would be from the Martini to the- weapon of the future. He welcomed the visitors, and trusted New Zealand would shortly send a team to Australia and also to England. Colonists had held their own in other outdoor sports, and he did not fear the result if a team ws.s sent to compete at Bieley. The asuqoiation could feel assured that this would not be the. last meeting. As to the defences, they had no anxiety about them, as everything had been done to put them on a proper - footing. He was confident that Imperial defence would come eventually as sure as night followed day. The hon. gentleman's speech was received enthusiastically. Three cheers for the mayoress terminated the ceremony, and the Nelson Match (not counting for-tha -Belt) was proceeded with. The 200 yds range took almost a couple of hours. The shooting throughout was fairly good, whila some first-class scores were put on, clearly proving that the ammunition is good.'/ But the real test will be at the longer r»Dges. Competitors generally express themselves pleased with the range, and though the fresh wind continued it was steady from th« left. Head pnt on the ■ possible. Several others are close up. ; The leading scores are:—Head (Auckland), 35; W. Loveday (Woodville), Bobiiliard 3*; Sloan (Victoria),% A. Ballinger (Wellington), Browne (Auckland), Bunny (Pefcone), Banks (Chmtchurch),. .G. Loreday (Woodville), Robinson (Kiverton), Grant (Brisbane), Fraser (Knitangata), Smith (Dunedin), 33; a number of others scored 32 and 31..,

"The Government- have granted a sum to assist the association m entertaining the visitors, and a picnic will probably be held on Sunday at Mderslie.

At 2.30 a start was made with the 500 yds r»Dge, and though the. wind remained steady it was soon apparent that something was wrong, as the shooting was very erratic, and miBS after miss was reoorded in quick succeeßion. The ammunition of coarse came' in for its full share of condemnation, but it may be that the men {ailed to gain the proper elevation or that the waving grass somewhat interfered with them, be this as it may there was no donbt that the shooting at 500 yds was about the worst seea at an association gathering at that range for some time. 'One prominent Victorian, noted as a reliable sbot, expressed the undoubted opinion that the fault lay with the ammunition, and said from the cartridge he opened he had observed that the grain was irregular and there was too much dust in the powder, a circumstance which he sait', should not be found in pew powder. Other well-known marksmen in in New Zealend loudly condemned the ammunition, to which they attributed the low scores made by themselves. On the other hand those who got on fair Bcores had nothing to say against the ammunition. At 500rda the chief scorers were: — Rule (Oamaru) and W. Smith: (Invereargill), each one point below the possible; Johnston (Dnnedin),' 33; Smith (Dunedin), Mo&dy (Queensland), 31; Banks (Corictchurch), Hale (Wellington), Varker, W Scott (Christchnrch), Head (Auckland), Robinson (Cbristcburch), Smith (Dunedin), Crease (Queensland), 30 each; Donald (Wairarapa), Robertson (Tuapeka), and Morrison (Haiton) failed to find the. target at all, while there were several others who only get one or two shots on, and those poor hits, Coming back to 600 yds, the leading scores were:—Head (Aucklnnd)^ 65; Smith {Dunedin) and Rule (G»maru), 64-; Banks (Christchuroh), 63; W. Scott (ChristchurcU) and Moody (Queensland), 62 ; Parker (Christshnrch), Kirk (Wellington), J. Johnston (Duri*din), and W. Smith (Invereargill), 61. At pOOyds much ths same order prevailed a3 at the previous range, and "bursting" rots reported in all directions. The chief scores at the range were:—Cameron (Oamaru), 30; Raven (Wellington) and Wilson (Woodville), 27; Little (Oamaru),. Sonntag (Dunedin), Trevethick (Petone), Wilkie (Upper Hntt), M'lvor (KaiJcoura), Scott (Christchurch), and White (Oamsru), 25 each.

The following is the prize-list:— TSelsou Match.—2oo, 500, and 600 yards. Seven shots ; not counting for the Belt.

private "W. Scott, Reserve Corps, Christchurch, £8 ... 87 •Wilson, Woodville Rifle Clnb, £6 ... ... 88 Wilkie, Upper Hutt Rifle Club. £5 ... ... 85 Sergeant Moody, A Company, Queensland, £4 84 Cameron, Oamaru Rifle Club, £4 84 Private A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards, £4 83 Private Raven, Wellington Guards, £3 ... 81 Gunner Greensoields, A Battery, Auckland, £3 -..i ■' ... ... _ 81 Private Fraser, Kaitangata Rifles, £3... ... 81 W. Smith, Invercargill Rifle ' lub, £2... ... 81 Gunner Taylor, A Bat cry, Auckland, £2 ... SO G. Ferguson, Queensland Rifle Club, £2 ... 7!) Grace, Petone Rifle Club, £2 79 Little, Oamaru Kifle Club, £2 ... 78

Sergeant-major White (Oamsrn Artillery), Patterson (Hewer* Rifle Club), W. Loveday (Woodville. Rifle Clab), Sergeant1. Parker fChxiatcharch City Guards), 78 each; Robinson (Upper Hni* Bifle Clab), Captain M'Kenzie (InvercngiU Battery), Private Robilliard (Kajapoi Rifles), Rnle (Oamarri Rifle Clnb), Captain Smith (Dunedin City Goardfi), Gunner Head (A Battery, Auckland), 77 each ;' Nimmo (Oamara Rifle Club), Gunner Smith (Oamara Artillery), Avery (Pahiatua Rifle Clnb), Spiers (Oamaru P.ifle Club). Wills (Southland Rifle Club), 76; Cox (Woodvil)e Rifle Clab), Lieutenant Jack (Dunedin City Guards), Sergeant Kruse (Wangauui Rifles), 75 each ; Corporal Gargett. (Brisbane Volunteers), Kelling (Hawera Rifle Club), 74 eaoh— £1 each. ;

Counted out- Gray (Marton Bifle Olnb), O. Hale (Wellington Guards), Lester (Christ, church).

Last year Burns (Karoti) won this match with 93, while 82 wan counted oat.

_ The Gorernmcnt' have decided to giro. a ■irrer cup as an extra prize in the Federal Hatch. •

The number of rifle club members present h (7, and members of tb.3 defence corns sad «n>iimten%; 157. <

[ There is every indication of what promised to be a successful meeting being ntterly spoilt by the wretched ammunition which has been issued to the men, and the anticipation that the complaints respecting the ammunition issued for practice would be voiced with greater force unless the new stuff wa3 an improvement has been fully realised.. -At the finish of the 200 yds range the men retired for lunch, and opportunity w»s taken to get the opinion of some leading marksmen as to the range, ammunition, &c. The general opinion was favourable to the range, though there were net a few who looked with diafavour on a water background, yet this was not regarded as any great drawback, and the Victorians spoke of the range as very similar to their own range at Williamstown. One and all, however, admitttd that the short range was not a true test of the quality of thß ammunition, and before finally passing it as good preferred to wait the result ot the shooting at 500 and 600 yards. The firing had not long been resumed after lunch before complaints were long and continuous in condemnation of the ammunition, and a glance at the score sheets revealed the fact that misses were almost as numerous as hits. Not only were the lesser lights failing to find the target, but some ©f the best known Australian and New Zealand shooting men were in difficulties. With weather evidently all in favour of the men, and at the distance at which usually good scores are registered, it was apparent tbat the men were suffering under some disability. Asked as to the causs, the majority without hesitation put it down to the ammunition, which they characterised as " vile stuff." A few were inclined to partial'.y attribute tbe cause to incorrect elevation, bat if this was correct it is bard to explain how the marksman would first get a bull's eye and then, perhaps, a couple ot misses, which they wonld follow up with another "boll" ; and this was happsning all slang the line. Then, again, others complained of the waving grass in iront of the targets, which somswhat resembled a mirage, and iiaally the background came in for a little abuse. There were, however, only a few who took exception to the latter until late in the day, when they complained that the only portion of the target they could see was the bull's eye, and they could not trace the edge of the target. At 600 yards there was no improvement—if anything it watj worse, —and when the "cease firing" sounded the majority of the representatives were in anything but a hippy frame of mind. This is hardly to ba wondered at when such wretched scoring was being made. As an instance of the poor display at 600 yards, the following scores by hitherto reliable men may be quoteii :—Wakelin (Chri'tchurch),' 5; Churton (Wangsnui), 9; Williams (Wellington), 11; Rosb (Napier), IS; White (Auckland), 13; Haoby (Victoria), 17 ; Doughiy (Auckland), W. Bailiogr-r (Wellington), )8, Somathing from 30 to 33 would be a ; fair score for auy of the above. .j

On returning to the parade gronnd the one absorbing topic was the ammunition, and it was universally agreed that it was absurd to go on undsr the present conditions. A number of th 6 Australian men declared they would not fire in the: Federal Match with the present ammunition, while sevec&l New Zealanders threatened to return home at once, as hitting the target was simply a question of luck. This 'evening representatives from the districts have htld meotiogs at their respective hotels, and the feeling is that it is nscltss to go on with the present ammunition, the Australians being particularly ssvere in condemning it.

A deputation was appointed to wait on the council with a view to remedy the evil, bat the council at present is powerless, though every effort is being made to get iresh ammunition from Wellington or Dunedic. Major Sommerville is in communication with the Defence department, in ■Wellington asking if a supply of Vicioriau-roanufact'ired ammunition in stock there is available, f Riling which an endeavour will bs niado to get a supply of New Zealand ammunition of 1894- make from Duuedin, which is said to be fairly goodi In any case the association csnld not be in a worse position than it is now. This unfortunate cironmstance has thrown the association on the horns of a dilemma, and members of the council admit they cannot prbe?ed with this ammunition, and. the programme as in book cannot, at all events, be gone on with to-morrow. It is proposed, that Marlborough-Kynooh Match, 500 yds- 10 shots, counting for the Bait, be taken in.the morning. In this match Kynoch provides ammunition hms-if, and if the proposal w carried out it will prove interesting to watch aDd compare the pcores in the match with those at 500 yds to-day. In the afternoon it is 'proposed' to take the Ladies' Mutch, 200 yds, 10 shots, standing, kneeling, or sitting, aad not counting for the Belt. The reason of this course is to enable better quality ammunition to be secured before the principal matches begin. In addition to the inferior quality of the powder, the cartridges appear to be of faulty construction, a» there are innumerable instances of the pin being driven right through the cap.