INTERCOLONIAL MILITARY TOURNAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL MILITARY TOURNAMENT.

(From Or# Owx Cormsmsdknt.)

CHIIISTCHURCH, December 26. the intercolonial mihiarv touniuinent in connection uitJi the Exhibition was opened Unlay jn favourable weather, |ho programme occupying from 8 a.m. until 10 p.ni. jo complete, notwithstanding' the fact that during the morning several events were ill progress simultaneously. For the two days' events tho competitors number 650, all parts of the colony from Waikato to tho Bluff being represented, in addition to winch a team of Garrison Artillery from -Melbourne and a detachment of Field Hospital Corps from South Australia, are participating. A large gathering also of military officers from different districts of i<cw Zealand was present, while Sir J. 0. Ward in bis capacity as Minister of Defence paid an official visit to tho ground this afternoon. Much interest attached to tho debut of tho Victorian representatives, who were heartily cheered whenever they took the field. They mado a most satisfactory showing throughout, .providing first and sceond prizctakers in tho, Beitijiff tangent sights contest. In tlm teams riflo and firing exercise event tho Australians figured prominently, but wore beaten for first, place by the Wellington Cilv Guards by half a point. Their marching; and drill generally were particularly line and attractive, bur they lost ground in the actual rifle exorcises. In the physical drill co.ntesl: they also showed to considerable advantage, Wellington City Guards, however, furnishing the winning detachment. The infantry work all round was magnificent, the physical drill and rifle-firing exorcises eclipsing anything yet witnessed within the colony. The artillery manoeuvres.. wore executed with equally good effect. Th (he sub-section alarm the 10 Battery (Christchurch) easily outclassed all its opponents, although tho I Battery (Wcstport) made an excellent .showing for tho youngest detacliment. iu the colony. The Engineering events embraced all branches of sen-ice undertaking, and were executed with commendable precision, effectiveness, and speed. The tugs-of-war (mounted and dismounted) evoked a. largo amount of interest and excitement. ' After a series of unusually strenuous pulls, Iho 10 Battery (dliristelmrcli) won the mounted bvent, with tho Canterbury Mounted Rifles second, the other competitors including Feilding and) tile Ilereliiuiiga, Mounted Rifles. In the dismounted contest- the famous Bluff Guards team (which holds- an unbeaten: record) defeated North Canterbury Mounted Rifles for the final. A noticeable feature con ; nectod with these two teams ua-s a preponderance of lialftasic Maoris. The Melbourne Garrison Artillery men also took part, but were easily disposed of. Tomorrow's programme consists of lent and f>ignalliug competition, electric land mine, and field work, route marching, amhuianeo events, and a considerable number of other contests embracing ail branches of Mie A 7 oluntcer service. The following aro the results

Two Men Gun-laying and Fuse-setting Competition. First, £i\ second, £I.—Corporal Tallon and Bomb. Gardner (Ii Battery, Dunedin), lmin 23see, 1; Gunner .Griffiths nrnl Gunner (laniham (I Battery, Wellington), lmin 3tscc, 1!; Sergeant Childe and GUnner Morrison (Iv Battery, Christehnrch), lmin 35see, 3. Sixteen teams competed.

Lemon-cutting and Tilting at. the Ring (with swords). First, ±2; second, i'l.—Sergcant Driver Janson (D Battery, Wellington), 11 points, 1; Sergeant-major lianby (Mannwatii M.R.), 11 points, 2; Sergeant JCutt (C.iI.C.). SI. In tile xun-off between iTansnn and lianby, the former scored 7 points and the latter 0.

Setting Tangent Sights. First if; second, 10s.—Corporal Iliggius (Austtalum Garrison Artillery, Melbourne) 1, Bomb. l)o',veil (Australian Garrison Artillery) 2.

• Rifle and Firing Exercises, for one noncommissioned officer and 12 men. First, £10; second, I'a.—Wellington City Rifles (Colour-sergeant Davis), 91 points, 1; Australian Garrison Artillery, Melbourne (Ser-geant-major Salery), 901 points, 2; Invercargill City Guards, S9 points, !i. Also competed; College Ritles (Wellington) 7.\S points, Wakari Rifles (Otago) 55 point', anil Kaitanga'a Rifles 32J points.

Trumpet Calls Contests. First, £1; second, 10s. —Bugler Smith (Canterbury Highland Rifles), S9 points. 1; Bugler G. Waddington (Imperial Hiflea), 72 points, 2.

Bugle Calls Contest. First, £1: second. 10s.—Bugler Smith (Canterbury Highland Rifles), 85 points, 1; Bugler Waddington (Imperial Rifles). 80 point!, 3.

Sword v. Bayonet (mounted). First, £11; second, £2.— Farthing and Rifleman Byrne (both bayonet),' equal, 1.

Barrel I Pier Raft Competition. One noncommissioned officer anil 10 mc\n. First, .["7 10s; second, fa.—Canterbury Engineers, DO points (time, 3min 40=cc), 1: Dunedin Engineers, SG 2-" points (4min Msec), 2. Also compcteil: Wellington Engineer:- - , Gtl 1-11 points (Bmin, 17Jsec). Signalling Competition (Morse code). For teams of four men. First, £'4; second, ,£2. No. G Company N.Z. Engineers (Wellington), 132.45 points, 1; No. 1 Company N.Z. Engineers (Cliristchnrch). 1ft0.5 points, 2; Royal N.Z. Eiif>ineere (Wellington), 15fi.1.2.") noints, 3; No. 1 Company N.Z. Engineers Volunteers (Christchurcli), 183.75 points, 4: Nof 2 X.Z. Engineer Volunteers (Puncdin), ICO points, 5; Dunedin Engineer Cadets. l&9.i"> points. G. Sixteen teams competed. Tug-of-v;ar. First, £10; second, £s.—Bluff Guards 1, Xorth Canterbury Jt.lt. 2. Tiig-of-v/ar on Horseback. First. i 4; se_ cond, X'2.—E Battery (Ciirislrliurdi) 1, Canterbury M.H. 2. 0 tin-laying (one man). First, £1; second, 10s.—Gunner Waller (No. 4 Company G.A.V., Wellington), 40 points, 1; Corporal Letldi (Australian Garrison Artillery), 3'. points, 2. Knl>-section Alarm. First, £15; second, £10.—E Battery (Christchurcli), 80 points, 1; D Battery (Wellington) and X Battery (WeStporl), 7t points, 2. Fascine and Gabion Competition. First, £.j; second, £I.—No. 1 Company N.Z. Engineers (Christchurcli) 1 No. 2 Company N.Z. Engineers (Dunedin) 2. Night Alarm. First £- 10s; second, £I.— Dunedin Navals, Imin B;ec, 1; Bluff Guards, lmin 33sec, 2.