Our Volunteers.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 23

Our Volunteers.

Nelson Prize Firing.

Nelson, Eebruary 27th.

There was beautiful weather to-day for the commencement of the shooting at Brightwater. The firing was delayed this afternoon owing to the markers striking for 7s per day and " found." The Association offered ss, but the men persisted in their demand, and in consequence were dismissed. A detachment of the Armed Constabulary, with some little assistance, marked, but four targets were disabled owing to the want of markers. Major Baillie is in command, with Captain Robb as adjutant. The former, in addressing the representatives, said he hoped the menwould pay proper respect to the members of the staff. He mentioned that it had been reported that several representatives had practised at a target within the distance prohibited by the Association, and said if this were true, and any person protested against their action, the > protest would be fatal.

The first and second prizes of the first match, which were struck Off this morning, have been replaced by the Executive' Committee, but their decision will have to be confirmed by the Council. < Twenty-five per cent, of the prizemoney has been deducted absolutely, and 20 per cent, temporarily. The latter, however, will be refunded when the Assoiation is in funds. It has been decided that any ties for the N.R. A. silver medal shall be fired off shot for shot at 500 yards.

The shooting to-day on the whole was far from good, several of the best shots being well down on the list. The catering was bad. The usual formality of a lady firing the first shot has been done away with. The attendance of spectators to-day was not large; about 100 ladies and gentlemen were present. The first match was that named the_ Nelson," and owing to four targets being disabled it did not finish until 6 o'clock. The following are prizetakers in the order named :—: —

The Otago match for Rifles will be commenced to-morrow. r Bbightwater, February 28th. The Otago and Auckland rifle matches were fired before noon to-day, In the former (200 yards, 10 shots) Cooper of Auckland, with 47, takes first prize. Mitchell, A Battery, 44 points, is the only prize-taker from Otago. He secures 12th prize. Hutchinson made 43, but was counted out. In the Auckland match (same conditions) Armstrong, Thames, was highest scorer with 49. Marshall 43 (11th), was the only prizeman from Otago, Both championships are expected to be decided by 5 p.m. to-morrow. The, afternoon was occupied in firing the Canterbury match, which is the second match to count for aggregates in the Rifle Championship. The weather was dull in the morning, and during the afternoon light showers of rain fell, but not sufficiently heavy to impede the shooting. A meeting to-morrow night to conyider the question of holding the meeting in various parts of the Colony, instead of always at Brightwater, will be largely attended by representatives. The catering arrangements are now perfect, and give great satisfaction. The first prize-taker in the Canterbury match was Hutchinson, Otago . . . . 88 Churton, of Wanganui, with 85, was next ; and Mad dock, of Maryborough, also scored 85. The six highest on the list for the Rifle Belt, 30 far, are :—

An editor wrote a, b<=-acl line, ' A Horrible Blunder,' to go over a railroad i»ccideufc, but thought 'it wan tue prin,er'x f'»ulfc that U got. over the aooouufi of the wedding The editor was (he wwa tubbed »U tb9 wmCi

lutchinson, Otago daddo k, Marlborough 3hurton, Wanganui 'umcll, Wanjranui 3ooper, Auckland andall, Wellington 13. 12! 12! 121 12i 12(

'aynter, Nelson lutchinson, Otago., Dawson, Otago jtordon, Thames „ Jickets, Nelson Waddell, Nelson .. Patton, Nelson „ 3ird, Nelson France, F., Wellington Mackenzie, Wellington Fohns, Thames kl'Lean, Waverley . . rVeii', Thames Pearce, Wanganul . . •key, Sergt., Taranaki Jnsk, Chriitchurch flyger, Nelson N. hams. Wellington ?urnell, Wanganui7ooper, Auckland . . )ouglas, Taranaki . . Purner, A., Wellington Jradley. A., Nelson „ «C .. 6C .. 6C . ; m .. 5S .. 5£ .. 5£ .. 5£ .. 5S .. 51 .. 57 .. 5C .. 5C .. 6C .. 5S .. M .. 5a .. 5B .. 55 .. 55 ..'64 .. 54