OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1927, 29 January 1891, Page 30

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

HEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THB ANNUAL PRIZE FIRING.

Fibst Day— Tuesday. Napdbb, January 20. Tbe annual prizo firing under the auspices of the iNew Zealand Rifle Association was commenced to-day. The number of competitors this year is 197, and this will allow of the prize money being given in full. The weather was close, but a cool breeze was blowing across tho range. There were a good many spectators present to witness the opening ceremony. On the competitors arriving on the ground, they were drawn up in a hollow square. The honour of firing the first shot was conferred on Miss Hislop, daughter of the owner of the land on which the range is situated. Captain Somerville sighted the weapon for her, and the shot went a little to the right of the bull. Whea the red disc appeared, Miss Hislop was loudly cheered. Captain Somerville thanked her on behalf of the association; and Mr Hislop, the owner of the property, made a few remarks, extending the heartiest welcome to the officers and men. The meeting was then declared open. • After the ceremony, clouds began to gafcner, and by noon the wind had increased till it blew with considerable force. The first range of the Wellington match, 200 yds, was finished before 12 o'clock, and a start was not made with the next range till 2 o'clock. About that time a small shower fell, but it cleared off in a few minutes, and the wind also dropped for the rest of the afternoon. The sun shone out strongly, and competitors had very little cause for complaint, either as regards light or windage. At the short range of the Wellington match none of the competitors scored the possible, but Gunner Weir (Thames)i Sergeant Lavery (Christchurch), and Private Wakelyn (Christchurch) put on 34. Going back to the next range, Weir and Wakelyn scored 33 each, thus gaining a lead of one. The top soorers at this range were SergeantMajor M'Callum (O Battery, Auckland), and Lieut. Hughes (Wanganui) who went within one of the possible. At the long range Weir made 30 and won first money with a total score of 97. Wakelyn, who had kept with him up to the finish of the previous range, fell to pieces, only being able to register 21. M'Callum, who had 32 to his credit at 200 yds range, managed to gain 28 at the last range, and consequently took second prize with 94. The third prize fell to Private M'Carthy, Wakari Rifles, who had kept close up at the three ranges, making 32 at 200, 30 at 500, and 31 at 600. Private Kruse, Wanganui Rifles, and Sergeant Martin, Tuapeka Rifles, also made 31 at the last range. Sergeant Lavery, who was so well up at the short range, dropped down the -list at 500 yds, as his score was only 27, but at the long distance he again came up to the front with 31 and gained fourth position. The following are the prizewinners :— Thb Wellington Match (which doei not count for belt).

Gunner Weir, Thames Eavals, £8 ... ... 97 Beret-major M'Oallum, O Battery, Auckland, £6 94 Private M'Carthy, Wakari, £5 ... ... 93 Sergeant Lavery, Christchurch Guards, £5 ... 92 Sergeant Perry, Alexandra Cavalry, £4 ... 92 Private Scott, Hon Reserves, Christchurch, £i,., 90 Private Kruse; Wanganui Bifles. £i ... ... 89 Gunner Kelly, A Battery, Auckland, £3 ... 89 Private Bunting, Wellington Guardß, £3 ... 89 Gunner M'Gregor, I Battery, Oamaru, £3 ... 88 Bombardier Webster, A Battery Auckland, £3 ... 88 Private Cameron, Hon Reserves, O'churoh, £2 ... 88 Private Ballinger, Wellington Guards, £2 ... 88 Private Wakelyn, Christchurch Reserves, £2 ... 88 Private Banks, Ohristohuroh Reserves, £3 ... 87 Gunner Howe, D Battery, Wellington, £1 ... 88 P O Woollett, Dunedin Navals, £1 ... ... 86 Private Chambers. Napier, £1 ... ... 86 SeamanMaheny, Wanganui Navals, £l ... 85 Gunner King, F Battery, Napier, £1... ... 85 Sergeant Martin, Tuapeka Rifles, £1... ... 84 Gunner Wales, Dunedin Rifle Club, £1 ... 84 Gunner Grear .fitzherbert Rifle Club, £1 ... 34 Lieutenant Okey, Taranaki Rifles, £1 ... 84 Captain Tobln, Irish Rifles, Auckland, £1 ... 84 Corporal Parnell, Wanganui City Rifles, £1 ... 84 Lieutenant Simmers, North Duuedin Rifles, £1 83 Sergeant Parslow, A Battery, £1 ... ... 83 Gunner Sloane, Tarrawonga Rifle Club, £1 ... 83 Lieutenant Foster, Wanganui Rifles, £1 ... 83

M'Carfchy (Victorian Rifles), and Salek (Ashburton Rifles) were counted out. When, tho last range in the Wellington match wasbeingfiredayoung man named Fredericks who was marking in the trenohes had the third finger of his right hand lacerated by a bullet splinter. Fredericks, who is a man of short stature, was standing on a box in the trench, and was in the act of tarring his target, when he was hib by the splinter of a bullet intended for the next target. His injuries which are not of a serious nature, were, attended to in camp, and he was then taken to the Napier Hospital.

Corporal Gardiner is progressing favourably at the hospital.