NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 23

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

OAMARU WINS THE BELT. Second Day. Oamaeu, March 15. When the competitors we re procaeding to the range this morning a dense frg hung like a paii ] over O.iraaru, and ib was almost impossible to i discern objects mt>re than 100 y&rdg distant. | On the range much the same thiDg prevailed, ' and pI hough the men fell in at 8.30, the tiaie appointed to begin, and •were marched to the firing points, M»jor Sommerville wisely gave j ordera to cea?e firmg 1 , declaring that it was | unfair to a*k aim to shoot through such ■weather. Half an hoar later the sun broke through, ar.d, a frfth wind springing up, tbe i'og cleared, and shortly after 9 a start was made. Even then the light was very tricky, 'while, a baffling wind was blowing from the rear. The colonial ammunition was withdrawn snd that of Victorian manufacture was ! used ; yet the men were dißsatisfieJ, and many openly confessed as the day wore on that they would, prefer to shoot wish the colonial ammunition of December, 1897, which yesterday the council decided to have withdrawn. An application has ,beeu made ' to allow competitors to have the option of using colonial or V.etorian ammunition, and very probably iheTtquest will be eoncedtd, as several of the rout oil are of opinion that there is very little difference. Colonel Pi Is Peuton visited the range to-day and took a lively interest in investigating the rnanuer in which the meeting is conducted, and it is believed that he was . favourably impressed. j ' Nine teams have entered for the Champion i 'Teams Match, which is decided by the grand j aggregates of the five highest men from any ; corps or rifle club in the H&wke's Bay, Slarlborough, Wangauui, Oamaru, Christchurch, Weliiugton, and Ocago Matches. Owing to no money having been subscribed by the local re* idents towards the Oamaru Match, the prize money for this match has been reduced from £120 to £63, the latter being the amount awarded to tb>: other matches. : Operations began to-day with the 500 yards ' range of tie Hawke's Bay Match, and here Captain Smith, of Dunedin (ex-champion), *nd Volunteer Pearson, of Timaruj each got* oa the fine score of 48 out of SO ; while Volunteer White, of Oamaru, and Sergeant M'Farlane, of Cbristthurch, were close up with 46. There were sevtral bcoivb of 45 and 44, bub taking tbe shooting generally it was not fiett class. At 600 jard^ the shooting was even woree, and the only decent Ecore put on waß by Mr C. Reynolds, of Carfcerton, who rang on 46 with his 10 shots. Many of those who had got on good scores at the shorter range fell away here and finished in the rack, i With the finish of- this mat cb, which was the first counting for the Belt, the men adjourned ; for Junchj and during the afternoon a couple of single-range matches (each counting for the Beit) were shot off. In the first — the Marlborough Match, ,»t 500 yards — some excellent ; shooting was 'Witnessed, both tbe weather and light having improved. Sergeant Sommerville, of the Alexandra Cavalry, a promising , '■ young shot, who was one of tiie New Zealand i 1 contingent which visited London during her | ( Majesty's Jubilee, won with the good score of I 1 48 out of 50. He w&s tied by four otheis, but his i ■was the best 48 under thf rules of association. 1 In the Waoganui Match, 700 yards, the shooting wag about as poor as could be seen, and several j ' of the competitors only managed to hit the target ( : ihr'tce out of 12 shots, including their sighters. Quite half of the scores were under 20, out of ' a. possiole 50, and the only fair score was that of Volunteer Robinson, who secared five under , i the possible. Certainly tbe wind was unsteady j and the light; gradually failing— the latter to j such an ezteot that there were some complaints j of men having to continue to such a late hour (6 o'clock). To-night the weather is threatening, and a light drizzle fell for a time. Scores :—: — Hawke's Bay Match. -500 and 600 yards ; 10 shots at each „ counting for the Belt. Volunteer M'Gregor, Oamaru, £7 „. ... 87 Volunteer Mack&y, Cbristchurch, £6 86 Volunteer T. Frazsr, Kaitangata, £5 ... ... 86' Sergeant M'JTarlane, Ghristchurch, £4 , ... 85 Mr C. Reynolds, Carterton, £i ... ','„ ... 81 Mr J. Rosf, Napier, £3 .. ... |" ... 84 Sergeant Little, OamaTu, £3 ... *" "'. 84 Volunteer Howe, Wellington, £2 „, ,'.] 83 Volunteer White Oamaru, £2 „, ,'„ '," 8,3 Mr W. Nimmo, Oamaru, £2 ... .„. ,„' 82 Mr T Steadman, Whangarei, £2 , 82 , Volunteer Richardson, Dunedin, 82 ; Lieutenant < £>odds, Port Chalmers, 81 ; Mr M-llattie, Mas- ' terton, Bl ; Volunteer Pearson, Timaru, 81 ; Volun- ' teer Perkins, Christchurch, 80 ; Mr Welch, Mas- < terton, 80; Colour-sergeant Smith, Osm-.m, S'l , Mr G. Cran, Akaroa, 80; Air W r.ulhnt'=r, | 3Petone, 80; Sergeant Purne)', Wangpi vi, hU ; j Volunteer G. Frazer, Knitiiigat.\, Bit ; JYl> V Inc.- ' J>eß, ~Woodville, 80 ; Captain Smith, Dnneilin, b'J ; j Volun^eer Bentley. Christcbuich, 7'); VoluntHur j ■Gosney, Timaru. 79; Voluui :er J. J; Bvirstov, , Cartel-ton, 79; Ctplain M'Kei^ie, Jcveicar^ill, i "aj Voluutaer RobiusoDj Gixiia;'S..v.\ch, 78; Mr

■ J. Beg?, Dunedin, 78 ; Volunteer Black, Dunedin, 78; Corporal Thawley, Wellington, 78; Volunteer Jot.es, Oamaru, 78; Mr W. Speedy, Masterton, 77. j Counted out: Volunteer A. Ballinger, Wellington ; Sergeant Bunkenberg, F. Wilkie, Upper Hutt ; Mr K. L. Rule, Oamaru ; Trooper O'Neill, Wanganui. Last year William?, of Wellington, won this match with 96, and the score of 87, which won to-day, is only 2 points below tbe scores of those who were counted out at Auckland. ' Marlborough and Kynoch Match.— Ten shots at I 500 yards ; counting for Belt. Sergeant Sommerville, Wanganui, £7 and Kj.noch cap.. „ 48 Volunteer T. Robinson, Cbristchurch, £6 ... 48 i Mr W. Montgomery, Invercargill, £5 , 48 jMr W. Randell, Petone, £4 ... „. ... 48 , Volunteer Moore, Chrhtcburch, £3 „, ... 43 j Corporal Simpson, Kaiapoi, £2 ». 47 • Volunteer F. Frazjr, Kaitangata, £2 47 | Volunteer Richardson, Dunedin, £2 47 '• Sergeant Little, Oamaru, £2 47 Sergeant Bunkenberg, Wellington, £2 47 VolsmteerM'Grepor, Oamaru, 47; Sapper Lester, Christchurch. 47 ; Mr J Spiers, Oamaru, 46 ; Mr W. Speedy, Itlasterton, 46; Volunteer Hale, Wellington, 46 ; Mr W. Nelsou, Wojdvllle, 46; Mr J. Sfat.hias, Petone, 46; Volunteer A. Ballinger, Wellington, 46 ; Mr W. Grace, Petone, 46 ; Volunteer Pea> son, Timaru, 4i; Volunteer Turner, Wellington, 46 ; Trooper Thorpe, Wairoa, 45 ; Mr G. Begfj, Dunedin, 45 ; Volunteer Pollock, Dunediu, 45 ; Mr G. Cran, Akaroa, 45 ; Volunteer While, Oamaru, 45 ; Captain M'Kenzie, luvercargill, 45; Mr J. G. Wilson, Woodville, 45; Mr J. Ross, Woodville, 45 ; Mr W. B4irstow, Carterton, 44 ; Volunteer Harris, Christchurch, 44 ; Mr M'siattie, Masterton, 44 ; Colour-sergeant Smitb, Oamaru, 44. Counted out : Pi.aven (Petone), Kruse (Wanganui), M'Donald (Dunedin), Davis (Blenheim), F'irsyth (RivertoD), Ingpen (Woodville), and | Holland (Petnne). The latter won this match last i year with 49, and a score of 45 was counted out Wanganui Match.— Ten shots at 700 yds. Volunteer T. Robinson, Christchurcb, £7 „. 45 Volunteer A. Ballinger, Wellington, £6 ... 42 Mr J G. Wilso •, Woodville, £5 42 Sergeant Bunkenberg, Wellington, £4 ... 42 Volunteer Jones. Dunedin, £3 41 Mr H. Walden, North Wairarapa, £2 40 Captain Stedman, Whangarei, £2 40 Volunteer Richardson, Dunedin, £2 39 Volunteer Hastie, Oarnaru, £2 39 Volunteer M'Kay, Chnsi church, 39 ; Mr W. Ballinger, Petone, 38 ; Mr J. Wilson, Petone, 38 ; Mr W. Montgomery, Invercargill, 3S ; Volunteer Whyte, Oamaru, 37 ; Mr J. Armstrong, Dunedin, 37; Volunteer Bentley, Chiistcburcb, 37; Volunteer Pearce, Kaiapoi, 37; Volunteer G. Frazer, Kaitangata, ; Corp iral Simpson, Kaiapoi, 37 ; Volunteer Claridge, Wellington, 37 ; Sergeant M'Farlane, Christchurch, -36 ; Lieutenant Domigan, Gore, S6 ; Colour-sergeant Stephen, Tiimru, 36 ; Bandmaster King, Oamaiu, 36; Captain Rutherford, Kaitangata, 36; MrJ. Ross, Napier, 35 ; Sergeant Allpoit, Welson, 35; Mr J il'Hattte. North Wairarapa, 35 ; Lieutenant Robinson, Rivtrton, 35 ; Mr G Loveday, Woodville, :-5 ; Volunteer Jones, Oamaru, 35 ; Captain Nimmo, Oainaru, 31 ; Mr G. rarj, Akaroa. 34. Counted cut : Allen (Port Chalmers), Woollett (Dunedin), Harding (Blenheim). Third Day. March 16. The third day's shooting waa carried on uader most favourable conditions, except that the wind was changeable. It was a light southerly in the morning, but about the middle of the day it drew round to the prevailing quarter of northeast, and continued fresh until near the end of the day, when its force somewhat slackened. The decision of the council to allow competitors to use either colonial or Victorian ammunition gave general sitisfaction, and while a large number accepted the former the mspriby wer« far the Victorian, and during the day some who had taken colonial asked to be allowed to exchange for Victorian. The day began with the Oamaru Match, and at the 300 yards range a. light southerly wind was blowing, with a good light. The shtotiug was very goad here, and those using colonial ammunition shot equally well with those using the Victorian. Lyders (Dunedin), M'Gregor (Oamaru), Dick- ; son (Dunedin), and Harding (B'.enheim), with i 32 each, were the chief scorers ; but; at i the 500 yards M'Gregor a r jd King (both of Oamaru) were en top, making the ; possible and, strange to say, they were using i different ammunition. Going baok to tho I 700 yds saw a lamentable break-up of many, and ! tha shooting waa exceedingly p^or. Creagh I (Oamaru), Woollett (Dunedin), and Burton ] (Christchucch) each failed to find the target j with nine shots ; while several, including I Bunkenberg, who was then lying second for the i Belt, only got on one shot. Misses were more numerous than bulls, and all along the line the shooting was very poor. This to some exteat was due to the gusty wind which was blowing across the range from the left. The feature of the match was the really excellent score of M'Gregor, of Oamaru — in fact, all day he shoi with great consistency, and he now holds a very good lead for the Championship. M'Gregor shot well here in 1896, ar.d bad he not then J missed his last shot in the final &l age he would have robbed Sergeant Wakeliu of tha coveted f honour. Singular to say, he wound up j his fine score to-day on the same targes which proved so unfortunate to him in the year mentioned. Taia match was concluded shortly after 3 o'clock, and the Wellington Match, at ) 500, 600, and 700 yards, was begun, but only ] the first two ranges were completed. At 500 j yards both B;?gg (Dunedin) and Simpßon (Kaiapoi), the latter being one of the late Bisley team, exch got on the possible, and, like M'Gregor and King, each secured £I—the1 — the prize for the possible. At 600 yards the veteran Ctptain Steadman, of Whangatei, who came back with 33,. put ,in a similar score. The shooting at 600 yards was fair, but not up to the standard. Colonel Pole Penton was again present to-day. The Wellington Match will be completed in the morning, and the Christchurch Match, 10 shots, will ba taken next ; then an adjournment will be made for lunch. Following is the prize list :— Oamaru Match.— 3oo, 500, and 700 yards; seven ! hhots. > Volunteer M'Gregor, Oamaru, £7 96 i Mr H. Walden, North Wairarapa, £6 89 Volunteer Home, Wellington, £5 8S Mr M'Diannid, Oamaru, £4 88 Mr Hale, Wellington, £4 , 87 Bandmaster King, Oamaru, £"} 87 Mr G. Loveday, Woodville, £3 „. 87 Captain Rutherford, Kaitangata, £2 „ ... 8(5 | Volunteer Forsyth, Riverton, £2 .., „,. 86' Seaman Grundv, Thames, £2 85' Volunteer Whyte, Oamaru, 85 ; Mr J. Spier*, j Oamaru, 85 ; Captain Nimmo, Oamaru, 85 ; ' Volunteer T. Robinson, Christchurcb, 84; Mr F. Ingpen, Woodville, 84 ; Sapper Lester, Christchurch, 84 ; Mr J. Blyth, Oamaru, 84 ; Sergeant Sommerville, Wanganui, 84 ; Mr J. G. Wilson, Woodville, 84 ; Mr J. Armstrong, Dunedin, 84 ; Volunteer Harding, Blenheim, 84 ; Mr J. Bolyn, Lyttelton, 83; Volunteer Raven, Wellington. 83; Corporal Wardtll, Lyttelton, 83 , Corporal Pearson, Timaru, 83 ; Mr E. Willinott, QueeDstown, 83 ; Volunteer Love, Wellington, 83 ; Mr A. Campbell, Invercargill, 82 ; Volunteer Bentley, Chris'chuich, 82; Mr W. Montgomery Invercargill, 82 ; Captain M'Kay, Christchurch, 81 ; Mr W. H. Ballinger, Petone, 81— £1 each. Counted out : J. Ross, Wood villc. Last year King, of Oamaru, won this match with 95, and 82 was counted out. Fouhth Day, March 17. The weather was five for tho meeting to-day,

' but the wind, which for the first time at this meeting came in from the right front, foand out the weak spots in some of the competitors. M'Gregor shot none too well at the 700 yds of the Wellington Match, bat still had a lead of I 7 points when the Christchurch Match was j begun ; but here T. Robinson, of Christcburch, j gained \£ points on the leader, and when the men adjourned for lunch had reversed the position. There was still the Otago Match to be decided before the final 100 tj fire in the Grand Aggregate Match could bs determined, and he iv M'Gregor recovered a. point ; but he is still 6 points to the bad. The shooting throughout the day was not good. The afternoon was devoted to show, and why tbe association allow such competition as field1 firing and the Lloyd-Lindsay competition in their programme ii hard to discover ; but it may possibly have been the suggestion Jof our new commandant. However, the ' sooner they are removed the better for , the association, as those taking part are 1 not shooting men, and their exhibition could well be left to camp or military tournaments. In sny case a valuable afternoon was wasted, and it may mean that competitors who could have got away on Saturday may have to remain till Monday. The Ladies' Match, of course, created a larga amount of interest, and the public turned up in large numbers to witness the firing. Altogether 15 ladies took part, and Miss Spiers, of Oamaru, sister to Spiers who shot well at Trentham some time ago, put on a score of 33 out of a possible 35 and secured first prize. Mrs M'Hattis (North Wairarapa), Miss Farquh&rton (Danediu), and Miss Mitchell (Oamaru) each put on 29 and tied for second place. In firing off (three shots each) Mrs M'Hattie won with 14 out of i 15, Mi«s Parqaharson scoring 13, and Mis 3 I Mitehell 11. Following are tne prize lists :—: — Wellington Match.— soo, 600, and 700 yards ; 34 prizes value £63. , Sergeant Kruse, Wanganui, £7 „ 93 Captain Hteadman, Whangarei. £6 93 Private Harding, Blenheim, £5 88 Mr Ross, Woodville, £4 88 Volunteer Kicbardson, Ounedin, £i 87 Volunteer Lyders, Diiuadin, £3 85 Volunteer Boleyn, Lytteltou, £3 84 Mr Craw, Duvaucbcll'.A B.y, £2 84 Captain W. Nimino, Eg «p:ira, j£2 M Volunteer Craijrip, lnvercurgill, £2 83 Volunteer Perkins, Christchurch, £2 83 Lieutenant Domigan, Gore, 81 ; Volunteer SheltOD, Bluff, 82.; Mr Wilson, Woodviile, 81 ; Volunteer E. Frazer, Kaitangata, 81 ; Volunteer A. Bellinger, Wellington, 81 ; Volunteer Robinsor, Christchurcb, 81 ; Captain Chalmer, Dunedin, 81 ; Mr Begg, Dunedio, 81 ; Volunteer M'Gregor, Oamaru, 81 ; Corporal Simpsnn, 1 Christchurcb, 81 ; Mr Randell,' fetone, 80 ; , Eagineer Tonkin, Dunedin, 80 ; Mr Ingpea, , Woodville, 80; Mr Loveday, Woodville, 79; Sapper Lester, Christchurch, 79 ; Volunteer Jones, O«m»ru, 79 ; Volunteer Campbell, Invercnrgill, 79 ; Mr Rule, Oamaru, 79 ; Sergeant S Mnmerville, Wanganui, 79— £1 each. Counted out : Mr J. M'Hattie, Wairarapa. CHRiSTCHURcn Match.— Ten shots at 600 yards. Volunteer Bsresford, Timaru, £7 ... ... 4t Sergeant Shanks, Gore, £6 42 Mr Armstrong, Dunedin, £5 42 ' MrJ. Diekson, Dunelin, £4 , ... 42 Sappsr Lester, (Jhristchurch, £3 41 ■ Volunteer O'Neill, Wanganui, £2 41 V.lunteer Jlastie, Oamaru, £2 41 ' Volunteer Hale, Wellington, £2 40 j Captain Smith, Duaedin, £2 40 ! Captain Rutherford, Kaitangata, 39 ; Volunteer Little, Oamaru, 39 : Volunteer T. Kobioson, Chrisichurcb, 3S ; Mr Craw, Akaroa, 3S : Volunteer Speedy, Waivarapa, 38 ; Volunteer Harding, Blenheim, .38 ; Mr Harris, Oamaru, 38 ; Sergeant Bunkenberg, Wellington, 38 ; Mr Williams, - Napier, 37; Volunteer M'PonaM, Dunedia. 37; i Mr Trevethick. Petone, 36; Volunteer Pearson, Timatu, 36 ; Volunteer Jtobertson, Christchurch, 36 ; Sergeant Rommerville, Wanganui, 36 ; Mr i Rule, Oamaru, 36 ; Volunteer Boleyn, Lyttelton, i 36 ; Sergeant Purnell, Wanganui, §5 ; Blr Gates, Carterton, 35 ; Volunteer Duncan. Oamaru, 35 ; Mr Holland, Petone, 35; C.P.O. Woollett, Dunedin, 35 ; Mr Harford, Marton, 35 ; Sergeant Raven, Wellington 34 — each £1. Counted out : Walden (Wairarapa), Sergeant Chiug (Nelson), Grace (Petone). Domigan (Gore), Dodds (Port Chalmers), Wills (Invercargill), Ross (Woodville). Otago Match.— 3oo yarJs ; ten shots. Captain Smith, Dunrdin, £7 46 Mr J. H. Cameron, Wairarapa, £6 , 48 Captain Nimmo, Oamavu, £5 ... ... . . 45 I Corporal Simpson, Kaiapoi, £4 45 i Volunteer Hardinc. Blenheim, £3 45 1 Sergeant Krus», Wanganui, £2 45 j Mr Holland, Pa lone, £2 44 Volunteer H. FVazer, Kaitangata, £2 44 I Mr F. Wilkie, Upper Hutt, £2 44 Mr J. J. Spiers, Oamaru, 44 ; Sergeant Bunkenberg, Wellington, 43; Seigeant Mos?, Dunedia, 43 ;Mr J. Armstrong, Dunfdin, 43 ; Volunteer How--, Wellington, 43; Captain Steadman, Whangarei. 42 ; Mr W. Nelson, Woodville, 42 ; Sergeant Shanks, Gore, 42 ; Sergeant Irvine, Waimea. 42 ; Corporal M'Kay, Christchurch, 42; Captain Wil- j liams, Napier, 42 ; Mr Begg, Dunedin, 42 ; Ser- | geant Purnell, Wanganui, 42 ; Air G. Loveday, { Woodville, 42 ; MrJ M'Hattie, North Wairarapa, ] 42; Lieutenant Domiscan, Gore, 42; Volunteer Peav&on, Timavu, 41 ; Volunteer Whyte, Oamaru, 41 ; Sergeant Worsley, Timaru, 41 ; Mr J. M'Gregor, Oamaru, 41 ; Gunner Winlade, i Thames, 41 ; Captain Rutherford, Kaitangata, 41; I Mr Kebblewhite, M*sterton, 41 ; Mr W. Graigie, Invercargill, 41— £1 each. Counted out : All«n (Port Chalmers), Ching ' (Nelson), Shelton (Bluff), Moir ((Jhristchurch), j Sergeant Wills (Invercargill), Volunteer T. Frazer I (Kaitangata), Volunteer Pearce (Kaiapoi). j This match concluded the matches for the Grand Aggregate Match, which will be taken to-Biorro*v morning. After lunch the LloydLindsay match was finished, and resulted as follows : — si a t* t i II l s £ ft o H £ S Otago Hussars 30 5 5 75 — 115 North Otago Mounted Kiuss(No. 4) 16 3 4 8S — 111 North Otago Mounted Rifles (No. 2) 9 1 1 76— 87 North Otago Mounted Rifle* (No. 3) 6 2 1 62 — 71 With this finished the ladies were requested to prepare for their match, and the public gathered round the 200 yards range. Miss Spidra made : excellent shooting and put on 33 out of 35, : which would put many men to shame. At the initiative meeting at Auckland all the ladies with one exception took a rqnatting position, , I but to-day out of 15 competitors 14- fired prone, , | and the other took the back posiuion, Miss , Spiers's score included five bulls and two inner?. ' Mrs M'Hattie (North Wairarapa;, Miss Mitchell I (Oamarn), and Misi Farquharson (Roxburgh) ; j tied with 29, and fired three shots, Mrs j M'Hattie winning with the fine score of 14 out of 15. Miss Farquharson was next with 13 and Miss Mitchell 11. The ladies were heartily congratulated on their excellent shooting. The day's proceedings were brought to a finish by the Field Firing Competition, which i was won by Dunedia with 63 points, made up as follows : — Words of command 8, style 7, volleys 15, steadiness and dressing 8, hits on target 25, The Oamaru Rifles scored 56 points ; Queen's Rifles (Oamaru) 44, and Wellington 44. The following are the highest 100, who fire in the Grand Aggregate Match to-morrow :—: — Rafcinaon U\, frl'Gregor 408, Rc-ss 404,

T Harding 403, Richardson 401, Steadman 397, Lester 396. Pearson 394, Rutherford 394, J. L. Wilson 393, Somnnerville 393. Corporal M'Kiy 392, L eatenanb Domigan 391, W. Bellinger , 389, Kruse 388, Simpson 388, Cran 387, Kiag j 386, Nimmo 386, Hale 385, M'Hatsie 384-, Bunkenoerg 384, Montgomery 383, White 383, Loveday 382, Armstrong 381, M'Fariane 381, A. Ballinger 381, Jones 378, Begg 376, In^pen I 377, CL.lour-sergian 1 ; Smith 376, Perkins 374, Dodds 373. Boleyn 371, Purnell 370, Nelson 369, Hantie 369, T. Frazer 369, B^ntley 367, 'Little 366, Walden 366, G. Frazer 365, Wilson 364, Kiven 364, Bairatow 364, Wilkie 363, j Howe 362, Turner 361. I Volunteer Harding, of Blenheim, won the Union Cup with an aggregate of 210 in the Oimaru/Ciiristchurch, and Wellirgton matches, ! I Hale, of Wellington, being second with 208, i j and Robinson -and M'Gregor (who are leading ■ for the Belt) tie for the third position with 203. j At the annual meeting of the members of j the Rifle Association to-night there was a good ; attendance. In tho election of members of tha i council the only change was that Sergeant I Webster, of A Battery (Auckland), was elected jin place of Captain White. Wanganui was selected as- tbe site for the nfxb meeting, to be held about the first week in March next. Major Sommerville announced, and it was received with regret, thnt after the ntxt meeting he intended to I sever his connection with the association, owing j !tu pressure of private business. He said he { j had taken charge of the association in Wanga- ' j nui in 1886, and would leave it after the meet- : j ing there next year. In referring to the position rf the association, he said that a much more j definite guarantee Bhould be given them by the { Government, instead of leaving members of the , • council to bscome responsible for what w&3 j j really a colonial affair. j i The Champion Teams Match was decided j to-day with the fiaish of the Belt matches. ' The money was cut down to £5, £4, and £2 ss. , The result was : Hon. Reserve Corps, Christ- ' church, 1863 points; Woodrille Rifle Club, ] 1861 ; Queen* Rifles (Oamaru), 1817 ; Wei- I linaton Guards, 1806 ; Petone Rifls Club, ] 1783; Kaitangita R flas, 1782; Wellington J City Rifles, 1648 ; North Wairarapa R'fle Club, ! 1629 ; Duaedin City Guards, 1627. | FiFrH Day. March 18. " What a day for shooting ! " was the general opinion early this morning, but thi3 was exploded before the sun had crossed the meridian. True, there wa^ everj appearance of -fine weather when a start was made with the Grand Aggivgste Match, but with the completion of J the 600 yards raDge tha wind, which had been ' 6teadily increasing in force, became so fierce that it was no longer in doubt that the continna- j tion of the shooting would have to ba taken into j consideration by the council. Ab the first dis- > tance, 500 yds, J. G. Wilson (Woodville) scored the possible, while Captain Rutherford (Kai- , tangata) and Willis (Invercirgill) puo on 34, ! ! »nd Robinson and M'Gregor with 33 each maintain* d their positions in the aggregate. Hard-, ing only managed to register 30, while Rosa and Richardson each scored one more. Smitb, of the Southland Rifle Ciab, was the victim of one bad package of Auckland ammunition. His j first sighter vfts a mi?» low, then he got four I outers, mostly /nisfire3, and dissarding ' the package ior another he wormd up with three bulls and a magpie. "Wsllen was sighted throughout at 600y^8, with the result that he missed overy shot. His attention was i called to his elevation by Ross, who w*s lying down with him ; but in a nonchalant manner he said it was "All right." When hi 3 last j shot was fired the North Wairarapa nian found that he had been wrorgly sighted. Tha best .> i scores made at 600 yds v\e»e by T. Frazsr i (Kaitangata.) and Eoas with 31 each. With j two r*nge« completed tho lead'ng match lolals I were M'Gregor (Oamars) and Ross, with 62 j each. This distance brought M'SeegO!* on top I again in the aggregate*, as he Lad made 29. | while Robinson, ufarting with &c cuter snd a rr,:sf, hid totalled only 20. Harding, who came with such a rattle yesterday, made an evan greater failure, registering but 14. At i 700 yds the velocity of the wind had increased, and shortly after the first squads finished bang went No. 5 target, and then four others. Major Sommrrviile, who usually knows tbe right thing ' to do at tbe right moment, ordered cease , j fifing, a* herw.is afraid that the whole of the ' { targets would go, and thure is no doubfc he was ' j right in his judgment. By noon the wind was j blowing at hurricane force, and the canteen ' marque had been levelled. A? there were one ( ■ or two short-range matches included in the J programme an attempt was made to get I through these, but immediately a email target , was put up tha wind caused its collapse, and no ' further shooting was done for to-day. Thi3 • was unfortunate, for many of the men were , anxious to get awjiy to-morrow, and both ' Majors Sommervills and Collins were sincere in ; ' thsir endeavours to. assist them. As anticipated, .the council decided to fife the 700 yards j over sga-in when the weather moderatei. The decision gave general satisfaction, though, of j I course, there were a few cavillers. The two ' i leading "men for the aggregate had completed \ I their shooting this forenoon. M'Gregor had j scored 11 and Robinson 13, and neither will b& soiry to have the opportunity of firing afresh. • Steadman and Richardson, with only j one shot to go, had not increased their previous total. Seventeen shots have yet to be fired to decide the championship. Sixth Day. March 19. This morning saw a change of wind, with a bright light. The wind came from the right front, and the men found it very difficult to hang on owing to its baffling nature. At 9 o'clock a start was made to finieh the Grand Aggregate Match (seven shots at 700^ds), and j the shooting waa about as bad as one could wish j to see. Arthur Biliinger — twice a champion — | fired five shots before he found the target, then ' { be missed again and followed it up with a couple > of outers, and sent the next to the sea. All j | along the line " 0 " was more in evidence than ' the other figures. Of course the ammunition ; is blamed, but the man behind che weapon has a good deal to do with it. Some of the corn- ■ pelifcors honestly admit this, but others curae . 1 the animuaition both loudly and deeply. , • Wilson, who made the possible at 500 yds, , failed to get tbe elevation and wound up with 10 at 700 yds. Holland, of Petone, who was well i up for the Belt last year, only got a couple of i outers. " Possible " Robinson, of Christchurch, got astray here, and with three hits his score was nine. W. H. Ballinger, of Petone, another | man who has twice been the champion, started ! well, getting 11 on for three shots, but then he missed three shots and wound up with a magpie. Kruse, who won the Belt in 1891, also "did a tumble" and with his sighters failed to find the target, winding up with 10 out of a possible 35. Harding, an old Oamaru resident, but now hailing from Blenheim, put on the highest score at this range. He missed his two sighters and then got four inners, one bull, and an outer. Frazer, of Kaitangata, whs l shot well in the early part of the meeting, went ! to pieces, only getting four points. Bentley, of *

tho Christchurch Rifles, and\ 7; / f Invcrca.* gill, missed all their shots, ana 1 * -'c^ to admif that tbe ammunition was not T "* cause. Thar j elevation was the c'niei troublex. If the sama conditions obtaiu on Monday, 1 Uea the final stage is fired, it will be very dl>^cpih to picfc the winner of the Champion Belt for 1693. Ib was painful this morning to see the way in which some of the well-recognised shots went to pieces. The prlzs-list is aa follows :—: — Grand Aggregate Match.— Open to tbe 108 highest aggregate scorers in matches 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 ; 560, GOO, and 700 yards ; seven shots at each distance. Wills, Invercargill, £8 ... .„ .„ .. 84 Montgomery, Southland, £6 M IL ... 81 Ross, Woodville, £5 ... !£ ... 81 M'Gregor, Oamaru, £3 ... ,i. „. ... 8l i M'Fariane, ChrUtcburch, £3 ,X ... .'.. 79 Simpson, Kaiapoi, £2 ... .; 78 M'Kay, Christchurcb, £2... ,„ „4 ,M, M 77 Rutherford, Kaitangata, £2 ... ... ,„ 77 Hastie, Oamaru, £2 , % ... 76 Howe, Wellington, £2 76 Ingpen, Woodville, 75 ; Chalmer, Dunedin, 75 ; Robinson, Christchurch, 71; G. Loveday, Woodville, 74 ; Craw, Akaroa, 74 ; Jones, Dunedin, 73 ; Speedy, Wairarapa, 73 ; King, Oamaru, 73 ; Richardson, Dunedin, 71 ; Hardicg, Blenheim, 71 ; Les'er, Christcburch, 71 ; O'Neill, Alexandra, 71 ; Wilkie, Upper Hutt, 71 ; Jones, Oamaru, 71 ; Shelton, Bluff, 71 ;— £l each. Counted out : Allport, Stoke ; Ravea, Wellington. The following are the 50 who will compete j for the final stage of the Championship ■on f Monday morning :—: — ' M'Gregor. Oamaru 489 M'Hattie, Mastert'n 447 : Robinson, Ch'ch ... 4SB Whyte, Oamaru ... 446 Ross, Woodville ... 485 Hastie, Oamaru ... -446 Harding, Blenheim 474 Begg, Dunedin ... 441 Richardson. Duu.... 473 A. Ballinger, Well. 449 Rutherford, Kait.... 471 Bunkenberir. Well. 439 . M'Kay, Ch'ch ... 469 Howe, Wellington 438 \ Lester, Ch'ch „. 467 Smith. Oamaru ... 437 j Steadman, Wh'n?'r'i 46(3 Riven, Wellington 435 j Simpson, Kaiapoi... 466 Wilkie, Up. Hutt... 434 > Montgomery, Inver. 464 Dodds, P. Chalmers 433 Pearson, Timaru ... 453 Little, Oamaru ... 433 j Wilson, Woodville 461 Perkins, Ch'ch ... 429 , Craw, Akaroft „ 461 T. Frazer, Kait. ... 429 ■ M'Farlane, Ch'ch ... 460 J. Bairstow, Cart't'n 429 I King, Oamaiu ...459 Turner, Well. ...429 s Domigan, Gore ... 458 Purnell, Wanganui 428 J Armstrong, Dun. ... 458 Boleyn, Lytteltoo... 428 i Loveday, Wood. ... 456 Ghalrnar, Dunedin 423 j Kruse, Wangftnui... 455 Lyders, Dunedin ... 422 W. Ballinger, Well. 453 Rule, Oamaru ... 422 Kommerville, Wan. 453 G. Frasser, Kait. .. 421 Ingpeu, Woodville 452 W*kelin, Ch'ch . 429 Jones, Dunedia ... 451 Bentley, Ch'ch . . 420 Hale, Wellington... 448 Spiers, Oamaru ... 417 Nimmo, Ngapara ... 448 Wilson, Petone ... 417 Last Try Ma ich (for those who have won not , more tban"£S at the meeting).— Ten shots, S'JO yards. I Sergeant Kibblewhite, Dunedin, £7 46 i Lieutenant Robinson, Rivertou, £6 ... ». 4(J Mr Trevetbick, Petone, £5 i. 45 , Private Pollock, Dunedin, £4 44 j Private Jackson, Wellington, £3 44 Trooper Thorpe, Wairoa, £2 .., 43 j Mr Creagb, Oamaru, £2 43 ' Mr Matthews, Wairarapa, £2 43 Private Pearce. Kaiapoi, £2 42 j Private Aitchison, Koitangata, 42; Sergeant ' Drew, Wanganui, 41 ; Private Moore, Christchurcb, 41 ; Lieutenant Waters, Port Chalmers, 41 ; Sergeant Trebilcock, Cbristchurch, 40 ; Sergeant Chin», Nelson, 40 ; Lieutenant Brooks, Tuapeka, 40 ; Private B. Halpin, Wellington, 40; Sergeant Waugh, Timaru, 40; Private Dawes, Blenheim, 40 ; Captain Oates, Carterton, 40 ; Captain ML'Keich, Tuapeka, 38 ; Sergeant Claridge, Wellington, 3S ; Private M'Lelland, 38 ; Sergeant Manning, Cbristchurch, 33 ; Sergeant Forsyth, Dunedin, 38 ; Corporal Barraclougb, Oamaru, />8 ; Private Fiber, Wellington, 38; Gunner Gruody, Timarn, 38 ; Gunner Winslade, Thames, 38 ; Private Gosney, Timaru, 33 ; Sergeant Barton, Cbristchurch, 37 ;— sach £1. Counted out.: Sergeant Halpin (Wellington), Harris (Ohri9tchurch), Edinger (Wellington), i Welch (Masterton), Allen (Port Chalmers), Leavers (Karori). : During the afternoon the wind, which threatened to increase in velocity, gradually steadied, and this enabled the men to proceed with tho long range shooting. The Volunteer Mitch was first taken after the' Last Try, And Bandmaster King, of OArnaru, came out on top 'vith a good score "considering- the conditions, which were none too favourable for shooting in this match. Ab 200 yards [G. Aitch'son (of Kait»ngata) and Ching (of Stoke) each pub m 30. A1;A 1 ; 500- yards Pe*rsou (of Timaru) and A. Ballinger (of Wellington) were the besb, while Allport (Nelson), Beadie (Ditnedin), Manning (Christcburch), and Pearce (Kaiapoi) were only one point behind, and just ahead of Backeuberg (Wellington) and Jo.nes (Danediu), who had ruiag on 30. At 600 yards the wind was very tricky, and ' soms of "the • competitors *mnlated Sergeant Sommerville, who bad missed all his shots at 500 yards. M r Gregcr, who leads for the Belt, was one of these, and he had with him J. Cameron (Christchurch), Beadle (Danediu)", Robinson (Invercargill), Wickens (Wellington), and Tayljr. Of roarse either the ammunition or the weapon, which is that of the Government issue, i 3 blamed, and the men will not admit that tKey thsmsfclve* are the cause. The Brouze Medal Hatch waa taken nexfc, and hers again the shooting was not firstclass. At; 200 yards. C.. .'Reynolds (Carterton) and Captain Williams (Napier) each got on 33, lagpen- (Woodville) 32, -*nd W. Nimmo (Oamarn)- 30r- At tbe n?xfi distancp Montgomery secured 30, and Nimoao, Welch (Wairarapa), and Speight (Duoedin) were close up with only a point behiud. Afs 600 yds Montgomery was agaia the best marksman, and, finishing with 25, secured the chief prize, beating Love, of Wellington, by 4- points. All through the match, and indeed all tha j afternoon, the wind proved very tricky, and many of the youcgeu shots found it most difficult to hang on. The Volunteer Tyro Match, which, like the Volunteer Match, is new to the association gatherings, wss taken next, and, ! despite the unfavourable' elements, Trebilcock j (Christchurch) and Grant (Invercargill) got on | the good scores of 4-7 and finished first and second xef pectively. It was now 4- o'clock, and, I with the view of allowing the northern man to ' catch Monday's express* it was decided/ to push ofc with the Companies' Team Match and the Nursery Match. In the latter several of the competitors have finished and gone from Oamaru, but there are ssveral others who have not yet finished. In the Companies' Team Match only 10 teams are taking part, and consequently the prize money has been reduced to £15, £10, £7, and £4. Only two ranges were completed— viz., 200 vds and 500 yds. At the shorter distance the No. 1 team of the Dunedia City Guards have a point advantage over the Hon. Reserve Corp.? No. 1 Team, the scores beiug 14-2 and 141. Next coma the Kaitang&ta, Rifles with 136 and the Petone Rifle Ciub with 135. At the nest range, however. Moss, one of the leading team, made a bad burst, and the Honorary Reserves, who finished up with 138, shot up into first place, while tho Timaru Pork Guards, with 143. were second. The Kaitangat* Rifles, Petone Rsfle Cub, and Woodville Rifla Club, with 137, 138. and 145 respectively, passed the Dunedin Guards, who get on 124-. Seigeant M'Fariane, of the Honorary Reserves, is the highest individual scorer with 63, and those close to him »re F. Ingpen (Woodville), Captain Rutherford (K&itangata), Volunteer T. Robinson (Honorary Reserves) 60. and Ber< geant Wakelin (Honorary Reserves) 59. Ther« ii still the 600 yards range of this match to ba fired. The Nursery • Match will ba finished early, *nd then tiia District Match and vollej

Ericg will bs taken, thus leaving only the Champiocsliip to be decided, and this will ba ihot about 15. 4-0. The prizes will be presented ten the range aboub 1 30. Scotes :—: — Volunteer JlATcn.-Opan to volunteers only; 200, 500, and (303 yards ; Eeven shots at each range. bandmaster Kiugr, Oamaru, £8 SO £apper'Lesler, Christchurch, £7 So iaeutenant Drdds, Port Chalmers, £6 85 Sergeant Little, Oamaru, £5 ... „. ... 85 Private Richard.- od, Dunedin, £4 81 Sergeant Allport, Sloks. £3 ... ... ... 84 Sergeant ,MaD,uing, Ohriatchurcn, £2 84 Private Hows, Wellington. 80 ; Sergeant Tonlvin, Dunedm, 80 ; Private Love, Wellington, 79 ; Private. Jone , Duuedin, 79; Private Hastie, Oamaru, 7S , JVlvate Aitchison, Kaitangara, 78 ; Sergeant Ching, fcitoke, 78 ; Private ['earce, Kaiapoi, 78; Private T. Fiazer, Kaitangata, 78; Colour-sergeant Stephen, Timaru, 78; Coipoial Simpsou,. Kaiapoi, 77; Private Hawley, Wellington, 77 ; Lieutanant Brooks, Tuapeka, 77 ; Private 'Best, Stoke, 7fi i; Sergeant Shanks, Gore, 76; Private A. Ballinger, Wellington, 76; Sergeant "VVakelin, C'uristchurch, 75 ; Private Dawes, Blenheim, 75; (^untier Wiuslad.-, Thames 75; lieutenant Domigan, Gore, 75; Lieutenant. Dempster, Dunedin, 75 ;—£l; — £1 each. Counted out: Sergeant-major Kibblewhite, Dunedin. Ebonze Medai, Match.— Open to the winners of :he bronze medals of the Rifle Association. 200. 500, arid 600 yards ; seven shots at each. fill ; Montgomery, Bluff, £3 and medal 84 Private Lov<j, Wellington, £i SO Oaptain Nimmo, Ngapara, £3 ... ... ... SO Mr J. Welch, Masterton, £2 '79 Mr Speight, Dunedin North, £2 77 Mr F. Ingpen. Woodville, 77; Gunner Winelade, Thames, 7o ; Mr Craigie. Southland. 74 ; Private Harris, 72, Captain Williams, 72; Mr Harford, Marton, 71 :— £1 <y,ch. Volunteer Tyro Mai'Cii. — Opsn to non-prize takers at previous meetings. Government rjfles ; 10 shots at 500 yards. Fergeant Trebilcock, Chriscchurch, £3 ... 47 Bombardier Grant, luvercargill, £5 .* 47 Private Gosnty, Tirnaru, £4 46 f<ei^eant Halpin, Wellington, £3 44 Private Pearce, Kaiapoi, £2 4J Sergeant Woraeley, Timaru, 43 ; Private PearFoa, Timaru, 43; Sergeant Tonkin, Dunedin, 41; Trooper Wain, 41 ; Captain Edinge;, Wellington, 41 ; Sergeant Stephen, 'I imaru, 4fl ; Privates Jones, Oamaru, 39 -, Hcaman John&fon, Bluff, 39; Sergeant Bsadle, Dunediu, 30 : Coiporal Faber, Wellington, 38;— £1 each. Counted out: Lieutenant Brooks, Dunedin; Sergeant Ching, Stoke ; Sergeant Clarridge, Wellington. Seventh Day. March 21. Thejtneeting was brought to a close to-day. A cold wind <vas blowing, and it was, as usual, tiicky. Tbe firing was begun with the final Btoge of the Companies' Teams Match and the uncompleted Nursery Match. In the Teams' Match the "Cbristcharch Reserves (No. 1), ■"■(ho had a lead of 4 points at the preliminary ranges, increased this at 6CO yards to 20 points. There was a big battle for second position, but the place was secured by the Timaru Port Guards, who beat tho Christchutch Reserves (No. 2) by 1 poiur, another point separating the latter from the Woodville Rifle Club. The last-mentioned rifle club was the winner of the anatch &t the Federal meeting, but juut managed to ,get into the prize list now. On that occasion their average was 96 4-5 points, and to-day aaw the match won with 81 4 5 points. It was a big feather in Captain Har3nan's c»pto secure the flrs-t and third positions. Ihe highest scores at 600 yards were A. Ballinper 33, with a magpie, and Corporal fiobertson 32. Sergeant M'Farlane, with 94, Tas the highest scorer at all distances. The following are -the results :—: — Companies' Teams Match,— O'psn to teams of five men. llauges : 200." COO, and COO yards ; seven shots st each distance.

At the same t"me «s the Teams Match was proceeding, those who h,ad cob fired in the Nursery S!at«h did so. The prize-winners are : IfuRSF-nv Match.— Ten shots at 500 yards. Open only to members who have never won a prize or prizes of over £4 at any previous association meeting and whose winnings do not exceed £5 at this meeting. Stewart, Dunedin, £3 „. ... 46 Brooks, Tuapeka, £5 4(i Waugb, Timaru, £f i 4(5 Stephen, Timaru, £3 45 Nimmo, Ngapara, £2 45 Lewers, Karori, £2 , 45 Campbell, Southland, £2 43 X. Barraclough, Oamaru, £2 ... , 43 Dawes, Blenheim, £2 43 Wardle. N Battery, 43 : H. H. Frazer, KaitanIfata, 43 ; Johnston, Bluff, 42 ; Harris, Oamaru, 42; M'Oiarmid, Oamaru, 41; Drew, Wanganui, 41; Buatin, Christchurch, 41. Wiclcens, Wellington, 41 ; M'Hutcheson, Dunedio, 40 ; Begg, Dunedin, 40 ; Edinger. Wellington, 40; Womley, Timaru, 39 ; Irvine, Nelson, 39 ; Reynolds. Carterton, 39; Haiford, Marton, 33; Ilalpin, Wellington, 38— £1 each. Counted out : Chiug, Stoke Rifles ; R. Milligan, Oiinaru. Attention was next directed to the District Eepresentative Match. Only three teams entered, and it proved an easy win for Ofcago and Southland, but a close contest between the other two teams reeulted in Canterbury just leading Wellington aad Wairarnpa (combined). For the latter Matthew 3 scored only 4 at 600 yards. Bi3 fi;st counting shot was an inner, which he followed up with six misses. As the highest individual scorer in the match. Captain Cbalmer, of Dunedin, holds the Hobson cup till next cotnpetion. Scores: — .District Representative Match.— soo and 600 yards ; seven shots at each distance. Open to 20 members from each volunteer district. Prize?, exhibition challenge nhiekl and HobBon's cup ; the shield and cup to be held for one year.

Waugsnui, Kapler, and Taraaalri were the winning team last sear, with 1083 points No sooner bad the men entitled to fiie in tha laafc stage of the Championship paradtd at 1 15 p.m. than a howling nor'-wtster eet in. and before the sighting shots had been got off the targeta were carried away and tbe competitor* bad to be ordered back to camp. The mcv say that the wind has proved worse than even afc Trentbam— that is to say, thsre has been moro of it since the shooting began. Only Canterbury and Otago entered lor the volley firing. Tne following is the resuk :—: — Volley Firing Match.— Open to 20 volunteers from each of the provincial volunteer districts. Distance, 200 and 500 yaids. Number of volleys, srveu at each r^ngd. Position : Standing or kneeling at 200 yards ; prone at 500 yards. Oiago, £20 ; 605 points for hits, £05 points for volleys ;— total, 810. Canterbury. £10 ; 577, 190, 767. Captain Smith was in charge of the Otago team. The wind howled nearly all the afternooD, and at 1- o'clock Miijor Sommerville ordered the ''faliiu' 1 with a view of gaining ihe opinion of those qualified to fire in the final si-age whether thej should go on or not. Tub majority were in favour of waiting for another hour to see if the wind would lull ; and their judgment proved correct, for by 5 o'clock the men were able to go on, though the wind wa3 noae too steady. M'Gregor, who was leading, opsr.cd badlyi missing both his sighters, while Ross and Robinson scored 5 and A each with (hairs. M'Gregor, however, found the target with his first busu,ess shot, bub it was only an outer. Robiugoa, too, got on _a shot of tqcusl value, while Ross, with a magpie, had shot up a point. M'Gregor then brought up another outer disc, bat both Ross and Robinson missed. M'Gregor missed his fifth shot and Robinson his third. With half their shots gone M'Gregor had scored 13, Ross 11. and Robinson 9 The shooting all slong the line was not up to championship form, and nr'ss.s were more frequent ttan hits. M'GreKor missed hid sixth as well as his fifth shot, and for a time it was thought his chance of winning had gone, but others uosr him were not daing mneh better. Rosa had got a miss and a magpie, and Robinson a miss and an inner. With h?8 last three thoia M'Gregor brought up the outer disc on each occasion, while Ross gob a "mag." with two outers; fanb Robinson did not tare so well, failing to find the target altogether with hia final two. M'Gregor wound up with 19, and, strange to say, had a similar bufc more fortunate instance than when the Rifla Association met here iv 1896. On that occasion he had only to hit tha , target, bat this time he got an outer, though thai. I was quite suffiiient for him to finish in front of ; the well-known shot James Ross, who has shot I well throughout many years of association ; gatherings. Captain Rutherford, who bas ehot | very consistently throughout the meeting, loft i the mound with 29. and finished fourth, being only 8 points behind the champion. Blr Rule, who finished third for the B It here in 1896, shot well ab this range, and with the fine scare of 37 won the Riflu Challenge Cup, which hs holds for one year. Scores :—: — ; Champion Match —Ten shots at 700 yards. Score to count with the aggregate in the other Belt matches. Vol. M'G'egor, Oamaru, £°.O and gold medal 2254000222 19 — 508 Mr James Ross, Napier, £20 and silver star 3024203122 21 — 506 ! Vol. Robinson, Ch'ch, i!l2 ; and silver star 2002501000 13 — 501 ■ Capt. Kutherford, Kaitau- | gata, £10 and silver star... 4401004532 29 — 500 Sapper Lester, Chiistchurch Engineer?, £Q aud silver I star 3332245204 28 — 495 i Corpoial M'Kay, Christchurch, £i 491 \ Volunteer Harding. Blenheim, ££ 490 '"orporal Simpson, Kaiapoi, £i... .„ ... 48 J : Volunteer Pearson, Timaru_, £4 ... ... 459 Mr Montgomerr, Invercargill, £4 488 Bandsman W King, Oamaru 485 Mr G. Uiow, Akaroa „ ... 485 Sergeant M'F.ulane, Cbristchurch 484 Volunteer llichardson, Duuedin , 483 Captain Steadman, Wh-ngarei 450 Mr J G. Wilson. Woodville 477 Volunteer W. Whvte, Oamaru 475 , Mr Charles Hale, Wellington 475 ! Volunteer W Hastic, Oamaru 475 i Captain Nimmo, Ngapara , 472 Volunteer T. Jones, Dunedin 472 Mr V Ingpen, Woodville 471 Mr J Armstrong, Dunedin ... 470 Kergeant Sommerville, Wanganui 469 Lieutenant Domigan, ore , 46S Lieuteuariu Ktuse, Wanganui 466 MrW. H. BilliDgei, Well ngton 4b3 M» G. liovecUy, Woodville t ... 4^l Mr Begg, Dunediu "" 461 Mr K. L. Rule, Oauiarn ... „, 4j9 Volunteer Howe, Wellington , ... 457 Volunteer Raven, Wellington 454 Sergeant Little, Oamaru ... 454 Sergeaot Bunckenberg, Wellington 452 Volunteer Turner, Wellington 451 Volunteer J. Bjleyn, Lyttelton 451 Captain Chalmer, Dunodin 415 Co), sergeant Smith, Oamaru 444 Volunteer T. Fiaacr, Kaitangata 443 Sergeant Wakeliu, t h istchuich 439 Mr Wilkie, Upper Hutt 434 To-night Mra Headiand (wife of Major Headland) preeented the prizes, and Volunteer M'Gregor (the champion) met with an enthusiastic reception, and many other well-known Bhots who were in the prize list were well received. Major Headland referred to tho excallent system of conducting the meeting, which, he said, -was far ahead of that at Bisley ; and he highly complimented Majors Sotnmerville and Collins, who are the perminenfe chairman and secretary respectively. During the evening Mr -George Humphries, of the Press .Association headquarters staff at Wei ington, was presented with a gold eovereigu case and gold pencil, brth inscribed, and the presentation was made in honour of his 20 years' connection with recording the score 3of tbe Rifle Association meetings. The meeting broke up with three cheers for the champion, Majors Sommerville and Collins, and Mr Humphries. The quantity of coal exported from Westporb last week wa& 6723 tons, the Westport Coal Company contributing 5390 lons and the Cardiff Company 1333 toas.

Otago and Southland. 500 COO yds. yds. Tl Chalmers, Dunedin. .j 32 29 — 61 Joaes, Dunedin. ... ... ... SO 30 — fi'l Nirumo, Ngapara ... .>. ... 3D 30 —GO Little, Oamaru 81 2S — 5!) M'Gregor, Oatnaru 29 27 — 50 Rutheiford, Kaitangata 33 21 — 54 King, O-iinaru 27 2i —53 Armstrong, Dunedin 30 22 — 52 Smith, Oauiaru 29 22 - Cl Montgomery, Invevcargill... „. 32 ]9 — 51 Spiels, Oamaru ... 26 2t — 50 Whyte, Oamaru 2fi , 24 —50 B Krazer, Kaitangata 28 22 — 50 Domigan, Gore ... .„ ... 28 22 — 50 Hastie, Oamaru 29 21 — GO Rule, Oamaru 31 IS — 4.1 Richardson, Dunedin „. ... 24 23 —47 Begg, Dunedin ... v, ... 30 17 — 47 Dempster, Dunedin 24 22 — 46 T. liv\zer, Kaitangata 27 19 — 46 Total „ „ 1042 Canterbury team ... « ... 912 Wellington team 910

UHBISTCHCRCH .KESERVES U\O. 1), £10. 2. 0 500 600 yds. yds. yds. Tl. M'Farlane 31 32 31 - 94 Bl'Kay ». ... 27 SO 25 -, 82 G. Robinson ... „, ... 23 20 25 — 68 I. Robinson ... ♦ 30 . 30 21 -SI Perkins , ... ... 30 26 28 — 84 Totals 141 138 130 409 Timaru Port Guards, £10. .TSurford 24 23 23 - 70 Pearson Ss7 31 23 — fil Gosney 20 33 17 — 70 Stephen 32 25 28 — 85 Waugb. 29 31 23 - 83 Totals 132 143 114 389 CIIRISTCHURCH RESEVES (No. 2), £7. Manning 26 19 25 — 70 Wakelin £8 31 22 - 81 Hanis 26 26 24 — 76 Robertson 23 31 32 — 86 ilitchie 29 22 24 — 75 Totals ." 132 129 127 38S Woodville Rifle Club, £4. \V. Loveday 22 21 23 -66 F. Ingpen 26 34 26 —86 G. l,ovec!ay .7.- 26 32 21 -79 J. Rcss 25 28 19 — 72 J. G. Wilson ... ». ... £6 30 27 - 83 125 145 116 SB6 JPetone Riflj Club 135 13S 112-385 Kaitacgata Rifles )38 137 111-354 Dunedin Cit> Guards (No. 1) 142 124 101 - 367 "Weliingt on Guards ... 129 112 123-361 "Wellington City Rifles ... 110 139 307—356 Dunedin City Guards (No. 2) 119 126 81-326