PIGEON SHOOTING. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 43

PIGEON SHOOTING. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, July 18.

A great deal of interest was taken in the first pigeon match for the championship of New Zealand, which was shot under the auspices of the New Zealand Gun Club Association, at Petone, to-day. Most of the crack shots of the colony had entered for the event, including Mr Ghevnnnes (ol Wanganui), Mr Redwood, and Mr Eccles (of Blenheim). The winner, however, turned up in the person of Mr Mackersey (of Hawke's Bay), a wellknown shot, who hrought down his birds in fine style, killing 19 out of 21. Messrs Redwood and Eccles tied for second place, with three misses each out of 21 birds. The following are the performances of the winner and the runners-up : —

Mackersey ... 111111112010111112211 F. Redwood.. 200111111101111111121 Eceles, 110210101111211111111

It will be noticed that, counting the mieses, each of these competitors used his second barrel five times, and also that each competitor shot 1& birds with his first barrel. Mackersey, howevor, only lost. 'two of his birds, while the others lost three each. The result was, therefore, in doubt till the Hawke's Bay man brought down his last bird with a fine shot: He was heartily cheered, and carried shoulderhigh. Altogether the meeting was a great success, the only drawback being the presence of a large number of bookmakers, who were allowed to crowd almost on to the shooting mark, vociferously shouting, their betting odds, and even making remarks to the com-

! petitors themselves. This was very annoyint i both to onlookers and competitors, and tlie I management would do well to make some i more stringent arrangement in future.