NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 28

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL PRIZE FTRTXC*. WANGANUI, March 26 The weather this morning was bright, though- the g'.a=s was low enough to c'enc'.e anything Colonel Somerviile deeded to proceed with the matches, of which one range had already been fired. In the Wellington Match the highest scorers wer? : — WELLINGTON MATCH —Ten sho'.s at 500 and GOO yards. Web=ter, Auckland, JE7 " 96 AY. Loveday, Woodville, £6 95 Humphries, Napier, £5 So Lacey, Wellmgtoi, SA 02 Pearson, Timaiu, £i 92 Kemp, Cbi stchurch, £3 91 Wilson, Wooasille, £3 01 Icgpen, Woo»villc, £2 91 Thorpe, Wai:oa, £2 91 A. B?lhnger, Wellington, £2 90 King, Oamaru, £2 .. . 90 Lieutenain Okey (New Plymouth) and Taj- ! 10, (Auckland), S3, Burns (K?rori), Watts I (Christchurch), Balfour (Napier;. Needham (Palmerston North), Carlston (Auckland), Perkins (Marton), Captain Okey (Tarai.aki), 88 each, Wilson (Woodville), G. Beckmgham r (Timaru). Bairstow (Wairaiapa), Tobm (Auckland), Purnell (Wanganui). Taylor (Christchurch), Cox (Auckland), Williams (Karori), 87 each, C. Hillard (Petoiie), Henry (Tuapeka), Hoffeins (Wairarapa), Martin (Timaru), 8G each 1 —all take £1. | Counted out ilairgay (Piakoj, Shanks (Goie), i Wilk*e (Upper Hutt), Feast (Wairarapa). At the completion of this match the All- ' comers' Match, not counting for the Belt, I was fired. The leading prize-takers are : — ! Loveday, 93 ; A Ballinger. 97 ; Feast (Wai- ' rarapa), 96; Maingay (Piako), 95; King (Oamaru) , 94 : Young (Keretaunga). 93 ; J. Beckmgham (Timaru). 93; Gimderson (Christchurch), 92: F. Williams (Wcodwile), 91. At the annual meeting of the association very little was done. Only tlie question of handing the association's yffairs to the Government was discussed, and tin- was left to the council to mtciwew the Defence Minister.

Manh 27. Shooting began at 7 o'llock this ni'>rn«u£. The weather was good, but the wind tricky. Only 13 tired m the match for returned men from South Afru.i The following is (he prize li=t ' — I SOUTH AFRICAN" MATCH.- Ton shots at 500 and 63' > jards. Somnierv l'lc, Wanganui, fn^t tent , £7 .. 81 Young, Karen, fiist contingent, .£0 .. SO Garland, Cambridge, second contingent, £o 72 M'Donaid, Waverley, first contingent, £1 70 Wright, seco.id contingent, £3 66 Parkes, first co itingent, -2 CS Naylor, second contingent, £2 65 Harrison, fiist contingent, £2 51 Douglas, fiist contingent, £2 42 Peebles, first contingent, £1 41 Crawley, first contingent, £1 37 Nearly 100 men shot in the Tyro Match, which is open to non prize-taker^ at pre\ious meetings. The prize list was a*, follows. — THE TYRO MATCH.— Open to el members who ha\e ne\er won a prize at ary pievious meeting of the N.Z.R.A. , 500 }aids, 10 shots. Colhnge, Woodville, £6 50 Oakley, Nelson, £5 49 Hewlett, Chr.stthurcb, £4 49 Trent, Christchurch, £3 48 Kretschman, Auckland, £2 43 Kmnard {Manaia), Howard (Napiei), Smaill (Kaitangata), 48 each , Perrin (Pahncrston), Papp (Stoke), Morrow (Christchurch), Kemp (Christchurch), 47 each; Duley (Dancevirke), Riddell (Peninsula), Moss (Duiiedin), Turnbull (Gore), M'Culloch ( w aipawa), Barkle (Charlton), Hyde (Napier), Balfour (Napier), Morton (Kimboiton), 46 each; Mills (Dunedin), Holland (Wellington), M'Donrld (Timaru), Hammond (Blenheim), 45 each— all take £1. Counted out Carlson (Auckland) and Bennett (Taranaki). In the Wanganui Match some good shooting was made, and King got on the excellent score of 100. ond shot up leyel with the leader for the Belt The following the chief prize-takers: — WANGAXUI MATCH.— 3OO, 500, 700 yards; seven shots. King, Osmaru, £10 100 Pearson, Timarn, £8 97 Papp, Stoke, £G 96 T. Frazer, Kaitangata, £5 94 Licey, Velhngton, £i 93 Cox, " Auckland. £4 . 93 Sergeant Okey, Taranaki, £4 93 G. Anderson. Kaitangata, £4 92 Holland, Wellington, £i 92 Wmolcde, "Wangamu, £3 92 W. Loveday, Wo-H.wlle, £.?, 02 Harding, Blenheim, £\ 92 Humphreys, Napier, £3 92 Turnbull, G ore, £3 92 Smith. Kaitangpta, £M 92 Trevethick, Petone. £2 92 Feist, V T airaiapa. £2 ..90 M'Farlane, Christ Jnuch, £2 90 Xi email, Marton, £2 90 Irvine, Waimra, £2 90 Burnes. Karon, £2 9t) G. Loveday, ""'oo^ville, £2 SO M'Kay, M'anaia, £2 89 Wilson, Woodville, h2 89 V. Ballmgrer, Welhagtoi, £2 SO Li-idsay, Studho'me, £2 , S3 M-Kuiffht, Dunedm, £2 S9 Parkes, Palmerfton, £2 £9 Head. Wellington, £2 89 Oakley, Nelson, £2 89 Domiean, Gore, £3, E9 Tobm (Auckland), Welhns (Invercargih), Gleadow (Napier), Nelson (Woodvdle), Blyth (Timaru), Donald (Wairarapa), Shanks (Gore), Ferguson (Hunter\ille), Chuiton (Wsngarui), A. Balhnger (Wellington). Martin (Timaiu), 87, Hyde (Napier), Maingay (Piako), Wool'ctt (Dunedia), Chirg (Nelson), Hughes (Wanganui), Sonntpg (Dunedin), Balfour (Napiei), M'Kay (Christchurch), Hoffems (W?ir?ran?\ 86— each take £1. Courted out Randall (Wellington). 100 highest atrgTegatc-s were privileged to fire in the Auckland Match (formerly the Grand Aggregate Match). The prize list wv.s as follows . — AUCKLAND MATCH.— Ope i to the 100 highest aggregates m matches -, S, 4, 5. 7, 8, and 9 , seven shots at 500, 600, 700 yards , the highest 50 of th° aggregates to fire in the final stage for the Be t. Wakehn, Chnstchurch, £8 96 Hawthorne, Wellington. £6 C' 6 C^rey, Patea, £5 93 Tievethick, Petone, &.\ 95 R-idall, Welling tor, £3 94 Domigan. C4oie, £2 93 Purnell, Wanga'jui, £2 93 A. Balhnger, vVcllui°to:i, £2 . . £3 Turnbull, Co:e, £-2 93 Kiernan, Marton, £2 . . 03 | The following takj £1 — G Lo.-eJay (Wooc 1j ville), Churtou O^anganm), 9J , Thorpe (Wa.roa), Crow (Petone), 92, Pearson (Tpnaru), V7i'lifims (Woodville), 91 , Skinner (Auckland), Per-k-.ns (Christchurch), Marshall (Wellington), 90, So.mtag (Dunedini, Jjacey (Weihnpton), 83, T. Frnzej (Kaitangata.), Wilson (WooJvil'.e), Kemp (Christchurch), 88, Hi'niphreys (Napiei), 85 Count?d out Winslane (Wangaiiui). Sirpultaiieouvly with this m.itch tl.e Last Try Match, 10 shots at 500 yards, confined to tlio<e who have won not iro^e than £5 at the ireeung, was fired, the rrize list being as under : — LAST TRY MATCH —Ten shots at 500 V ■ 1 ' -i Paikmsc:\ M^rloi. £7 50 Scott, AV.uiganui, £0 49 Moc«. Dv ledin, £5 4-t Dipw, Wa'ipanui, £1 4ft Howie, w ™iroa, £i 43 To bin; Aucklan' 1 , £2 47 Mills, Duredin. £2 . 17 G. Frazer, Kaitangata. £2 17 K:>!se, Wanganui, £2 47 Stephens iTinruv. ,^7. Morrow (Cji.i;.c hui^.'i\ Sexton (Wdiroii, Smith (Kaitanga^a), Sti.ich'n (MartoiT, Irvi^s '"'aimeal. Kiet^chnifn (Auckland), l(i . A'mstiong (Wakari), Kiernan (Ma>to .). Patcrson (Hawcia), CJa r i (Du.ie''i?i), A. AVilliaras (WooJviUe), J Beckmghani 'Tmuru), Having (B'enheim). La.vience (X utangata), 45, Hewlett (Chnstcluircli), Diummoiid (Dar.lirvirko), Buchanan (Auckland), AUilt-y (Maiton), C.imeron (Christthui-ch). Robinson iC'an-t-church 1 , M Lean, Whitley I'Kaiapoi), F?rp,uto>i (HuntervUle}, 44— sach take £1 Counte-.l oat T Frazei (Kaitangatal, i[il"e (Manna), Ramsay (Napier), B?iklo (.Clurllo i) King's »hootmg was really biilliant. and by securing K'O out of 105 wlum he ment wanted i 1 tlie i)rc~fut oliampion r.niititain* the reputation that i>o ha* loilly to he rpekonp-d with v hen '" wiihiii coo cc "oft' c Bolt Not only did tin* <iP(-> liootinj- pm h:i.i .dnnp-ide iho leaders foi tho Belt, hut "-eouieil for him the New Zealand N.tli\p>-' A-- >nei:uion Cup, IVTr Thain\ rifle, ond Mi i". WillunibS jevolvei — quite a gathering ol tropi ie>. for one day. — anil it nay win him the belt At tae la^t meeting King yon the Xatnes" Cup wit'i a tcore of 93, and the trophy now be omc hi-, own property. lie narrow ly nn»-ecl adding th' 1 Union Company's tiopiiy to his li-t, a-, Pearson, of Timaru, only beat him by a <oi.pl' 1 of pont.' foi tliat pii/.e Had Kinj; v. oii tiuj ivy it »uuid li.-ue bccjniu li_s own

p.-opertv- With the probability of his winning the 3Vt (in winch case it vvOuM be his own property), it appears likely ihat King 15 romou'ig many trophies which the (Government v. ould ha\e'had to determine how to a'lot v.hen tbey took over the meeting. At the 500 yds range in the Wanganui Match the shooting was of the Aery best, and about a dozen rung on the pofbiblo At the 700 yds c' erythmg proved that the .333 is a better shooting weapon than the old Martini Henry. The individual Belt matches being oomph ted chowed that the Wcrrlville team was a long wav ahead in the Champion Team* Ma'ch. The highest aggresato^ in matches 2. 3, "■, 5, 7, 8, and 9 count hero, and the following is the resuU : — CHAMPION TEAMS MATCH —Prizes: £15, £10, and £5. Wocdville Rvfle C!ub.- Wilson. 444, G Loveday, 43G, W. Loveday, 442, Ingpen, 431, JN elson, 340.— total, 2173. Petone Rifle Club.— W. Balhnger, 426; A. .Balhnger, 435; E. Hollard. 410, Wilson, 412, Trevethick, 407,— total, 2090. Karon Rifle Club —Randall, 421 ; Hawthorne, 414, Ma-shall, 403, Williams, 415; Burns, 416,— total, 2074. The other teams competing were —Canterbun- Engineers, 2049, Akoiana Rifle Club, 2017; Wairarapa Rifle Club, 2016; Victoria ■R'fl°s (Auckland), 2002, Hororary Reserves (Christchurch), 1998. By hip win in the War.ganui match King wins the New Zealand Natives' Association Cup. Private Pe^rson, of Timaru, wins the Union Company's Cup, having made the highest aggregate in the Wanganui, Christchurch, and Wellington matches. Despite the difficult ran.gan at which the men were shooting to day, there was but little change hi the positions of the leading men. The following are those who fire in the final stage for the Eelt: — Wiisoi. (Woodville), 532. King (Oamaru), 530, W. Loveday (Woodville), 523; G. Lovectey (Woodville), 529, A. Balhnger. (Wellington), 525, Sergeant Okey (Taranaki), 526; Humphrey (Napier), 526; Domigan (Gore), 524, Pumell (Wanganui), 521, Turnbull (Gore), 521 ; Ne'son (Woodville), 521 , Pearson (Timaru), 516. Randall (Wellington), 515; Balfour (Napier), 515, Winslacte (Wanganui\ 513; Thorpe (Wairoa), 513; Turner (Wellington), 510,'Lacey (Wellington), 510; Taylor (Auckland), 503; W. Ballmger (Wellington), 509; Hawthorne (Wellington), 509, Cox (Auckland), 507, Kerau (Christchurch), 507; Gleadow (Napier), 506; Woollett (Dunedin), 505; Head (Wellington^, 503; Trevethick (Wellington), 502, Williams (Wellington), 501, M'Farlane (Christchurch), 500; Watts (Christchurch), 500; Sonntag (Dunsdin), 503, Fe.st (Wairarapa), 439. Marshall (Wellington), 499; Wickeu (Wellington), 433, Parkes (Palmc-rston North), 497; Williams (Woodville), 497, T. Frazer (Kaitanpata}, 496, Webster (Auckland), 486; Burnes (Karon), 496, Marten (Timaiu), 495, Needham (Pa'merston North), 494, Wain (Studholme), 133, Pap;;s (Stoke), 493, Hoft'ems (Wairarapa), 492, KonVavd (Mat ton), 492, Buntin (Christchurch), 401, Berg (Dunedin), 491, Churton (Wans«iK.uO, 491 , Maingay (Piako), 490, Skinner (Auckland), 400. March 28. The weather broke beautifully fine agam for to day"s shooting, v.hich began shoitly after 7 o'clock, when the Nursery Match, for thoie who have not won more than £4- at j revioiu and £5 at this meeting, and the Bronze Medal Matcli, restricted to bronze medal holders of the New Zealand R:fle Association for the year 1900-1901, were shot off simultaneously. The following are the prize-takers : — NURSERY MATCH, 500 yards. Ten shots. Lawrence, Kaitangata, £6 50 Geriin, Pa'msrsto.! North, £5 40 Hyde, Nap:er, £1 49 Greenwood, Upppr Hutt, £3 4D Smaill, Kaitangata, £2 49 Lindsay, ritudhohre, $2 . 48 Asnle>, Palmeiston North, £2 48 Trent, Cinstchurch, £2 4S Bays, Timaiu, £2 . . „ 48 J. Beckmham (Timaru), Pine (Napier), Kiernan (Marton), Needhaui (Palmer ston North), Muls (Dunedin), 47, Howaid (Napier), Murntt (Napier), Drummond (Dansevirke), Martm (Timaiu), 4b, Morrow (Christchurch), Hen-le-y (Haweua), M'Culloch (Waipawa), Jack (Palmer=ton North), Gee (Limvood), 45: Jor.es (Wellington), Rodger (Manaia), Watts (.Chr.&tchurch), 44-a'l take £1. Counted out Willoughby (Petore'i, Cook (BlPiiheißi\ Armitage (T.'ianaki), Murray (Palnierston Noith). BRONZE MEDAL.— Ten sliols at 500 and CJO aids. Hobbs, Ha=ti-e«, £5' 91 Pearson, Timaiu, £4 92 Bums, Kaiori, £3 92 Seiqeant Okey, Taranaki, £2 91 A Balhr.ger, "Wellington, £2 90 Welch, Wairarapa, £1 93 GUdow, Napier, i'l 83 .Toiir.«ton. Marton, £1 89 Wmslade, Wanganui, £1 • 88 Lo.e, Wanganui, £1 87 Sajwell, Wairaka. £1 ... 86 The wmr.er also takes a silver medal. The next match taken was the Companies' Teams Match, but with two range 3 finished the match \uv interrupted, and the men were paraded for the District Reprer ontath c Mate';, 10 sh )ts at 500 and 600 yards. Tne elißtrict3 entered were Taranaki, "Wanganui, and Napier (combined), Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago The Auckland represeniati\ p-. who were combined with Nelson, Maryborough, anJ Wcstlami, weie prepared to compete, but, uufortunn'eh . there whs- a lr.isur-'ler-tanding wiMi repect to the ieprc scutatiVL, from NoKon ..nd Marlborough, they liad not a suffu leni numbpr on the range to make up a team Ilui3 the noithernerwere shut out. There wa^ tome fine shooti:i'< in tins matrli, ard Pj'nt> rar.g on a couple of possibles. The follow .ng i-> the lcsult: — DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES MATCH Seven phots at 500 aud €00 yards. Taranaki, Wanea'.ui, Napiei combined — Thorpe (Wairoa), cl , Sergeant Okey (laranaki), C 2. Ha.iford (Feildmg), 5(. Parke« (Palmerston Noith). d Neeaham, 56. MoscniiMi (Wargai vi), 05. Chuitoii (Waiis. r ai Hi), 55, Hughes (Wai era'. u.), CO, Win^lado (Wangar.'i ). 67, Pu-oc'l (Wa".ganui) C>i , O'caclovv (Nyoici;. 59, Pine (Napier). 70, Hj de 'Xapier), 7.5 , Wi!h:m-a (WooJvil' r ), r>3 , Humobric (Taranaki), 01, Ingpen (WooJvillei. 'jj , W Lovpday CWno.l\illel, C 7 , (!. l^ovedciv (VTocivUe), C j NeNon (Woodville), 62, J WiibO.i (Wood\ lilt), 6?,— total, IC-20 Tlip v imiers take £20 ar.d the Exhibition Sh.c'd, and Pin^, who mo.de the hizhest score — p, ixj? = ible at each range — ho'J? Hobson ard Snr'^ cm for t!i"> \pa 4 Tlie oiher score- \\c:e -We .ngton, 1211, Cuiteib-ue. 1195 Otao'O, HbG After lunch tlie Team?' Afa-tcii wa= ranc'ude.l. The conditions of tins match were s.e\c"i -ho 1 - at 500. and 600 j.ml? Tlie SQO yaicU' range wa>, iirell fir-t From tlie <-u')]Oinpd pcorcs H will be sPen liow the team- -tood thi-ougliout the competition. —

Tn this match the prize money wa~> c nsiderably curtailed, and v»as meiely a -w copstake for the pntrance money, Timaiu and Victoria dividing first and fcfccntl money of £15 and £1G each, while Petono took the third prize of £5, and Kaitanga'a. and Palreerpton North dnided the fourth of £3. There was a considerable amount o£ discontent at the cutting down of the prize jnoney, but this has happened in the fame match for several meetings. In the afternoon a large number of citizens was present on the ra^ge ii the hopes of witnessing the final shooting for the Championship, but it was decided to get the field firing and volley firing off before the competitoia began to disperse. The Field Firing Match was watched with great interest, and was one of the first of its kind fired at the association's meetings. Nob only the visitors on the range but the competitors themselves took a lively interest in it. The conditions were somewhat changed from, the official programme, and were something like this : Wooden targets 3ft by 2ft were stuck on the sandhills somp distance behind the targets at which the men had been firingthroughout the meeting, and competitors were taken far back behind any range theyhad bsen firing at, and it wis a question of judging distance. Squads of 20 men from Canterbury district, Wellington district. Auckland and Otago districts combined, and Taranaki, Wanganui, and Napier districts combined were taken to the extreme^ end of the range, and had to fire a volley of "shots at the above-mentioned targets. Then they were marched another distance and fired further volleys. later on advancing to a shorter distance and firing further volleys, and finallyindulging in independent firing, those who got on the greatest number of hit«, in addition to points for command, volleys and dressing, being the wiener. The conditions a? to distance were such as might result in the eventof men being required for active service, and no matc'i shot at the rejent mceUiig of fh» assoeaition cieated greater interest. The Permanent Artillerymen took the targets ci to the hills, where they erected' them and immediately retired to a convenient kopie to aw ait the completion of the shooting of one squad, when they returned to t!-e targets and recorded the number of hits. THs continued as each squad fired. Although the number of shots registered on the targets was not great, it was generally admitted that anybody beingin the vicinity of the object woul'l have had an exceedingly lively time of it The following is the result of the competition: —

In addition to the above-mentioned all emtions of the conditions rifle club men were a'lcv, ed to compete, but Colonel Sommervill ? explained that be was anxious to ?ee wrhat thg men oufd do under tlie conditions. A. majority of tHo men at the first volley fired at 1400 yard", and as they advanced the shortest r.mge was believed to be 1000 yards. At itll the ranges the Martini made as good shooting as the .303. After this match was completed the ■\oliey firing took pWe, but the 600 yard 3 was struck out. Ps the liglit was failing. The result was as follows : —

Wilson (Woctlville) not King (Oaraaml takes thp Thain's presentation ritle ail 150 > rounds of pm:r.unition. The pbooting at the meeting has c^ntiru^ t of a, hitfh etnudar 1 . Those who have mad> possibles in the more important- mfitchßi ai-e • At 503 yards— Cox (Auckland). 3; Rr.ndalL (Karori)." 2: Sergeant Okey (Taranaki), 2; Irvine (Waimea), ?,; Marshall (Karori), 2; Purnell (Wanganui). 2 ; Pearson (Timaru^ , Churton (Wanganui), Wills (luvereaigill), Win-la:le fWanganui), G I ->ve:lay (Woec Tville), Hum-p'-irevs "(Nnoier). Eomigan (Gore), Fprguson (Huntcrville^, Oakiey (Nelson 1 , Kr?ts-c'iman (Auckland). Thorpe (Wa.roa), Wilden (Wairarapa). Grac° (Petone), Lester (Christchurch). Henderson (Auckland). Tnepen (Wordville), Greenwood (T T npe- Hutt), Remington (Wanpcanui), 1 each. At 600 yardp — • Pearson (Timar-j), (Wr.nr.inni), Hauthorne (Karori), and KeTip (Clir'.stchure 1 - 1 ). March 23. The last sta^p of the rhamplonshirj mi' firt'T this morniag. The following fa-e the leading men : — CHAMPION MATCH— 7OO y?rds; ten shot". Th 3 score made in this match to be acMed t i picxious aggregate".

Glc^dow (Napier), Woollett (Dunedir), M'F,.il.ire (Chri=tchurch), Kemp (rhri^ttlni'ciii, ard Uandiill (Wellington), \vith ,'lt each tied foi Iwert.eth pace, nad^ ml to 'lie cIT foi lie pnze (£3^ The hre-ou ro-uHccT thus Kemp 18 points, M'Farlane and R?.iidall 17, Gleadow IG, Woollett 11. The others who filed were — Frist (Wdii.irapa) 543, Marshall (Karon) 342, Lace\ (Wellington) CJI, W. Ba'lmsrer (Wellington) 539, Watts (Clm=tcharch) 530. F. wenw en iSUulholrae) 537. F Williams (Wrod . 7 \V. l star (Auckland) 5?5. Burns (K. . 11 on) tdS, Trevelhiclf ;i <. F^ ■,

Martin (Timaiu) 533, Kennard (Marton) 532, Parkes (Palmerston North) 630, Wickens (Wellington), 529, Hoffems (Wairarapa) 523, T. Fraser (Kaitangata) 525, Butin (Christchurch) 525, Churton (Wanganui) 525, Skinner (Auckland) 523, Needham (Palmerston North) 522, Sonntag (Dunedin) 521. Nelson, with the fine score of 49, or 1 point off the possible, takes the Rifle Challenge Cup. There have been close finishes before for the Belt at Wanganui. In 1886, when the meeting was held at Aramoho, the weather was like that at present, and the previous gathering in 1899 was simply lovely. Remington, of Wanganui, then tied for the Belt with Major Acheson, of Riverton ; while Lieutenant Foster was only one point behind. When shooting men again came here the range was fixed at Putiki, and King, of Oamaru, simply ran away with the Belt, and ■won with an advantage of 32 points over the late W. Richardson, who was one of the finest shots thiß colony ever saw. Next to Hichardson was J. G. Wilson, of Woodville, who shot second this year, and he has improved undoubtedly. M'Gregor, who finished next to Wilson last meeting, and who won the Belt the previous year to King, is unfortunately absent. At the presentation of prizes to-night prominent men, including, of course, the champion, were accorded a hearty and enthusiastic reception. Nelson, who made, perhaps, the most remarkable score ever recorded in New Zealand, of 49 out of 50 at 700 yards, received a great ovation. Beginning 11 points behind his club mate, Wilson, who was at the head of the aggregates this morning, he never thought he had a chance for the Belt. However, with his first five shots he brought up th© " bull " disc, and when those -then on top had fired a similar number of shots, the aggregates were: — Wilson 550 and King 549, the latter having pulled on a point on the former. Then came Arthur Ballinger with s*B, and Nelson next, with 547. W. Loveday was fifth with 546. Nelson had found the spot, and he plugged on three more " bulls." Then he got an inner, and finished up with a "bull," making a second score in New Zealand of 49 out of 50 in a ten-shot match at 700 yards. This, too, with the tension of shooting for one of the most coveted trophies in New Zealand, and being so many points behind. Ballinger was, perhaps, one of the first to finish in the final stage, and he was then second to Nelson with 570. King finished up with three magpies. and left with his aggregate at 566 or three points behind Nelson and one behind Ballinger, while he tied with W. Loveday, who had made 37 against his 36. With Nelson'a total at 570, Ballinger's 567, Loveday and King's 566, J. d. Wilson had still four shots to go, and there was a chance that the old Etager would hold his position ; but he scored, 3, 4, 3, 5, and lost the belt by one point. W. Loveday and King tied for fourth place, the former winning in the shoot off. Humphreys and Okev tied for Brxth place, the former winning. Tenner and Pearson tied for fifteenth place, the latter winning. There were five who tied for twentieth place, Kemp ■winning with 18 against M'Parlane and Handle's 17, Glcadow's 16, and Woollett's 14- ' With this over, the day was devoted to the mounted men's competition. Hastings won both the Lloyd Lindsay and loading and firing matches, the former with a score of 210. Tho Alexandras were second with 186, and Wairoa next with 182. In the loalling and firing contests the score of the- Hastings men was 191. the Wairoa teams tieing with 183 for second and third places. Very little interest was taken in these contests, and the opinion is held that they should be confined to encampments. The gtm rescue competition was abandoned. W. 8. Nelscn. who was decorated with the Champion Belt to-night, is a member of Ihe well-known firm of Nelson Bro?., Hawke's Bay. He claims only 34 summers, but never xook up shooting until 1886, when he shot at th 3 Hawke's Bay Rifle Association meeting, "but did none too well. In 1891 he took part for the first time in the New Zealand Rifle Association's meetings, the gathering betntr iield at Oamaru. and there at each of tl»e 700 ranges he ecored the possible, not of hits, but misses. Latterly, however, he has improved at long-distance shooting, a3 his performances to-day prove. Nelson ha 3 never shot previously with the'firat 50 for the Belt, and last _ year he v/as among those who came out for *' the nursery." On his own range, and among liis onn club members, he has had probably io shoot amongst some of the hottest shots in tho colony, and that may explain why he has not been more prominently before the public before, yet he has several trophies to his credit, and with the incentive of championship at his elbow ; will no doubt increase the number. Nelson is most popular on the range, and a temperate man both in the use of malt and the weed.

'_U0 500 b)J >ds. >ds. yds. Tl. V" loi-ia I'uu.u.u . Ti Auck- " .. HO .Aids .. 110 160 10 J It 6 — 456 15G — iSC

Pel one Rifle Club .. 149 Kaita: sat-i R-flcs . 1 1<> Palmerston N. Rifle = 14-1 Woodville Rifle Club 145 Warganui Kiflos . 118 Akarana Rifle Club Auckland . 142 Car.terbaiy Engineers . 146 Hoi. Reserve Corps, Christchurcb. .. 152 Karon R:fle Club .. 141 134 159 13T 150 155 152 1515 15G ICJ 131 — 454 no- U7 149 - 147 142 — 116 139 — Lii I' 7 — fil 1 !3 — <X.) 1.5) — J"3 132 — 4J3

ZJanterhnry .. . 60 PTelhngton . 42 kucklftcd and Otago 27 Waasanui, Taranaki, and Napier . 21 a 3 r-* O o 7 5 10 8 o 12 6 10 12 bo a R S 6 8 7 o 87 59 55 48

Canterbury . Wajiganui, Taraiaki, and Xaoier Auckland aud Otago "Wellington Hits. 4.20 339 373 365 V oileys. 30 12 19 19 T 1 42 go L

Pieviou? Scoic. t ham ALitLh Tl. Xclso i, WoocKi'le (Champ.on Bet, £35, and gold medal) 521 J O-. W-lsoi, Woodvil'e (£'2s. ar>d =i!vcr strr) 5:2 A Balhticer, Velhrglosi (.£ls. pud silver stai) 52S TV Lovpclay, Wooilville (£lO, and silver =ta-) :>ZI Kincr, OaxnaLii (£3, ;t,.c! siher =tai) 531 Humphreys, Hastings. £5 526 Ser^^ Okcv, Tai.'riaki, f > 520 (i Lo\plav. "We civile, i 3 .">2l r i v p'u,;i I'o.c, "o C'2l IV.i.vi!, W.ni^.inni. /5 ",_1 D'misjan. <",r • £4 . .. .'2l "Balfou. X-- ..d, -C! .. '15 Thovpp W. i'Oi. fl . .. .">!•> T..}'o. Auckla. d, £1 510 Pc.:i c oi, 'lunaiu, if 3'l> Tiir.'c: Wcl'inatm, H no Hjulncriip. Wo!lir.t;i.o", £3 TlO Cr\, Aiuklu-d, £3 507 Wi;i«'udi\ AVaiigai vi. L 5 513 43 — STO 37 — :C3 C 3 - ZC7 07 -- SCG • HS -- 56( :\s - :.S4 m - jii^ :?7 j.iS ° ' - SCO „7 — Co 2 I',! -- 552 41 - ",<> 3T - 5-0 m — 549 40 — SAT "A — 347