OAMARU NEWS NOTES (From Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, December 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 34

OAMARU NEWS NOTES (From Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, December 26.

The North Ofcaso Rifle Association's annual prize-firing commenced to-day on the headquarters range. The association had been fortunate in receiving the lai-gest number of entries in its history — 24 different Volunteer companies and rifle clubs beingrepresented by nearly 80 competitors, from Christohurch to Kaitangata. The prizemoney was paid out as each match was completed. The following are the results available up to the time of telegraphing: — I Redcastle Match, seven shots each at 200 afid 5.00 A'avcU— Serjjeanj Stevenson £Duu-

troon Rifles), 64 — £2 10s; Private Smith (Kaitangata), 63 — £1 10s; Lieutenant Wain (Studbolme), 63— £1; Mr W. Nimmo (civilian, of Qamaru), 63 — 15s; Trooper Cowie (Otago Hussars), 63 — 10a; Corporal Gray (Queen's Rifles Oamaru). 62 — 10s; Private Jones (North Dunedin Rifles). 62 — ■ ss; Private Anderson (Kaitangafca), 62 — ss; Corporal Clyde (Wakari), 62— 55; Private Gee (Linwood), 62— 55. The first round only of the Elderslie Match (seven shots eaob at 300 and 600 yards) was completed, whea your correspondent had to leave the range. - The general impression in Oamaru seems to be that the Christmas trade was not nearly so good as usual. Until the last fortnight business has been restricted, and complaints on this score have been heard! on all hands. Things improved rather in the last week, and were very brisk on. Christmas Eve ; but the total amount o£ business done for the season was a gcod deal behind last year. December 27. The- North Otagb Rifle Association's fourth" annual prize-ring wad continued andl finished to-day, the conditions again being; pleasant, though a tricky wind blew for most of the day. The following are the results': — ELDERSLIE MATCH, 300 and 600 yards, seven ' shots at each. — Private Gee v«-unwood), 61, £2 10s; Private "J. Smith (Kaitangata), 61, £1 10s; Colour-sergeant JtJryce (Kaitangata.)" 59, £1; Lieutenant Wain (Studholme), 59, 15s; Private Heather (Palmerston), 59, 10s; Ser-geant-major Montgomery_,(Port Chalmers), 58, -10s; Sapper Kemp "(Canterbury Engineers), 58 5s- f Lieutenant Andrews- (Canterbury Engineers), 57, ss; Corporal £)ash (Waimate), 57, ss; Private W. Boyes (Timaru), 57, ss. OTEKAIKE MATCH, 700 yards. Ten shots.— Lieutenant Duthie (Bruce), 45,r£2.105j Sergeant-major Montgomery (Port Naval Artillery), 43, £h 10s ; Mr rtunmo (Oamaru); 43/JEL;, Sapper Johnston (Dunedin); 40, 15s; Sergeant .M. Evans (Chxistehurch), 39, ,10s ; Lieutenant . Wain (Studholme), 39, 10s ; Corporal Mac- - Donald (Waitaki Mounted xufles), 39; ss ; Private Gee (Linwood), 38, ss; Petty-officer, Fraser (Dunedin Navals), 38, ss; Colour-Sergeant "Bryce (Kaitangata), 38, ssr Aggregate Prizes on Three Matches. — Mr "W. Nimmo, 162, £2 10s; Lieutenant Wain, 161,. J62; Private "Gee, 161, £1 10s,; Sergeant-major Montgomery, 158, £1; Private J. Smith, 158, 15s; Sergeant Stevenson, 157, 15s; Lieutenant Duthie, -155, 10s; Lieutenant Andrews, 153, 10s; Private Jones, 152, 10s. In the Fairfield r Match, seven shots, at 600 yards, Private Mackie (Dunedin Naval Artillery) won £2^K)s-; Private T. Jones (Dunedin. City -Guards), £L; Colour-sergeant Bryce (Kaitangata), 15s ; Sergeant Smaill - (Kaitangata), 10s; Private Mills (Dunedin City Guards), ss ; and Corporal Scott. ( Dunedin City Guards), ss. For the Teams' Match Oamaru Rifles scored 108 points, winning £5, and "the Dunedin Navals 104, winning £3. NURSERY MATCH, 500 yardis, 10 shots, was won by Petty-officer Fraser (Dunedin, Navals), £2 103, with Corporal Hbdgso.n (North Dunedin Rifles) second, £1 10s; white •Corporal Clyde (Wakari Rifles), Private Mills (Dunedm City Guards), Gunner Matheson, (Port Navals), and Petty-officer Morrison (Dunedin Navals) also got into the money. The* arrangements were all first class, andl the competitors were particularly pleased to> find that they were all paid their prizemoney before they left the range.