N.Z. Rifle Association's Meeting.

Southland Times, Issue 11362, 21 January 1890, Page 2

N.Z. Rifle Association's Meeting.

[By Telkgraph.J Dcnkdin, Jan. 20. The weather to-day was very cold with intermittent showers ami strong wind, which necessitated frequent postponements of the shooting. In firing off for 11th, 12th, and 13th places in the Championship, Gunner Driver, Captain Proudfoot (each 11), and Private Foster (7), secured positions. Lieutenant Davy only made five. The only matches to be fired to-day were the District Match and the Intercolonial Match. In the former four districts competed, the result being— Canterbury, 1517 (Challenge Shield, Hobson Clip, and L2O) ; Otago, 1468 ; Wellington and Wairarapa, 1419 ; Napier and Tarauaki, 1305. The Intercolonial Match, between Victorian and New Zealand Teams, ten men a side, created great interest. At 200 yards Victoria led by 16 points ; at the finish of the 500 yards range New Zealand led by 8 points, but at the 600 yards they burst up, and wheu the match finished the Victorian team were 36 to the good, the scores being--Victoria : Capt. Hanby, 127 ; Lieutenant White, 120 ; Private Degrandi, 118; Mr Sloan, 114; Private^ Mitchell, 114; Bombardier Grummett, HI; Lieutenant Kales, 105; Captain Kirk, 104; Private Chapman, 100 ; Captain Draper, 96— total, 1 109. New Zealand : Lieutenant White, 116 ; Seaman France, 110 ; Sergeant Jones, 114; Sergeant Parslow, 112; Lieutenant Okey, 110; P.O. Williams, 109; Major Purnell, 103 ; Lieutenant Ross, 101 ; Gunner Taylor, 101 ; Sergeant McCarthy, 92— total, 1073. The prizes were presented to the winners in the concert hall of the Exhibition this evening by Mrs Roberts, wife of the Mayor. There was a large attendance of local Volunteers and the public, the hall being well filled. Out of 325 competitors 239 have taken prizes. Lieutenant-Colonel Baillie, in introducing Mrs Roberts, welcomed the visitors from Australia and trusted they would return with pleasant recollections of New Zealand. He offered them a welcome to future meetings. As each of the Australian contingent was called to receive his prize he was greeted with applause, and when the Victorian intercolonial team fell in to receive their prize and medals Captain Sommerville congratulated them on their win, and said New Zealand would endeavour to send to the next intercolonial meeting in Australia a strong team with a view of regaining their lost laurels. Three cheers were given for the winning team. In replying, Captain Hanby referred to the kind treatment they had received here and the facilities given them for practice, to which he attributed their success. From what lie had seen during the past week he was confident that the colony possessed marksmen who, when more accustomed to the MartiniHenry rifle, would hold their own against all comers, and the date he could see was not far distant when New Zealand would not only send a team to Australia but to Wimbleton. In concluding he said the Australian contingent would alway« have a warm place in their hearts for New Zealand. The proceedings closed with three cheers for Mrs Roberta.