RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10974, 14 March 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP. CHING WINS THE BELT. IRVINE A GOOD SECOND. (Per United Pre3s Association.) Tbentham, March 9. Tho fo lowing is the final placing of the men in the aggregates for the The Championship. Sergeant J. W. Ching, Waimea Rifles, Champion Belt, gold medal (presented by Minister for Defence), and £30 .. ' 512 Sergeant Irvine, Waimea Rifles, silver at>rand£2s 539 Captain Domigan, Gore, silver star and £20 530 Corporal Sandford, Christchurch, silver star and £12 523 Rifleman J. Wil3on, Petone, £5 . . 528 Private G. Loveday, Waika'.o, £5 . . 528 j Rifletuan Turnbull, Opaki, £5 .. 526 Sergeant Drummond, Dannevirke, £5 525 Rifleman J. VVilkie, Upper Hutt, £5 52i Rifleman W. Ballinger, Fetoue, £5 . . 521 Rifleman G. Hawthorn, Karori, £5 . . 520 Bugler Eden (Waimea) made 493, and Rifleman Milroy (Nelson) 485. The wind moderated just before three o'clock this ajternoon. The shooting in the final for the championship wasnot of a high standard, and of the whole of the shots fived by the fifty competitors, only ihtee regisieied major points. The leading men, Cuing, Dotuigan, and Irvine shot very evenly, but somewhat erratic. Thero^was an unusual number of spectators present. At the close of the shooting, the competitors assembled for tha distribution of prizes by Mrs Babington. General Babingion said the weather was worse, but the shooting better, than last year. Au advance had been made in bringing the matches in ihe direction of practical lines, and he hoped a further advance would be made next year. Sic Joseph Ward congratulated Ching, the champion, on behalf of the people of the Colony, and paid a high tribute to Colonel Collins and staff for sheir services in connection with the meeting. He referred to the vast importance of good shooting in connection with the land defences of any country, and expressed satisfaction that so many visitors were present to encourage the riflemen. The presentation of prizes then took place, amid much cheering.

Presentations to a Nblsonian. — The " Auckland Weekly News " states:— "Mr J. H. C. Bond, who has been appointed manager of the Gisborne branch of the Union Steamship Company, left by the Talune on Saturday to assume his new duties. A very pleasing func-l tion took place on Saturday morning, when a representative gathering of the commercial and shipping firms of Auckland met in the rooms of the New Zealand Natives' Association, to make Mr and Mrs Bond a presentation. Mr W. J. P. Philson, manager of the Colonial Sugar Com-, pany, presided, and in a short speech alluded to the good feeling existing between the shippers and the Union (Steamship Company, which was largely due to the courtesy and willingness of Mr Bond, to always meet their wishes as far as he could. Mr C V. Houghton (New Zealand Shipping Company), and Mr C. Ranspn (Northern Steamship Company), re-echoed the sentiments of Mr Philson, as did also Mr Eva (chief clerk, Union^Steamship Company jj and Mr J. Kneen (Seaman's Uniok). The presentation to Mr Bond Xook the form of a valuable gold watch, and that to Mrs Bond, a solid silver tea and coffee service. Mr Bond suitably replied, thanking the donors foVjheir good wishes and handsome gifts; On behalf of the local staff, Mr A. J. B. Irvine (manager Union Steamship Company), presented Mr Bond with a shield containing the photographs of the staff." [The recipient is a son of Mr W. T. Bond, of this office,]