RIFLE MATCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1480, 16 March 1886, Page 2

RIFLE MATCH.

Temuka v. Geraldine.

On Saturday last a match was fired between the Geraldine and Temuka Rifle Corps, on the range of the latter. The Geraldine men (in charge of Lieutenant Ward), drove down to Temuka in Fox’s express, and after a few minutes’ delay in Temuka, they proceeded to the range. The Temuka men were under the charge of Lieutenant White, who also conducted the proceedings during the day. The weather was at first most unfavorable for good shooting, a stiff gusty south-east wind blowing right across tho range, it lulled, however, before the last range was reached, but a slight rain then fell and good scores were still difficult to attain. The conditions of the match were 10 men a-side, ranges 200, 300 and 500 yards, five shots at eaoh range, regulation targets and scoring, and positions as for class firing—that is, standing at 200 yards, kneeling at 300, and any military positions at 500. .As will be seen from the scores, Temuka won the match by 34 points. For the winners Private Raid, who made top score ai the short range, retained his position at the close of the match, Sergt. Woodhead, with top score at the long range, came second oq the list. For Geraldine, Corporal Hard castle, who shot carefully and steadily throughout, made the highest score. Private Gould also shot well, but the remainder of the scores were considerably tailed out. Color-Sergeant Coira, Corporal Hobbs, and Private Erskiue did duty efficiently in the marker’s butt. At the conclusion of the match, three hearty cheers were given for the winning team, and tho compliment was as heartily returned to the losers. At the invitation of Captain Hayhurst the Geraldine team proceeded to the Wallingford Hotel and partook of an excellent tea, served up in Host Coira’s well-koowu stylo, and with appetites whetted by the outing, the men did full justice to the fare placed before them. Before a start was made for homo, Lieutenant Ward in a few words thanked Lieutenant White for the cordial reception which had been accorded himself and his men that day in Temuka. Though they had not won the match, the day to all of them had been a most agreeable one, They could hardly expect that a corps which had only been in existence about ten months, could beat one which had been established to his knowledge over twenty years, Me hoped that many more matches would take place between the corps, They would be the means of improving the’shooting of the men far more than practice among themselves, which caused a great many to get into careless styles and thro k their ammunition away. Lieutenant White said the day had been one of pleasure to him, and though not a good shot he took great interest in she ojting and endorsed Lieutenant Ward’s remarks ip regard to matches between the corps. He hoped they would take place often. They would not only improve the men in regard to shooting, but they would tend to a spirit of unity and cordiality between them. Lieutenant Ward therj proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Captain Hayhprsl for the arrangements ha made for their reception, and to Lieutenant White for the manner in which he had conducted the firing party. Lieutenant Ward announced that on that day fortnight the return inp,tcli would be fired on the Geraldine range, am) )ie pronjised the visitors would receive a cordial reception, and also hoped that as regarded the result of the match the men would reverse their defeat. Lieutenant White, in returning thanks, said that the men by the excellent manner in which they bad behaved themselves on tho range, had made his duties exceedingly lighjb. Ho was glad po find that there entipe absence of' anything that j

would hare marred tbe cordial feeling existing between them. Color-Sergeant Hughes said that in expressing his own feelings, and he believed that he was also giving the sentiments of the whole team, the day had been thoroughly enjoyed. He thought that such matches would have a beneficial effect, and hoped that this would be the precursor of many others between the two teams. The following are the scores : -

Tkmuka. 200 300 500 Name, yds. yds. yds. TJ, Private Reid . 13 9 9 — 31 Sergt. Woodhead,. . 5 9 14 — 28 Corporal Levons , . 5 11 11 - 27 Private Smith . 9 4 11 — 24 Sergt. Smith . 11 6 7 — 24 Bandmr. Harrison 5 9 7—21 Private Whitehead 3 13 5-21 Private Harrison . . 6 10 2 — 18 Lieut. White . 8 8 0 — 16 Private Heap . 6 5 4 - 15 Totals 71 84 70-225 Geraldine. 200 300 500 ■ Name. yds. yds. yds. Tl. Corpl. Hardcastle. . 11 10 13 — 34 Private R. Gould . . 9 11 10 — 30 Private J. Shaw . . 10 7 6 — 23 Private Fergusson 9 4 7 — 20 Corpl. Bethune . . 10 4 6-20 Golor-Sergt, Hughes 3 8 6-17 Sergt, Worner . 5 2 6 — 13 Bandsman Ward . . 5 2 6 — 13 Lieut. Ward . . 8 4 0 — 12 Corpl. Millard . 5 0 4—9 Totals .. . 75 52 64 -191