THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5153, 28 May 1891, Page 3

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

CARBINE SHOOTING— TIMARU NAVALB. The annual prize competition among the members of the Timaru Navala took placo on Queen's birthday, when prizes to the amount of £20, kindly presented by the tradesmen of Timaru were competed for. The weather w»i all that could be desired for shooting, but the scoring was not up to the average, the majority of the competitors blaming the quality of the ammunition for their low scores. P.O. Campbell fired very steadily and secured the first prize of £3 with a scorn of 62, including his handicap, Gunner Waugh following him up very oloaely with 60. The competition was not finished till very late m the afternoon, and some man had their chance spoiled by having to fire m the dark. The conditions were seven shots at 200 and 300 yards, Wimbledon targets and sooriDg, There were 48 competitors. The following are the principal scores (handicaps m parentheses)-. P.O. Campbell (4), 52 j Gunner Waugh (sor), 50 ; Gunner Clarke (10), 48 ; P.O. Bentoul (4), 47 ; Gunner G. Burford (bo), 45 ; Gunner Btepbenson (3), 44 ; P.O. Lane (3), 44 ; Gunner A. Burforrt (sc), 43 : P.O. Hathaway (1), 42 ; Gunner Mather (6), 42 ; Gunner Biropaon (6), 41 ; Gunner Gosney (su), 40 j Gunner Bain (so), 40 ; P.O, Beokingham (be), 38 1 Gunner Hughes tf>), 36 j Gunner N. Williams (11), 35 ; P.O. Tonejoliffe (so), 34; C.P.O. Bradley (ec), 33 ; P.O. Stephen (so), 32 ; Gunner MoKelvio (6) , 31 s Gunner Dow (so), 30 ; Gunner Scoringe (3). 30 j Gunner Eaye (10), 29 ; Gunner Keen (15), 29 j Gunner Harris (8), 27 ; Gunner Boyce (5), 26 ; Gunner A. Thompson (7), 26 ; Gunner Whittaker (10), 26 ; Gunner Waters (10), 25. O BATTEBY PRACTICE. After the Birthday Parade on Monday morning the O Battery proceeded to the Refrigerating Company's grounds for shot and shell praotice. Owing to the fact that there was a somewhat smaller muster than usual, and that one of the No I's was unavoidably absent, the competition for the Sinclair Challenge Cup was postponed. The guns were posted on the cliff overlooking the Washdyke beach, and a6 x 6 target was erected on the beaoh at a distance of about 1675 yards. The No l's were Serjeant Turnbull and Bombadiers Ward and Wake. Ten rounds of solid shot (which are issued for practice only) were fired with good results. One direot hit was made, and the other shots struck m suoh positions that had they been shell nearly every one would have been effeotive. The guns were then limbered up and moved forward about fifty yards, whioh was the | most the ground would allow of. Eight j rounds were fired from the second position, viz., 3 solid shot, and 1 common, 2 segment, and 2 shrapnel shells. One direot hit was made with solid shot and the shells mostly j burat m gnod positions. The result of each round was observed and signalled by a range party under Quarter-master Sergeant Jas. King from a boat on the lagoon. The goneral result of tho practice is considered very satisfactory, especially as two o£ the No l's had no previous experience of actual practice. GEBALDINE. "Queen's weather" greeted tho residents on Monday last and a close holiday was obsorvod. The volunteers fired a feu de joie at the butts. Thirty were present, under the command of Captain Pesrpoinfc and Lieutenant Macdonald. The annual prize firing was tben held, twenty-seven members of the corps contesting for the prizes provided by pnblio subscription. The following were the scores of those who made 26 and over, the ranges being 200, 250, and 309 yards, Wimbledon targets and scoring : — Private Marshall, 51 ; Private Irvine, 49 ; Oorpl. Fifield, 42 ; Bandsman Logan, 41 ; Private Guy, 40 ; Liout. Macdonald, 26 j Sorgt. Brown, 36 ; Oorpl. Coles, 35 } Private Turner, 35 ; Sergt. Fleming, 34 s Sorgt. Stonohouse, 33 ; Private Colbert, 29 ; Private Stringer, 29 ; Bandsman Sherratt, 29 ; Private Bae, 26. TEMUKA RIFLES. The annual prize firing by tho Temuka Biflen took placo on tha Queen's Birthday. There wns a good muster and considerable interent was manifested m the result, not only by thi) company, but by the general publio. A capital luncheon was served on the rsnge by Colour-Sergeant Coira, and the volunteers with their customary hospitality entertained a number of the visitors present. Tho conditions of tha shooting were four shots eaoh at 200, 400, and 500 yards ; Government targets imd scoring. The day was favourable, as the light was good and there was j no wind. The later competitors at the long ranges suffered somewhat from the lengthened shadows of the spectators m the background, and it would perhaps, be as well on a future occaaion to> make all but tho scorers and officers retire to one side. The challenge oup falls to Private Sim, and his win was a very popular one. Corporal Austin's ohance was | very much fancied, but he fell away at the j long range. Some of the most reliable ahota disappointed ftboir friends, but on the whole the shooting was well up to the average of former years. The ranges were 200, 400, and 500 yards. The following ar» tho scores of those who made 25 points and over : — Private Sim, 43 ; Oorpl. Austin, 40 ; Sergt. Hobbo, 38 ; Private B. J. Lavery, 37 : Lieut. Whitehead, 36 ; Privuto Smallbridgo, 36; Private Bruce, 35 ; Oorpl. Watt, 34 ; Private Badburn, 33 ; Private B. H. lavery, 33; Lieut. Findlay, 33 ; Private O'Grady, 32 ; Private Scott, 3B ; Privftta W. Collins, 81 ; Bugler Collins, 30; Corpl. Carr, 30; Private G. Clinch, 30 ; Private Kffan, 28 ; Private Rogors, 28 1 Private Husband, 26,- Private Nioholas, 26 ; Sergt, Levcne, 25 ; Private 0. Olinoh, 25. Only two representatives of the honorary members appeared to fire. Such Bcored 29 for five shots at 200 and 300 yards, first prize boing awarded to Mr IV. O. Nicholas. The prizes, many of which were valuable, were presented m the evening at a eooiul gathering that was held m the Volunteer Hall, Owing to the indisposition of Mrs Outten, this ceremony was performed by Mrs Findluy. The gathering was very enjoyable, about 80 couples being present. Songs were contributed by Miss Gimson and Messrs I. MoOaskill, H.'and T, Clinch and Lieutenant Whitehead. Private Sim gave a rooitution, and Private Bogors a capital step dance. Miss Quinn played an instrumental selection on the piano with muoh taste, and Mr McCarthy was heartily applauded for his finished performance of a violin solo. In tho course of the evening addresses wore given by Captain Cutten and Lieutenant Findlay. Major Young, who still takes a keen interest m his old company, moved a vote of thanks to tho donors of prizes and to Mrs Findlay for presenting them. The later part of tho evening was devoted to dancing, excellent mnsio being furnished by Messrs MoOarthy and Levehs. The catering was entrustod to Mr D. MoOaskill, and was of a very satisfactory character.