N.Z. Rifle Association.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9024, 23 March 1898, Page 4

N.Z. Rifle Association.

McGREGOE WINS THE CHAM-

PIONSHIP,

(Per Press Association.)

Oamabtt, Ma t-h 22.

The wind having abated towards five o'clock, the shooting for the Championship beean. Shortly afterwards interest centred about the target where McGregor, Er.ss, and Robinson were firing. McGregor missed Ms seoond sighter, but the others got outers, which they promptly discarded. Eobinson was first to finish, but put on the poor score of 13, with six misses. It was clear that he could not be higher than third place, which he secured by one point from Capt. Eutherford, who has shot steadily throughout the meetingj The contest was now between Ross and McGregor. The local shot found the target after his two sighters, and made two outers as Ross made a I magpie and a miss- Ross put on another outer and an inner, but McGregor landed a bull and an iuner, and thus obtained a clear lead of eight points. With six shots to go, Ross put on an outer, a miss, and a magpie, while McGregor followed with three misses clean over the top.

The Championship was hangiug in the balance. McGregor had now a lead of three points and three shots to go. This lead was wiped out by Eos* with a magpie. Eoss finished the range with a score of 21 and an aggregate of 506. It was thought that McGregor had lost the target altogether. His score was 502 at his fourth shot, and he had had three misses. He found the target again with an outer, and with another outer he tied Eoss' score.

To win the Belt he had only to hit the target with his last shot, The spectators were on the tip toe of expectation, but McGregor was deliberate and cool. At last he let go, and as an outer was recorded, cheers went up to honor his victory. McGregor won by his last shot. Richardson, who was fifth in the meeting, made five outers and five misses and dropped out of the prize list altogether. He only made 10. Harding put on 16, and fell from fourth to seventh place, and Rutherford and Lester climbed into fourth and sixth places, from sixth and eighth respectively. Stea :man also dropped out of the first ten.

The scoring, as will be seen of the leadiug aggregates, was altogether somewhat poor.

CHAMPION MATCH.

Open to the 50 highest aggregates in Belt matches; 700 yards, 10 shots. Private John McGregor (Queen's Rifles, OamariO, Champion Belt, gold medal, and £30 ; previous score, 489 ; at 700 yards 19 ; total, 508. Mr J. Koss fWoodville Rifle Club), silver star and £20 : 485—21—506-

T- Robinson (Christchurch Hon. Reserves), silver star and £15 : 488 — 13-501.

Captain Rutherford (Kaitangata), silver star and £10: 471—29—500.

Lester (Uhristchurch Engineers), silver star and £8 : 467- 28—495. .

Corporal McKay (Ohristchurch Hon. Keserves), £4: 469—22—491. E. Harding (Blenheim Eifle Club), £4: 474_16—490.

Corporal Simpson (Kaiapoi Eifles), £4: 466—23—489.

Private Pearson (Timaru Guards), £4: 463—25—488.

W. H. Montgomery (Invercargill Eifle Club), £4 : 464-22—486.

Bandmaster King (Oamaru) was eleventh with a score of 486. W. Hastie and W. White of Oamaru) followed together 10 points away. Captain Nimmo had an aggregate of 462, E. L. Eule 459 Sergt. Little 456, and Color-Sergeant -mith 444. The winner of the Belt lasr year, Private A. Ballenger, of the Wellington City Guards, secured an aggregate this year of 461. He won the Belt last year with 528

Corporal Simpson, of Kaipoi, was ninth for the Belt last year, and is eighth in the aggregates of 1898. None of the other placed men last year is among the first ten this year.

Eule (Oamaru), with 37, won the Eifle Challenged Cup for the highest score in the final stage.

At the presentation of prizes Major Headland paid a high compliment to Majors Sommerville and Collins for the manner in which they had conducted the meeting.