THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CHAMPION BELT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3417, 24 March 1879, Page 4

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CHAMPION BELT.

, Tho following letter has been received by a Wellington gentleman from one of the representatives at the Rifle Association meeting. It gives some interesting particulars with regard to the shooting for the championship of Now Zealand:—

Tho last competition for both belts came off on Saturday last. Tho day was gloriously fine, but a very light ba£Hing wind was blowing right across the range. The first range (200 yards) was fired before breakfast. Previous to that tho lead was held by tho oxchampion Paynter, with Ballingor close up. Everyone fully expected that Paynter would again carry off the belt, as he had been shooting splendidly up to that time. After the first range of the third match had been fired, Paynter and Ballinger were tieß, makiHg 24 and 25 respectively out of a possible 28. Several others were now very close on their heels. After breakfast firing was commenced at the 400 yards range, when Ballinger again made a capital score of 26, and Paynter only 22. At 500 yards, Ballinger only made 16, having made a miss, which was a great drawback to him. He must have hit tho wrong target, as ho was confident his shot hit. He entered a protest, but it was disallowed. Paynter made2l,thua making them ties again, while Hutchinson, of Otago, was leading by one point. The excitement now commenced in real earnest, although Ballinger did not seem at all flurried, and kept up his pecker liko a brick. After this range was concluded we adjourned for lunch, after which firing was resumed. At the 600 yards Ballinger was the first of the highest men to fire, and then tho great struggle for the championship of New Zealand for 1879 commenced. By this time crowds of people had arrived from town by train, and there was also a large number of country visitors. Ballinger, for a start, made three misses. He could not see where the bullets went to, but although we, who where standing behind him, could see plainly enough, we were not allowed to speak to him on the firing point. It seemed to puzzle him. Ho fired again, after lowering his sight, and scored a centre. After once finding tho target he seemed quito contented, and struck it every shot afterwards, scoring four centres and a bull's-eyo with his last five shots, making his score 19. Hutchinson was even more unfortunate in finding tho target, and finished up with 17 points, leaving him in tho aggregato one point behind Ballingor. Everybody was now waiting in suspense for Paynter's turn to fire, but it did not take place until a considerable time after tho two leading mon had fired. When Paynter's namo was called there must havo boon fully 1000 people standing behind him outside the ropos, and the Nelsonians were backing him heavily to win. On coming to the firing point, he, like those who preceded him, was completely lost and still more unfortunate, only (coring 9 at the 600 yards range. He was certainly at some disadvantage, both on account of his knowledge of what ho had to make to win the Belt, and also, owing to it being late in the afternoon, tho sun was shining in his eyes, which, to say the least of it, must havo gone against him. This ovont settled tho championship, and on comparing notes it was found that the Wellington representative, Ballinger, had won it. I felt awfully sorry for Paynter, as all through ho has fired snledidly, and has proved himsolf a good reliable shot, and very hard to beat. He is a remarkably easy and steady-going fellow, and is well liked by all the volunteers. . Ho has taken bis thrashing in a truo manly spirit, and was among the first to congratulate Ballingor. As soon as the championship was decided, Ballinger was collared by the Wellington men and carried shoulder high through the camp to tho canteen, amid loud and enthusiastic cheering. His health was drunk by nearly all on the ground, and in responding he said : " Volunteers and gentlemen, — I thank you for tho very hearty man- , ncr in whioh you have drunk my health, and for your congratulations, and I hope tho next year (if here) I shall achieve tho same success." Paynter told him he fully deserved his victory on account of his splendid and uniform shooting in every match ho had fired in.