PIGEON MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4346, 29 March 1882, Page 3

PIGEON MATCH.

A match, which, daring the past week hae been the topio ef considerable interest amongst " knights of the trigger," came off at the Fapanui Eecreation Ground yesterday afternoon between Messrs Meddings and Lunn, both gentlemen being well-known as thoroughly reliable fljing shots, and the friends of each were prepared to back their man, although no odds could be obtained in either case. The birds, which were supplied by Mr Wild, could hardly be said to be up to the mark for a match of this nature, as although there were some good " travellers," many of the birds trapped were only fledglings. There was a fair attendance of the general public, one or two of whom, however, came attended by thoir dogs, which caused considerable annoyance to those engaged in the match, by rushing after the birds immediately the trap was pulled. Mr Lovegrove officiated as referee, Mr Neck acting as puller. Mr Meddings used a 12-bore full choke 8.L., by Tiedall ; Mr Lunn using a central fire smooth-bore 8.1/., by Westley Hichards. The following are the conditions and Bcorf s ; — Match for £25 ; guns restricted to 12-bore ; 25 birds each ;21 yards rise ; three traps ; 80 yards boundary ; two points to count for the first, and one for the second barrel. Mr W. G. Meddings 2,2,0,0 0,2,2,2,1,1,2,2, 2,22,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2 38 Mr H. Lunn 1,0,2,2,2,2,2,0,0,1,1,2,1,0,2,2, 2,1,0,2,2,2,0 29 The first bird rose to the gun of Mr Meddings, and was immediately rolled over by his right barrel in capital style. His opponent, however, wu» not co fortunate, and failing to stop his bird with his first had to call his second barrel into requisition. Another well grassed by Mr Meddinga, was followed by Mr Lunn missing outright. _ Than three birds in succession, ono of which was a regular trimmer, eluded Mr Meddinge, while his opponent gained ground rapidly by dropping a similar number with his right barrel. Two more falling to Mr Meddings' first and one to his second, while Mr Lunn only succeeded in stopping one of his three birds, brought the. scores at the tenth round equal. Mr Meddings commenced his eleventh round by bringing his bird to earth, following this up by treating all his birds similarly with the first barrel until the end of the match. A genuine "twieter" gave Mr Lunn some trouble at the eleventh round. He was also particularly unfortunate with his thirteenth and fourteenth birds, the latter, although heavily feathered, proving too good a shot carrier. At his nineteenth bird Mr Lunn again failed to score, both barrels of his gun, through inadvertence, going oft simultaneously. At the completion of the twentythird round, as it was impossible for Mr Lunn to win the match, no more birds were trapped, and Mr Meddings wqb declared the winner.

Subsequently several sweepstakes were fired, the first of which was divided between Messrs Lunn and Lovegrove, the second and third falling to Mr Meddings, and the last to Mr Lovegrove.