RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6128, 15 March 1898, Page 3

RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

[Per Press Association.'] OAMARU, March 15. The morning .broke very raw, with a heavy fog, which delayed the shooting for some time, as the targets were invisible. When the shooting began a fresh, baffling wind was blowing from the rear, and the light was far from good. The 500 yds of the Hawke's Bay Match was taken first, and Victorian ammunition was used, but so far there is no improvement in the shooting, though one or two fair scores were recorded. By eleven o'clock this range was completed, the following being in the lead : — Suiith(Dunedin), Pearson (Timaru), 48 ; White (Oamaru), M'Farlane (Christchurch), 46; Cameron (Christchurch); Shel ton (31uff), Jones (Oamaru), M'Gregor (Oamaru), Allen (Port Chalmers), Wake^ lin (Christchurch), Wilson (Petone), 45. " The representation at the meeting is Otago and Southland 91, Wellington and Wairarapa 39, Canterbury 31, Wanganui and Napier 15, Blenheim and Nelson 7, Auckland 4; total, 187. Only six teams have entered for the Champion Teams Match, but it is expected that the Companies' Teams Match will be better supported. The wind and light continued tricky all the morning, and the shooting was not good at 600 yds. The Hawkes Bay match was concluded shortly after one o'clock, the chief prizetakers being:— M'Gregor, Oamarn, £7 87 M'Kay, Christchurch, £6 86 Fraser, Kaitangata, £5 86 M'Farlane. Christchurch, £i ..." Ho C. Reynold*, Masterton, £4 64 Boss, Napier, £3 84 Little, North Ofcigo, £3 ... 84 White, Oainaru, £2 ... ... ... 83 Howe, Wellington, £2 83 Nimmo, Ngapara. £2 ... 83 Steadman, Whangarei, £2 82 Additional prizetakera in the Bawke's Bay match— Richardson (Dunedin) 82, Dodds (Port Chalmers). M'Hattie (Masterton), Pearson (Tiraarn) 81, Smith (Oamaru), Welch (Mastertou), Craw (Akaroa), W. Ballinger (Petone), Purnell (Wanganui), 6. Fraser (Kaitongata), Smith (Dunedin), Perkins (Christchurch), Ingpen (Woodville) 80, Gosney (Timaru), Beutley (Christchurch), J. B. Bairstow (Carterton) 79, Captain M'Kenzie (Invercarjdll), Begg (Dunedin), Jones (Oamaru), Hawley (Wellington), Bohinson (Cliristchnrch), Black (Dunedin) 7?, Speedy (Masterton), 77, &l each. Counted otn>— a. Ballinaer (Wellington), Wilkie (Upper Hutt), O'Neill (Wanganui), Rule (Oamaru), Bunckenbery (Wellington). The Marlborouph Match, ten shots at 500 yds, is proceeding, but willnot finish nntil late. The wind is increasing, and the shooting is not likely to he good.