OUR VOLUNTEERS.
303, MARTINI ENFIELD. SIFiJE -*.-(3AJIBiNB': The Commander of the N.Z. Forces, wishing to try the relative merits of the Rifle and Carbine, sent ten of the latter weapons to Major Sommorville, in order that their shooting 'powers should be tested on tho, Association Range during the Putiki Meeting. Unfortunately on Saturday, the day set apart for the test, there was such "a push on the part of competitors to get-nqmo, that tho match had to bo abandoned." Since then, howeves, Major Scmmorville arranged with Captain Hughes, of the Wanganui Rifles, to get a few of his men together on the ' Saturday and Thursday half-holidays a give" thd weapons a trial. The firing came off on Saturday, the 18th, and Thursday, the 23rd of March, both days being slrtiilai 1 113 regarding tltd weather. The arrimUnititfti vised was cordite, manu fac'turqd l)y the Auckland Colonial Amhlunition, Conipany, and seemed to be v«ry. gocd! Tfce.seeios piade.wgre not uji to thestandard'of tho Martini-Henry, but as neither Rifles or Carbines had ever been fired from, the asual difficulty was experienced in getting the elevation, while the drift of the bullet was found to be much greater than in the larger bore. As each man finished ho found that he was getting used to the peculiarities of -the weapon. Tho Carbine seemed to be the favourite with all the competitors, on account of its lightness, while its powers of^ shooting seem somewhat superior to the Rifle. Strango to say the Carbine is Bighted for 2200 yards, while tho longer ■weapon is only sighted for 2000 yards. The following show (ho full dotnils of the competition : — Rifle, 303 at 500yda. - s.e. Tl. gergti Andorsoli, W.R,.. 2 3 5345554—83 Serfit. Kruse, W.lt. -.04 4553546-31 Cdtilr. HUghes, W.H. ..45 6445425—29 Lf. Sofflmefville, A.M.R. 5 3 4424535-27 Hoil.Mem.Wl Hi Fdaier, W.R" OS 3924335-22 P"rvt. Pursfer, W.R\ <> 0 2 2224424—20 Pivt. Anderson, W.R. > > 2 4 2022223-13 Prvt. Wright, W.R. ..,,.. 0 0 2022223-13 Toted ::, ~•: :• •■•' 1831 83 Rifle, 303 a"t 600yds'. -^ Sergt. iruse, W.R. ..2 3 5354434-28 Serge. Anderson, W.R. ..20 8553025- 23 Capt. Huphes, W.R. "..3 3 0334554-24 Prvt. Anderson, W.R. .."20 3553025-23 Prvt. Purser, W.R. ..53 2225453-23 Prvt. Winnlade, W.R. ..00 2244450-21 Lt Sommervillo, A.M.R. 0 3 2200245-15 Hou. Mem. W. H. Foster, W.R 5 2 •2222303—14 Sergt. Gordon, W.R. ..00 3030205^-13 Sergt. Hooker, W.R\« ..30 0040233—12 Total " ' 196 Carbine, 303 at 600 yds, ( Sergt. Kruse, W.R. ..25 3452555-29 Capfc. Hughes, W.R. ..30 4440245—23 Prvt. Purser, W.R. . . . 4/f 3444435-27 SerHt. Anderson, W.R... 0 5 6423354-26 .Prvt. Anderson, W.R. ft . 2 2 4334353—25 Lt. Sommervillo, A.M.R. 0 3 3242255—28 Hon. Mem. W. n. Foßter, W.R 3 2 0333245-20 Prvt. Wright, W.R. ..00 0024204- 12 Total 185 ' Carbine, 303 at 600 yds. Sergt. Gordon, "W.R. ..05 5225455-28 Capt. Hughes, W.R. ..00 5543235 -27 Lf. Sommervilla, A.M.R. 8 5 5253525-27 Prvt. Purser, W.R. ..02 4255245-27 Prvt. Winslttde, WR. -.0 2 4444432—25 Prvti Anderson, W.R. ..24 5534224-25-Sergt. Anderson, W.R. -.0 0 4422433-22 Sorgt. Kraoe, W.K. -.00 2203545—21 PrVt. Wright, WJk -.90 0230233 -13 Sergt. Hooker^W.R. < - 0 0 3320022—12 Total *. .. a .. 221 500. 600.G.T1R]flo 188 196-384 Carbino .. ... 185 227—412 Majority for Carbine, 28 points.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9714, 11 April 1899, Page 2
Word Count
521OUR VOLUNTEERS. Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9714, 11 April 1899, Page 2
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