RIFLE SHOOTING—GOVERNMENT PRIZES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1983, 14 November 1863, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING— GOVERNMENT PRIZES.

In the General Government Gazette of the 7th inst., we find published the names of tbe successful competitors for Governmeot Prizes in Bifie Shooting, with the numberß>sf points scored by the best shots in each proviMk From these tables we learn that the firing at ranges of 300, 400, and 500 yards, five shots at each, resulted in the highest score being made by Private N.G. Morse, of the Nelson Rifle Volunteers, who gained 41 points, and was adjudged the Champion Beltand £50- Captain D. Porter, of the Victoria Company, Wanganui Rifle Volunteers, made a score of 39, and gained the2nd prize of £35; while Corporal WArmstrong, who made a similar score, shot " ties " with Captain Porter, five shots each at 500 yards; the result being that the former made 2 hits, and the latter 4— the third prize of £30, has therefore been adjudged to Corporal Armstrong.

Descending from the leaders to the " ruck,'* wo find that several other Wanganui men, bave made good shooting and gained prizes. Sergeant F, Parkes made a score of 37, and carried off the stb prize, while Private J. Calhroj aud EnsigD J. Peake, scored 36 points/ each, and took the Bth and 9th prizes of £15. Private W. Finnimore, and Sergeant R. Gray, made 32 points each, and also gained prizes of £5. In tke return for the highest scores in each province or district, Nelson ranks highest at 41, and Wauganui next at 39; but in the "total number ol points and average" Wanganui occupies the first place, the figures standing thus: — TOTAL NUMBEB OF POINTS AND AYEBAGE *0B EACH PROVINCE OB niSTBICT.

5,713 16*85 It will be observed, tbat excluding the Wanganui district, the province of Weiliagton cats bnt a sorry figure in the returns, the highest individual score having been made by Private (now Ensign Holmes) of the Wellington Volunteer Company, who scored 12 points and .8 hits, making a total of 20. We congratulate the Wanganui Volunteers, on the reputation they have acquired as first class shots ; indeed, we are not certain byt that Captain Porter, though he has not made the highest score, had a fair claim to the Champion's Belt, because his opponent, it is alleged did not comply with the conditions under which the firing took place. But setting tbis aside, let us hope that on some future occasion, Wanganui may rank first, and thst the Volunteers iv the other districts of this province, may emulate the example presented to them by their brethren there.

Province No. ef Pointa or Competi- <fc Average. District. tors. Hits. Wanganui .... 29 713 24*55 Nelson 12Z 2,493 20-48 Otftgo 11 171 15-64 Taranaki . . . . 54 830 15'3T Auckland .. .. 26 399 15*34 Canterbury .. „ 31 471 15*19 Marl borough.. .. 29 345 11-89 Wellington .... 37 292 7-88 Napier „ .. No return Total— All N. Z. 330 5.713 16«8ft