HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 9 May 1872, Page 2

HAMILTON.

[From ouu own Cokbespondknt.] Bth May, 1872. A return Rifle Match between' Captain Camming and Lieut. Coates, Waikato llifle Volunteers, for £5 a-side, came off at the range here on the 7th. The'diiitarjces were 300,- 400 and. 500 yards, with five shots at each range—in any position. Lieut,. Coates, who lost in the previous match, was thts victor, and I hear that the same gentlemen are to try their skill once more, for the same sum, previous to Lieut. Coates leaving for England, which he intends doing in a'few days; Ihe scores made are as follows : — 300 400 500 YDS. YDS. YDS. TL. G'apt. Cumming ... 15 11 6 ■ — 32 Lieut. Coates ... ,14 14 14 —42 Several other matches are on the tapis, and will take place shortly. , . A Rifle Association in connection with the Armed Constabulary has been started in this district, and alreadj r numbers over 60 members. The Asoociation intend having quarterly prize-firing matches. It is much to be regretted that the Association, in a district where so few take an interest in prize-firing, should be confined to any one branch of the service ; but it is to be hoped that better counsels may prevail, .and. that the association may yet be termed The Waikato llifle Association, so that both Militia and Volunteers may be enabled to pay their sub-' scriptions and compete for the prizes. The settlers, in such a case, as is elsewhere done, might contribute something towards the prizes, and arouse both Militia and Volunteers from their apathy in this respect, as a spirit of emulation in rifle-shooting in these frontier settlements is, very desirable.