NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 785, 4 November 1882, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

The fifth meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association opened yesterday morning at Musselburgh. The weather at the start was everything that could be desired, there being- a slight southerly wind _ blowing; but during the second match in the afternoon light showers fell, and at six o’clock a heavy rain set in, and has continued all day to-day, to the great inconvenience of the competitors. The shooting yesterday was nothing extraordinary; and does not compare favorably with the previous meetings of the Association. This, however, was expected, owing to the range, which is not one of the best. All arrangements are complete, and only one hitch occurred during the day/- This was when a squad of forty-eighty men, having finished the short range, retired to the 500 yards, and after firing,two or.three shots each, it was found that there was no marker in the butts. The mistake was soon rectified and shooting resumed. The Nelson and Canterbury matches occupied all day, and were concluded about 5.30 last evening. A. Ballenger, of Wellington, won the former, and along with it a prize of Ll 5. He takes the Nelson Citizens’ Cup, which now becomes his own property, hoving been the winner of it at Nelson in 1881. Harding, of Oamaru, won the Canterbury Match, 200 yards, with a splendid score of 48, out of a possible 50.

Both the Nelson and Canterbury matches count in the aggregate for t‘ie rifle and carbine championships. The highest aggregates up to last evening were —Carbines: J. France, Wellington, ,102; W. Harris, Wellington, 99; R. Holmes, Wellington, 95. Rifles: A. Ballinger, Wellington, and Brooks, Dunedin, 100; Coventry, Dunedin, 99 ; E R. Smith, Dunedin, 93; Hogg, Clutha, 97. To-day the Auckland, Otago, and Wellington match will be gone on with, and iii is expected that the first-mentioned will be finished by about noon. [by TELEGRAPH.] ' Dunedin, To-day. The weather this morning is s unfavorable for shooting, light showers are passing over the range, and a very cold southerly wind is blowing. The Auckland match, 200 yds, ten shots, has just been completed. The principal prize-takers are in the order named : —Sontag, Waikari, 46 ; W. McKenzie, Wellington, 46 ; Cosgrove, civilian, 46 ; Payntpr, Nelson, 45; Cooper, Auckland, 45; Sergeant Johnston, Dunedin, 45; Sub-Lieutenant Wilson, Dunedin, 45 ; Waugh, Dunedin, 45; Harding, Oamaru, 45 ; Haslitt, Auckland, 42 ; Cell, Wellington, 44 ; Stevenson, Dunedin, 44 ; McLatchie, Bruce, 44; Halo, Wellington, 44 ; Lieutenant,Toper, Nelson, 44; H. Davis, 1 Thames, 44 ; Wratt, Waimea, 44 ; Monson, Port Chalmers, 44; Webster, Dunedin, 44; Seater, Waikouaiti, 43; Chuck,. Wellington, ’43 ; Home, Clutha, 43; McWhirter, civilian, 43; W. McCartney, Portobello, 43; Hoskin, Tafana ci, 43 ; Waddel, Dunedin, 43; W. Ferguson, civilian, 43; Lieutenant Grossman, Nelson, 43; D. McLean, Wanganui, 43; H. Williams, Napier, 43; King, Oamaru, 43 ; Sergeant Ross, Wanganui, 43 ; Griffiths, Blenheim, 43 ; D. Stewart, civilian, 43 ; W. Hutchison, Dunedin, 43; Howe, Wellington, 43. Counted out: Allau, Dunedin; Paterson, Oamaru; Aiken, Wanganui; Lander, Taranaki; Foster, Wanganui; Gebbie, Dunedin. The above is the third mate 1 which counts for both the rifle and carbine championships. The Otago match, confined to rifles, is progressing, but will not conclude until late in the afternoon.

The highestj aggregates so far are— Rifles : Brooks, Dunedin, 142 ; A, Ballinger, Wellington, 141; Harding, Oatnaru, 14i ; Waugh, Dunedin, 141 ; and for the Carbines : F. France, Wellington, 143 ; W. Harrisr, Wellington, 142.