DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 70, 30 March 1870, Page 3

DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING.

The firing for the third district took place at the butts, Point Chevalier, under the command of Major Tisdall, Lieutenants Smith and Fitzgibbon, together with Sergeant-Major Haslein, who kept score at the butts.. The day was bright, and there was a strong breeze blowing. The following is the score:—

g-3 g| g| 3 HH H H Thos. Barraclough 33302 00002 00003 16 George Thomas ... 00000 00022 00003 7 James Hepburn... 00200 00002 02003 9 Arch. Hepburn... 00002 00002 00003 7 Wm. Edgcombe... 00430 22202 00003 18 Joseph Motion ... 0-1030 03002 00003 15 J.May 00002 00024 00U0r 13 R. Morrow ... 20202 00032 00023 16 T. Cleghorn ... 00000 00002 00003 5 D.Kelly 00002 00022 0003b 9 C. Smith 00-103 00032 00003 15

G. Warburton .. G. Leaning G. C. Fitzgibbon

. OOkOO 00302 20003 10 . 32232 40220 00020 22 . 03000 04432 30000 19

To say that the firing was satisfactory would be incorrect; to say that it might have been but for the absurdity of insisting on ranges of 400, 500, and 600 yards, for trials of skill with breach-loading carbines, would be impossible ; but of this we are convinced, that the arm referred to was never expected to do service at a greater range than 400 yards, and it would be infinitely better to practice men at effective ranges than at those which are quite the contrary, being beyond the reach of certainty. The butts and their surroundings, the glare, refraction, exposure to the wind, and distance from town, all combine to render Point Chevalier about the worst shooting ground we ever saw. The probabilities are, therefore, great that no alteration will ever be made for the better in respect of the host of complaints so constantly urged against the present rifle range.