THE COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2175, 27 April 1870, Page 2

THE COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

The firing for the Colonial prizes commenced at Mr Lindsay’s property, N.E. Valley to-day. The weather was all that could be desired for the shooting, albeit it was a little cold, but the absence of any sun was much in 'favor of the riflemen. , The men mustered at the Octagon at halfpast eight o’clock this morning, and were conveyed on to the ground by coach. The business of the day begun at about twenty minutes past ten o’clock. Lots were drawn for and the men divided into three squads. The first squad of fourteen men was under the command of Captain Steward, Oamaru Company; the second, also of fourteen men, under the command of Capt,' Capt. Peterson, No. 1 Company, and the third of thirteen men, under the command of Capt. Cantrell, South District Rangers. The first match was the sighting match,' The scorers were Lieuts. Macgregor, Shand, and another, assist d hy the stafi. officers. The firing was under the superin- * teudence of Colonel Harrington, and the arrangements by Captain and Adjutant Atkin- . son, gave the fullest satisfaction. To Colonel ' Harrington and him are due our warmest thanks for their information. The firing is to extend over Thursday and Friday, commencing each day at 9 a.ra. and concluding at 4 p.m. The squads were first formed at the 149 yards, and taken to the other ranges alternately, and marched and countermarched all over the ground, so that they might be able to calculate the distances. The ranges fired at were four in number, and were taken in the following order: —l4o, 280, 470, 240, and 345 yard§. : At the termination of the firing it was found that four men hatl obtained 18 points each. They were—Sergeant Hazard, Tham. s Volunteers; Petty Officer Grant, Dunedin Naval Brigade; Sergeant Cameron, Canterbury Volunteers ; and Sergeant Wilson, No 2 Company (Scottish). Sergeants Hazard, Cameron, and Wilson having each ♦

made bullseyes at the 470 yards, the tie had to be decided by the highest scorer at the next range, 345 yards. At this range Sergeant Hazard obtained a centre, but Wilson and Cameron only scored outers, both shooting too low. Thus Sergeant Hazard secured the first prize, Wilson and Cameron remaining ties for the second. These two fired off at an unknown distance —viz., 430 yards each being allowed a single shot. Wilson fired first, and scored a centre, but Cameron failed to hit the target this time, shooting much too high. Hazard thus wins the fir.t prize of L 9, Sergeant Wilson the second of LB, and Sergeant Cameron the third of L 7. 1 The following are the scores in this match : 3rd set of Prizes Judging distance prizes. At such distances (not excceing 400 yards) as may be appointed by the officer in command of the firing party. Five shots in the whole to be fired by each competitor, who will judge his own distance. Maximum points 20. fIA Squad. Total. Sergeant Hazard* ... 43443—18 ~ Moore ... 44333-17 ~ Gibson ... 30000 — 3 Volunteer Halsc .. 43332 —15 Sergeant Cameron ... 44442—18 Volunteer J. L. Gillies 44043—15 Sergeant Gully ... 43043—14 Volunteer Henderson... 33330- 12 ~ Batham ... 32340 —12 Corporal Tressider ... 43334 —17 Lieutenant Surman ... 30342 —12 Volunteer Robertson . 44332—16 Private D. Grant ... 44343—15)' Volunteer D. Buchanan 32023—10 B Squad. Volunteer Kirby ... 32044—13 „ Small . 33340-13 ~ Henough ... 43243—16 ~ Auketell ... 42324 —15 „ Campbell .. 42422—14 ~ Mackenzie 43033—13 „ Dick ... 44332-16 „ Mackenzie 43203-12 Corporal Wearing (... 40043—11 Lieutenant Day f... 40043—11 Captain M‘Gregor ... 33242—14 ~ Livingston ... 43233—15 Volunteer Hardy ... 30242—11 ~ Smith ... 32343 —15 C Squad. Lieutenant Marrow ... 34024—13 Volunteer Madison ... 34024—13 ~ Boai’dman... 43030—10 Sergeant Blake ... 43032—12 ~ Allen ... 42030 9 ~ Williain ... 44043—15 Lieutenant Barron ... 34032—12 „ Liddel ... 42042-12 Constable Bullet . . 42420 —12 Sergeant Baton ... 44242—16 Lieutenant Goldie ... 43244—17 Sergeant Wilson ... 44442—18 „ Brown ... 42340—13 A start was at once made with the next match for the first set of prizes. The first range was fired off, and then adjournment for lunch took place.