THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3049, 26 November 1872, Page 4

THE VOLUNTEERS.

THE COLONIAL I’EIZE FIRING, The regulations for the next competition, which is to take place at Kelson, in March next, have been published. The general rules are similar to those in vogue last year. No volunteer will be eligible to compete for Colonial prizes unless ho was an efficient volunteer for the year ending 31st March last. Each company of militia, each corps of artillery, engineer, rifle, and naval volunteers, shall, by such preliminary firing as the officer commanding the corps may appoint, select one representative for every fifteen men ; and in the event of there being a surplus, one representative for a fraction of fifteen men over tea men, according to the strength of the corps on September 30, 1872 ; and the company representatives so selected will compete on their own ranges for the choice of Colonial representatives at such times during the mouth of January next as the officer commanding the district (who must superintend the lirintr) shall appoint. These preliminary competitions will be in two stages, and fired on separate days. The first stage will bo at ranges of 200 and 300 yards, five shots at each range ; positionstanding at 200 yards ; any at 300 yards with a trial shot at cadi range ; targets, fi x 4ft. ; centre, 4 x lift. ; bull’s-eyes, 2 x Ift. The second stage will be at ranges of 400, 500, and 000 yards ; five shots at each ; any position ; no trial shots ; targets, 6 x 6fb, ; centre, 4 x 4ft. ; bull’s-eye, 2ft. The highest aggregate scores in both stages to be representative ; but no competitor will be eligible who does not score 70 points and upwards. The representatives are allotted as follows: Auckland, 5; Wairoa and Waiuku, 2; Warka.o, 2 ; Thames, 3 ; Tauranga and Upotiki, 1; White Cliiia, New Plymouth, and Egmont, 2 ; Wanganui, Patea, and Kaugitikei, 2 ; Hutt and Wellington, 2 ; Wairarapa, 2 ; Napier, Wairoa, and Poverty Bay, 2 ; Nelson and Marlborough, 1 ; Canterbury, 3 ; Otago and Southland, 7; Westland, I ; Armed Constabulary, 3. Colonial representatives are debarred from competing for the district prizes; but they may elect to fire for the latter, in which case the next highest scorer in the district (himself duly qualified) becomes representative. Beprcseutatives are allowed 10s a day. If there is a surplus of qualified men in one district, and not the authorised number in others, the vacancies will be filled up out of the surplus, according to merit ; and should there still be a surplus of qualified men, they will be permitted to lire on presenting themselves on the ground, furnished with a commanding officer’s certificate. The Colonial matches are r

Judging I)isTAKCE.— Not to exceed GOO yards; live allots, second-class targets; any position ;no trial shot; ties to be lired off shot by shot. Prizes, LlO, IS, LG, Lo, 13, L2,

Second Match— 4oo, 500, 600 yards; seven shots at each ; any position ; targets, 6 x 6ft centre, 4ft. ; bull’s eye, 2ft. Prizes, L‘2o, LI6, Ll4, LI2, LlO, L 7, L 6, L 5, L 5, L 5.

Third Match.— 2oo yards; live shots; position standing; no trial shot; targets 6x4, 2ft. centre, Sin. bull’s-eye ; ties to be tired oil' shot by shot. Prizes, LlO, L6,L 4, . 3, L2. Fourth Match.— 3oo yards; live shots ; any position ; no trial shot; targets 6x4, 2ft. centre. Sin. bull’s-eye. Prizes, LI L 6, 1.4, I 3, L2. Fifth Match.— 2oo, 500, 600 yards; seven shots at each ; any po itiou ; targets at 200 yards 6 x 4, 2ft. centre, Sin, bull’seye ; at 500 and 600 yards, 6x6; 4ft. centre, 2ft. bull’s-eye, Prizes, LI2, L 9, LB, L 7, L 5, L 4, L 3, L2. The highest aggregate scorer in the foregoing live matches will be champion for 1873? and the following prizes will also be awarded : First highest aggregate score, the champion bolt (to be worn till the next competition), gold medal, and ... £SO Second highest aggreg-te scorer, N. R. A. silver medal, ami „. £35 Third highest aggregate scorer, silver medal and ... .. £3O Fourth highest aggregate scorer, silver medal and ... ... £25 Ties for the championship and highest aggregate scores will be decided as follows : P>y the total scores made in the fifth match, f still a tie, by the total scores made in the second match ; if still a tie by the rules laid down in clause 10, by the scores made in the fifth match. The extra prizes are— First Set.—A match between representatives of the Forth and South Islands. The ten r-preseiitatives of each island who make the ten highest aggregate scores in foregoing five matches to be entitled to compete at 200, 500, 600 yards, with seven shots at each range ; and any position; no trial sh t; targets same as at similar ranges in previous matches ; ties as in general rules. Second Set. —Marksmen’s prizes for volunteers only who have become marksmen during the year ending March 31, 1873. Ranges, 800 yards ;" with seven 'shots 'glj each; any position; targets, Bx6t. 6x4 centre ; bull’s-eye, 3 x 2ft. Prizes, LlO, L 6, L 4. Skirmishing. —Single target, 6x2ft; centre, 2ft across ; after feu minutes’ thing, whilst advancing and retiring, bring to cease and targets to be examined ; any position ; no trial shot; one point for each bit added to scores ; ties to be fired shot for shot. LI 2 L 9, LB, L 7, L 5, L 4, L 3, L2. Rapidity. —2oo yards ; five minutes from first rhot; any position ; ties to be fired off ap officer commanding may direct. Frizes, 140,’ta, Lb, L 5, L 3, L2. Running. —2oo yards ; time, five minutes to commence from first shot ; no trial shot; target, 6 x 2ft, with 2ft centre across ; competitors after every shot to double round a post 50 yards in .rear of the firing point; ties to be decided as officer commanding may direct. Prizes, LI2, L 9, LB, L7,L5, L 4, L 3, L2.

Ati Comers’ Match. —To be fired after the completion of the Colonial firing. First stage-range, 200 yards ; seven shots ; any position, stage, ranges, 500 and 600 yardjj; any position, Prices in the first set, LS and one half the entrance fees , and one-fourth the entrance fees ; L 3 and oner fourth of the entrance fees ; L2, L2, LJ, In the second set, L 8 and one-half the entrance fees ; L 5 and one-fourth the entrance fees ; L 3 and one-fourth the entrance fees; L2 j and six other prizes of LI each. The principal alterations from lad year’s arrangements are that the skirmishing, running, and rapidity matches are left out in the competition for the championship. The district prizes are slightly increased throughout. OTAOO IUFLi; ASSOCIATION. The Association’s matches take place ou the 13th and 14th December, and LIOO ih money, exclusive of gifts, will be shot for. Tijepg. will he five matches—the first three to count for the six highest aggregate yepres, to which a prize amounting to LI4 Will be given. In the first match there will be Ll2, divided into twelve prizes, exclusive of Mr Mason’s cup ; in the second Ll9, also divided into twelve prizes, the M.K.A. medal, and a courier bag valued at L2 10s, presented by Mr G. Young; in the third, prizes to the amount of L2l, and a field glass valued at L 3 10s, presented by Messrs Harrop and Neill; in the fourth, the all comers match, which is open to small bore rifles, Llo; and in the fifth, or consolation mat jh, LB.