THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3968, 12 November 1875, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The rules and regulations for the corapetitionfor the General Government prize tilin '- 18/6, are published. The fiiinv will take Place at Wanganui on days to be hereafter nxed. A committee of not fewer than three will assist the commanding officer to decide ell disputes. Ties for range prizes will be decided as follows: -P.y fewest misses ; if still a tie. by the fewest outers ; if stdl a tie, by the inverse order of shots, counting by twos from the last shot to the first; if still a tie by -he inverse order of shots, counting singly from the last shot to the first; if sdll a tie, by the commanding ofheer. Ail competitors mu-t appear on'll gronuu .11, d 't the firing p .st .v pnW.l m tile uniform and accouta eiuents o t,e cm p.. Gisonaiguig a rifle on the range wnh-ut hj ave wiii render a competitor liable to be debarred ti om competition. ! he highest scorers in each district will become the district representatives, according to the following table:—Auckland, 24 ; W'aiuku and \\aioi, i Tatea, Wanganui, and liangitikei. 6 ; Wellington, 12; Greytown, Master;,on, W'airoa, and .Tauranga. 6 ; Tham s, 24; Nelson 6 ; Marlborough, 6; Cant rhury 6; » amam’ 6: Otago, 30; Southland, 6 ; Westland, ti! The district representatives will fiie on ilner ranges between the 13th December, 1875, and the 10th January, 1876. at such time J the officer commanoiug the district (who must superintend the same) may appoint under ttie following conditions ;-Kauges, 200, 400. 500, and 600 yards, seven shots at each rau b e

Ihe highest aggregate scorers in this and the preliminary match to be the Colonial representatives, according to the following table, provided each attains a minimum score of 165 points in Vie two competitions:—Auckland, 4; Waiuku and Wairoa, 2; Pat' a, Wanganui, and Hangitikei, 1; Wellington, 2 ; Greytown, Masterton, Wairoa ami Tautauga, 1; Thames, 4; Nelson,!; Marlborough, 1; Canterbury, 1; Camara, 1; Otago, 5; outhland, 1; Westland, 1 ; Armed Con-tabulary, 3. Comofficers of a district must send in to the Acting Under-Secretary for Defence, on or before the 30th January, ISfO, the names of any extra-qualified competitors who may signify their intention of taking part in the Colonial firing. The test at Auckland by the selected team of Volunteers’ Sniders against Enfield rifles has resulted largely in favor of the nfields. The report of the officers in cha ge recommends a reduction in the minimum number of points to qualify for the Colonial firing Tire re nit of firing ten shots at 400, 500, and 600 yards was in favor of the Enfieids over the long nider by 39_ points, and over the short Snider by 93 points.

a' a meeting of the Council of the Otago Rifle Associ ition last evening, the following conditions of matches to h- fin d on the 9vh, lOlh, and Htlr Decenrhei wt-ie fixed —the first match, on the 9r,h, being 200, 500, and 600 yards ; five shots at each range ; any position ; 'V itubledon targets. The second mutch, same day, 300 and 500 ysns ; seven shots at each range. Ihe third m-vtch on the 10th, 40, 000, and 600 yards j five shots at each range, Ihe fonrti. match, on same .lay, 200 400,500, and 600 yards ; five sh. ,ts at each rang.-. The fifth match, <m f e llih, was fix cm at 500 and 600 yards ; seven shots at each tange. The sixth match, same date (for small-liore riff b), 800 and 900 tarns ; ten shots at each range—the conditions at the targets and position being the same throughout, tin the following Saturday, the 18th . ecember, a competition has been arranged for the < ade.s at 200 and 400 yards ; five shots at each range, ihe contest will conclude with a consolation match, open to norn-prize-takers in the before-mentioned matches, of 400, 500, and 600 yards ; five shots at each range. The rneruiie.s’ BubeCiiption was fixed at half- ,-guiin a ; the entrance money for ttre five tnaich -s at 15s for the whole of the matches, six at 20s, ur 5s for a single match. The Secreeary (M r.) antes) rt ported that Mr Wm. Mason had offered to give a cup, ub he had dune at every meeting, under conditions dissimilar to those imposed for previous competitions. Before, Mr Mason’s cup had to be won twice in succession before it could become individual property; this year he offered to present one to be won by the highest scorer at the competition for it. The Council, in view of the large number of handsome trophies fit for first pr zes that have been placed at the Asso. iatiou’s disposal this year, decided that it was ina i viable to alter the conditions under which Mr Mason’s cup has been hitherto shot; to thank that gentleman for his offer, and to intimate to him that the Council preferred that his cup should be held over till next year, and then be shot for as formerly.