VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 4028, 24 January 1876, Page 2

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING. The Clutha Rifles fired in the final stage for representatives on Friday, under charge of Captain Stavely, with the following results °

On Saturday the Bruce representatives fired, and both men made capital shooting. Subjoined are the scores:—

As Captain Orbell, of Waikouaiti, does not take part in the final competition the shooting for representatives is now over. As surmised by us on Friday Otago’s representatives will be:—

Of the thirty who fired in the final stage, all but VoL Nightingale, City Guards, made the minimum score to qualify, viz., 165 These are entitled to proceed to Wanganui and take part in the competition, provided they pay their own expenses. Those willing to do so are requested to send in their names to the Militia Office before February 5. Subjoined arc the scores made by those who fired in addition to the above :

The shooting this year is highly satisfactory and shows a marked improvement on that of last year. Then eighty-three points was required to qualify, and only ten out of the thirty men who fired in the second competition succeeded in making the minimum score ; now twenty have made that total. It must however be admitted that this year the weather throughout has been all that could be desired, while last year many of the companies were compelled to fire in a drizzling j rain. The highest score in 1876 was 94 made by M'Kenzic, of Wakari ; now 99 has been scored by Wales, City Guards. This your we have as Government representatives Wales, Willocks, Richardson, Anderson, and Mills as against M‘Kenzie, Waikari ; Marshall, Waikari; Wilson, P.C.N.B. ; M'Laren, S.D.R. ; and Goldie, P.C.N.B, who represented us in 1875. In addition to the Government representatives we hope to see the following at ‘ Wanganui:—Blackie, Clutha ; Wilson, P.C.N.8.; Blatch, W.T.; Christie., E.T. : and Goldie. P.C.N.B. ; (all tried shots). With such men to represent her, Otago may fairly expect to secure many of the prizes, and probably the champion belt. The shooting this year lias been conducted in a most satisfactory manner, under the superintendence of Capt. Stavely, and it would be but a fitting compliment to the force in this Province, and a reward for voluntary services very efficiently performed were the Government to select Captain Stavely as one of the officers to superintend the firing at Wanganui. It is four years since an Otago officer was told off for this duty. The challenge of the Wellington Artillery to all New Zealand has been atcbptifd by

Nelson, Christchurch, Napier, Timarn, Dunedin, Invercargill, Akaroa, Auckland, and Oamaru. The competition will be at 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, seven shots at each range. The targets at the 200 and 300 yards’ range will be 6ft. by 4ft. and 2ft. square in the centre, with an 8-inch bull's eye: at 400 and 500 yards, Oft. x 6ft., with a 4ft. centre and a 2ft, bull’s-eye. The arm used will be the Snider carbine, and the position is to be standing at the 200 and 300 yards ; optional at the other ranges. ’The match with Christchurch was to have been fired off to-day. Napier fires on the 27th; Timarn on the 31st; Dunedin on February 3; Invercargill on the 7th ; Akaroa on the 10th, and Auckland on the I4th.

200 400 500 600 Blackie yds. .. 28 yds. 24 yds. 21 yds. 22 — Tl. 95 Willocks ... 25 24 23 17 — 89 Anderson . .. 24 22 20 20 — 86 Smaill 23 23 19 19 — 84 Darling ... 23 22 21 13 — 79

200 400 500 600 Nutsford yds. 21 yds. 23 yds. 26 yds. 21 n — 91 Capstick 21 23 23 19 — *6

Capt. Wales.' ity Guards Cor,. Willocks, Clutha ... 1st. 95 2nd. 99 — TL 194 10 89 — 193 Corp. Richardson, N.D. ... 96 94 — 190 Vol. Anderson, ( lutha Vol. Mills, S.D.R.... 101 97 86 — 88 - 187 185

Vol, Blackie, Clutha 1st 89 2nd 93 i Tl. 184 Corpl. Mann, S. U.R. 92 91 183 Lt. Wilson, P.C.N.B 90 89 179 Lt. Douglas, No. 1 88 90 178 Vol. Creagh, No. I Sub-Lt. Nutsford, Bruce ... 90 88 178 87 91 178 Vol. Mitchell, N. D. 85 91 176 Vol. Adams, Wakari 88 87 175 Vol. Hutchinson, N. ... 91 84 175 Corp.Tresseder, City Guards 92 S3 . 175 Lt. Marshall, Wakari 85 89 174 Sub Lt. Christie, E.T. 90 84 174 Vol. Capstick, Bruce 87 86 173 Vol. Provo, City Guards ... 87 86 . 173 Vol. Frederick, N. U. 90 82 172 Vol. Miller, S. M.H. y5 77 . 172 Capt. Goldie, P.C.N.B. ... 97 74 171 Corpl. Smith, E.T. 80 84 — 170 Vol. SmaiU, Clutha 86 84 170 Vol. Stewart, City Guards 87 81 168 Sub-Lt. M'Kenzie, Waikari 86 81 _ 167 Vol. Smith, City Guards... Vol. I arling, Clutha 93 74 167 86 79 165 Vol. Nightingale, CityGds. 91 67 158