NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 March 1901, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

(l’Etl PEE S 3 ASSOCIATION,— COPYRIGHT.) Received this day at 1 5 p.m. W AXGANUX, This Day. There is lovely weather for the opening of the New Zealand Ritle Association, at eleven o’clock this morning. The number of competitors exceeds the estimate made by Colonel Somtncrvillo, and the success of the meeting is assured.

The Mayor addressed die competitors welcoming them to Wanganui, r.rd shooting began without useless formality of a gun being laid for a lady. Should cither of the Ballingers or King win the bolt this year the trophy becomes his own property. Wellington is regarded as having a strong team, and on performances at Woodvillc, W. Ballinger is thought to have a great chance for the belt, but there ho did not meet several excellent shots fromlNorth.

Tho handicapping of rifles will cause discontent particularly to those using Martinis. The Council has d. elded the following handicaps and standards : —7 shofs at each range—so<) handicap, 1, standard 35 ; GOO, 1, 83.; 700, 2, 32; 10 shots range —500 handicap 1. standard 50 ; COO, 2, 48 ; 700, 3, 45. Even with this Handicap tiro .803 weapons have all the best of it as ammunition for this gun is of English manufacture.

Among competitors arc tho present champion, King of Omani, and ex-cham-pions W. Ballinger Wellington, Okey Taranaki, Remington Wanganui, Williams Wellington, Kruse Wanganui, A. Ballinger Wellington, Smith Dunedin, and Wakelin Christchurch. (Received at 8 3 p.m.)

There was only a light drift wind across tho range this morning. Tho first range was the Kelson match which concluded at lunch. Churton—who won the belt at Auckland in 1884—made 84, just missing the possible. Lister, Taranaks ; A. Ballinger, Wellington ; and Oakley, Nelson, were a point behind. The others were close up. Churton used a .808