RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1397, 7 March 1905, Page 3

RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

UNFAVORABLE WEATHER ’V<\ V ' : (Per 4 -vSS Association

v . : Treathaui, last night. The weather at Trout haul today was each as would have rejoiced tho heart of a djsbnght-stricken farmer. For tho gruater pi W of tho day rain foil in torrents, and t ’ -Vrnen were satnratod aod uncomfort--7 tho firing at tho two final L/__Jss' of the Canterbury Match, tho only Business attempted. Shooting coased ut 11.20. Tho 600yds range had been taken ,ou Stitnrday afternoon. The shooting started to day at tbo 200yds, with a moderate wind aad bad light for most of tho time. Shortly after starting a drizzling rain sot in, and by tho time tho range was finished the mon wore soaked. Three possibles were' made at this range, viz, j by W. Ballinger (Peiono), Sergeant Kelly (Wellington), 1 and Carey (Potone). ‘ Eighteen competitors registered 34’5.. At 1

•ho next range (500yds) tain down in torrents, acoOmpanied by violent gusts of wind. The sooting cards ware almost pulp, and it was impossible for notes to be taken of the progress of the shooting as it proceeded. The blackboards for sooring were obliterated, and marksmen and officers labored under groat difficulties; but the range having hoeo started it was neoessary to oomplete the firing, and the men had to grin and boar the position. Colonel Collins took his share of the discomfort, and did not leave the range until ► the shooting was finished. Like others, he was soaked to the skin. There was uo possible registered at the 500yds, as might be supposed under the conditions, 34’s being the highest range score. The top scorers were Melroy (Nelson),' T. Jaok (Auckland), Nelson (Woodville), and G. 1 W. Veonell (Tewharau). The match was won by Gellanders, with 98, King (Opaki) being runner-up with 97 : and . Domogan (Gore) 96. The following have the highest aggregates :

. Melroy, Nelson 363 Shaw, Ohinemuri ... ... 359 W. Loveday, Mauriooville 359 F. Wilkie, Upper Hutt ... 356 G. Hyde, Opaki 356 Martin, Timarn ... ... 355 Drummond, Dannevirke ... 352 A. Hyde, Hawke’s Bay ... 352 Wills, Southland ... ... 351 Dewar, Oamaru ... ... 350 Pearson. Timaru 350 CbiDg, Nelson 350 Gellanders, Dnnedin ... 350 There are 328 entries ont of 389 marksmen on the range for the 800, 900 and 1000 yards ranges, and the firing is expeoted to take np a whole day. Tomorrow morning the Otago Matoh will be started if tho weather, whioh is still unsettled, permits.