AUSTRALIAN TEAM AT INTERNATIONAL MATCHES, 1875.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 6, 6 June 1874, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN TEAM AT INTERNATIONAL MATCHES, 1875.

It will be seen by the following extract from “ The Leader” of 23rd May that Australia will probably be represented at the next Wimbledon meeting : “At the last meeting of the New South Wales Rifle Association, the question of sending a team borne to compete with the British riflemen was mooted by Mr Slade. The * Herald ’ reports that he stated the feeling Of the riflemen in England to be very favorable to receiving a team from the Australian colonies. The cost of the journey by way of California to England was about £BO for each passenger. A reduction of twenty per cent, would be made on the cost of the journey between Sydney and California, but no reduction would be obtained from the Trans-Pacific Railroad Company, or from the steamship companies between New York and England. At a fare and a half for the double journey they could send ten men, eight competitors, with an emergency man and one to manage, for £I2OO. The sum of £2OOO would allow for the expenses of the keep of the competitors in England. If they co-operated with Victoria, the expenses could be divided. He did not think they could now compete successfully with the small bore without joining with Victoria ; but if they formed a combined team, he had not the slightest doubt but they would be victorious in England. He desired to move : ‘ That this meeting affirms the desirability of sending a team of riflemen, in conjunction with Victoria, to compete with England ; and is of opinion that the assistance in this matter of the Rifle Association of New South Wales should be solicited.” Mr Bushelle seconded the resolution, He said that when the Canadian team of twenty men went to England they were warmly welcomed. They defeated England, at a time when the Englishmen made the highest score on record. He believed that the Australian merchants in England would be inclined to aid in every way in their power an Australian team to compete with England. Some of their wealthiest Australians were at home, ,He should suggest that a telegram be sent home, intimating to their fellow-colonists that subscriptions to defray expenses might be collected in London and forwarded here, Mr Slade said that he had forgotten to mention that the Americans had started a National Association on the plan of the English one. On their way back to Australia, in August or September of 1875, they could compete with the Americans in their own country. This would cause a double interest in the proposed rifle competition of the Australian colonies. The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously.