RIFLE MATCH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1300, 20 May 1878, Page 3

RIFLE MATCH.

Oamaru v Christchurch. A rifle match was fired at Oamaru on Friday last between twelve members of the Christchurch Engineers, under Captain Warner, and twelve members of tho Oamaru Rifles, under Captain Sumpter, which, ns may be seen from the score below, resulted in a victory for the Oamaru Rifles by twenty-five points. Tho ranges were 200, 400, and 500 yards ; seven shots at each range ; any position ; 8-inch bull’s eye at 200 yards. Tho shooting at the 200 yards range, when the wind was moderate, was exceedingly good, especially on tho part of the Christchurch team, who at this range headed their opponents by twenty-three points ; at the other ranges the wind, which had increased to a gale, accompanied by blinding clouds of dust, completely non-plussed the majority of the visiting team, and made it exceedingly diflicult to take a clear sight on the target. The local knowledge of tho range served the home team, and enabled them to convert their minority of twonty-threo at the first range to a majority of eight at the second range, and to still further increase it at the end of the 500 yards range. Tho shooting on the part of several members was very good under the circumstances, notably that of Sapper Jeffries, of the Engineers, sixty-eight points ; Volunteers Russell and Hardy, of tho Rifles, sixtysix and aixty-fivo points respectively; and Corporal Parsons, Engineers, sixty-two points. Owing to the difficulty experienced in firing in tho high wind on Friday, it was found impossible to conclude the match on that day, consequently it was concluded in early doy-light on Saturday, when those of the Christchurch team firing had an opportunity of contrasting the temperature of an Oamaru winter with that of their more northern homo. The following is the score :

Majority for Oamaru Rifles, 25 points. The Christchurch team were most hospitably entertained by Captain Sumpter and the members of his company at dinner, after the firing was concluded on Friday, at the Criterion Hotel, when an excellent spread was provided by host Gillespie. The chair was occupied by Captain Sumpter, supported on his right by Sergeant-Major Manning, aud left by Staff-Sergeant-Major McPherson. The vice-chair was taken by Captain Warner, having on his right and left Lieutenant Headland and Sub-lieutenant Morris, of the Oamaru Rifles. After justice had been done to the good things provided, Captain Sumpter proposed “The health of the Queen and Royal Family,” and referred to the wellknown loyalty of her colonial subjects, and their readiness at all times to defend the honor of their mother country. The toast of “ His Excellency the Governor ” followed, given by Captain Warner. Captain Sumpter, in proposing the next toast, that of the Government and two branches of the Legislature, took the opportunity of expressing the hope that during next session more encouragement would be given to volunteering than had hitherto been given. Captain Warner, in proposing the health of the “Mayor and Council of Oamaru,” referred in terras of praise to the part the then Mayor, Major Steward, had taken in volunteering matters. Captain Sumpter, as ex-Mayor, returned thanks, and apologised for Major Steward’s absence, as he was unavoidably prevented from being present that evening, and before sitting down called upon his officers and men to drink to the health of the visiting team, coupled with the name of Captain Warner, who ho said had shown a considerable amount of pluck in coming so far from home to try conclusions with them at Oamaru, The match was not over yet, and although they wore at that time ahead, there was no knowing how it might end. . However it might turn out for them, he could only express the pleasure it had given him and the members of his company to receive Oapt. Warner and his men, and meet them in friendly rivalry. He trusted this would not be the only time that they would meet. Indeed he had no doubt they would bo enabled to return the visit next year ns this season was too far advanced. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Captain Warner, in responding for himself and men, thanked Captain Sumpter and the Oamaru Rifles for their kind expressions of friendship and goodwill, and expressed the pleasure that it had given him to bring a team down to make their acquaintance and fire a friendly match with them. Ho referred to the difficulty experienced in getting a team together willing to give the necessary time ; however, he had brought*a team down that ho thought would not disgrace their company, and whether they won or lost he was quite sure that the fact of their coming down and endeavoring to gain a victory over those that were considered the crack shots of North Otago would have the effect that he desired to see, viz,, a better knowledge and more intimate acquaintance with each other amongst the volunteers of the colony. He expressed a decided opinion that the Government would be doing a wise thing by encouraging volunteers to meet each other, not only in firing matches, but in brigading themselves together for drill at certain times, the oftener the better, as he was convinced from long experience as a volunteer that more would bo learnt by drills of this sort than by months of company drill in small numbers. Ho trusted that the Government would be persuaded to treat them more liberally in future, aud instead of placing obstacles in their way, would give them every facility for becoming what it was their desire to become, good working volunteer soldiers, a credit to the colony. He thanked Captain Sumpter and the members of his company for hospitality, and trusted that they would endeavor to visit Christchurch next year, when they may be assured they would meet with a hearty welcome, and concluded by requesting his men to drink the health of the Oamaru rifles with three times three. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Shrimski, M.H.R., entered the room at tins period, and Captain Sumpter in returning thanks for the last toast, took occasion to refer Mr Shrimski to the views expressed during the evening, and hoped that

lie might see his way to modify his opinion as regarded volunteer matters. Mr Shrimski, in reply, said that he had hitherto been a consistent opponent of the volunteer vote in the House of Representatives, but now that ho saw that the volunteers really meant work, and showed a real desire to perfect themselves in their duties, as was instanced by Captain Warner bringing a firing team from Christchurch to engage in a match with the Oamaru rifles, he had changed his opinions, and so long as he saw that volunteering was carried out in a proper spirit and every endeavor made to render themselves capable of defending their country and their homes, he would support them both in and out of the House of Representatives. He concluded by offering a prize to be shot for by the competing teams. Captains Sumpter and Warner thanked Mr Sbrimski for his kind offer, the latter remarking that, if the only result of Ms visit was the converting of their member from being an opponent to being a supporter of volunteering, ho was quite satisfied. The healths of Mr Shrimski, the “ Ladies,” and “Press ” having been duly honoured, the company broke up and proceeded to the concert of the Philharmonic Society, tickets having been kindly placed at their disposal by Captain Sumpter. Captain Warner and his men left Oamaru by the through train on Saturday, Captain Sumpter and officers being at the station to see them off. The trip was a thoroughly enjoyable one, and, although our local team were defeated, they were certainly far from being disgraced, the probability beingthathad the weather been loss boisterous they would have given a better account of themselves.

Oamaru Rifles. 200 400 500 yds. yds. yds. Total. Vol. Russell 20 23 23 66 Yol. A. Hardy ... 22 22 21 65 Yol. McCorkindale 21 18 22 61 Sub.-Licut. Morris 23 19 19 61 Vol. Scott 19 22 19 60 Capt. Sumpter ... 19 22 19 60 Vol. E. Harding ... 25 19 14 58 Vol. Lennie 21 20 15 50 Q-M.-Segt. King... 23 11 21 55 Vol. McIntosh 14 21 15 50 Lieut. Headland ... 19 14 16 49 Vol. E. Harding ... 17 15 16 48 243 226 220 689 Christchurch Engineers. 200 400 500 yds. yds. yds. Total. Sapper Jeffries 22 25 21 68 Corpl. Parsons 22 24 IB 62 Sapper Costley ... 25 18 18 61 Sapper Marshall ... 26 16 17 69 Scgt.-Maj. Manning 21 19 17 57 Sapper Thompson... 22 20 13 55 Sergt. Buckley ... 24 8 22 51 L. C. Chapman ... 26 14 1 i 54 Sapper Trevella ... 17 17 19 52 Capt. Warner 19 17 16 52 Q.-M.-S. Beattie ... 23 15 8 46 Corpl. Piercy 19 2 22 43 266 195 203 664