Interprovincial Prize Firing

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1576, 8 March 1879, Page 2

Interprovincial Prize Firing

[By Telegraph.] Nelson, March 7.

When the dinner bugle sounded there were several men who bad not completed their 250 yards range in the fifteenth match. After dinner shooting re-commenced. Soon after rain began fading heavily, but the firing was continued until 3 p.m., when cease firing was sounded. The weather is seriously interfering with the carrying out of the programme. The positions of the winners in the eleventh match, as officially posted, are : —Christie, Dunedin, 73 ; Willcocks, Dunedin, 73; Purnell, Wanganui, 73; Oakey, New Plymouth, 72; Leegh, Auckland, 71; Coventry, Dunedin, 70; Paynter, Nelson, 70; Cuff, Invercargill, 69; Harding, Oamaru, 69; Hutcheson, Dunedin, 69; G. Preeth, Picton, 69; Cooper, Auckland, 69; Koss, Napier, 68; Macartney, Dunedin, 68; Turner. Blenheim, 68 ; Wilson, Dunedin, 68 ; Griffiths, Blenheim, 68 ; W. Ballinger, Wellington, 68; Small, Thames, 67: Pronse, sen., Wellington, 67 ; Somerville, Wanganui, 67; Mclntosh, Napier 67 Hood, Blenheim, 67; Skinner, Auckland, 67; Smith, Dunedin, 66 ; Peach, Nelson, 66. At 3.30 p.m., the rain having ceased, ” Fall in” again sounded, and the 300 yards range of the fifteenth match was commenced. At halfpast live it was concluded, the winners being: — Hutchinson, Dunedin, 73 ; Macartney, Dunedin, 71; Coventry, Dunedin, 71; Richardson, Dunedin, 71; Oakey, New Plymouth, 71; W. Ballinger, Wellington, 69; Cooper, Auckland, 69; King, Oamaiu, 69; Reid, Grahamstown, 69; McLeod, Grahamstown, 69; Fenton, Grahamstown, 69 ; Morris, Oamaru, 68 ; Griffiths, Blenheim, 68 ; Clark, Grahamstown, 68 ; Waugh, Dunedin, 68; Smith, Dunedin, 68; Pronse, sen., Wellington, 68; Anderson, Dunedin, 68 ; turr, Napier. 68; Hunter, Napier, 68; A. Ballinger, Wellington, 68 ; Harding, Oamaru, 68; Kenney, Nelson, 68. Downey, Thames, 68; Buckley, Christchurch. The last shot was questioned, and has yet to be decided. At a quarter to six the ninth and tenth matches, being the last for the two champion bolts, were commenced. Purnell ties Paynter for the rifle b.lt. To-morrow wi 1 be the heaviest d.iy, as every effort will be made to conclude the champion matches. An early commencement will bo made, and it will bo about the closest contest yet held in New Zealand. The best marksmen will be firing shot for shot. Unfortunately the weather looks very unsettled, and the glass is falling this afternoon.

Nelson, March 8, noon

Tho morning broke out very lino, and an early start was made in order to finish off the Champion to day. Firing began at 6.30, only ceasing for a short spell for breakfast. The 50(1 yards range of tho last match for the rifle belt is nearly finished. Positions so far as fired are, Coventry 172, Hutchinson 172, Paynter 172, Smith 171. W. Ballinger was two points leading at the 400 yards, and has yet to fire the 500 range. For the Carbine belt Mapp is 146, Coleman 144, Judge 143, and several others to complete the 500 range. There are 92 men firing for the rdle licit and 37 for the carbine belt. Visitors are thickening on the ground, and by the afternoon we expect about half the town. Special trains will run at reduced fares. To prevent crushing round the firing points, ropes have been provided.