RIFLE SHOOTING-GOVERNMENT PRIZES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 152, 11 December 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

RIFLE SHOOTING-GOVERNMENT PRIZES.

pProm the Wellington Independent, Nov. 4]. In the General Government Gazette of the 7th inst., we find published the names of the successful competitors for Government prizes in rifleshooting, with the numbers of points scored by the best shots in each province. From these tables we learn that the firing at ranges of 300, 400, and 500 yards, five shots at each, resulted in the highest score being made by Capt. N. G. Morse, of the Nelson Eifle Volunteers, who gained 41 points, and was adjudged the Champion Belt and £SO. Captain 1). Port er, of the Victoria Company Wanganui Rifle Volunteers, made a score of 30, and gained the second prize of £25 ; while Corporal W. Armstrong, who made a similar score, shot “ ties” with Capt. Porter, five shots eacli at 500 yards ; the result being that the former made two hits, and the latter four—the third prize of £3O has therefore been adjudged to Corporal Armstrong.

Descending from the leaders to the “ ruck,” we find that several otehr Wanganui men have made good shooting and gained prizes. Sergeant F. Parkcs made a score of 37, and carried off the sth prize, while Private J. Cathro and Ensign J. Peake, scored 30 points each, and took ihe Bth and Oth prizes ot £ls. Private W. 3'innimore, and Sergeant R. Gray, made 32 points each, and also gained prizes of £5. In the return for the highest scores in each Province or district, Nelson ranks highest at 41, and Wanganui next at 39 ; but in the “ total number of points and average,” Wanganui occupies the first place, the figures standing thus : Total number of Points and Average for each Province or District.

It will be observed, that excluding the Wanganui disfrict, the province of Wellington cuts but a sorry figure in the returns, the highest invidual score having been made by Private (now Lnsign Holmes), of the Wellington Volunteer Company who scored 12 points and S hits, mak-' ing a total of 20. V e congratulate the Wanganui Volunteers, on the reputation they have acquired as first class shots ; inded, we are not certain but that Captain Porter, though ho has not made the highest score, had a fair claim to the Champion’s Beit, because his opponent, it is alleged did not comply with the conditions under which the firing took place. But setting this aside, let us hope that on some future occasion, Wanganui may rank first, and that the volunteers in the other districts of this province, may emulate the example presented to them by there brethren tnere.

Province or District. No of Competitors. Points AHits. Average "Wanganui 29 712 34-55 Xelsou - 122 2913 2’M3 Otago 11 171 15-54 Taranaki 5-1 831) 15-37 Auckland 2(3 3K9 15-34 Canterbury ...... . 31 ■171 1519 Marlborough 2ft 313 11-89 "Wellington 37 292 7-86 X'apior Xo retu rn. i Total-All N. Z 339 5713 16S5