COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING, 1874

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1560, 20 March 1874, Page 154

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING, 1874

THIRD DAY. TUESDAY, 17th MARCH. The firing commenced with the 3rd Cavalry Match, at 200 yards' range, seven shots; targets 6x4; centre 2 feet square : bull's-eye 8 inches. During this match the weather was all that could be desired, but the scoring was not particuarly good, 22 taking the first prize. There were two ties for second place; in firing off Read and Hedge each scored centres, but in the second round Read made a centre to Hedge's outer, and thus took second prize. The following are the prize-takers: —Howie, Patea, Ist, £6, 22 points: Read, Rangitikei, 2nd, £4, 21; Hedge, Waiuku, 3rd, £3, 21. The match was concluded about 7 o'clock. We append the scores :

The third Infantry Match commenced about 9 o'clock, and finished at noon. Range, 200 yards, ten shots; targets, 6x4; centre, 2 feet square ; bull's-eye, 8 inches square. This match was a very interesting one throughout, and some excellent scoring was made, although a strong wind from S.W, was blowing at the time. Volunteer Richardson, of Otago, the winner of the first prize, made seven bull's-eyes out of the ten shots, and wound up with a fine score of 36 out of a possible 40. Corisideiable excitement was manifested in shooting off the ties for the other four prizes. King and Greer, in their first shots, each scored a bull's-eye and centre :; King then made a bull's-eye, and Greer a centre, which put the former into the second place. In the contest for the fourth prize, Crossman and Hamlin were ties up to the fourth shot, each having scored one bull's-eye and three centres; on the fifth shot being fired, however, Crogstnan made a bull's-eye to Hamlin's outer, and gained fourth place. The prizes were taken in the following order : —Richardson, Otago, Ist prize, £lO, 36 points; King, Waiuku, 2nd, £6, 35; Greer, Napier, 3rd, £4, 35; Crossman, Nelson, 4th £3, 34; Hamlin, Waiuku, sth, £2, 34. We give the scores at the end of the report: — Shortly after dinner, the match for the Cavalry, which was to decide the championship, was commenced. Ranges, 300, 400, and 500 yards, seven shots at each range. Targets at 300 yards, 6x4 feet; centre, 2 feet square ; bull'seye, 8 inches square. At 400 and 500 yards, 6x6 feet; centre, 4 feet square ; bull's-eye, 2 feet_ square. Previous to this match being fired Marshall was the highest scorer, having made 78 points; Hedge, 76 ; Barriball, 75; Blake, 71; and Read, 67. Up to within the last five shots the chances of Hedge winning the championship were very promising, as he "left the two first ranges with 38 points to Barriball's 35, being thus four ahead for the aggregate ; but, having missed several shots at the last range, whilst Barriball was hitting well, the latter eventually became' the winner, with the aggregate score of 130 points. He is thus entitled to the Cavalry Champion Belt (to be worn until the next competition), gold and silver medal, and £2O; Read, the second highest aggregate scorer, having made 126 points, gets £lO. At the conclusion of the match Major Gordon came "forward and congratulated Lieut. Barriball on his good fortune in winning jtbe Champion Belt, after which three cheers were "very heartily given for the vjcjtor. The. wjnners in this match were —Read,' Ist prize, £B, 59 points; Barriball', -2nd, £6, 55 ; Hunsley, 3rd, £4, 54, The following are the scores ; .

FOURTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, 18th MARCH..... The only event that was competed on this day was the 4th Infantry Match, at 300 yards, ten shots. Targets 6x4 feet; centre, 2 feet square; bull's-eye, 8 inches square. This match was commenced at 9 o'clock, and lasted till about noon. The scoring throughout was not nearly so good as on Tuesday, the conditions in both events being the same with the exception of the distance in yesterday's match being 300 yards, as compared with 200 in the previous one. The first prize, £lO, was taken by Williams, of Waiuku, with 33 points, and the second, £6, by Lieutenant Hoskin, the late champion, with 32 There were seven ties for third place, Greer, Humphries, Partington, Parker, Prouse, Boardman, and Bowden, being SO each; but in firing off Humphries made a bull's-eye, Partington and Parker centres, and the other four scored outers. Humphries thus took the third prize, £4, and Partington and Parker again fired off for fourth and fifth places. They each made a centre and an outer in the first two shots, but on the third trial Partington scored a bull's-eye to Parker's outer, and gained the 4th prize, £3. Parker took fifth, £2. The scores are given below. At 2 p.m. the eighth Infantry Match was commenced, the targets being of slate color, on SoalFs principle. At the conclusion of the firing at 200 yards, Grundy, of the Thames ;i was ahead, having scored 25 points, and Coleman, Waikato, and Galpin, Rangitikei, were 24 each. When the fifth round at the 500 yards range had been fired, it being almost, impossible to see the targets, on account of the increasing darkness, it was decided to postpone firing the remaining two rounds until next morning. FIFTH DAY. THURSDAY, 9th MARCH. This being the eventful day which was to decide the championship of the Colony, the attendance at the camp was large, and great interest was manifested in the proceedings. The first event of the day was the eighth infantry match on Soall's principle, commenced on the previous evening. Conditions:—Ranges, 200 and 500 yards, seven shots at each range. Targets, slate color; centres and bull'seyes visible only to the markers. At 200 yards, 6x4 feet; centre, 2 feet square ; bull's-eye, 8 inches square. At 500 yards, Bxs feet; centre, 4 feet square ; bull'sey ', 2 feet square. The prineipie of this match was, that the targets should be of a neutral and inconspicuous color, like the ordinary uuiform of troops. The first prize, £lO, wai taken by Liddell, of Rangitikei, with 48 points; the second, £6, by Grundy, Thames, who scored 47 ; 3rd, £4, by Keys, A.C., with 44 ; and the fourth by Robinson of Otago, who also made 44. There were several ties, but they were decided by the value of the shots at the long range.—We are compelled to hold over the score. The fifth Infantry Match, by which the championship was to be decided, commenced about 9 o'clock. Conditions— Ranges, 200, 500, and GOO yards, seven shots at each range. Targets at 200 yards, 6x4 feet; centre, 2 feet square; bull's-eye 8 inches square. At 500 and 600 yards, 6«6 feet; centre, 4 feet square; bull's-eye, 2 feet square. On leaviug the 200 yards' range, Hoskiu and Hamlin were ahead, having each made 25 points, whilst Greer scored 22, and Humphries 21. This made Greer top scorer for the Belt, Humphries being second, Hamlin third, Perrin fourth, and Hoskin fifth. At the conclusion of the tiring at 500 yards, however, Humphries gained one point on Greer, and Hamlin three, the highest 1 aggregate then being— Hamlin, 191 ; Humphries and Greer 190 each, Hoskin and Perrin being also ties, each standing at 183. An adjournment was then made for dinner, and about halfpast two a start was again made, the wind at that time blowing strong from the right. The excitement was now becoming very general. Hamlin's and Humphries' first shots were centres, whilst Greer made a miss, thus putting him four behind the former, and three behind Humphries. In the second round Hamlin and Greer missed, and Humphries was unfortunate enough to-put a bull's-eye on the wrong target, which, of course, was scored as a miss> Hoskin also missed two shots, so that Hamlin still had the lead, which he steadily kept up to the last round, being remarkably cool during the whole of the proceedings. When Humphries' last shot was fired, Hamlin wanted a centre to top the score, and an outer to tie, Greer's chance being now gone, although he scored three bull's-jyes, a centre, and an outer in his last live shots. HaipJin now took aim for his last shpt, the long line of spectators eagerly watching the result, which proved to be an outer. He was then a tie with Humphries, each having scored 202 points in the aggregate, but the tie wa« decided by Hamlin having made the highest score in this match, according to the Prize Firing Regulations for 1874. Captain Hamlin (who is brqther to Messrs. J. P. and H. M. Hamlin of Napier) thus became entitled to the Champion Belt, gold medal, and £SO; Private Humphries, the seewnd highest aggregate scorer, takes the N.R.A. silver medal, and £35 ; Private Greer, the third highest, a silver medal and £3O ; and Private Perrin the fourth highest, a silver medal and £25. When the winner of the championship was declared by Major Gordon, that gentleman warmly congratulated Captain Hamlin. Three cheers were then given for the champion, and also for the other three aggregate scorers. Captain Hamlin, in returning thanks, called for three cheers for the ex-champion, Lieut. Hoskin, which were very heartily given. The following are the prize-takers in the sth match ;—lsj; prize, £l2, Hamlin, 67 points; 2nd, £9, Davies, 66 ; 3rd, £B, Greer, Hutt, 64; 4th, £7, Renoiif, 62 ; sth, £5, Humph.ues, 62 : 6th, £4, Grundy, 62 ; 7th, £3, Richardson. 61; Bth, £2, Greer, Napier, 6Q. . The following table contains in the first column of figures the score by the infantry at the 200 yards ranee on, Tuesday ; in the second column the scores at the 300 yards range on the following day ; and in the last the aggregate scores in the competition for the Belt. The scores made yesterday, at the 2QQ, 500 and 600 yards ranges are unavoidably held over,

200 Howie, Patea ... 2343244 22 Read, Rangitikei ... 4324432 21 Hedge, Waiuku ...'3133332 21 M'Cartney, A.C., Taupo ... ... 2333342 20 Judge. Christchurch ... 3333233 20 Roberts, A.C., Tauranga... ... 3234242 20 Marshall, Bangitikei ... 84-<3322 20 Walker, Wanganui ... 2333333 20 Huusley, Christchurch ... ... 2323333 19 Mills, Rangitikei ... 2333233 1!) Rodgers, Waiuku ... 2342233 19 Henderson, Rangitikei ... ... 2424322 19 Barriball, Waiuku ... 2233243 19 M'Kenzie, Rangitikei ... ... 2323233 18 Douglas, Waiuku ... 2342322 18 Fraser, Rangitikei ... 3223233 18 Danvers, Rangitikei ... 2223233 17 Savage, A.O., Taupo ... 3023432 17 Campbell. Wauganui ... 2322233 17 Blake, A.C., Taurauga ... ... 2322320 14

800 400 WV i *i » U) 18 19 S3 .. . 59 Read, Rangitikei ... •« 20 ,, . 55 Barriball, Waiuku ±v C4. Hunsley, Christchurcli... 21 n w .. . »* Douglas, Waiuku. 14 23 15 .. . 51 Rodiere, Waiuku 18 K> 17 .. M'Cartney, A.O,Taupo 22 Hi 12 •- . »0 , 49 Howie, Patea, ... »» U 22 Vi «

Hedge, Wiuuku 20 IS 11 ., ,. 49 Blike. A.C.. Tauraiigu. 17 15 16 . .. 48 Roberts, A.C.,Taurauga 12 19 13 ., .. 44 Vfilis, Raigi ikei 18 18 8 ., ,. 44 Judge, Chistcliuivb ... 9 17 11 . ,. 37 MiEirshall, Kangitikei ... 8 13 15 ., ,. 3fJ Henderson, Rangitikei... 9 15 12 ., ,. 36 Vt'Kenzie, Rangitikei ... 16 12 7 . .. 35 Uunvers, Rangitikei ... 12 14 6 . .. 32 Savage, A.C, Taupo ... 10 12 7 ., ,. 29 Campbell, Wanganui ... 7 6 13 ., ,. 26 Fnazer, Rargitikei 11 11 4 .. . 26 Walker, Wanganui 10 5 8 .. . 23

"" llin. Waiuku Humphries, Taraaaki... Grccr, Napier Perriu, Canterbury ... Richardsoa, Otago ... 200 ... 34 .. ... 31 .. ... 35 .. ... 32 „ ... 36 . 300 ,. 28 . .. 30 . ,. 30 . ..29 . ..26. ..209 ..209 ..207 ..199 ,.198

Cameron, Auckland ... . .. 31 .. .. 26 . ..197 Hoskin, Thames .. 31 ., ,. 32 . ..197 Kenouf, Napier .. 32 . .. 28 . ..195 Partington, Auckland... . .. 31 . .. 30 . ,..1!4 Blatch. Otago .. 28 . .. 28 . ..192 Liddcll. Rangitikei ... . .. 31 . .. 29 . ,..1!2 Williams, Waiuku ... . .. M) , .. S3 , ...19 Armstrong, Thames ... . .. 30 . .. 24 . ,..]:>\ Davies, Wcstland ... . ..s». 2> . 10' Burn, Nelson .. 3) . .. 22 . ..187 Guy. Napier .. .,1 ., .. 21 . ..Ion Boardman, Auckland... . .. 33 . .. 30', ..186 M'Oredic, Wellington... . ... 31 . .. 27 , ,.186 Hazard, Thames ... ... . .. 29 . .. 2J . ..184 Greer, Hint , ... . .. 32 . .. 29 . ..184 Dey, Thames .. 32 ., ,. 27 . ..183 Grundy, Thames .. 29 .. ,. 22 . ..183 Gascoigne, A.C., Taupo .. 33 .. 2"> ..183 Coleman, Waikato ... . .. 30 .. ,. 28 . ..182 1'ox, Chrisichurch ... . .. 31 . .. 27 . ..182 Grossman, Nelson ... • .. 34 .. . 27 . ..181 Bucliapau, D., Otago... . .. 29 . .. 27 . ..181 Leigh, Auckland .. 33 .. .. 24 . ..181 Kebblowhite, Wairarapa . .. 27 .. .. 25 , ..180 Elder, Taranaki .. 29 .. . 27 . ..180 Bassett, Grey town .. 31 .. . 23 . ..180 Keys, A.C., Tnupo ... . .. 29 .. . 24 , ..179 Jones, Sergt., Hutt ... . .. ;-;0 .. ,. 24 . ..178 I'rouse, Hutt .. 31 .. . 30 . ..177 May, Auckland .. 32 .. . 24 , ..177 Kiug, YVaitiku .. 35 ., ,. 18 . ..177 Aldertou, Auckland ... . .. 30 .. . 25 . ..176 M'KeDzio, Otago .. 29 .. .. 26 . ..176 Bowdcn, Auckland ... ■ .. 2ti ., ,. 30 . ..176 Elliott, Taranaki .. 29 .. . 25 . ..175 Bay ley, Taranaki . 32 ., ,. 29 . ..174 Payne, Auckland .. 31 ., . 27 . ..174 Fenton, Thames .. 26 ., .. 28 . ..174 Buchanan, J.. Otago ... . .. 29 .. ,. 26 . ..174 Chase, A.G., Taupo .. 31 .. .. 29 . ..173 Wilson, Tort Chalmers 32 29 ..172 Robinson, Otago ..' 28 .'. 25 ..172 .Jones, Corpora!, Hutt... . ,. 28 .. '. 26 '. ..172 Speedy, Hutt .. 29 ., , 20 . ..171 Thomas, J., Thames „ 31 .. . 24 . ..170 Barr. Patea .. 31 -. . 29 . ..169 Sykes, Thames ,. 2li . . 27 . ..169 Gavin, Thames .. 29 ., ,. 29 . ..168 Clarke, Thames .. 31 .. , 14 . ..168 M'Coni ell, A.C., Taupo .. 32 .. . 24 . ..168 Haslet t, Auckland ... . .. 29 .. •>•> ..167 M'Cartney, Otago ... „ .. 30 .. . 23 , ..167 Campbell, Scrgt., Thames . .. 32 .. . 28 . ..166 Crawford, Waiuku ... . .. 30 .. . 26 . ..154 Crcagli, Otago .. 29 .. •>* ..164 tia'pin, Rangitikci . 27 .. . 20 . ..163 M'Caw, Taurauga . 27 .. 25 ..162 Thomas, A., Thames ... .. 27 .. '. 19 . ..162 Brown, Thames .. 20 .. . 25 . ..161 Beale, Otago ,. u .. . 21 . ..100 Somervillc, Wangauid .. 25 .. . 20 . ..159 Blythe, A.C., Taupo ... .. 2o ,, 2i'> ..156 Parker, Wairoa ... . 26 .. ! so'. ..155 Moore, Nelson ... .. 27 .. . 15 . ..155 Nasmith, Poverly Bay' .. 2.3 .. . 21 . ..155 Gordon, Thames ... ... 33 . 25 . ..15 Campbell. A.C., Taupo .. 28 .' . 17 . ..153 Purnell, Eangitikei ... 28 25 . ..152 Armstrong, Wauganui' *' 25 " . 23 , ..14b' Scott, Wellington " " 31 " . 25 . ..144