MARVELLOUS RIFLE SHOOTING,

Kumara Times, Issue 862, 5 July 1879, Page 4

MARVELLOUS RIFLE SHOOTING,

[FROM THE TIMER, MARCH 28.] To what perfection the use of the rifle may be carried was plainly demonstrated by Dr William F. Carver, of California, in the grounds adjoining the Welsh Harp, Hendon, on Tuesday afternoon. The exhibition, to which only representatives of the Press had been invited, was held in very unfavorable circumstances, a straight wind blowing nearly the whole of the time, accompanied by a rather heavy fall of snow. This state of affairs did not, however, seem to give the “ Evil Spirit ” —as Dr Carver was named by the Indians, with whom it is said he lived for 16 years—any anxiety. He went through his extraordinary performance in an exceedingly cool and collected style, and surprised everyone present with his accuracy of aim. On Wednesday Dr Carver confined himself pricipally to fancy shots, but two feats accomplished by him gave ample proof of his ability as a marksman. One of these consisted in breaking 80 out of 100 glass balls thrown into the air by hand. In the second he had under taken to break 50 glass balls in three inintues, and accomplished the task in Imin. 57aec. Among his other shots he succeeded in bitting a ball on the ground when standing with his back towards it, sighting by means of a small looking-glass. Coins of various descriptions were thrown and . rarely missed, many of them being pierced almost directly in the centre, while others were forced some distance from the lake, on the borders of which the shooting was held. Three glass balls were thrown up by Dr Carver himself, and in each instance met with destruction, as also did two thrown up simultaneously by different individuals, both balls being hit in their descent. He also accomplished the difficult task of breaking glass balls thrown with considerable swiftness directly towards him. In the performance of his feats Dr Carver used what is known as the Winchester repeating rifle. This gun has an octagon barrel, 26m long, having a magazine under the barrel holding 36 cartridges, and carries a charge of 40 grains of powder and 200 grains of lead, the gun weighing, when fully charged, 101 b. It has a recoil of about 481 b, and by the depression of the trigger guard throws the exploded cartridge shell entirely clear of the rifle. With an ordinary double-barrel shot gun the exhibitor succeeded in breaking two balls thrown up simultaneously from Bogardus traps, this feat being repeated several times. He met with the same amount of success when firing at two balls thrown from traps placed at different distances. Since his arrival in England he hasattempted nothing calling forth much physical exertion, but at Deerfoot Park, Brooklyn, America, he, in July of last year performed the unparalleled feat of breaking 5500 glass balls in 7h. 35m. 35., having raised the rifle to his shoulder 6212 times. This alone entitles him to the title of Champion Rifle Shot of the World, as no one in the face of it has yet taken up the gaunlet thrown down by Dr Carver,

The following particulars of an assault.of an extraordinary character, investigated by Mr Panton, P.M., and a Bench of Magistrates in the District Court, Melbourne, on the 10th June, in which the whole of the parties who figured in it are well known in Greymoutb, Hokitika, and Westport, are thus reported in the Melbourne Argus : David and John Spence, members of the well-known firm of Spence Brothers, of yimders-lane, charged Richard and James Spence, their brothers and late partners, with assault. It was alleged on behalf of the prosecution that, on Thursday last James Spence, while in the office, was trying to overlook a letter which David Spence was writing ; the latter endeavored to prevent Ins seeing the contents, and James attacked him; that Richard Spence, who was also in the office, joined in the assault, and that when John Spence came ip during the scuffle ho was also assaulted. For the defence, it was alleged that David Spence had put pis pen up to the face of his brother James, an 4 that James bad then attacked himtha,t Richard attempted to separate |Wd that it was only in that way Jjhat John was interfered with. It apnears tjhat ever since the partnership was dissolved Considerable ill-feeling has existed between the brothers, and the whole disturbance arose from David refusing to let James know what he was writing to the New Zeaanch- After a lengthy consultation, . ? ™ nto “ announced that the Bench conSidered the whole affair a very disgraceful cne, but as they were unable to get behind the scenes and ascertain the provocation James had received, and as they did not wish one brother to have any advantage over the other, a nominal penalty only would be inflicted, James Spence was %ied is; hut the Bench Intimated that tipy believed Bicbard had interfered to, prevent a the ca ße against bio}, therefore, would be dismissed. Each side was directed to pay its own costs. We regret to tp announce the death A^.'W. r ' Dobson, who was killed by the m the Zpblane Mountain attack. Ipis gentlemap, who was well known in Vanterbnry, having been a resident there I® yeara ' lei® Tasmania in Match, Io7S, to take up laud in the Transvaal, <jn his arrival the warlike aspect of affairs Changed his thoughts, and in July last be , vH s TOl £ ier Light Horse under ~H \ s erved with his troop SLS i, 2^ BtL .^ arch when be was Wlth , 34 otters to reconnoitre Wd bung in cattle from the Zoblane Moun !"?• , , Zolas surrounded them in force, ° f „o h u e onl y Beven escaped, the remaining 28 being assegaied. Bn l i ls an ? ld Ba yiag. says the Post, that it is no use crying over spiit milk, but this after. a ma “ who was somewhat under the ., DC . e ® f hqaor allowed a large bottle of i n *5f at , h ? was carrying to slip from his tho and { fa A l l he pavement in front of the shop Of Mr Moss, upon which he leant against a pilaster and indulged in tears, the supply of which, however, was not sufficient •o wash the stain pff the pavement.