N. Z. R. A. MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, 26 March 1889, Page 2

N. Z. R. A. MEETING.

-- • • ■ ■-.*.. . . The following account of the N. Z. R. Association meeting at Blenheim we gain from the Press Association. Last Friday the Chriatchurch match was completed early in the freuoon, and was won by Be*-, geant Kuchen, of the Wellington Artillery, with 70, which is a couple of points above last year's score The last try match for the representatives who had not qualified to fire in the Championship Ifatoh was then taken. In this match the first prize fe'l to Corporal Ballinger of the Wellington Guards. Both these matches were finished before lunch and the men were given a spell until 2.30, the hour appointed to fire to*

championship. At noon h"ght rain fell, but as the afternoon advanced It came down rather heavily. About 2.80 the weather lifted somewhat, and "fall in" sounded for ihtt championship. No sooner had the men commenced the 200 yds range than pelting rain Bet in, but firii g was continued until the 300 yams range was c mpleted, when the wovd was passed along to cease firing for the day. It was then the intention of the Association to fire the 500 yards r^D^e, which would decide the championship, tomorrow afternoon. | However, at 4.30 j>.m. Captain Somn\erville was advised by several residents of Blenheim to proceed with the match, as they feared that the weather would be even wovse tomorrow. Notwithstanding that a st3ady downpour was taking place, the competitors were marched off to the 500 yards range to decide the winner of the belt. Great interest was taken in the match, and despite -the rain, there were a large number * of competitors at the firing point to watch the shooting. The attendance of the public was very limited, consisting merely of the friends of the competitors. At the start Parslow had a iead of 12 points from Ross, who was 7 ahead of Foster. With the 206 yds and 300 yds Ross had gained 5 points on Parslow, and Parkes was running Foster close for third place. Now there was only seven shots to go at 500 yds to decide the winner, and although Ross was still 7 to the bad there was not a few who thought that he was equal to one occasion. On the other hand, Parslow is such a reliable ehot that his friends felt confident that he could hang on. This proved to be tii© case, as he pat on 22 at 500 yds, aud though Ross gained a couple Cj\ points Parslow was de clared a. winner by five points from Ross, Parkes supplanting Foßter for thirst place. Ross had a slice of bad l r <iok at the last range th:s evening His second shot was marked out, tut when the disc was put up it covered to the righi. The other man * who was on the mound with Ross missed, therefore the target did not revolve, so Ross had no idea where his second shot had hit. He too It the marking of the shot in question and altered his aiming accordingly, but missed when the target did re Tolve. It was seen that the first marking was wong. As clearly shown by the spotting disc, the second shot waß in splendid line, but the elevation was a little too high. This gave Ross no chance to pull up <he difference between him and Pars* low, though he shot very steadily, ■and wound up with two bull's eyes. The success of Sergeant Parslow and Lieutenant Robs was received with great pleasure, as both of them are extremely popular in the camp. In former years both Parslow and Ross ifired as carbine representatives, but under the existing regulations are compelled to de rifles, as there is aiow only one belt. The following is the result of the •Championship : — Sergeant P*r low; Auckland Arfcil cry (Champion Rifle Bel., Gold Btar of Association, and £30} ... ... 509 Lieutenant floss, Napier Artillery, Silver SL.r and £20 ..504 Volunteer Parkes, Blenheim City Rifles Silver Star and £15) ...491 Xieateoant Foster, Wunganui Rifles Silver Star and £10) .\ 487 R. J. DicksoD, Por.obello E. {£5) ... 480 Volunteer Riddle, Waimate R. (£5) .. 480 Gunner Taylor, Auckland. \. (£s) ... 4SO Lieutenant Okey, Taranaki Riflei (£3) 479 Vol. Atkinson, Wellington City R. (£3) 477 Sergeant Jones, Waikari Rifles (13) ... 476