COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 56, 5 March 1873, Page 2

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

The report of yesterday's proceedings, hurriedly written as it was on the ground, was necessarily somewhat incomplete, and in it we were scarcely able to do full justice to the excellence of the arrangements, which bad been so made that everything passed off in the most satisfactory manner and without a single bitch. To Staff-Secretary Stevens, and Sergt.-Major Stevens, both of whom have been in Nelson for some time actively engaged in making all the necessary preparations, the success wbich has hitherto attended the meeting is largely owing, but to M«jor Gordon, the officer in command, and the officers under bim, is also due lhe greatest praise for the discipline maintained on the ground, and the alacrity with wbich the firing is carried on, no time beiDg unnecessarily wasted between the various events. There are others, too, who occupy a less exalted position, but whose duties are quite as important as those of any officer on tbe ground, namely, the markers, whose quickness in notifying the result of each shot was favorably commented upon by almost every visitor to the ground, not excepting the representatives themselves. The luncheon, on tbe merits of which we had no opportunity of dilating when our yesterday's remarks were penned, was provided by Mr Cotber in such a manner as to give the utmost satisfaction to all the numerous guests, many of whom expressed within our hearing their appreciation of tbe hospitality thus shown to them by the inhabitants of Nelson. There were two or three fruit •stalls on the ground, and tbe grapes, watermelons, and other fruits offered for sale appeared to be greatly relished by those who came from less favored climes tban that of Nelson. One individual, whose bump of benevolence — if there be such a bump — must be largely developed, did good service to the thirsty crowd who assembled round the shooters by driving about his dray with a cask of water therein, from which he served out cupfuls to anyone who chose to ask bim for that wbich refreshed without inebriating. If hearty thanks for such thoughtfulness be considered sufficient remuneration by him, he certaialy had his reward. We cannot conclude those remarks without acknowledging the courtesy displayed to the representatives of the press by Major Gordon, the officers of the staff, Mr Stevens, the Secretary, and indeed by all who were engaged in superintending and carrying out the proceedings, as without their assistance, so willingly rendered, it would be next to impossible to furnish a reliable report of the various events. The result of yesterday's firing confirms the opinion tbat has frequently been expressed, but the correctness of which there has never before been an opportunity of testing, that the atmosphere of Nelson is from its clearness better adapted, for rifleshooting than that of any province in which the competition has hitherto taken place. As a proof of this we would mention the fact that at the "Judging Distance " Match — the most severe test that could be applied to a marksman's powers — out of a possible twenty there were no less than five nineteens and six eighteens made, a result unprecedented at any previous competitions. The temporary telegraph office that had been erected on the ground, and was presided over by Mr Halliday, proved a great convenience, and was extensively patronised during tbe day. [This Day]. The southerly wind that commenced blowing this morning proved far from agreeable either on the road or on tbe ground, although it does not appear to have influenced the much, some capital scores having been made. Tbe proceedings commenced with the 2nd Match. Banges 400, 500. and 600 yards. Seven shots at each range. Ist prize, £20; 2nd, £16; Srd, £14 ; 4th, £12 ; sth, £ 10 ; 6th, £7 ; 7tb, £6 ; Bth, £5; oth, £5; 10th, £5. This match will certainly occupy th e whole day, and it is somewhat doubtful whether it will be finished before sundown, as there are 79 competitors each of whom has to fire 21 shots. (For the Scores see Supplement.) _