RIFLE MATCH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 12, 15 April 1871, Page 6

RIFLE MATCH.

Monday was certainly a grand field day amongst our Volunteer tnarkßraen, and to Captain Pearce must be given the credit tor lis fillip to this volunteering spirit among us. It was not so much the value of the gift, (which is a handsome trophy and one that any marksmen might well be proud of winning) as the happy juncture at which it was presented. The result bf this good example is seen in the miscellaneous offerings comprising the prize list, and the best rifle match, in every sense of the term, we have ever had in Wellington. There were no fewer than 44 competitors, and between six or eight of these the competition was of the most exciting kind. Owing to the large number of competitors, they were divided into squads and fired simultaneously at two targets. The firing began punctually at ten and was not concluded till 6 o'clock. The day was one of Wellington's very bestbright, exhilirating, and without the slightest degree of uncomfortable feeling from a very bright sun; while the light air from the north added just enough of pleasant breeziness without incommoding the marksmen. A better day could not be selected, so that no excuse was left for bad scoring. Many spectators were present when position was taken for the 200 yards range, and by the time the squads were ready for the 400 yards the ground began to look quite animated. By two o'clock between 200 and 300 persons were ecattered about, among whom were many bevies of ladies. From that time forth a constant stream was coming and going—cabs, 'busses, and saddle horses being in conaiderabla request. Captain Pearce came on the ground about noon, and remained throughout the firing. The Match Committee had arranged that thehighest score should win tae Uup, valued at £2l, presented by Captain Pearce, with £5 added ; the second, the carbine presented by W. Gibson, Esq.; the third, an article of the value of £5 to be selected by the winner, subject to the approval of the committee, the gift of Mr. B. Poulson. The remainder of the prizes will be chosen by the competitors in their order of merit for the highest aggregate score. a The scoring will speak for itself of the fluctuations in the firing, and the interest it would • eate: —

We regretted very much to notice that on an occasion such as Monday, -when No. 1 Company was so largely represented, that more of the officers were not present. No doubt some substantial reason prevented their attendance; but under the peculiar circumstances, and if only in courtesy to Mr Pearce, this should not have been the case. As it was, their absence occasioned some comment amongst those present. The pleasing strains of the Artillery Band added much to the pleasure of the many visitors (especially the ladies) who attended. The following is a list of the principal donors and their gifts: — Mr Gibson—dpuble-barelled carbine, one barrel rifle, and one smooth bore Mr E. W. Mills—electro-plated claret jug. Mr Denton—mother-of-pearl cigar case Mr Mountain eleetro-plated and glass sugar basin Mr Willeston handsome carved meerschaum pipe Mr Barraud —silver-mounted scent bottle Messrs Shaw and Sons—gold-mounted ivory match box Ladies' Prize—handsome gold watch guard. Mr Burrett handsomely bound book, winner's name in gold letters Mr Lowe—silver-mounted riding whip MrS. Rowley—wine flask, mounted and shoulder strap Mr Warburton—papier-mache writing case Messrs Batt and Richards—six photographic views of Wellington Mr J. Rowley—photographic album Mr Foster—handsome cigar stand Mr B. Poulson—£s Mr P. Moeller—£l Is Mr J. Hay-£1 Is

200 400 500 600 Tl. Bowater 14 15 15 14-58 Cumnring • 12 8 8 4—32 Bowie 15 12 6 3—36 Player . . . O'Connor 16 21 9 20 8 13 9—42 7—61 Sutherland 16 7 11 0—34 Cbeeseman 6 9 0 0—15 Barraud 20 17 12 10—59 Holmes 8 14 17 7—46 Batkin . 19 20 7 6—52 Diamond 10 11 14 8—43 Batham 17 18 14 17—66 Lyon . • • 15 0 0 0—15 Halse 18 23 17 18—76 Pickard . . • 17 14 3 8—42 Brown . - ♦ 13 12 6 4—35 Wilkinson 9 12 14 0—35 Zohrab . 16 13 18 14—61 Gall 11 5 5 4—25 Sheen 11 10 0 6—27 Scott 18 5 6 5—34 Ames . 12 13 11 4—40 M'Cleland 16 16 16 11—59 Pilcher . . . 13 12 12 5-42 Brogan . 10 14 18 13—55 M'Tavish 13 20 19 19—71 Bidraeade 14 21 21 12—68 Stevenson 8 6 .0 0—14 Beetham 15 14 15 14—58 White 18 17 18 15—68 Lloyd St. George 16 15 8 18 6 15 0—30 13—61 Stevens 22 18 9 12—61 Harrison 18 7 14 12—51 Mason 16 17 8 17—58 Webb . 19 16 21 12-68 Gray, D. 18 19 18 21—76 Wilson 17 15 13 10—55 Crowe 20 19 17 13—69 Brandon 15 17 7 11—50 Mitchell 2 8 7 0-17 McCreadie . 2 13 17 10—42 Pbizes. 1st Prize—D. Gray, (for highest aggregate score)— Silver Challenge Cup, va] iue £21, presented by Ed. Pearce, , Esq ., Captair l ot the W. V. Artillery, and £5 added. Ladies' Prize.—A handsome golc I albert watch guard —(highest aggregate score at the 400, 500, and 600 yards)—D- Gray. The following are the names < >t those who take prizes for the highest a| jgregate scores at the different ranges (£1 each) :— 200 yards, Stevens • 22 400 yards, Halse • • 23 500 yardB, Webb * • • 21 600 yards, Gray, E >. • t 21

Th'e other prizes follow in the following order: — 2nd Prize , Halse ... 76 3rd 3> M'Tavish ... ... 71 4th » Crowe ... 69 5th 33 White ... 68 6th J) Webh ... 68. •7th ]) Bidmeade ... ... 68 8th 33 Batham ... 66 9th » Zohrab ' ... ... 61 10th )) St. George ... ... 61 11th ]> Stevens ... 61 12th 3) O'Connor ... ... 61 13th M'Olellan ... ... 59 14th JJ Barraud ... 59 15th )> Beetham ... 58