THE COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 7

THE COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING.

The Colonial Prize Firing for 1875, under the auspices and control of the General Government, was held at Parawai, a suburb of the Thames Goldfield, in Auclriaud Province. Firing was commenced on January 24, and concluded on February 4, but several impromptu matches, arranged by the Volunteers themselves, prolonged the meeting a few days after the latter date. There were two accidents during the meeting. One of the scorers, Sergeant Cleary, whilst attending to the targets, was hit by a hall, but the wound, which is on the shoulder, is not thought likely to prove fatal. A pontoon bridge had been placed across the Kauaeranga Creek, which divided the range from Shortland. On one occasion it was so overcrowded that the bridge tilted up, and. capsized fifteen of the marksmen into the creek, many of whom narrowly escaped drowning. . Owing to the gallant behaviour of several of the Armed Constabulary they were all rescued, although the rifles were left at the bottom of the creek, which at that spot is about twelve feet deep. This accident materially interfered with one of the competitor’s chances of winning the belt, Lieutenant Wilson, of Port Chalmers, being one of the unfortunates who receive a ducking and lost his rifle. He afterwards fired with a comrade’s rifle, hut his shooting with it was considerably below his usual average. Competition was limited to Volunteer Cavalry, Infantry, and Naval Brigades, and the New Zealand Armed Constabulary. The Infantry Belt at the 1874 meeting was won by Captain Hamlin, of Waiuku (Auckland province), who handed it over at the conclusion of the last contest, to Volunteer Skinner, of Auckland city. Competition was very keen and close between the four highest scorers for the Infantry Belt, Elder, who was leading up to the last round, fired and missed, and Skinner, hitting with the last shot, was declared the winner, the score of each amounting to 313 points. The excitement was intense, a loud cheer, in which all present joined, congratulating the fortunate winner. The Cavalry Belt, at the beginning of the firing held by Lieutenant Barriball, also of Waiuku, was won by Von Poelnitz, of the Armed Constabulary, Lieutenant Barriball being seopnd score at the conclusion of the firing in this class. The prizes were presented at the Academy of Music, Grahamstown, on the Bth instant, by Mrs. Pollen, the wife of the Hon- the Colonial Secretary. A gold medal and £SO accompanied the Champion Infantry Belt, and a silver medal and £2O the Cavalry Belt. The representatives were fdted at Auckland and the Thames, balls in their honor being given in both places. They may be expected to return to their homes early in the ensuing week.