RIFLE MATCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5216, 10 December 1877, Page 2

RIFLE MATCH.

A rifle match between the City Rifles and the City Guards, Christchurch, took place on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a victory for our local corps by a majority of 49 points, Wellington scoring 571, while Christchurch only scored 522. The conditions of the match were that each team fire on their own range, twelve men aside to fire, but only ten to count in the match, distances 200, 400, 500, and 600 yards; 5 shot at each distance. Colonial prize firing 1877 targets and scoring. The City Rifle team was in charge of Captain Crowe. Bugler A. Turner and bandsman C. Bannister, of the Wellington Artillery Volunteers, the former in the butts, and the latter at the firing points, looked after the interests of the Christchurch team. It is only fair to mention that the City Rifles were served only a fortnight ago with new rifles, and consequently, to use a shooting phrase, have not had time to sight them yet. The consequence was that the scores were much below the usual average of this corps. Notwithstanding a fierce glaring sun from the right frout some excellent shooting was made at the 200 yards, Private W. Ballinger making five bull’s-eyes, tlie possible score. The total at this range for the twelve was 192, or twelve over centres. The same score was made at the 400 yards. At the 500 yards the light became very gloomy and dark, and rendered the target almost invisible. At the 600 yards matters did not improve, and before the last shots had been fired the rain descended in torrents. The following are the scores in full:—

Those marked * do not count in the match,

Name. 200 yds. 400 yds. 500 yds. 600 yds. Total 32344 02434 r2333 22333 53 Sub-Lieutenant Walden 33333 43344 32024 33420 50 Sergeant Harris.. 33423 33233 22430 02332 50* Sergeant Christie 33333 22344 33034 04034 54 Private J. Ballinger .. 34343 42332: 32433 30432 59 Private McIntosh 44344 33434 24323 34334 07 Corporal Bowie.. 33433 34234 33432 00240 53* Private W. Ballinger . 44444 24433 03303 00432 54 Private Bannister 33333 23443 44333 24243 03 Private Cording.. 23333 34244 34304 02232 54 Bandsman Howe 32333 43444 44302 32003 54 Private Nodder.. 34333 24433 43423 30330 57