N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1217, 11 March 1880, Page 2

N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

[by TELEGRAPH. J Richmond, Nelson, March 10. ' There is a large attendance at the Cavalry tournament. The arrangements are goody and the weather perfect. In the first contest files of two men ride a quarter of a mile, taking two fixed fences 3ft 6in high, - and on arriving at the 200 yards firing point dismount and fire as many shots as possible in three minutes. The winners were—r •' McLean and Waldington, Wairoa,' 15 pentresj 10 outers; total, 90—1st, Lls. { Howie and i J. Thurston, Wairoa, 15 centres, 9 outers 5 total, &7—2nd, Ll9. Johnston and Aitken, Wairoa, 2 centres, 24' outers ] total,BQ—3rd,Ls. >

M'Lean was thrown in,going over the second fence, but he jumped up and ran to the firing point. In the second contest of the tournament, squads of three to ride half a mile, jumping four fences ; on reaching the 100 yards range the flank man dismounts and fires five shots, remounts, rides the remainder of the distance, jumping over four fences, flanked ; again dismounts, and fires as many shpts as possible ; time alllowed being six minutes. The winners were— Johnston, Waldingtori, and M'Lean;. Wairoa, 86 centres, 14 outers; total,, 186—1st, L2O. Thurston, J. Thurston, and Mussen,, Alexandra, 36 centres, 10 outers; total. 184—2nd,L15. Somerville, Leggie, and Laird, Alexandra, 33 centres, 14 outers; total, 172 3rd, LlO.

For the third contest of the tournament, each competitor to start at a gallop* for post practice, each ring takon counting: as one point, and each neck cut fairly through as one point; time, 20 seconds ; four necks and four rings in a line. The winners were—

Laird, Alexandra, 7 heads, 6 rings; totaL, 13—1st, LlO. Mussen, Alexandra, 6 heads, 7 rings;. total, 13—2nd, L 8: J. Thurston, Wairoa, 4 heads, 8 ring.rjtotal, 12—3rd, L 5 In the' ultimate ties, Laird's total was 4 and Mussen's 3.

Contest No. 4, for pursuing .practico, squads of three men riding abreast, to start. at a gallop ; half points for good dressing and excellence of swordmahship. The following are the winners : J. Thurston, Howie, Aitken, Wairoa, 13 points, Ist, LB. , Somerville, Leggi/b, Laird, Alexandra,, 12 points, 2nd, L 6. Thurston L Mussen, Smith, Alexandra,, 9 points, 3rd, L 4. At the conclusion of the tournament"there was a parade, and the prizes won at. the meeting were distributed by Mrs. R.. J. Richmond, wife of Mr. Richmond,, M.H.R. In presenting Sergeant Okey/ with the rifle belt, she said she had great, pleasure in making the presentation. The< splendid shooting he had made in the latci contest, combined with the high position! he had secured, in last year's competition,, convinced her that she was, in the namei of the Association, conferring this i»uch,coveted honor on the right man. Threat cheers were then given for Okey. Arftoiv Mrs, Richmond had placed the bolfc' oni. him, that lady presented Gunneu-'JOhomna; with the carbine belt.