NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 15 September 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

We have been favored. with a perus.il of the prize list for the third annual meeting pf the New Zealand Rifle Aasociation, to be held at Nelson early j n March next. In many respects the programme is similar to that of last year. This is more particularly noticeable hi regard to the Champion Belts for rifles and carbines, the ranges and number of shots to count for which are exactly similar to those of the last meeting. Ja some matters, however, very radical changes have been made, notably the total omission of matches open to civilians only, and t>he reduction of the sinall-bure matches to one at 700, 800, and 1000 yards. Civilians will therefore have to content themselves with competing in tl ie match open to any member, of which there are four including tho smull-bore match, but excluding the consolation. For the rille championship tho matches! arc as follows 200 yards, 10 shots ; 400 500, and GOO yards, seven shots at each •. 200, 400, 500, and GOO yards, seven shota at each ; 200 and 500 yards, 10 shots at each. For the carbine championship tho matches are—2oo yards, 10 shots ; 200 400, and 500 yards, 7 shots at each ; 200* 300, 400, and 500 yards, 7 shots at each ; 200 and 400 yards, 10 shots at each. Of the ordinary matches there are ten, ineluding those for the champion belts, tho remaining two being open to any member as follows : —2OO, 400, anil 500 yards, 7 shots at each ; and 300, 400, and 500 yards, 7 shots at each. In addition to those there are the following matches Nortlt v. South (rifles), 200, 500, and GOO yards;, North y. South (carbines), 200, 400, and 500 yards ; Ladies' Prize, 200, 250, and! 300 yards, open to any member; .Rille Companies' Trophy, 200, 500, and GOO yards, open to Company representatives only; Carbine Companies' Trophy, 200," 400", and GOO yards, open to Companyrepresentatives only ; Rifle Companies'' Challenge Match, 200, 400, 500, and GOOi yards, five representatives from each corps ; Carbine Companies' Challenge Match, 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, fivo representatives from each corps ; the long range match already mentioned ; and tire Consolation Match. In all there are nineteen matches, and the prizes are very liberal, notwithstanding the reduction of the Government aid. The following circular may proves interesting to the many marksmen and Volunteers in this district: — Sir, —I am instructed by the Council of the New Zealand Rifle Association to forward herewith a proof-slip of the programme for the next competition at Nelson, and in so doing to point out to you the necessity of increased exertions on the part of Volunteers. The statement of last year's accounts show that only Lll2 17s Gd was received, as Volunteer subscriptions, and L 24 2a from ordinary members, as against Llßft Is Gd and LGI 19s the previous year. Nevertheless, LIOO3 10s was distributed in money prizes. For the ensuing year, the Government have obtained a reduced vote of LSOO, and the Council consider that, if the Volunteers will but exert themselves, tho programme as framed can be carried out, and probably extended. You will observe that the' amount of fixed prize money is some L7OO, and the entranoe fees have been raised as a matter of necessity. Following up the resolution of the Rxecutive Committee as conveyed to youi in my circular of the sth June last, tho Council has based its calculation for the necessary funds upon a considerable augmentation of subscriptions, and byoffering such exceedingly liberal prizes in the pompanies' team matches, trust that Volunteer oorps will liberally respond to the appeal made to them in the circular above quoted.