PATEA RIFLE HANDICAP.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 475, 12 November 1879, Page 2

PATEA RIFLE HANDICAP.

As we predicted in last issue, the Rifle Tournament announced to take place on the Carlyle Rifle Range on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, proved very attractive, about eighty nominations having been received, nearly all of whom accepted. Every arrangement had been made by the Committee to make the meeting a success. Foreseeing a . large attendance, an additional range was got in order, Which enabled two squads to fire at the same time, and had it not been lor the very unpropitious weather, there is no doubt but that all those who had accepted would have been enabled to fire comfortably the same da} T ; y . The first squad/ccfinmenced at about 6 a.m., at the 200 and 300 yard range, and as far as the weather was concerned, they undoubtedly‘had the best of it, although it was blowing pretty stiff ; but it is possible to allow for wind, whereas heavy rain, with an almost invisible target, is a very unpleasant thing. The rain began to fall about 11 o’clock, ahd for the remainder of the day . hardly ceased for ten minutes at a time, so that quite a damper was put Upon the day’s outing.' Had it not been for the Weather, large numbers of spectators would have been on the ground, and no doubt some excellent shooting would have been made. As it was, many of the shooters need not be ashamed of their scores, for, Under the circumstances, they may be considered extremely good. The two highest actual scores made were—J* Thomson (Carlyle) 85, and J. Milne (Waverley) 87. Mr Milne fired in the last squad on Monday, while Mr Thomson had the benefit of the first, and the former (with 65 points at 400 yards) had to finish his last 7 shots at 500 yards yesterday morning, darkness overtaking his squad. Having made such excellent shooting with dirty weather, it was almost considered a certainty that Milne would be the champion, but fate ordered it otherwise, and he made it a fie. The scores being taken backwards, Thomson was declared champion, as he succeeded in putting together 23 points each at 400 and 600 yards, whereas Milne only made 20 points at 400, and 22 at 500 yards—'having to give two points out his total of 87 for Using a Snider Rifle. The targets used were—2oo and 300 yards, 2-leaf ; 400 and 500 yards, 3-leaf ; 7 shots at each range } any position, Possible score, without handicap, 112. Below we give tho prize-takers under the different heads, with tho handicaps allowed

dilAJtl'fON PRltfE.J. Milne, 87—Two points taken off as handicap for Snider rifle, making him 8.3. J. Thomson, 89—-declared winner. EAKtrEr PRIZES j 200 yards. 300 yards.J. Kitchen, 23 J. Milne, 23 11. M. Pringle, 23 D. -Fraser, 21 G. Dickson, 23 J. Thomson, 20 400 yards. 500 yards, B. Dasent, 24 G, Dickson, 24 J. Jackson, 24 J. Thomson,- 23 J. Thomson, 23 J, Black,- 23 MATCH PRIZES. 200 and 300 yards.J. Milne, scratch, 45 D Fraser, 4 points, 45 J. Black, 4 points, 45 A. Black, 5 points, 44 11. M. Pringle, 3 points, 4.$ G. Dickson, 3 points, 43 J. Kitchen, 2 points, 42 400 and 500 yards, J. Thomson, 2 points, 48 J. Black, 4 points, 47 B. Dasent, 4 points, 44 T. Eyton, 4 points, 43 W, Dickson, scratch, 43 T. Kells, 4 points, 43 J. Jackson, 6 points, 42 AGGREGATE PRIZES. J, Black, 8 points, 92 B. Dasent, 7 points 86 J. Milne, scratch, 85 G. Dickson, 6 points, 84 11.'M. Pringle, G points, 84 W. Dickson, scratch, 84 T. Eyton, 8 points, 83 A. Black. )1 points, 83 D. G. Fraser, 8 points, 82 T. Kells, 6 points, 82 J. Jackson, 11 points, 80 W, Cowern, 4 points, 78 J. Johnston, 13 points, 78 J. Smith, 6 points, 78 A. King, 4 points, 76 J. Milroy, 10 points, 75 J. Chadwick, 4 points, 75 J. Ginger, 6 points, 75 H. T, Davis, 7 points, 74 G. Baggett, 7 points, 74 G. Dasent, 4 points, 73 E i Tregear, 8 points, 73 W. Allen, 6 points, 73 W. Dasent, 9 points, 71 M. Carey, jun, 10 points, 71 H. Chadwick, 2 points, 70 G. Harden, 10 points, 69 F. J. Smith, 8 points, 69 F. Drake, 8 points, 69 H. Hill, 13 points, 68 M. Carey, sen, 4 points, 68 W. Prouse, 4 points, 68 H. Guyatt, 12 points, 67 J. Downes, 10 points, 67 J. Mullett, 12 points, 66 j. W. Wilkinson, 12 points, 66 Ai Sergeant, 10 points, 65 [The points given are included in the totals.] Mr G. Beamish bad a refreshment booth oh the ground, in which good substantial eatables were to be found, but tbo demand was limited, owing the weather.

The prizes will be distributed at the Council Chambers on Saturday next, at 7.30 p,ni;