RIFLE MATCHES.

Patea Mail, 26 May 1881, Page 3

RIFLE MATCHES.

A match took place on the Queen’s birthday between the Patea Rifles and the Wanganui City Rifles, resulting in a victory for Wanganui. Each team-fired at their own ranges. In Patea the weather was unsuitable for shooting, the light being variable, and squalls of wind and rain frequent. Tire targets used were the same as now in use*at Wimbledon, having the circular bull’s-eye, inner, and centre. The distances were 400 and 600 yards, seven shots at each. The scores of the Patea team were as follow : Yards: 400 500 Total. T. Kells 28 32 60 J. Hitching 30 29 59 J. Smith 25 26 51 C. Dasent 29 20 49 A. King 32 16 48 M. Carey, senr. 27 19 46 W. Neill 22 22 44 A. Black 19 25 44 W. Dasent 25 IB 43 M. Carey, jun... 28 14 42 11. Chadwick... 20 19 39 F. M. Chapman 21 14 35 560 Wanganui scored 93 more than Patea, but particulars of firing have not arrived. On the conclusion of this match at the Patea range, a friendly match took place between Mr Fergus, of Dunedin, and Mr Pringle, of Patea. The conditions were : Ranges, 150, 200, 250, and 300 yards, five shots at each distance, position standing ; Wimbledon target, Sin. circular bull’s-eye. The match was well contested, neither competitor gaining much advantage. . In the end, the southerner had to submit to a defeat by three points, he having scored 48 against Mr Pringle’s 51. A good deal of interest was taken in the event, and a number of spectators were present. A match besween civilians and volunteers is on the tapis. The Patea Cadets had their half-yearly firing for the cup on Tuesday ; audit was won by Sub-Lieut. Howitt with a score of 67.