A LITTLE SHOOTING AFFAIR.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1117, 26 November 1883, Page 3

A LITTLE SHOOTING AFFAIR.

The Featheraton correspondent of the Wairarapa Standard tells the following story :—“ A small section of the townspeople have been fluttering over a shooting affair, which was to have taken place between between a well-known medico and one of her Majesty’s officials hero. Both claim to be good shots, but the doctor looked upon her Majesty’s servant with contempt, and related some wonderful feats with firearms which lie had performed in days gone by. Such a poor opinion hod the doctor of his opponent’s abilit}'* that he offered to allow him to have a shot at him at 100 yards distance. ‘Done,’ said H.M.S. and it was then agreed that they should meet at a certain place the next day. In the meantime the doctor had made his will (as he said 1 in case of accident ’), but what ho bequeathed to our local institutions has not transpired. H.M.S. procured the 'services of an accomplice or ‘ second,’ who placed himself where be could see but could not be seen, and placed several bottles with wires attached. When the auspicious moment arrived H.M.S. drew himself up with his arms akimbo, and bis knuckles upon his hips, and said, ‘Now, doctor, 1 have no desire to'take any advantage of you, so let us have a shot each at 30 yards at that bottle.’ ‘ Very well,’ said the doctor, who led off, but failed to hit the mark. H.M. servant followed, and with the flash of the revolver down came the bottle. ‘ Verj" good,’ - remarked the doctor; ‘let us try at fifty yards.’ They did so, the doctor taking first shot, but again failed, and then H.M.S. brought it down. ‘Now,’ said the latter, ‘we’ll try at 100 yards.’ They retired to that distance, the doctor again taking first shot, but the bottle still Stood erect. H.M.S., however, brought It down. Ibo doctor said, ‘You don’t fire at me, Boss ; I call off, snd will go now and shout.’ It need hardly be said that this idea was readily agreed to.”