COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 152, 26 March 1874, Page 2

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING, 1874.

[From the Napier Telegraph at the 24th March.] It having been Announced that the Fifth Match, the result of which would determine the Infantry Champion Belt, would be fired to-day, considerable interest outside the Catnp was manifested, and more visitors from town rode and drove to the range than on any previous occasion. Fortunately, at about ten o’clock the sun pierced the clouds, and a light breeze springing up from the sea, assured a continuance of fine weather. 200 YARD RANGE. At the commencement of this match both Humphries and Greer (Napier), had an aggregat e score of 147 ; Prouse, 113; Hamlin, 142; Perrin, 133, and Blatch, Cameron, Hoskin, and Richardson 137 each. The Championship consequently laid between these men. The favorites were Humphries, Greer, and Prouse; Hamlin, who up to Wednesday morning was regarded as one of the most likely competitors, was unfortunately taken ill, and it was thought that his chances were gone. However, Mr. Hamlin so far recovered before the match came on as to be able at all events to shoot with his ordinary precision and coolness, and, as will be seen, he not only succeeded in pulling up his lost ground, but passing all others, and bearing off the Blue ribbon of New Zealand. 500 YARDS RANGE. At the termination of the firing at this range, Hamlin had gone to the front with a score of 191. Humphries aud Greer were side by side, and only one point to leeward. Perrin and Hoskin were ties for third place, having reached a score of 183 ; Cameron came next with 180, while a new competitor for public favor, in the person of Richardson (Otago), tied him. Prouse had fallen coi • siderably in the rear, having unluckily made two misses, which brought his aggregate to only 173, while there were no less than eleven men above him, but below Cameron and Richardson.

6<)o YARDS RANGE. The championship now clearly laid between t.he first three highest scorers, and the cognoscenti named Hamlin for chief honors. The first round both Hamlin and Humphries made centres, but Greer missed the target, the same misfortune attending hitn with his second shot. Hamlin’s second shot missed also, and then all eyes were turned on Humphries, who, most unfortunately for him, took aim at the wrong target, making a bull’s eye. By the rules, this mistake, whatever score may be made, counts merely as a miss. This accident, for we can call it by no other name, lost Humphries the Belt, as the result, will show. Third round Hamlin and Humphries retained their places, both making centres, Greer following with an outer. The three next shots did not niter the order in which they stood, both Humphries and Hamlin mnking a bull’s eye and two centres, and Greer making the still finer shots of two bull’s eyes und a centre. THE FINAL ROUND commenced, and immense excitement, wns manifested by all on the ground : Humphries was the first to fire, and made a centre, bringing his aggregate score up to 209, and now Hamlin's shot would determine the match. He hud to make a bull’s eye or a centre to win, while an outer would tie. A crowd gathered to the rear of the firing point, and all the interest of the day hung on the press of a trigger. A puff of smoke was followed instantly by a report, and a few seconds afterwards the well-known thud indicated a hit, and every eye was directed towards the marker’s butt. Suspense was soon allayed by the white disc showing that an outer had been made. By this, Hamlin had tied Humphries in the aggregate score of the five matches, but, as Hamlin had made the greater number of points in this, the final match, than had Humphries, according to the regulation providing for such a contingency HAMLIN WAS DECLARED THE WINNER, and the Champion. Greer, who, after the sixth shot, had no chance for the Belt, secured the third place, with a score of 207. In addition to winning the Championship, Captain Hamlin took the first prize of the eighth match.