THE VOLUNTEER RIFLE MATCH.

Southland Times, Issue 1584, 28 May 1872, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER RIFLE MATCH.

(By Rifle.) The return rifle match between the Inyercargill and Riverton Volunteers came off at the butts of the former on the Queen's birthday. The weather during the latter part of the day was extremely boisterous, heavy rain falling. The firing had consequently to be postponed at the 500 yards range, at which time the Riverton team was one point ahead. The following is a summary of the scores :—

When the firing afc the 500 yards range had been completed, the storm stiil increasing in violence, a scene ensued that would take the pen of a BusseU to give it ample justice. A spring tide, backed up by the heavy gale, caused the low ground on either side of the range to become knee deep in mud, entirely cutting off all chance of a dry retreat. The problem of how to reach the railway, the highest land available, was, however, soon solved — a rush, in fact a perfect stampede, taking place truly laughable to behold. Such a heterogeneous mass of men, boys, redcoats, macintoshes, umbrellas, and water, comingled, it has seldom if ever been my lot to witness. With the exception, however, of one impetuous youth, who was determined upon going in a bee-line for tbe high ground, totally oblivious to the fact of their being such things as drains in the vicinage, thereby becoming submerged for a b'ief period; all ai'rived safe and sound on terra firma. ; A meeting of the contending teams then took pWe at the drill-shed, when it was agreed that the 600 yards' range should be fired at 8 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting. A change of clothing being highly desirable, the meeting dispersed in order to make ready to discuss the good things provided at the Provincial Hotel. Shortly after 6 p.m. dinner was placed upon the table, when twenty-five members of the different Volunteer companies put in an appearance. Suffice it to say that the feed fully maintained the character of our well-known public caterer, Mr D. Kingsland, and was done ample justice toAfter the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been drank, " Auld lang Syne" and " Kule Britannia" sung, the order was given to make ready for the ball, which also proved a great success, from 40 to 50 couple being present, the managing committee deserving great praise for the manner in which it was conducted. The fair sex might perhaps have been more numerous, but certainly not more charming,., and it is to' be hoped that upon another occasion of the same kind, all the officers of the different corps, accompanied by their ladies, will grace the ballroom with their presence, which will no doubt greatly assist in giving an impetus to the Volunteer movement. The firing was resumed at half-past nine o'clock on Saturday morning, when the weather was again very unpropitious. As only seven of the Riverton team had put in an appearance, one of whom was withdrawn for reasons unexplained, it was decided that six of each team should have the honoi- of representing their respective corps, the Invercargill Volunteers drawing lots, the following being the result, also the scores obtained at 600 yards : —

Ihe Invorcargillites thus winning the match by 7 points. Upon returning to town, Capt. Dalgliesh (1.A.V.) invited both companies to a dock . an dorms at the Prince of Wales, where half-a--dozen of No. 2 wound up the friendly meeting. The Rivertonian Jehu, arriving four-in-hand, embarked his cargo, taking with his freight the good wishes of all those who had had the pleasure of their company whilst in the town of Invercargill.

IntebcaegiTjL. Eiveeton. Vol. Cuff 11 Vol. Clode 8 Lieut. Hannah (A.V.) 7 Vol. M'Donald ... 6 Sergt. Dunlop 6 Vol. Henderson ... 3 Sergt. Thomson ... 5 Vol. Pankhurst ... 3 Vol. M'Chesney ... 4 Sergt. Acheson ... 3 Sergt. Brown ... 0 Vol. Horr ... 2 33 25

Invekcaegilli. , — Yards — N Tl. 200 400 500 Corp. Huffadine... ... ... 12 16 11 —39 VoL.R. Dunlop 13- -15 10 — 38 Sergt. Thomson 10 '17 9— 36 Vol. M'Chesney '.. 8 13 13 —34 Lieut Hannah (A.) 15 .16 3 — 34* Vol. j. Dunlop 11 13 7— 31 Sergfc. Dunlop 13 13 9—35 Vol. Cuff 10 8 10 —28 Sergt.' C. Brown 12 9 6— 27 Corp. Campbell ... .-.-.- ... 10 12 4— 26 114 132 82 328 EITEBTON. r -Yards—^ Tl. 200 400 500 Vol. Henderson 18 15 13 —46 Sergt. Robinson 15 15 11 — 41 Vol. Clode 17 15 9 —41 Sergt. Acheson 15 12 13 — 40 Vol. M'Donald 15 15 9— 39 Ensign Schmidt... 11 17 5— 33 Vol. Lee 10 14 9— 33 Vol. Falconer 11 3 6 — 20 Vol. Uorr 7 8 4— 19 Vol. Paukhurst 10 5 2— 17 129 119 81 329