LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Southland Times, Issue 1585, 31 May 1872, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE LATE RIFLE MATCH. Bib, — In your issue of Tuesday last your correspondent " Rifle" gave an account of the late rifle match which is not altogether correct, and therefore I beg to furnish some particulars which I hope you will publish for the credit of the Biverton team, and also for those who may have had an interest in the match. In the first place, I beg to deny that the Invercargill corps won the rifle match on the 24th May, as the following will show : — The ranges were to have been — 200, 400, 500, and 600 yards, but, on account of tiie rain, it was unanimously agreed to finish the match at 500 yards. At the time this was proposed the Invercargill team was 13 points ahead. As soon as it was decided to finish, the Riverton team plucked up courage, and won the match by 4 points. We at once adjourned to the drill shed, to compare scores, when it was found that Ensign Ferguson had 3 points more scored to Volunteer Cuff at 200 yrdsa than either Sergeant Paxton or myself. Volunteer Cuff was then asked how many points he made at 200 yards, and he said that, according to the flags shown, he only made 7 points, j which agreed with our scores. However, to bring matters to a close, Sergeant Paxton, in the presence of Ensign Ferguson, Lieutenant Hannah, and some other gentlemen, asked me to give them the benefit of the doubt, as we should even then have won the match by one point. Being in a very uncomfortable plight for argument — wet to the skin — I was glad to decide in that way. It was then announced to the different teams that Riverton had won by one point. In conclusion, I beg to state that I did not authorise my team to finish the match the next day, and neither do I recognise the firing on that day. The last match made the eighth competition, and I am proud to say the Riverton team has been six times victorious. la everything else I must give the Invercargillites credit for their kindness and hospitality, and I trust that there will be no repetition of such mistakes in future. — I am, &c, EnsicW SOHMXDT. Biverton, 28th May, 1873.

Sia, — I am extremely sorry that any remarks which fell from me regarding the late rifle match should have had the construction placed upon them which appears to be entertained by a writer signing himself " One of the I.V.R.C's." My stating that any future Volunteer Ball, if graced by all officers with their ladies, would further the Volunteer movement, was simply stating a fact, which all members of the different corps will, lam sure, endorse. As to my statement regarding the dock an dorroA being half a dozen No. 2, presented by Captain Dalgliesh, of the I.A.V.'s, any one who understands what No. 2 means, and I think there be few in the Colonies but do, will agree with me that instead of its appearing parsimonious, it was showing the utmost liberality — parsimony being the last motive that any Volunteer could impute to the worthy Captain of the Artillery. — I am, &c, Rifle.