THE COLONIST NELSON, FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1861.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 364, 19 April 1861, Page 2

THE COLONIST NELSON, FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1861.

The following regulations to be observed in connection with the coming contest between the best rifle shots of the Volunteers and Militia of New Zealand, are of general interest, and are none the less recommended for perusal through the short interval of time that remains between this and the day appointed for receiving the names of the various competitors for the prizes. Viewed alone as a means of encouraging the self-reliant military spirit that of late years has pervaded the British citizen and settler, the subject is one that should receive attention and notice at all hands; and those who are in no position to assist practically to further the movement, may still be able to exercise a moral influence of no little

importance '-to' the "energetic and complete fulfilment of the intention with which the present generation appears to be imbued in this respect. It is therefore-with regret that We find there have been instances where individuals have neither practically nor morally extended assistance/tpthe' movement, but, on the other hand, have taken the opposite course, because of some imaginary, or at most infinitesimal, sacrifice of time that has to be accorded to amployees who have joined volunteer bodies; fortunately however for the general unanimity the class of objectors on this score is not a numerous one, and deserves far less attention than other seceders.who hold their objection to all military practices on'conscientious grounds. With regard to Nelson however-in the forthcoming contest, we can scar eery expect to cut a very prominent figure, when it is remembered the extremely short practice that the greater part of the men will have been allowed, in consequence of the tardiness with which the rifles have been supplied. We doubtless possess as great « share of the materiel out of which efficient troops and energetic officers are composed as elsewhere ; but in this first contest the amount of practice has"beerT so disproportionate between the men of the different provinces, that disappointment, must be inevitable with many who possess all the qualifications of thie well-drilied, smart volunteer, but lacking the practice of rifle shooting and the knowledge of his piece, must be content with a demonstration of aptitude in an .yearly future, without much chance of distinction in the present trial. The distances at.which thie competitors will fire are 100, 200> and 300 yards' range, three rounds at each range. , The target 6by 2 feet; centre 2.feet in diameter, bull's-eye 8 inches. Points—Bull's-eye 3, centre 2, outer 1. 1. The first prize to .be one hundred and forty pounds, the winner also, to keep and wear the Champion pouch and belt for the best shot in New Zealand during tho year in which he wins it, The second prize to be fifty pounds. ~■ The third prize to be forty pounds. * The fourth prize to be thirty pounds. The fifth prize to be twenty pounds.' The sixth prize to be five pounds. 2. The firing to take place at such hours and places as the officers commanding at 'the -different stations may deem convenient, commencing on Monday, the 27th May. Should the weather prove unfavorable at any time appointed, the firing may be postponed at the discretion of the officer commanding at the station. 3. The firing to be open to any person sworn in ai a militiamau since the Ist January, 1860, and to all members of volunteer corps (officers of both forces included). All intending competitors ;to send in their names on or before the 23rd May next, to the senior officer of the corps to which they belong, who shall forthwith cause lists to be compiled from the names sent in, but if he considers that any such person, whether a militiaman or volunteer, shall not have attended, when required, sufficiently regularly at drills, parades, training or exercise, he is authorised to prevent such person from firing for the prizes. 4. A list of the competitors to be made out numbered ontyv aQd given' to the t officer and marker, another list to be made out and kept by the officer commanding and officer stationed at the spot where the competitors fire from, numbered the same as the other, but in addition, to have the names of the competitors written on it. " 5. Should any competitor be absent without leave when his turn comes during the firing, lie is to forfeit his chance, and a shot is to be fired in the air (which the marker will score' as- a miss), ill order to keep the numbers on the lists correct. 6. Rifles and ammunition supplied by the Government. N.B.—Spare rifles wiUJbe; furnished on the days of firing, to those who may require them. .7*lu any position without artificial rest, j 8. Wooden targets when required to be 6rdered by the officer commanding, to be made at the different stations, 6 feet by,2 feet. • .9. Ties to fire three rounds at four hundred yards at one target.' In this case/ shots to be measured from the centre of the Bull'? eye Should ties occur between the best six- shots, the names of all such ties to lie sent up. • . 10. _ Each competitor firing, to have the-benefit of any shot on the ring. ? 11. Any shots which touch the ground before hitting the target (ricochets) not to count. : ■ 12. All differences as to points, &c;, to be decided by the officer commanding the corps at the station, before any returns of the firing are finally made up. • 13. Officers commanding corps to be on the ground. One officer to be appointed to, call the names of competitors at the place of firing, and another to remain near the'targets .". i ,r 14. A marker to be appointed by the^tifficer commanding at each station, who wiH be under the officer appointed to remain pear the iarget.,..,.. 15. The medical officer to attend. -Where there ■are. no' surgeons of militia appointed, a medical practitioner to be employed. • "16. A return of the firing (the best six,,shots and ties) to be forwarded by the officer commanding at.each station to the Deputy Jidjutapt General at Auckland, according to the accompanying form. > .-.-• ': - ...- '■■':■ ■'■■• '.:■•' -; .: -'^' '*;' 17. The attention of commanding officer* is particularly called to the following ruMlo prevent • No competitor is to cap or cock his rifle before coming to the spot from which he is ttf fi^e. J ...'.'No competitor is to let thecock of his. rifle down when an unexploded cap is on the nipple, but to keep it at half-cock. •. ■ ' r Competitors before firing are to take: a few paces in front of all lookerß-oni and to see that no objects are. mi the line of fire. ■ ■■■•■■-■• H. O. BALNEAVISi: Deputy Adjutant General of Militia and Volunteers. Auckland, 25th March. 1861; .. r = v