THE BIBLEY RIFLE TEAM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 81, 11 April 1902, Page 2

THE BIBLEY RIFLE TEAM.

AUCKLAND'S CLAIM?. PER PKESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, April 9. Mr Gfsorgß Fowlds, has rej ceived the following telegram from the i Defence Minister in reference to th> selection ot the t>am for Bis'ey:—"l submitted your telegram t'> Colon 1 . Sommerville, selector of the New ■ Zealand Bisl'-y team, and have , the following reply:—'Obims of | Carlson and Webster, of Auckland, • cocsideied by com mi l tec. Carlson, a ! fair individual shot, t.ut not suffi* 6'it 'experience for ttam shooting. Webster falling off in his shoo'ing. Tlw committee did not take ir.to consideration the claims of any district. They selected the best mi n available for team f-hootiug, no matter where they came from, at d the team ws'ectid is a splendid on-. Auckland forgets that her shooting has gone back dince 1896.'" Mr Fowlds despatched the following reply Colonel Sjmmerville's contention is eutrsly erroneous. The scores made in Auckland district in open competition are far ahead of any place in r.he colony. Carlson's shoot, ing for the last two years was txcellent and consistent. Webster wi>s never shooting better in his life than at the present time. His scoring in district, competitions here immediately before the association meeting at Trentham in four matches averaged over 4| points pur shot. Over eighty m> n were competing. llis average, 1 otli ioially ami at tVm last two iNfcsw Zealand competitions, was fur ulic-H(l of several of those included in the team. Re finished an man in last (.'ompotition at Trsntham. In iho club competition herd las'. Saturday he mud. 1 94 out of a possible 105 at 300, 600, and 700 yard*, a record good enough for any team in the world." I