THAMES RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 212, 13 June 1872, Page 2

THAMES RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. Last night the presentation of the prizes won at the late rifle tournament took place at the Mechanics' Institute. The various articles were all laid out ticketed, with the names of donors and recipients attached, and were open for inspection during the evening. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance in the evening at the distribution was confined almost entirely to those who were to receive prizes. At a little after 8 o’clock Major Cooper opened the proceedings, saying that he felt great pleasure in presiding at this the the second distribution of prizes to the Thames Rifle Association. He would call atention to the great improvement in the shooting as compared with last year. They had then fired with Ilythe targets, and this year with Wimbledon, but in spite of that the scoring was far higher. As an instance he would tell them that in the long range match last year, out of a possible 80 points, there were only two scores over 60 and seven over 50 poiuts, whereas this year there were four over 60 and no less than 18 over 50 points. In the 200, 500, and 600 yards, out of a possible 60 last year there were no scorers over 50 and only 5 over 40, and now there were two over 50 and 29 over 40 points. In the other matches the firing showed just as decided an improvement on last year in the consolation match, the first prize being taken with a score under an average of centres, whereas this year all the prizes were won with scores over that average. They had to thank the public for the manner in which they had come forward to assist the Association by giving so many valuable things to be fired for. It had been a haid matter to arrange so many aitides for prizes, and perhaps in all cases they were not placed to the best ndvantange, but an improvement might be made next year, he thought, by allowing the competitors to select their own prize, according to the order iu which they are won. He also hoped next } T ear that they would have become affiliated with the National Rifle Association, and have their medal to fire for, the winner of which would be allowed to compete for the Queeu’s prizes, if ever lie returned to England. He found that there were now 50 Provincial Associations, and 29 Colonial ones, affiliated with the Home Association. The Major then proceeded to distribute the prizes to the different winners, the giving out causing great amusement at times. Lists of the winners having already been published, we will not repeat them. This brings the shooting' season of the Thames Rifle Association to'a most satisfactory conclusion.