FIFTH INFANTRY MATCH.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1894, 28 January 1875, Page 2

FIFTH INFANTRY MATCH.

(1.) Range, 600 yards; (2.) Ten shots; (3.) Ties to be fired off shot for shot at the same range as the match. Peizes —Ist Prize, £7 ; 2nd Prize, £3 ; 3rd Prize, £4; 4th Prize, £3; sth Prize, £1.

Firing commenced at 6.30 this morning. The day broke dull, and continued so until breakfast time, by which five rounds had been fired. Hoskins pulled up well, and stood at the head of the list for the belt. After breakfast the morning looked darker, heavy clouds hanging over the ranges and throwing the targets in the dullest light. In one squad so much had the light shifted, altering the necessary elevation of the rifles that seven misses were made running; and throughout the squads all calculations were thrown out. There was great interest and speculation as to who would take the prizes. Hoskins, closely followed by Wilson and Fox, was in the lead, and Skinner of Auckland was shooting steadily. Towards the'last rounds, the whole line were much excited, and press men were appealed to whenever within reach as to the state of the scores. It will be seen that at the finish Hoskins, Fox, Skinner, and Wilson tied with 32, and in shooting off Hoskins' usual luck in shooting ties stuck to him, as Fox made a bull's-eye, taking first prize, £7 ; Skinner a centre, taking second; Hoskins a miss, taking third place. There was much regret among all the men at such luck, especially the Thames representatives. Gallagher and McLaren tied with 31 each. In firing off the first round, the former made a centre, taking fifth prize, and McLaren an outer. The rifles on being tested were found over the minimum. -At this time the rain commenced, and the sixth match, ranges 2CD, 500, and 600 yards, was not commenced.

SCORES IN DETAIL.

During [the cessation of firing some representatives pasied ther time in play-

ing quoits, while others took advantage of the quiet of their tents to discuss the current topic. In order to give an idea of the probable result of the Infantry Belt, we publish hereundera list of the principal aggregates, including the sth match fired this morning :—

INFANTRY AGGREGATE. (Including sth Match.) Richardson (Otago)... „, 139 McKeczie (Otago) ... ... 125 Sykes (Thames) ... ... 137 Elder (A.C.) ... ... 143 Gascoigne (A.C.) ... ... 118 Gallagher (A.C.) ... ... 145 Skinner (Auckland) ... 143 Curtis (Taranaki) ... ... 125 Kingswell (Southland) ... 133 Martella (Marlborough ... 132 Dundas(A.C) ... ... 128 Sutton (Marlborough ... 135 Gordon (Thames) ... 131 Armstrong (Thames) ... 143 Blythe (A.C.) ... ... 147 Partington (Auckland) ... 131 Morris (Otago) ... ... 132 Bassett (Wellington ... 126 Hamlin (Waiuku) 125 Morley (A.C.) ...... 144 Wilson (Otago) ... ... 156 Ryan (A.C.) ... . „ 141 Christie (Otago) ... ... 127 Hoskins (Thames) ... ... 152 Dey (Thames) ... ..134 Soper (Marlborough ... 135 Tomlinson (Nelson)... .. 122 Grant (Thames) ... 131 Chase (A.C.) ... .., 145 McLean (Thames) ... .. 139 Blatch (Otago) ... ... 147 Grundy (Thames) ... ... 116 Munyard (Westland) \ " ... 126 Renouf (Napier) ... ... 136 Stonebridge (Westland) ... 130 Mcllvride (Wellington) ... 137 Campbell (Thames)... ... 141 Gilbert (A.C.) ... ... 150; Murray (Thames) ... ... 142 Chalklin (A.C.) ... ... 126 Goldie (Otago) ... ... 149 Leigh (Auckland) ... .;. 147 Heaphy (Westland) ... 123 Johnston (Rangitikei ... 136 Fox (Canterbury) ... ... 140 Bluck (Waiuku ... ... 126 McLeod (Thames) ... ... 145 Of the number of shots on which the Championship depends (107) 51 have been fired, and 56 remain to be fired: The two remaining matches are 6th Match—ranges 200, 500 and* 6CO yards ; seven shots at each. 7th Match—ranges 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards; seven shots at each. Both are very trying matches, and the relative positions of some of our shootists will tie considerably altered >in the aggregates before tho matches are finished.