OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2498, 8 January 1877, Page 2

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Bifid Match.

A highly interesting match was fired at the new rifle range on Saturday afternoon, between the six Thames representives and six non-representatives,,for the purpose of testing the superiority of the splendid new short rifles which have been sent by the Government, one to each representative, to be used by them at the forthcoming contest at Hokitika over those used .by the non-represent itivea (the medium Snider), as well as to test the ability of each team as marksmen. The ranges were 400, 500, and 600 yards, 7 shots at each range. Notwithstanding the superior weapons used by the representative team the match was remarkably closely, contested, the new rifles only gaining four points at 400, 2 points at the 500, and four points at the 600 yards range, thus winning by only ten points, i «., one point and four-sixths for every 21 shots fired. The following were the scores:— Representatives. Vol. Armstrong, No. 2 H.K.V. ... 65 Capt. Murray, T.S.V. 64 Vol. Bull, No. 3 H.R.V 62 Lieut. Brownlow, No. 2 H.E.V. ... 56 Vol. Ura Whare, N.V. 49 „ G. Clark, T.S.V. 47 Total ... 343 NoN-BEPBESENTATIVES. Vol. Reed, T.S.V. ... 64 „ Grundy, No. 2 H.B.V. ... ... 59 Lieut. Small „ ... .... 58 Corpl. Clark 55 Sergt. McLeod, T.S.V. ... ... 51 Vol. Craighead, „ ... ... 46 » Total ... 333 Another interesting feature in the match was the fact that amongst the competitors were five members of the T.S.V. and five of No. 2 H.R.V., there being two of each corps ij|§ihe representative team, and three of each in the nonrepresentative team. This being the first instance of the two crack companies firing upon equal terms, it enhanced the interest of the match, which resulted in a victory for No. 2 H.R.V. by a majority of 21 points. The score^ were as follows :— NO. 2 H.B.V. Vol. Armstrong ... ... ... 65 Vol. Grundy ... .. ... ... 59 Lieut. Small 58 Lieut. Brownlow ... 56 Corp. Clark 55 Total |... ... 293 T.S.V. Capt. Murray 64 Vol. Reed ... 64' Sergt. McLeod 51 Vol. Clark '.. 47 Vol. Craighead ... 46 Total 272

Another noticeable feature is that the old representatives, i.e. those who have on previous occasions taken., part at Colonial firings, have still maintained the higher average. Three of these are present representatives.

JfOKJCEtt BEPBESENTATIVES. Vol. Armstrong, Ho. 2 H.E.V. ... 65 Capt. Murray, T.S.V. 64 Vol. Grundy, No. 2 H.B.V. ... 59 Lieut. Sma]i,No.2lJ.li.V.... ... 58 Sergt. McLeod, T.S.V 51 Vol. G. Clark, T.S.V. 47 Total ... 344 THE BEST. Vol. Eeed, T.S.V. „ 64 " Bull, No. 3 H.B.V 62 Lieut. Brownlow, No. 2 H.B.V. ... 56 Corp. Clark, No. 2 H.B.V ,55 Vol. Te Ura Wbare, N.V 49 " Craighead, T.S.V. « 46 Total ... 332 The difference between the former representatives and the rest thus being 12 points.