A Now Target.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3680, 11 October 1880, Page 3

A Now Target.

In connection with the forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, the New Zealand Times is infomed that a target on an entirely new plan is proposed to be adopted. At Wimbledon, the celebrated "Swiss" targets are used; after many trials and experiments with all kinds of material, it has been found the most serviceable and economical target is a simple " screen of the required dimensisns made of 4xl wooden frame with canvas stretched over it, upon which is a paper covering. The shot strikes and goes through into the butt, thus aroiding all splashes and recoils so dangerous to markers. At the Wimbledon meeting these targets work like a pair of window sashes. The lower being the " dummy," and corered with a fine wire netting. When a shot is fired and strikes the target, a disc showing where the bullet has struck is booked on the netting, the "dummy" is raised out of the marker's butt, and the target lowered, when a small square of paper is pasted over the hole. The "dummy" is then lowered, and the tafrget raised ready for another shot. This plan requires an elaborate framework with balance weights, &c. But we think, from the description we now gire of the new target, that it bids fair to surpass even the Wimbledon system. The targets are made like the Wimbledon, but are in pairs, attached by a central beam, if fact, like two sails of a wind-mill. These work on a pivot; when one target is abore ground, the other is, of course, below. The method of working is—When a shot strikes, the marker swings the target round into the trench below ground in which he stands, then points with a disc on the new target where the shot has Btruck, and covers the shot-hole in the target which ia at his feet with a paper patch. Another shot, and the target is again swung round, and repaired, and so on. These pairs c#' targets are attached by a screw pirot to a post sunk below the level of the ground, and should they require changing at any time, the nut of the bolt is unscrewed, and the two targets lifted off and replaced with new ones. The targets thus constructed are simple, light, and efficient, and, above all, in these times of economy, very inexpensive. The credit of this invention is due to Mr Christie, the Government armourer, who is well known at the prize meetings at Nelson as having had charge of the range and targets on thoie occasions.