Colonial Prize Firing.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4320, 4 November 1882, Page 2

Colonial Prize Firing.

(Pee PbessAssociation.)-- " Dunbdin, Friday

The fifth meeting of the New Zealand ! Rifle Association opened at 1 o'clock this ' afternoon, at MtiSselbargh. The weather at the start was everything that could be desired, there being a slight southerly wind blowing, but during the second match in the afternoon light showers fell, and at 6 o'clock a heavy rain set in, which has every appearance of continuing over to-morrow. Should this be the case it will be very inconvenient for the competitors, as the various mounds will become something like a mud pool. The shooting today was nothing extraordinary, andj^oeg not compare favorably with the previous meetings of the Association. This, however, was expected, owing to the range, which is not one of the best. All the arrangements are complete, and only one hitch occurred during the day. This was when a squad of 48 men, having finished their short range, retired to the 500 yards, and after firing two or three shots each, it was found that there was no marker in the butt; the mistake was soon rectified, and shooting resumed. The Nelson and Canterbury matches occupied all day, and were concluded about 5.30 this evening. A. Balliuger, of Wellington, iron the former, and along -with a prize of £15 he takes the Nelson Citizens' Cup, which now becomes his own property, he having been the winner of it at Nelson in 1881.

Harding of Oaaiaru, won the Canterbury match at 209 yards, with a splendid score" of 48 out. of a possible"so. Both of the above matches count in the aggregate for., the Eifle and Carbine Championship, and the highest aggregates at present are :—Carbine*.- J. France, Wellington, 102; W. Harris, Wellington, 95; Lieut. Holmes, Welliagton, 95. Rifles: A. Ballinger, Wellington, and Brooks, Duaedin, 100; Coventry, Dune~ din, 99; Smith, Dunedin, 98; and Hogg. Clutba, 97. •

To-morrow the Auckland, Otago, and Wellington matches will be gone on with, and it is expected that the first mentioned will be finished about noon.

This day,

The weather this morning is unfavorable for good shooting, light showers pas sing over the range and a very cold southerly wind 4s blowing. The Auckland match 200 yards, 10 shots, has just been completed. The principal prize takers are in the order named : — Sountam, Waikari, 46 ; Wm. McKenzie, Welling" ton, 46 ; Cosgrove, civilian, 44 j'Paynter, Nelson, 45; Cooper, Auckland, 45; Johnston, Dunedin, 45; Wilson, Dunedin, 45; Waigh, Dunedin, 45 ; Harding, Oamaru, 45; Haslett', Auckland, 44; Gell, Wellington, 44; Sterenson, Dunedin, 44; McLatchie, Bruce, 44; Hale, Wellington, 44; Softer, Nelsop; 45 ;H. Davis, Thames, 44 ; Watt, Waimea, 44; Monson, Port Chalmers, 44; Webster, Dunedin, 44; Seater, Waikouiti, 43; Church, Wellington, 43; Home, Clutha, 43; McWhirter, Auckland, 43; Wm. McCarthy, Portobello, 43; Hoskin, Taranaki, 43; Waddell, Dunedin, 43; W. Ferguson, Civilian, 43.

The above is the third match which counts for both .Rifle and Carbine Championship. The Otago Match, confined to the rifles is progressing, but will not conclude«until late in the afternoon.