The New Zealand Rifle Association Annual Prize Firing.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4604, 6 October 1883, Page 2

The New Zealand Rifle Association Annual Prize Firing.

(Per Pbess Association 1.) Wellington, Yesterday. The sixth prize moating of the New Zealand Rifle Association will be held at Auckland, commencing on Thursday, 28lh February next. Special free railway passes will be issued by the Government to those Volunteers, members of the Association, who may require to travel to and from Auckland. These passes will be issued by tke officers commanding the several districts to those volunteers only who actually intend to tr.ke part in' the contest,' but such Volunteers must send in to the Secretary of the Association at Wellington,/not later than ( the I'^th^Pebruar^-ii'nintilttiation of their" intention, to compote} as without notice no free passes will be issued under any circumstances. Passes,-moreover, will only be issued to enable competitors to arrive at Auckland by Wednesday, the 27th February, and will be available for return journey by first opportunity after completion of firing. The Union Company will convey members of the Association intending to compete, at single fares for [ return tickets. The programme comprises the following matches :— | Nelson Match, first for Rifle or [ Carbine Belt; 300 and 500 yards, seven shots at each distance. There will be 15 prizes, representing £60, made up as under -.—One each of £12, £10, £8, £6, and £5, two of £4, three of £2, and five of£l. Cantebbuby Match, second for Eifle or Carbine Telt; 200 yards, 10 rounds. Twenty prizes will be offered in this match, amounting to £50, as follows: — One each of £10, £8, £6, and £4; six of £2,' and 10 of £1. Otago Match, third for Rifle or Carbine Belt; 200 yards, 10 rounds. Twenty prizes, amounting to £50, as follows :—One each of £10, £8, £6, and £4 ; six of £2, and ten of £1. Auckland Match, fourth for Rifle Belt; 200, 500, and 600 yards, seven rounds at each distance. Twenty-five prizes, representing £70, as follows:— One each of £12, £10, £8, £6, and £5 ; two of £4, three of .£2, and 15 of £1. Wellington Match, fourth for Cars bine Belfc; 200, 300, and 500 yards, seven rounds at c :ch distance. Twenty prizes, representing £50, as follows :—One each of £10, £8, £6, and £4; six of £2, and 10 of £1. Mablbobough Match, fifth for Bifle Belt; 500 and 600 yards: ten shots at each distance. Twenty prizes, representing £50, made up, as in the case of the Wellington match. Union Match, fifth for Carbine Belt; 300 and 500 yards; ten shots at each J distance ; 14 prizes,. reprtsenting £40, made up as follows:—one each of £10, £8, £6, and £4; two of £2, and 8 of £1. National Rifle Association's £ilver Medal will be awarded to the highest, aggregate scorer, in the seven foregoing matches of the 20 highest aggregate, scorers, who must be Volunteers on the active list in the Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, Auckland, and Marlborough matches, armed with rifles (who will be presented with suitable bhdge?); will then tire a second stage match of ten shots at 600 yards, the scores of which will be added to the aggregate scores, and the winner will be the Rifle Champion of New Zealand for 1883-84, and entitled to hold the Rifle Champion Belt for 12 months.' In the event of there being a tie for place among the highest 20, it will be decided by firing shot for shot at 6C3 yards. This course will also be adopted in the case of there being a tie for grand aggregate prizes. The 20highest aggregate scorers, armed with carbines, whomusi be Volunteers on active list in Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington and Union Matches, will fire a second stage match of ten shots at 500 yards for the Carbine Championship of New Zealand for 1883-4. If either" of the Champion Belts is won two years in sue* cession or three years at intervals by the same person, it will become the absolute property of such winner; the former winners under the Government prize firing regulations being allowed to count. The following is a list of the aggregate prizes for rifles:—lst, Rifle Champion Belt, New Zealand Rifle Association gold star, £25; 2nd, New Zealand Rifle Asso. ciatioa gilfer star, £I'2^ 10s: && New \, ■\~ ' - .3ft*4-'. -.

Zeaiard Eiflo Association silver star, £8 : 4th,£s; sth, £3. For the Carbine Belt:—lst, Carbine Champion Belt, New Zealand Sifle Association gold star, £20; 2nd, New Zealand Eifle Association silver , star, £10; 3rd, New Zealand Eifle Association silver star, £6; 4th, £4. There will also be a Civilian Match to be fired at 200 and 500 yards,' seven shots at each distance, for which six prizes, amounting to £13, will be offered. The Union Company's Cup will be fired /for by the 20 highest scorers in the Nelson, Canterbury, Auckland, and Wellington matches, 10 shots at 500 yards. Pour prizes are offered in a Eifle Company's Challenge Match, and a similar number in the Carbine Company's Challenge Match. The amount of prize money will'be from £500 to £6CO; this is less" than half the amount given last year.