THE VOLUNTEERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 253, 5 December 1872, Page 5

THE VOLUNTEERS.

A match was fired on the 23rd November, at the Anderson's Bay range, between the Anderson's Bay division of the Naval Brigade and the City Guards. The conditions of the match were, as in the former one :—: — 10 men a-side ; ranges, 200, 500, and 600 yards ; five shots at each range — no sighting shots ; Wimbledon targets. Position, standing at 200, any at 500 and 600. We append the scores, from which it will be seen that the Naval Brigade are the victors on this occasion by a majority of 4 points :—: — NAVAL BRIGADE.

THE COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING. The regulations for the next competition, which is to take place at Nelson, in March next, have been published. The general rules are similar to thosa in vogue last year. No volunteer will be eligible to compete for Colonial prizes unless he was an efficient volunteer for the year ending 31st March last. Each company of militia, each corps of artillery, engineer, rifle, and naval volunteers, shall, by such preliminary firing as the officer commanding the corps may appoint, select one representative for every fifteen men ; and in the event of there being a surplus, one representative for a fraotion of fifteen men over ten men, according to the strength of the corps on September 30, 1872 ; and the company representatives so selected will compete on their own ranges for the choice of Colonial representatives at such times during the month of January next as the officer commanding th.6 district (who must superintend the firing) shall appoint. These preliminary competitions will be in two stages, and fired on separate days. The first stage will be at ranges of 200 and 300 yards, live shots at each rouge ; positjpo—

... £25

standing at 200 yards ; any at 300 yards with a trial shot at each range ; targets, 6 x 4ft. ; centre, 4 x 2ft. ; bull's-eyes, 2 x Ift. The second stage will be at ranges of 400, 500, and 600 yards ; five shots at each ; any position ; no trial shots ; targets, 6 x 6ft. ; centre, 4 x 4ft. ; bull's-eye, 2ft. The highest aggregate scores in both stages to be representative ; but no competitor will be eligible who does not score 70 points and upwards. The representatives are allotted as follows : — Auckland, 5 ; Wairoa and Waiuku, 2 ; Waikato, 2 ; Thames, 3 ; Tauranga and Opotiki, 1 ; White Cliffs, New Plymouth, and Egmont, 2 ; Wanganni, Patea, and Kangitikei, 2 ; Hutt and Wellington, 2 ; Wairarapa, 2 ; Napier, Wairoa, and Poverty Bay, 2 ; Nelson and Marlborough, 1 ; Canterbury, 3 ; Otago and Southland, 7; Westland, 1 ; Armed Constabulary, 3. Colonial representatives are debarred from competing for the district prizes ; but they may elect to rire for the latter, in which case the next highest scorer in the district (himself duly qualified) becomes representative. Representatives are allowed 10s a day. If there is a surplus of qualified men in one district, and not the authorised number in others, the vacancies will be filled up out of the surplus, according to merit ; and should there still be a surplus of qualified men, they will be permitted to lire on presenting themselves on the ground, furnished with a commanding officer's certificate. The Colonial matches are :—: — Judging Distance.— Not to exceed 600 yards; five shots, second-class targets ; any position ; no trial shot ; ties to be fired off shot by shot. Prizes, LlO, LB, L 6, L 5, L 3L 2. SecTnd Match— 4oo, 500. 600 yards ; seven shots at eacb ; any position ; targets, 6 x 6ft. ; centre, 4ft. ; • bull's-eye, 2ft. Prizes, L2O, Ll6, Ll4, Ll2, LlO, L 7, LO, L 5, Lo, L 5. Third Match.— 2oo yards ; five shots ; position standing ; no trial shot ; targets 6x4, 2fb. centre, Sin. bull's-eye ; ties to be tired off shot by shot. Prizes, LlO, L6,L 4, L 3, L 2. Fourth Match.— 3oo yards ; five shots ; any position ;no trial shot ; targets 6x4, 2ft. centre. Sin. bull's-eye. Prizes, LI' 1 , L 6, L 4, L 3, L 2. Fifph Match.— 2oo, 500, 600 yards ; seven shots at each ; any position ; targets at 200 yards Bx4, 2ft. centre, Sin. bull'seye ; at 500 and 600 yards, 6x6; 4ft. centre, 2ffc. bull's-eye, Prizes, Ll2, L 9, LB, L 7, L 5, L 4, L 3, L 2. The highest aggregate scorer in the foregoing live matches will be champion for 1873, and the following prizes will also be awarded :—: — First highest aggregate score, the champion belt (to be worn till the next competition), gold medal, and ... £50 Second highest aggregate scorer, N.R. A. silver medal, and ... £35 Third highest aggregate scorer, silver medal and ... £30 Fourth highest aggregate scorer, silver medal antl £25 Ties for the championship and highest aggregate scores will be decided as follows :— By the total scores made in the fifth match, if still a tie, by the total scores made in the second match ; if still a tie by the rules laid down in clause 19, by the scores made in the fifth match. The extra prizes are— Fibst Set. — A match between representatives of the North aud South Islands. The ten representatives of each island who make th« ten highest aggregate scores iv foregoing five matches to be entitled to compete at 200, 500, 600 yards, with seven shots at each range ; aud any position ; no trial shot 5 targets same as at similar ranges in previous matches ; ties as in general rules. Second Set.— Marksmen's prizes for volunteers only who have become marksmen during the year ending Marpn__3l, 1873. Ranges, 900 yards'; "with seven shots af each; any position; targets, Bx6ft, 6x4 centre ; bull's-eye, 3 x 2ft. Prizes, LlO, L 6, L 4. Skirmishing. — Single target, 6x2ft; centre, 2ft across ; after ten minutes' fit ing. whilst advancing and retiring, firing to cease and targets to be examined ; any position ; no trial shot ; one poiut for each hit added to scores ; ties to be fired shot for shot. Ll2, L 9, LB, L 7, L 5, L 4, L 3, L 2. Rapidity. — 200 yards ; live minutes from first shot ; any position ; ties to be fired off as officer commanding may direct. Prizes, LIO, LS, L 6, L 5. L 3, 1,2. B.DNKINO.— 2OU yards ; time, five minutes to commence from first shot ; no trial shot ; target, 6 x 2ft, with 2ft centre across ; competitors after every shot to double round a post 50 yards in rear of the firing point ; ties to be decided as officer commanding may direct. Prizes, Ll2, L 9, LB, L7,L5, L 4, L 3, L 2. All Comers' Match. — To be fired after the completion of the Colonial firing. First stage— range, 200 yards ; seven shots ; any position. Second stage, ranges, 500 and 600 yards ; any position. Prizes in the first set, LS and one-half the entrance fees ; L 5 and one-fourth the entrance fees ; L 3 and onefourth of the entrance fees ; L2,L 2, LI. In the second set, L 8 and one-half tho entrance fees ; L 5 and one-fcurth the entrance fees ; L 3 and one-fourth the entrance fees ; L 2; and six other prizes of LI each. The principal alterations from last year's arrangements are that the skirmishing, running, and rapidity matches are left out m the competition for the championship. The district prizes are slightly increased throughout. OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION. The Association's matches take place on the 13th and 14th December, and LIOO in money, exclusive of gifts, will be shot for. There will be five matches — the first three to count for the six highest aggregate scores, to which a prize amounting to Ll4 will be given. In the first match, there will be Ll2, divided into twelve prizes, exclusive of Mr Mason's cup ; in the second Ll9, also divided into twelve prizes, the N.R.A. medal, and a courier bag valued at L 2 103, presented by Mr G. Younfj ; in the third, prizes to the amount of L2l, and a field glass valued at L 3 10s, presented by Messrs Harrop and Neill ; in the fourth, the all comers match, which is open to small bore rifles, Lls ; and in the fifth, or consolation matsh, LB.

The match between the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery and the A Company of the London Scottish Volunteers has now been fired by both companies. The conditions were seven shots at 200, 500 and 600 yards, Wimbledon targets and position, no sighting shots, Government rifles and ammunition, &c. The result, which depended upon two competitions of each team, is in favor of the Artillery, owing chiefly to their good shooting iv the second competition. At the first competition of the English, team, the weather was cold with a gusty wind, and at the second they had fine weather with a light wind and variable Hght j and their total scores may be looked upon as fair average ones. At the first competition of the Artillery , the weather was fine with a variable wind, and light, and at the second competition it was all that could be desired, and was turned to good account, as the subjoined scores will show. The highest scorer for the IvondonScottish is Lieut. Tanqueray with 65 in the second competition, and the highest scorer for the Artillery is Gunner T. Muir, with the splendid score of 71, also in the second competition, and which, on the above conditions, is unmatched in the Colony. Major Atkinson (Staff) and Lieut. Leary (N.1).)

officiated for the Home Company, and the former, after the firing, opened their scores, which had been sent out, and which show the Artillery winners of the match by 80 points. It will be noticed that the latter were beaten at the standing range by 23 points. The following are the scores :—

A rifle match was fired at the Anderson's Bay range, on Saturday morning last, between tho No. 1 Company and the Artillery resulting from a challenge from the former. The scores are very poor, owing to the unfavorable weather, a strong wind blowiug, which veered round to all quarters. As will bo seen, the match was a very close one, the No. 1 Company brine the victors by 7 points only. Corporal Treseder, of that company, is the highest scorer on their side, with 60 points ; and Lieut. M uir is the highest for the Artillery, with 55. The conditions were :— 7 shots, at 200, 500, and 600 yards ; Wimbledon position and targets; no sighting shots ; Government ammunition and ilittcs, &c. The following are the scores :—

LONDON SCOTTISH. First Competition. 200 500 yds. yds. Lieut. Tanqueray • 21 25 Sgt. Grant • ■17 17 Col.-Sgt. M'Boaa - 20 2() Sgt. Mortimer - -20 21 Private Dunlop, 08. 20 16 „ Rae.Dr. - 19 17 B. Ross - 20 18 „ Gane - -21 17 „ M'Kenzie - 19 22 „ Earron - -23 18 600 yds. 17 3 11 8 19 15 15 20 6 15 Total 63 Si fi7 49 55 51 53 58 47 56 200 Second Competition. Private Rae - -20 21 Lieut. Tsmqueray - 20 21 Private Gano - - 22 16 „ Barron - -22 20 „ Dunlop.C.B. 21 91 " M'Kenzie - 14 18 Col.-Sergt. M'Bean - 21 26 Private E. Ross - 20 13 Sgt. Grant • -19 19 „ Mortimer • - 19 22 18 24 12 11 17 8 7 11 22 6 523 59 65 50 53 59 40 54 44 GO 47 190 531 ABTIIiIiEKY. First Competition. Liout. Muir - - 20 20 Sgt. Lambert - -21 20 Gunner Fisher - - 22 19 „ Ogilvie- - 20 21 !, Smith ■ -10 20 „ Ball - - 10 22 „ D. Reid - 20 18 „ T. Muir 16 10 „ Cato - - 20 17 „ Coxhead - 16 16 21 ]2 14 18 21 11 14 16 15 14 61 53 55 59 57 50 52 48 52 46 I *_— 187 533

yards, yards, yards. Total 3ub-Lieut. Grant - 14 9 10 33 ?. O.Stewart - 11 34 9 34 P. O.Dobbie - 12 14 11 37 Sunner Duckworth 11 12 11 34 „ Brown - 13 13 5 31 „ W. Begg - 11 13 6 30 „ J.M'Kenzie 10 15 14 39 „ W. Begg - 15 15 10 40 „ Patrick - 13 17 11 41 „ P,M'Kenzie 10 10 8 28 Average - - - - 34.7 CITY GUARDS. 200 500 000 yards, yards, yards. Total Captain "Wales - U 11 13 38 Ensign Douglas - 15 16 9 40 Sergt. Speight - 11 5 5 21 „ Wilson - 11 10 7 28 3orp. M'Gregor - 15 11 11 37 VoL Wilkinson - 5 4 S 17 V6L Mackie - 9 13 14 36 3orp. Treseder - 14 17 9 40 V6U Nightingale - 13 14 16 43 Vol. Creagh - 16 13 14 43 Average - 34.3

NO. 1 CO. 200 500 yds. yds. rapt. Wales. - -21 16 Priv. Wilson - - 19 12 Corp. M'Gregor - 17 IS Priv. Nightingale - 17 13 Corp. Treseder - 21 21 Lieut. Douglas -20 19 i J riv. Wedderspoon 21 19 „ Bridges - 8 3 „ Creagh - - 22 18 „ Mackie- - 19 19 600 yds. 14 8 22 11 18 12 12 10 18 7 Tl. 51 39 57 41 (JO 51 52 21 5S 45 475 ARTILLERY. 200 500 yds. yds. Lieut. Muir '- - 20 22 Sgt. Lambert - - 19 15 Gun. Cato - - 19 22 „ D. Reid - 19 15 „ Ball - - 17 13 „ Smith - - 14 19 „ Bislop - - 18 19 „ T. Muir - 17 22 „ Coxhead - 13 15 „ Fisher - - 14 12 600 yds. 13 6 13 19 13 12 14 11 11 12 Tl. 55 40 54 53 43 45 51 50 39 3S 468