DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1205, 18 March 1880, Page 2

DISTRICT PRIZE FIRING.

The firing for the district prizes by the Hamilton Light Infantry Volunteers took place ye terd<y, under moat discouraging circumstances. A strong wind was blowing directly across the range, and when it came to firing off at the five hundred yard range the sun was shining brightly just over the line of sight, making it most lifficult to take an accurate aim. This will account in great measure for the very low scores made in several instances. As a whole the firing, taking the circumstances into consideration; was not nearly so bad as at first sight it appears. Capt. Dawson, and .Lieut Breakell were on the ground. The scores were as follows : —

The prizes were taken as follo'.h : — • J. K. McDonald, 1-t; W. Carson, 2nd; A. 0. Field, 3rd; McKenzie, 4th } Mason, sth ; Pearsoti, 6th. A great cause of the bad firing, beyond the unpropitious state of the weather (which was windy and gusty also), was due to the infeiiority of the arms, and ammunition, which has been supplied to this coi'ps. The ammunition has pro* bably been in the Government stores for years, aud the rifles were those used nearly a quarter of a century ago by the Imperial troops. A proof of this is to be found in the fact that the Waikato repre* sentative at Nelson— who was present on the ground, and used the best rifle he could obtain, was surprised to find that he failed to score anywhere near the mark.

Germany is intending to form convict colonies in the South Sea Islands. The subject has been discussed by the Federal Council, but nothing has been decided regarding the carrying out of the project.

Prince Bismarck has consented to support the founding of a new German Soutn Sea colony. It is rumored that Germany also intends to acquire possession of other small South Sea Islands* The new German Consul at Apia is to pay particular attention to the subjeot.

Name. 300 yds. ! 400 yds. <S°° yds. i i "3 1 Private McDonald „ G. Pearson „ W. Davis „ R. Stokes „ C. Warr „ G. Hall .. „ G. Mavcs „ P. Jones . . „ J. O'ConncH ... „ R. Webber ... „ F. Crawfoid „ J- Kellett Band — h Edgecombe ... „ J. Brown „ A, O. Field „ R. Mason „ 7. Coleman . . „ H. Tristram „ W. Carson „ John Knox Sergeant- Major Warren Band-Sergeant Henry . "qiporal Allen Private Hughes . . Band — McKen2ie „ G. Allen „ F. Locke . Private Milden . „ Steadman „ Fleming . ... i i 19 15 15 9 2 15 10 2 5 0 3 16 15 5 17 17 5 *4 12 22 II 5 8 2 IX 2 3 17 8 13 5 _ 5 ~ - 6 8 54 3i - 5 23 9 2 « 31 12 2 8 23 3 35 31 H 20 36 ■; 30 23 2 0 3 13 - 7 6 12 4 II 2 - - - 8 16 8 »• 8 5 3 5 8 8 - 5 4 21 i> 5 5 8 2 - 8 __ i 1