TE AWAMUTU CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2568, 25 December 1888, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.

Class Firing : Ist. period, 3rd. class, 100 yards, ten rounds, five kneeling, five standing, 200 yards, five kneeling, 300 yards, five rounds lying down, size of target (ix 4, bulls eye, 12 inch, diameter centre, three feet diameter, outer remainder of target: Senior Trooper Weatherill, 5(5 ; Sergt. Rigg, 52; Trooper A. Bockett, 52; Sergt. Major Bond, 50; Trooper Oarley, 44; Trooper Goodwin, 42; Sergt. Gresham, 40; Corporal Baker, 3S; Trooper C. Rockett, 38. 2nd. period, 2nd. class, target Gx4, bull's eye, 12 inch diameter, centre 3 feet diameter. In this class bull's eyes and centres only count; 250 yards.ten rounds lying down; 300 yards ten rounds lying down: Trooper Weatherill, 27; Sergt. Rigg, 24; Sergt. Graham, 20; Sergt. Major Bond, 1G ; Sergt. Gresham, 10; Corporal Baker, 15; Trooper Carley, 11; Trooper A. Bockett, G; Trooper Goodwin, 0. In firing for the Mowbray medal Sergt. Rigg was the winner, under the following conditions, viz. : — Third period, first class, ranges 10 rounds at 300 yards lying down, sights proper for the distance, i 0 lounds with sights fixed for 200 yards, two rounds at 300 yards and two at 250 lying down, two at 200 yards, two at 150 yards kneeling, two at 100 yards standing, hits on the figure (only) to count 3. Unfortunately the scores were not obtainable, but Sergeant Rigg won with ? score of 42. Shooting men will leadily understand what accurate shooting had to be made to make such a score at the figure on the target. The men complain very much of the quality of the ammunition — Kynochs—as many as five or six shots having to be fired at a range before the proper elevation could be got. Such ammunition would be harmless to men in the field. Not only is it unreliable in the way just stated, but it fouls the rifles more than any kind before used. Probably our economical (?) Government found it going as a bargain and so bought it and generously gave it to the volunteers of the colony to practice with. For a!) the good it is, except to make a noise, men might almost as well be without it. The only way any fair shooting can be made is by trying shot after shot till theelovation is obtained, and that has to be repeated at each range.