New Zealand Gazette – 1876 – No. 37

Page 436

✨ Military Prize Firing Report



436
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
I beg therefore to submit, for the consideration of the Hon. the Native Minister, that at future
meetings rifles set apart especially be issued to the Infantry Representatives, and carbines for Cavalry
and Artillery. There is no doubt the Cavalry fired under a disadvantage, the carbines in use by
the Artillery being a superior weapon.

At 2 p.m., 24th February, the day appointed, the first match commenced. The 2nd match
both for Cavalry and Infantry, 200 yards, was different as regards position to that of former years,
which was "any," but is now confined to "standing," and told somewhat in the results; the highest
score (Infantry Match) being W. Armstrong, Wanganui, 32 points; the scores of the other winners
being 31, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 29. The respective scores in 1875 were 37, 35, 35, 34, 34, 34, 34, 34. The
close approximation of the scores in each respective year are striking features in both contests.

The Carbine Championship and Rifle Championship were decided on Wednesday, March 1st;
Gunner Bell, of Auckland, proving his superiority with an aggregate score of 220, thus entitling him
to the honor of wearing the Carbine Champion Belt; Bannister, of Wellington, being second, with a
score of 200; and Mounted Constable Sherwood, third, scoring 199.

Volunteer Willocks, of Otago, carried off the Infantry Champion Belt of the colony, with a
score of 247; T. Armstrong, of the Thames, second, scoring 239; Blackie, from Otago, being third,
with 239. This brought the official part of the programme to a close.

The match North v. South was discontinued this meeting, and in its place Rifle v. Carbine was
instituted. Sergeant McCredie, Wellington Artillery, of the Carbine team, scoring 129, is winner of
the first prize, and holds the cup for the year.

I am much indebted to Lieut.-Colonel Packe, Majors Turner, Stapp, Noake, and Nixon, and Captain
Baillie, for the manner with which they carried out my orders and performed their duties as squad
officers.

The markers from the Armed Constabulary were particularly accurate in their signalling.

Monday, 6th March, was a general holiday; the champion belts and other prizes were presented by
Mrs. Watt, in the presence of a great number of spectators. In the evening the Representatives were
invited to a ball, and the next morning left for Wellington, to return to their homes; and I am certain
that they will ever remember with kindly feelings the hospitality, kindness, and courtesy shown them
by the inhabitants of Wanganui.

The accompanying returns are prepared by Mr. Stevens, of the Defence Office.

I have, &c.,
WILLIAM C. LYON,
Lieut.-Colonel.

RESULTS of the COMPETITION for CHOICE of CAVALRY and ARTILLERY REPRESENTATIVES, 1876.
Ranges, 200, 250, 300, and 400 yards. Seven shots at each range. To be fired twice. Weapon—Snider Carbine. Highest
possible score, 224 points. Minimum score to qualify, 160 points. The 9 highest scorers, and the highest scorer in
the Armed Constabulary, to be the Representatives.

Districts. 1876. 1875. 1874. Remarks.
No. Competed. No. Qualified. Total Scores. Average Points. No. Competed. No. Qualified. Average Points. No. Competed. No. Qualified.
Auckland 7 1 1,002 143-14 8 ... ... 1 Number of Representatives allowed for the whole Colony: —
Waiuku and Wairoa 6 4 959 159.83 10 8 12 9 1872—6
Waikato 2 2 342 173-50 16 2 14 3 1873—4
Taranaki 5 621 124-20 13 5 1 1874—7
Patea 8 1 1,159 144.87 7 3 ... ... 1875—7
Wanganui 5 1 778 155-60 6 5 ... ... 1876—10
Rangitikei 14 1 2,036 145-42 40 7 27 15
Greytown and Masterton ... ... ... ... 10 1 ... ...
Wellington 6 4 982 163-66 ... ... 7 4
Napier 3 430 143-33 ... ... ... ...
Poverty Bay ... ... ... ... 3 ... 1
Opotiki and Tauranga ... ... ... ... 5 ... ...
Canterbury 8 4 252 156-50 9 5 2
Otago 6 3 904 150-66 ... ... ... ...
Southland 4 2 644 161-00 ... ... ... ...
Nelson 3 2 448 149-33 ... ... ... ...
Total Volunteers 77 25 10,557 137-07 117 21 91 39
Armed Constabulary 5 5 840 168-00 56 10 21
Total 82 30 11,397 138-90 173 31 ... ...


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Online Sources for this page:

VUW Te Waharoa — PDF NZ Gazette 1876, No 37




✨ LLM interpretation of page content

🛡️ Report and Returns relative to Colonial Prize Firing, 1876 (continued from previous page)

🛡️ Defence & Military
26 June 1876
Prize Firing, Rifle Championship, Carbine Championship, Wanganui, Competition results, Volunteers, Armed Constabulary, Recommendations
8 names identified
  • W. Armstrong, Highest score Infantry Match
  • Bell (Gunner), Won Carbine Championship Belt
  • Bannister, Second in Carbine Championship
  • Sherwood (Mounted Constable), Third in Carbine Championship
  • Willocks (Volunteer), Won Infantry Champion Belt
  • T. Armstrong, Second in Infantry Champion Belt
  • Blackie, Third in Infantry Champion Belt
  • McCredie (Sergeant), Winner of Rifle v. Carbine first prize

  • Lieut.-Colonel Packe
  • Major Turner
  • Major Stapp
  • Major Noake
  • Major Nixon
  • Captain Baillie
  • Mrs. Watt
  • Mr. Stevens
  • WILLIAM C. LYON, Lieut.-Colonel