July .31, 1.S75. 
259 
the Americans” may }-et find a vanquishing Irish team. 
In his letter he says: 
Sir — It is well known iunongst my shooting friends 
that after our visit to America last year I proposed to 
myself to retire from a duty that absorbed all my time, 
and the labors of which I found were too much for me. 
Tlie return visit of the Americans, however, rendered 
my connection with the movement necessary, and in 
compliment to our Transatlantic friends I resolved to 
remain at mj' post. The match yesterday closes my 
rifle-shooting career, and the honor of leading m}' 
countrj'men to victor}' is re.ser\’ed for another captain; 
and as the match was lost, I beg to state that the honor 
of success could not be achieved by rivals more chival- 
rous than the Americans. The banquet last evening 
testified the good-will of the Irish people toward our 
visitors on the occasion, made remarkable by the pres- 
ence of the Lord Mayor of London and York. 
Chiefly to the mercantile gentlemen of this city all 
Ireland is indebted for the grandeur, I will say, of the 
reception of our friends, and this result has been much 
contributed to by the earnest co-operation of our worthy 
Lord Mayor, whose magnificent hospitality la.st evening 
sufficiently exhibited his desire to make the countr}' 
appear to advantage. 
TVhether it is rifle shooting or any other occupation 
that induces an intercourse so much to be prized, I 
trust the advantages offered may not be lost sight of in 
the future. 
Trinity College was prominent in the offer of its 
welcome to our American friends. 
The little 1 have done is hardly worthy of notice, but 
I would like to mention the members of the shooting 
committee of the Irish Rifle Association, told off for the 
duty of making the arrangements at the North Bull, 
especially Mr. Barlow, who was ably assisted by Mr. 
Bagnell, whose continuous exertions daily for some 
weeks we are aU grateful for. 
Tp the members of the reception committee the 
thanks of the public are due, and to my excellent friend, 
Alderman Manning, I am especially grateful for his aid 
in carrying out the programme agreed upon. 
It gives me pleasure to notice the orderly manner in 
which the sight-seers conducted themselves. There 
were many thousands present, without one drunken 
man amongst them, or a case that needed police 
interference, the assistance of the few police present 
being only needed to explain to the people where they 
should stand with perfect safety to themselves. At no 
rifle gathering was there ever such a crowd before 
collected. 
And now I shall say my farewell, with hope to the 
victory which I am sure will yet be brilliantly won by 
my fellow-countrymen, even over the Americans them- 
selves. 
I have the honor to remain, your faithful and 
obliged, Arthur B. Leech. 
Dublin, July 3. 
Since the great international match of Tuesday last, 
an account of which I have already sent you, the rifle- 
men of both nationalities have been busy at the ranges, 
mainly at the longer distances. In all some nine matches 
have been fought, some of them severe tests for the 
men, but the balance of favor one way or the other is 
very slight. The Americans have been quite successful, 
having taken off two of the more important cups, and 
had the same system been observed and the same energy 
been displayed by the visiting team as was exercised by 
them in the great match, they might have had a general 
choice of prizes. But no sooner was the grand affair 
over than all went in for a good time regardless of con- 
sequences, and it was even difficult to drum up a fair 
representation from the nine riflemen to appear at the 
range each day. Others who should have assisted at 
the minor details went on a grand jollification tour to 
the Lakes of Killarney, and left those who actually did 
shoot entuely or very insufficiently supported. 
Competition “A” opened with characteristic Irish 
promptness at 12 o’clock Wednesday, in place of the 
9:30 announced. It was an “all comers” match at 800 
yards, any rifle, for £50, divided into 20 prizes, with an 
entrance fee of 15 shillings. But four Americans Ca- 
tered the competition — Yale, Bruce, Ballard and Can- 
field. The wind was stronger than on the day previous 
and more of a cross wind, and while more difficult to 
shoot under was by no means a baffling breeze. 
Yale was the highest of the American squad, taking 
6th prize;- Bruce coming in for 14th prize, Ballard and 
Canfield taking nothing. The number of shots were 7, 
and at the new Wimbledon target made the highest 
possible 35. AVith a leading score of 34 the 20th prize 
man made 29 points, but 6 behind the maximum, show- 
ing what has been several times maintained in the col- 
umns of 'the Rod and Gun, that the quantity and qual- 
ity of rifle talent is greater on the Irish range than at 
Creedraoor. Had such a contest taken place at the 
American ground it would be safe to assert that the 20th 
prize would have been taken by a score of less than 20 
points. The prize-list was as follows: 
J S Lee 
5 
5 5 
4 
5 
5 
5— « 
l8t 
10 
\V Rigby 
3 
5 5 
5 
5 
5 
4— ;« 
2d 
5 
E Johnson 
5 
4 5 
5 
4 
5 
5—33 
.3d 
5 
R S Greenhill 
5 
5 5 
4 
4 
5 
5—3:} 
4th 
3 
G Watson 
5 5 
5 
5 
3 
5—33 
.5th 
3 
GW Tale 
4 5 
5 
5 
5 
5—32 
6ih 
3 
J Wilson 
f 
5 3 
5 
5 
5 
5—32 
Till 
2 
R M’Dnwell 
5 5 
4 
5 
5 
5-^32 
8th 
2 
G Fenton 
4 
5 4 
5 
5 
4 
5—32 
9th 
2 
H Fulton 
5 5 
3 
4 
3 
5—32 
lotn 
2 
J Rigby 
4 4 
5 
5 
5 
5—31 
nth 
2 
Captain Walker 
5 
3 5 
4 
4 
5 
5—31 
12th 
2 
J Y Pollock 
4 
5 3 
5 
5 
4 
5-31 
13th 
2 
Captain Btnce 
4 
5 5 
5 
4 
5 
4—31 
14th 
1 
J A Doyle 
5 
4 5 
4 
5 
4 
4—31 
15th 
1 
D Sullivan 
4 
5 5 
5 
4 
4 
4-31 
16th 
1 
J M'Kenna 
4 
5 5 
5 
4 
5 
3—31 
ntti 
1 
W G Dowling 
3 
5 3 
4 
3 
5 
5— .30 
IRth 
2 
Captain Muir 
5 3 
3 
5 
4 
.3-:« 
19ih 
1 
J Lloyd 
4 
5 4 
4 
3 
4 
5-19 
20th 
1 
Among the other competitors the scores ran : 
R W Boomer 
29 
A Barlow 
.26 
Dr. Hamilton 
29 
G Gibbs. 
.25 
Capt Tnffneli 
29 
Dr Barnett. 
.2:3 
J B Bland 
29 
G Brett . 
.22 
T R Walkinglon 
21) 
W itay . . 
.22 
J K Millner 
28 
L M Ballard.. 
.20 
Major Smyly 
28 
J M Sannders. 
.20 
Capt Hama 
27 
H Denny 
.19 
J W Goff 
26 
F W Webber. . 
.18 
A V Canfield 
26 
J F Ryve 
8 .. 
.16 
This match was succeeded at once by competition 
“B,” similar in every respect but that of distance, 900 
yards being substituted for 800. In this the same gen- 
eral excellence of marksmanship among the Irish rifle- 
men is observed. The 20 winning scores being com- 
prised within the number 33 to 27 in a possible 35, the 
condition of wind and air being a trifle more difficult. 
A few more of the Americans had arrived on the 
ground, and we find in the prize-list Yale, Gildersleeve, 
Coleman, Dakin and 
Bruce, with Canfield and Ballard 
again out in the coldness of non-success, 
ran: 
The prize-list 
Total. Prize. £ 
Dr Hamil'on 
3 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5—33 
1st 
10 
James Wilson 
5 
5 
4 
4 
5 
5 
5—32 
2d 
5 
G W Yale 
4 
5 
5 
4 
5 
5 
4— .32 
3d 
5 
J K Milner 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
4— ;32 
4th 
3 
Col Gildersleeve 
3 
4 
5 
4 
5 
5 
5—31 
5tb 
3 
J M'Kenna 
4 
3 
5 
4 
5 
5 
5—31 
6th 
3 
J G Pollock 
5 
5 
4 
3 
4 
5-31 
7th 
2 
J Rigby 
4 
5 
5 
3 
5 
5 
4-31 
8th 
2 
L F Banks 
4 
5 
5 
4 
5 
s— ;3i 
9th 
2 
R C Coleman 
5 
3 
5 
5 
4 
3—iO 
10th 
2 
General Dakin 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 
2 
4— SO 
nth 
2 
E J Johnt'on 
4 
3 
3 
5 
4 
4 
4—29 
12th 
2 
Captain Bmce 
4 
4 
5 
4 
4 
5 
4—29 
13th 
2 
G Fenton 
5 
3 
5 
3 
3 
.5—29 
14th 
1 
H Denny 
4 
5 
5 
4 
3 
3 
.5-29 
1.5th 
1 
J Lloyd 
5 
4 
3 
5 
3 
5—28 
16th 
1 
H Fulton 
5 
4 
5 
2 
4 
4 
4--28 
nth 
1 
Captain Muir 
3 
5 
0 
4 
5 
5—27 
18th 
1 
Major Smyly 
4 
4 
4 
4 
3 
4 
4—27 
19th 
1 
G D Goff 
4 
3 
3 
3 
4 
4—27 
20th 
1 
The other marksmen in this competition made : 
J F Bland . 
G Wateon. 
.27 W G Dowling 23 
.23 D Snllivan 22 
A Barlow, Jr 26 D S Greenhill 22 
F R Ryves 26 L it Ballard 21 
J A Doyle 26 A V Canfield 21 
\V Rigby 26 J W Webber 21 
21 
20 
20 
Capt Walker 26 Capt Harris 
L T Lee 25 .T A Taggart . 
Geo Gibbs 25 J Ji Saunders 
W D Waterhouse 24 Geo Brett 
Dr Barnett. 
Capt Tnffneli 
24 T R Wiilkington 20 
24 K W Boomer 19 
D McDowell 24 C D Coughtry 18 
W Rea 23 
At 1,000 yards the shots were repeated, but in place 
of money prizes a general list of donations were 
offered, including a twenty-guinea cup as first down to 
a three-guinea cup as thirteenth prize. In this com- 
petition the Americans were not very successful, but 
one member of the team. Col. Gildersleeve, getting on 
the prize list, and he only for the last place. The com- 
petition excited little interest, those shooting in it 
mainly as an exercise preliminary to the Spencer Cup 
contest which followed at once with ten shots at 1,000 
yards. The prize list for the extra prizes ran : 
Total. Prize. 
GDGoff 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
4 
33 
1 
Dr Hamilton 
5 
3 
4 
5 
5 
5 
5 
32 
2 
J Rigby 
5 
4 
4 
5 
5 
4 
31 
3 
J McKenna 
4 
5 
5 
3 
5 
3 
.■> 
30 
4 
W Rigby 
5 
3 
3 
4 
5 
4 
5 
29 
5 
E Johnson 
4 
5 
4 
4 
3 
5 
4 
29 
6 
J G Pollock 
2 
4 
5 
5 
3 
5 
29 
7 
Captain Tufnell 
2 
5 
5 
4 
5 
5 
3 
29 
8 
J A Doyle 
3 
4 
4 
4 
5 
5 
3 
28 
9 
L F Banks 
4 
4 
5 
3 
5 
3 
4 
28 
10 
WD Waterhottse 
5 
3 
5 
2 
3 
5 
5 
28 
11 
Captain Walker 
4 
4 
4 
3 
5 
4 
27 
12 
Colonel Gildersleeve 
5 
4 
4 
5 
0 
5 
4 
27 
13 
The scores made by the other competitors were as 
follows: Major J. T. Bland, 25; G. AV. A’ule, 23; R. AA'. 
Boomer, 23 ; D. McDowell, 24 ; Major Smyly, 21 ; G. 
AVatson, 15; James AVilson, 21 ; J. AI. Saunders, 22 
T. AV. AA^ebber, 22; Captain Bruce, 24; George Gibbs, 
14; R. C. Coleman, 22 ; L. M. Ballard, 22 ; 11. Denny, 
17; H. Fulton, 23; F. R. Ryves, 24; J. K. Alilner, 22; 
C. D. Coughtry, 15 ; D. Sullivan, 11 ; A. Barlow, 25 ; 
Captain Alure, 22 ; General Dakin, 26 ; G. Butt, 23 ; J. 
S. Lee, 20; AA'. Rea, 22; Captain Harris, 19; Dr. Barnett, 
21; G. Fenton, 26; R. S. Greenhill, 17; T. R. AA'alking- 
tou, 24 ; R. V. Canfield, 26 ; AV. G. Dowling, 20 ; J. 
Loyd, 20. 
Competition “D” was for the Spencer cup as first 
prize and for the silver medal of the National Rifle As- 
sociation of England as second prize; this latter to be 
taken only by the member eligible te shoot in Irish 
teams. Competitors had the choice of either the 500 yard 
range with Snyder and Enfield rifles or the 1,000 yard 
with any rifle; at the latter range no sighting shots. The 
competition resulted in a signal victory for an American, 
R. C. Coleman making 47 in a possible 50, the next 
nearest contestant making but 44. As this competition 
is one of the principal events of the meeting, its winning 
by an American was highly thought of and Air. Cole- 
man received many congratulations on his good for- 
tune. AVith a side match at 500 yards for Snyder rifle, 
in which, of course, no Americans participated, the 
day’s work was over. For the next day the programme 
provided the first stage of the Abercorn Cup. In this 15 
shots are fired at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards for two suc- 
cesssive days, making in all 90 shots, and upon the re- 
sult of this the Elcho shield eight are chosen. The main 
trophy is a cup valued at 50 guineas, presented from 
year to year by the duke of Abercorn, the Capt. of the 
Irish eight. In view of the presence of the Americans 
team the programme provided that should the highest 
score in this competition be made by an Amencan, a cup 
of equal value with the Abercorn Cup will be given him. 
Otherwise a cup, value £25, will be given for the highest 
score made by an American competitor. 
J. H. Stewart, optician to the National Rifle Associa- 
tions of England and America, had presented a “ Lord 
Bury Telescope,” to be given to the American competi- 
tor who should make the second highest score in this com- 
petition. Air. Spencer, optician, Grafton street, Dublin, 
had presented a field glass to be given to the American 
competitor who shall make the third highest score in 
this competition. 
There were, besides, several prizes of money aggregat- 
ing £104, making twenty prize places. The shooting 
was a long and heavy tax upon men otherwise exhausted 
by the two day’s previous effort. But there were 45 en- 
tries, and 7 of them being members of the American team, 
Gen. Dakin being the only absentee. 
In the first day’s work, the conditions on the range 
were not particularly difficult, though it was damp and 
uncomfortable enough. The number of spectators was 
large, considering the unimportant nature of the contests 
in progress, and the outside public, many who were un- 
able to get a good view of the American team and their 
style of shooting now coming down for a better exam- 
ination than could be received in the crush of Tuesday, 
the result of the day’s work gave a very favorable turn 
to the American prospect for this, the great prize of the 
meeting, and the highest honor to which an Irish rifle- 
man can aspire. 
The aggregate at the different ranges showed as fol- 
low's — Americans in italic 
800 yds. 
600 yds. 
1,000 yds. 
Total. 
Polloak 
... 71 
69 
65 
2a-> 
Gildersleeve 
...71 
68 
.58 
197 
Major Fulton 
...70 
67 
60 
litr 
Banks 
...70 
67 
60 
197 
Wilson 
... 64 
65 
64 
193 
Hamilton 
...67 
69 
56 
1J)2 
Coleman 
... 66 
61 
CA 
191 
Yale 
... 69 
62 
60 
191 
Fenton 
... 66 
65 
59 
190 
J Rigby 
... 65 
63 
62 
190 
W Rigby 
...67 
54 
1)2 
183 
Waterhouse 
... W 
70 
55 
189 
Saunders 
... 58 
55 
49 
162 
Barnett 
... bS 
51 
41 
145 
Canfield 
...54 
52 
49 
155 
Bland 
...67 
62 
57 
186 
Lloyd 
...66 
49 
59 
174 
Bruce 
61 
60 
186 
Johnson 
...67 
5‘i 
60 
183 
Boomer 
... 59 
44 
53 
156 
Denny 
... 46 
48 
i;i2 
Bodine 
...63 
64 
59 
186 
Sullivan 
...57 
46 
:)8 
141 
M’Kenna 
... 68 
62 
58 
IKS 
Butt 
. .. .50 
58 
.53 
161 
Barlow 
... 64 
59 
46 
169 
M’Dowell 
...58 
:i7 
53 
148 
Rea 
45 
43 
i:i9 
Ballard 
...62 
62 
44 
PM 
Greenhill 
. . 61 
65 
59 
185 
Gibbs 
... 64 
40 
.v> 
159 
Goff 
... 66 
61 
47 
174 
Tn'nel 
. . 69 
56 
48 
173 
Webber 
...47 
48 
:« 
i:« 
Walkington 
57 
57 
179 
Smyly 
... 58 
33 
175 
Milner 
...56 
t'A 
57 
177 
Dowling 
...61 
5f» 
:a 
174 
Doyle 
... tiO 
62 
54 
176 
H Fulton 
... t)S 
60 
52 
175 
Walker 
... t-o 
54 
57 
171 
Ryves 
.56 
49 
16.3 
56 
52 
167 
Mare 
62 
52 
y,s 
Harris 
...61 
58 
49 
168 
