MILITARY RIFLE CONTESTS. In 1SGS Captain Wingate, of the Twenty-second Regiment, New York National Guard, issued a manual, based on the English 'Hythe' system. It was adopted in many States. and led to the formation of The National Rifle Association of America.' The Legislature of the State of New York authorized the purchase of a site for a rifle range at Creed moor, and in June, 1873, the first annual compe tition was held. In the following year the Irish team which had won the 'Echo Shield' in the great English rifle contests at Wimbledon chal lenged all America to a competition. This was accepted by the 'Amateur Rifle Club.' The Irish team was beaten on the last shot by a bull's-eye. 'file distances were 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. The following year the American team went to Ireland, but were beaten by 907 to 929. In 1870 an American team successfully defended the `Palma trophy' against teams from Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and Canada. In 1877 an other British team was beaten at Creedmoor by 3334 to 3242. In ISSO an American team went
to Ireland and won by 1292 to 1280. After that there were no further international contests until the year 1901, when a Canadian team won by 1522 to 1491. In 1902 a British team won it at Ottawa, by 1447 to 1373, and took it to Eng land. In the competition of 1903 held at Bisley, England, the American team was the victor, de feating the English team by 15 points, the score being: America, 1570; Great Britain, 1555.
Competitions of skill in pistol and revolver shooting are more common in America than else where. There is a United States National Revol ver Association and an annual championship tournament at Sea Girt. It comprises the mili tary revolver, twenty-five shots at 25. 50, and 75 yards; ordinary pistol, fifty shots at 50 yards; revolver team shooting, five men to a team, each to shoot ten shots at 25, 50, and 75 yards.