A NARROW ESCAPE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2708, 12 January 1910, Page 7

A NARROW ESCAPE.

AT AUCKLAND RIFLE RANGE

There was a rather narrow escape of a serious accident at the Penrose rifle range while the Auckland Rifle Association’s annual championship meeting was in progress. A shootist had just risen from the mound after firing his seven shots at the 500 yards range, -and was stepping down to join the group of men who were watching the proceedings behind him, when his rifle suddenly went off, and a bullet suddenly plunged into the earth perilously near to the crowd of riflemen and spectators ranged along the back. When taking part in a match it is a fairly frequent happening for a marksman to put in an eighth cartridge, forgetful of the number of shots Tie has fired, and it is the duty of the man scoring behind him to tell him when his seven shots have been recorded. It is always an understood rule on the range, however, that a rifleman shall throw out shell or cartridge before rising from the mound. In this case the shootist had put in an eighth cartridge, and forgotten to take it out. the gun going off in his hand as lie walked back amongst the crowd. A meeting of the executive committee was at once held, and, after a lengthy consideration, it was decided to withhold the usual disqualification, and let the offender off with a reprimand.