Scovt, the report. of the Bisley Mveting which was published in our issteon Wednesday considerable stress was laid upon the fact that the ammunition used was made specially for that meeting and that it was only from a month to six weeks' old: yet a bad cartridge was the subject of much trouble and annoyance in the most important individual event of the meeting. But the fact that such extreme measures were taken to ensure satisfactory results ix a subject for congratulation to all concerned. ordinary practice a bad cartridge is wot a serious drawback, as an experienced shot can tell beyond all doubt. if miss is registered for an effort which should have secured a valuable hit and, moreover, an instructor recognizes with equal certainty the peculiar hollow report given by a really bad cartridge Such sounds, disconcerting to the ritleman and to the instructor, though the latter from commendable motives may make light of a query directed to him io connexion with the subject, are frequently heard on the Shanghai Rifle Range, and the only surprise which can be felt is that they are not more frequent when the circumstances are examined. The ammunition on sale to members of theS. V.C. is seven years old and the price charged is $6"per hundred. It ix said_ that the cost to th Muncipal Council works out at about $6.50; and as every efficient volunteer is entitled to 150 rounds at $4.50 there is a loss in the supply. But though no fault can be found lu calls, it is open t" question whether the Hongkong authorities show as much consideration as might be expected. Hongkong is loaded up wilt large soply of the sepics munition mani for use in the Boer War, and Hongkong is anxious, no doubt, to dispose of as much as possible to Shanghai or any other good customer who will take over the stuff at cost price; the original relegation of 30,000 rounds to Shanghai was, therefore, in the nature of a contract which was too favourable to be neglected, Tt appears, however, that the He kong Volunteers are able to obtain a supply of the 1906 manufacture, or wereable for the last Interport shooting. Perhaps it was a material advantage and undoubtedly it wonll he a cause of satisfaction tothe Shanghai Volunteers, if @ moderate amount of ammunition recently manufactured were provided for the most important competitions, The question of obtai of modern firms has been gone into exhansti extreme precautions essential in view of the Anti-Monarchists and China to procure snpand ammunition, are present an insuperable barrier. Shanghai, therefore, finds it expedient to obtain supplies from Hongkong.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.