Section 51. Marksmanship and merit prizes

1. To encourage marksmanship,
  the governor is authorized to offer annually:
    a. a state decoration to those who shall excel in small arms practice;
    b.  a  prize  not  exceeding  three  hundred  dollars  in  value,  for
  competition  among  the units of the New York national guard and the New
  York naval militia armed with the rifle;
    c. a prize not exceeding one hundred dollars in value for  competition
  among the units armed with the rifle (1) not forming part of or attached
  to  a  brigade  or  division of the New York army national guard; (2) of
  each brigade and division of the New York army national  guard;  (3)  of
  the New York air national guard and (4) of the New York naval militia.
    2.  The  governor may also offer annually three prizes of the value of
  one  hundred  dollars,   seventy-five   dollars   and   fifty   dollars,
  respectively,  to  be  awarded  to  the three companies or corresponding
  units of the organized militia having  the  highest  general  figure  of
  merit  (1) in organizations not forming part of or attached to a brigade
  or division of the New York army national guard; (2) in each brigade  or
  division  of  the  New York army national guard; (3) in the New York air
  national guard; and (4) in the New York naval militia.
    3.  The  governor  may  also  in  his  discretion   provide   suitable
  decorations and prizes for proficiency in practice with other small arms
  and with light and heavy weapons.
    4.  All  such  prizes  and  decorations  shall  be  competed for under
  regulations issued pursuant to this chapter.