RIFLE-SHOOTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15497, 2 January 1914, Page 7

RIFLE-SHOOTING.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. " • ANNUAL MEETING OPENED. SOME REMARKABLE SCORING. Ideal weather conditions prevailed yesterday when the 40th annual and Exhibition meeting of the Auckland. Bifle Association, which is to be continued to-day to-mor-row, was commenced at the Penrose Rifle Range. It is doubtful whether there has ever been such a representative gathering of marksmen oft the range, and it was stated that there were present men who constituted the very best.of New Zealand rifle shots. That the meeting is no ordinary one is evident from the fact that the number of'entries total 231, which is nearly twice as many as have been recorded at any-previous meeting of the association. Last year there were 120 entries. The prize-money has been increased for this special Exhibition meeting to £700, which is divided into J about 600 prizes. .-'•■'■ •.. ~. / ~.,,-.; .:>"- ;. . " Only two matches -were /completed, the Citizens and the Ponsonby matches, which included firing at 300 yds. HMydfc 800 yds. Of the three distances in the president's -match, rounds were fired off "at 300 and 500yde; the 600 yds .section wfll be got off this morning. Some splendid shooting was done during the day, the 800 yds range appearing to ■be the most popular distance for big scores.

The most remarkable individual feat for the whole day was that performed by Rifleman G-. W. Farley, of the Auckland City Club, who not only obtained the possible at 800 yds, SI 4, 11 .poptammg, scored 24 consecutive bulls before he broke. Such a thins is a rare occurrence, and is evidence of the great nerve and muscle of the shooter. Farley's performance was almost equalled by H. Loveday (Ohura), with 20 consecutive bulls at the same distance. A feature of the match was that the Loveday family between them registered a sequence of 39 '■ bulls," the other membersL. Loveday CWoodville), and the father, G. Loveday (Ohnra)—obtaining 13 and 6 respectively* Other marksmen to obtain the possible at the 800 yds ranee were: P. Bolton (Opaki and J. Cox (B Company 3rd Auckland Regiment). Possibles were also obtained by D. Roots (New Zealand champion in 1911), C Crow. H. Hunt, Sergeant-Major A. J. King. and Caot&ra M. N. Atkinson at 500 yds: and by X. E. Knowles (Taihape) at 300 yds, which is a feat not often performed. Amongst the visiting riflemen some of the most distinguished v^re: Rifleman Root, of Kaponga, New Zealand champion (1911); Quartermaster-Sergeant Loveday. of Woodvilla. Now Zealand champion (1912) ; Rifleman J. James, of Napier, New Zealand champion (19131 Riflemen Geo. Hyde, of Opaki, A. Balli." of Petone, and Jas. Parslow, exNew Zealand champions: Riflemen S. Maren--7.h. L. Loveday, H. L. Chins. H. Pranks. J. James, W. Coi, E. Shaw. C. Simpson, and P. Brown, all of whom have been members of New Zealand Bisley teams in different years. Captain Shepherd was chief ranee officer, and he was assisted by Major Matfiieson (Wellington). Captain Morgan (Wsnganu'), Captain S. Robinson (Tim&ru), Captain G. T. Kretschmar. Lieutenant A. E. Kretgchmar. Lieutenant .T. Ewen, snd Sfc. H. Doughty. EveryliiiriT went off in a satisfactory manner, and in connection with the entries and the arrangement of the programme credit is due to the secretary, Mr, F .T. H. Carrington. The matches will be continued to-day. commencing at 8 a.m. TEAM FOE AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph Association Copyright. Sidhet. January L, The Rifle Association has > received advices confirming the statement that the National Rifle Association of England ia sending a team of 14 me,i to compete in AustraLi. The party will arrive in September. Colonel Barlow will command the team, and Captain .Somerset will be shooting captain,