RIFLE SHOOTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 126, 10 March 1936, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING.

THE NATIONAL MEETING. FARLEY WINS TRENTHAM AGGREGATE. TRENTHAM, March 9. Heavy , rain, put a stop to shooting half-way through the afternoon at the national rifle meeting at Trentham to-day. Soon after the marksmen went down at the firing points in the early afternoon for the last short range match of the championship belt series, rain commenced to fall, and the las men to shoot in this match had to fire in a steady downpour, against which overcoats and ground sheets offered little protection. The original intention was to fire the service championship in the late afternoon, but as a result of the enforced curtailment of the day’s programme, this event has been postponed until Wednesday liioining. Aii the short range matches in the championship belt series were finished to-day, and to-morrow themarksmen will move back to the long ranges .to fire their matches at Buo and 900 yards. Although conditions were far from good, the general standard of markmanship in the Wellington match was high. Throughout the morning there was a dull light, aud a variable right breeze required careful watching. Just before the luncheon adjournment the wind developed into a rear fish tail, which twisted in and out down the range. Judging the wind imposed a severe test on the most experienced marksmen. Shortly after the commencement of the afternoon’s shooting, steady rain set in, which made sighting difficult. Conditions became progressively worse, and after the completion of the Hawke’s Bay match there was no alternative hut to cease shooting for the dayi, I'oV by that time the driving rain was washing the spotters off the targets.

Possibles were made at the 500 yards range by A. A. Ford (Invercargill), S. Roebuck (New Plymouth), J. H. Macdonald (Alfredton), L. E. Braithwaito (Okawa), M. Jones (Wanganui), A. Tombs (Blenheim), S. Hi. Haraldsen (Na r pier), and A. R. Simons (Okawa). The only marksman to make a possible at. tlie 600 yards range was C. Whiteman (Upper Hutt). With the completion of the four

short range belt matches, the Trentham aggregate was compiled. This was won by J. E. Farley (Wanganui), with 238 out of a possible 250. W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), and F. Hiscock (Christchurch), each with scores of 237, occupied second and third places respectively. Although the Trentham aggregate is optional for competitors, all the leading men in the belt matches were entered for it. The aggregate is therefore equivalent to the list of leaders for the King’s Prize. Results:— WELLINGTON MATCH (10 rounds at 500 and 600 yards). £5—W. J. Mclver (f’etone) 97. £4—A. A. Ford (Invercargill) 97. £3 each—S. Roebuck (New' Plymouth) 97, C. Whiteman (Upper Hutt) 96. .£2 each—N. D. Stew r art (Matamata) 96, N. Hiscock (Christchurch) 96, J. H. Macdonald (Alfredton) 96, D. Holland (Kaponga) 95. The B grade was won by F. Hlclnnbotham (Christchurch) with 96, winning £3. HAWKE’S BAY MATCH (10 rounds at 600 yards). £5—F. J. Jeune (Gisborne) 49. £3 10s each—W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) 48, H. H. King (Karori) 47, A. J. Obson (Dunedin) 47, S. A. S. Elliott (Akarana) 47. The B grade was won by J. Norris (Whangarei) with 47, and he takes £3. TRENTHAM AGGREGATE (for the biggest scores in Canterbury, Otago, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington matches). £5 and B.S.A challenge Cup—J. E. Farley (Wanganui) 238. £4 —W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) 237. £3—F. Hiscock (Christchurch) 237. £2 each—H. Lane (Karori) 235, W. J. Mclver (Petone) 235. £1 each—S. Roebuck (New Plymouth) 234, F. H. James (Napier) 233, A. H. O’Donnell (Petone) 233, F. Hickinbotham (Christchurch) 232, H. A. Cromie (Ashburton) 232, A. R. Symons (Okawa) 232, D. S. McKenzie (Opaki) 232, D. F. Keir (Christchurch) 232, S. Pruden (New Plymouth) 232, A. W. Harris (Auckland City 231.