N.Z. GUN CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 188, 9 August 1924, Page 3 (Supplement)

N.Z. GUN CLUBS.

SPARROW CHAMPIONSHIPS.

A RECORD MEETING.

The New Zealand Sparrow Championship was decided at Soekbum yesterday (says the Christchurch "Press" of Thursday) in dismal weather. Throughout the day a heavy wind swept across the ground, while rain fell intermittently. The light was bad and several of the competitors had great difficulty in sighting the birds. Under the circumstances the shooting was of a particularly high standard, for at the conclusion of the 21 rounds, five competitors tied with 16 , birds each to their credit. These were: i R. S. Taylor (Christchurch). who won, the live bird championship on Saturday, | F. Whittle (Stratfoid), L. Gorton > (Southland), T. Parker (Napier) and I J. Hickenbottom (Rangiora). These competitors decided to divide the prizemoney. In the shoot-off for the championship medal Taylor was eliminated in the first round, Hickenbottom in the fourth, Parker in the sixth and Whittle in the seventh, thus leaving Gorton the winner. The early rounds gave little indication of the final result, the shooting being most erratic. For the first eight rounds Dr..Raynor (Auckland) displayed excellent form in securing his bird each. time. As an indication of the inconsistency of the shooting, the figures indicated that out of the fifty-seven competitors, a record for the championship, only ten had hit both birds at the end of the' second round. After the third round Dr. Kaynor, A. Turner, J. Hickenbottom, H. Clinch and B. Burgess remained in the unbeaten section, while in the' sixth Dr. Raynor alone had hit all his birds, with E. 'Groome. D. Watson, J. Hickenbottom and H. Cinch recording one miss each. In round eight Dr. Raynor recorded a miss and thereafter his luck turned. Groome and Hickenbottom, and then Whittle and Hickenbottom held the leading positions, with R. S. Taylor. L. Gorton and T. Parker close up. The final round resulted in five tieing, and in the shoot-off I/. Gorton won the championship gold medal. The entries were a record, and despite the unfavourable weather the meeting was efficiently controlled, the officials responsible being: Referee, Mr. A. Falls; scorer, Mr. G. W. Ormandy; secretary, Mr. A. N. Turner. At the conclusion a sweepstake competition was held, and resulted in a tie between E. Groome (Napier) and R. H. Gray (Palmerston North) and L. Moffat (Christchurch). The following are the scores in the New Zealand Sparrow Championship:—

L Gorton (Auckland) 110011000122111211----111—16 pold medal and £15 lfi/ ... T F. Whittle (Stratford) oaOo2-21111110121-T. Parker (Na pier)' 126261010202221211211

—IC, £15 16/ ■• J Hickennottom (Ransiora) 122201U101----niefrauo—lβ. £15 16/ R S Taylor (Christrhnrc!) lOllOiO'-MlOl--202111211—16, £15 16/

The following were the remaining scores: W. Cliisnnll (Christelinrrii) 15. E. Rroome, (Napier) 15, E. P. Graham (Dnnedin) IS. F T> McLnchllin (Stratford) 15. A. Dobson (Vurklnnd) 14. L. P. Hushes (Auckland) 14. It R Mdlwrli'k (Timaru) 14. R. M. r,rar (Palmerston North) 14. W. Parsons (AmhcrIpv) 14 J Simpson (Christ; hurel)) 14. I*Leemon (Ellesmere) 14. E. Hammond rrhristchnroh) 13. W. E! Orant (Timaru) 13i W J. Harris (Invorcarzilll 13. B. Burgess Qlartor) 13. Tit. Knynor (Auckland) "13. H F. Nltz fMnsterton) IS. C. Hickenhottora 12. O. Tate (Christchnrrh) 12. H. Plindi (Horopito) 12. A. Kirn fDnnofiln) 12. P. Watson f.vfasterton) 12. Tt. Arnst (Tal Tanu) 1° F O. Oooppr (Afasterton) 12. A. Tumor (Christrlr.'.rrh) 12. L. McKelrie (Bulls) 11. J. O. Parker (Napier) 11, E. P. Ptpart (Clirl<itrhnr<-h) 11. B- Clinoh rHiiropito) 11. n. Evans (Timaru) 11. P. Mason (rhristfhurrti) 0. P. F. DennVhy (Chri=t--nnnrHi) f> F. Truspott (ChrHirhnrch) S. T. ■Hertiev (Nightcaps) 7, T,. Moffat (Ohrist'■huroli) 7. W. Reed (rhristcl)'-'--h) fi. D. TTope (ChristennTeh) fi. T. J. Henderson CTnatapere) 5. K. I.andsell (I.nmPtlep) 5. C Voice (Christehuroh) 4. F. Preece (ChristPhnrrh) 4. C. E. Turner (Pnneein) 4. D. Vini-p (T.ake?if:el 4. Pearson rSnrinz-■=t-,n) S. J. P. Tiyrne (Mn*:tert-on) S. -O. Pencil fW:i!'.;nto) 3. T Trusrott (Ohristolnirr>h) 3. A. (Christohurrli) 2. M. Pimnson irtirSsreliur.-li) 2. Several of the comprtitors rptire<r.