RIFLE SHOOTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 265, 8 November 1935, Page 15

RIFLE SHOOTING.

SERVICE PRACTICE. ANNIVERSARY DAY MEETING. (By SPOTTER.) The local clubs were engaged in practice under service conditions on Saturday. The programme carried out was that laid down for the N.R.A. meeting to be held at Trentham in March next. In order to assist riflemen entering for the military meeting on the 16th inst., service ritles issued from the armoury were used. The shooting generally was not of a high standard, although the conditions were favourable. Apart from a 40 on the snapshooting target by F. Bowes, who was top for the day, there were no outstanding hits. The leading service shots in the City Club held their positions at the top of the list, viz., Clark, Simmonds, I. Spry, Parkinson, Bowes and Devore. The City Club have held the Hallyburton Johnstone Cup for three years in succession. Five men are required to represent the club at the military meeting, and a difficult task has been set the selector to make his final choice. The Royal New Zealand Air Force were only one point behind the City Club last year, and will no doubt be hot on the for premier honours this year. AUCKLAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION. The Auckland Rifle Association's programme for the championship of the Auckland province, to be decided at Penrose on Anniversary Day, January 29 next, was finalised at a meeting of the executive held on Thursday night last. It is as follows:—Service match, 10 shots! rapid at 300 yards, president's match, 10 shots at 300; Whangarei match, sevenj shots at 500 and seven shots at 600 yards; I Onehunga match, 10 shots at 800, and the Auckland match, 10 shots at 900 yards. The Penrose optional aggregate will be the aggregate score over ranges of 300, 600 and 900 yards.

The championship will be comprised of the total scores made in the president's, Whangarei, Onehunga and Auckland matches. Only ammunition issued by the association will be allowed. The prize list has been improved on last year, particularly in the tyro section. Regulation sand and grey targets will be used up to 600 yards, and black and white at 800 and 900 yards. A lighting target will be provided at 300 yards in order that competitors with new barrels, etc., will have an opportunity of finding the elevation of their rifle before starting in the competition. A smallj charge will be made for this service to pay for the marker. The usual catering arrangements will be available. MILITARY MEETING. Penrose range on Saturday afternoon does not present the animated sight that one would expect in view of the approaching military rifle meeting on the 16th and 23rd inst. What a contrast in the shooting spirit between the old volunteers and to-day, with an event such as the above near at hand, when officers, N.C.O.'s and men would be keenly contesting their inclusion in the teams to represent their respective companies. With the facilities provided and the good ammunition now on issue one wonders what is the reason for this apparent lack of interest in musketry. When I joined the army and was taking my first lessons on how to take aim I was told by the instructor that the only "fine sight" in the army was "two dinners on one plate." That, of course, was over 20 years ago, but if he dared to give the modern version he probably would say it would be to see the territorial officers attending musketry parades and fostering the team spirit amongst their men.