PUBLIC OPINION.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6300, 29 September 1915, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION.

Our Rifle Range.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Now that definite action i? ! being takei by the Public Works Department en the railway works near Sulphur Point, i.nd in view of nearir.g Irdustnal activity in this vicinity by a large timber company, I consider that the existing Rifle Range should be shifted. From a ahootist's point of view this range is in a ridiculous and dangerous situation, for the following reasons: 1 —The length of the range ia only GfJO ysnls an.j extension is impossible. All ranges should be mads up to 1000 yards. 2—Tauvanga is r.otei! for its sunshine—morning or evening, one shoots into the sun. , o—The targets are on t&o £ky line. A horse on a racund or hill grazing on the sky line looks like an elephant at ! 1000 yards. In war time troops are ! specially warned to beware of sky lir.es. 4 —Admitted, the ord r "Cease Fire" ia given when ships pasa by day. These small craft are. getting more numerous, ar.d many a doubtful glance is direcUd towards tlie range where the red 11 ao denote? danger, and the rifle's whip crack sounds unpleasant. Ricochets s-re uncertain, and the anxious helmsman knows it. Moreuvtr. considerable loss ox the marksman's time ensues?, whilst the craft pass from tho danger zone. Ai;d. is this danger zone zcshusSy maintained?

s—The5 —The Range is subject to tha extremity of the winds that blow, and seldom dees one get the mirage bobbing. In few ranges in N.Z. is more windage allowed than here, on the average. The prevailing winds are side blows, and the north wind causes fish tails —all most difficult for the mark3man.

Certain difficulties are essential to test marksmanship and varying conditions are welcomed, but extremities are undesirable. 1 do not maintain cooped conditions as though shooting through a tub?. Any rsnge should be j constructed out ot a town and the public should not be subjected to undue risk. The butts should be built into a \ ill and 1000 yards allowed. The rifle-* man will say—all very well, but find us another range. As matters aro st present this is plainly becoming a matter for the Government: and surely in Tauranga, with its green fields and undulating country, a suitable and more pleasant site could be located three or four miles out. Now, if ever, is the best time to secure a site, as patriotism runs high and no fanner -or landowner would j object to a range on his property pro- I vided hi 3 conditions were honoured and nominal compensation allowed. There is ample cleared Maori land available in the vicinity of Tauranga, and little or nothing is being done to it. Could not a site be picked from a portion of this land?

1 understand the sawmill proposed at Sulphur Point will be amongst the largest aad most up to date in New Zealand, and at no distant date, if ths Government will shift the range, I prophesy that the best portion of this point will be required for industrial purposes.—l Km, etc , J. C. YOUNG. Tauranga, Sept 23rd, 19] 5.