RIFLE SHOOTING.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15767, 7 December 1916, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING.

COMPETITION AT EAKAIA. AN INTERESTING GATHERING. Yesterday a shooting match, in connexion with No. 32 Company of Cadets. Ashburton District, was hold at Rakaia. The match was fired under Service conditions, and tho weather wue "warm, but not unpleasant. It was a ten rounds shoot. The winner turned -Hip in Cadet J.- O'Sullivan, with a ecorc of 3S, 31 of which wero off tho rifle. Tho best performance was put up by Corporal G. Shannon on scratch, with a ecore of 37 out of a possible '40. Tho following cornPrised the first ten: — Score. Hn. Tl. Cadet J. O'Sullivan ._ 34 1 38 Corpl. G. Shannon ... 37 — 37 Sergt. D. Brcrwn .. 36 — 36 Cadet V. Ford ... 31 — 3t Cadet W, Hooper .... 32 2 31 Cadet A. Mead .... 33 — 33 Scrgt. W. "Wilkinson ~ 3-2 — 32 Cadet B. Timings .. 32 — 33 Cadet A. Watts ... 31 — 81. Cadet J. Fagan 23 3 31 After the shootiug match, an interesting fathering took place at the residence of the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C. On tho tennis court adjoining th* company was first photographed, and' then put through some evolutions by Sergeant-Major G. Au inspection of the parade was made by Lieut. d'A. S. L. Grut, who is in charge the Ashburton district. There was an attendance of a good number of Itokaia residents, to show .their interest in the Cadets. The .Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, addressing the lads, impressed on them tho value of strict diecipdino. li they meant is be of uso in the world, to mako their influence ashmen felt, thev'must first learn to obey in'order to learn "to command. As pne who had been very fond of the old School Cadets, he was eorry that tho system had been abolished. H<i "had always f-edt oroud of the boys when he aaw them at drill, and he had been toM by schoolmasters that to find a school with good discipline one -had only to find a school where the Cadet system obtained. Hetfuet- : ed the time was not far distant when it would again be introduced in the New Zealand schools.» Many people thought when' wo had cadet drill that we had 'too much militarism, but recent events had shown tho necessity of being prepared and the value I of a standing: army. That afternoon they had met for the purpose of presenting to tho I successful Cadets the shooting prizes which j they had won. Those would be an incentive j to the company t» persevere, and for each . man to make himself capable of defending ' his country. In the battle of life all did not gain prizes, there were 'bom© blanks, but he was sure those wiio had not won at shooting this year would mako a great effort next year. Tho Gcdley Cup, which for r th* yaa? ending May 313t, 1916, was won by Cadet J. D. T. Cornelius, was presented by Mrs J. Penny, A medal accompanied the Challenge Cup. ' Tho Rev. W. T. Todd urged the Cadete to live up to the g* ca t name made by their comrades, the Anzaos at the front .They should bo modest, courteous, and courageous. Mr Hardy then asked Mrs Orley to oresent the cup which he had given oe a prize for the match shot off that day, and won by Cadet John O'Sullivan. Mrs Blakiston presented Corporal G. Shannon with the medal for second prize. Sergeant-Major Willers stated that the shooting that day of the first year GoUcts had been exceptionally good—distinctly abova tbo average. Tho Rev. E. N Blakiston related some of his experiences with the old Snider rifle, end urged the Cadets, if they wished to become marksmen, to avoid smoking and drinking. Lieutenant d'A. S. L. Grut apologised for some of the lads not, being in. uniform. There had been difficulty in getting the j cloth, because of the needs o£ tho Lrpedu- l tionary Force. He stated that the Teports of the Rakaia Company, wero invariably good and better than some in Ufcj area. He impressed on the Cadets tits necessity of being uniformly courteous, especially to elderly people and to ladies, also they should be particularly cr.rcful to honour their King. Mr Hardy gave for distribution buttons showing Lord Kitchener. Afternoon tea was then dispensed'. Eater on Lieutenant Grut thanked Mr Hzrdy f»r the pleasant function, and the gathfrina' broke up after singing the National Anthem.