NATIONAL RIFLE MEETING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22337, 26 February 1938, Page 18

NATIONAL RIFLE MEETING

OPENING MATCHES

FIRED

VISITING MARKSMEN AT

TRENTttAM

SOUTH AFRICANS IN SECOND

PLACE

trassa association tslbgbam.) TRENTHAM, February 23. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association opened at Trentham this morning, when nearly 300 marksmen "egan their first match in a P~«™™£ of rifle shooting extending over ****»*£ The competitors include members of the South African team and two visitors from England, as well as leading riflemen from all parts of the Dominion Before leaving the squadding posts for the firing points, the competitors were welcomed by Colonel F. F. Creswell, a life member of the association, Who is deputising for the .president. Dr. A. B. R. Crawford, of liivereargUl. The association he said was pleased to have the members of Vsouth African team competing and wished them the best of hick. He regretted that the British team was unable to remain for the meeting. _ Additions to the prize announced during the day. C** •£"?? for the meeting have been increased by £ The t0 Enghs 6 h visitors taking part in the meeting are Major P. S. Bapty and W. Webster. Although not a member of the official British team, Webster accompanied the team to Australia and New Zealand. He will be returning to England with the team, which is due to sail from Wellington by the Akaroa on Tues* day, but he intends shooting until he nas to leave Trehtham to join the ship. A Tricky Wind Although the weather was threatening, particularly in the early morning, the day remained fine throughout. Theie was a strong fishtail breeze, which swung from right to left. The marksmen, caught by sudden wind changes, had low sedtes. Experienced men had the best of the conditions, but unless they were quick enough to get their shots away at the correct moment they too were caught. These conditions prevailed for most of the day. The morning light was perfect, but in the afternoon visibility was not quite so good. . The morning was occupied in firing the opening match, seven rounds at 300, 500, and 600 yards. A sterling performance was given by T. Ooodall (Suburbs), who had a score of lp3 for the three ranges. A string of 20 bullseyes was broken by a three with his second shot at 600 yards. Four others finished with 101, but • the cbunt back favoured the South African M. Eksteen, who took second place. A start was made in the afternoon with the first match of the Championship Belt series, Canterbury Match, 10 rounds at 300 and 500 yards. R. Congreve (Old Navals) won the match with 99, dropping one point at 500 yards. The South African, L. Serfontein, finished second with 97. Compulsory service matches and the service championship will be fired to-mor-row. The Results Results:— Opening Match (seven rounds, shots at 300, 500, and 600 yards—£s, T. Guodall (Suburbs), 103 points} £4, B.' Eksteen (South Africa), 101 points; £3, D. Roots (Patea), 101 points; £2 10s each, R. F. Wakefield (Ashhurst), F. Bowes (Auckland City), 101 points each; £2 each, H. J. Whitehead (Kiwi), J. R. Keoghan (Westport), 100 points each; Griffiths (South Africa), 99 Joints, thirty-four received £1 each and 24 10s each.

The B grade was won by N. Anion (Rangitikei), with 99. He receives £B. H. Symon (Alfredton) and F. C. Hodge (Sydenham), with scores of 9D ancf 93 respectively, received £2 each. N. Fletcher (Levin) and C. Falconer (BalcJutha) fillea the first places in the tyro grade. Canterbury Match, 10 rounds at 300 and 500 yards— £5, R. Congreve (Old Navals), 99 points, 1; £4, L. Serfontein (South Africa), 97 points; £3 each, J. I. King (Karori), 97 points, L. S. Hare (Karofi), 90 points; £2 each, D. Roots (Patea), F. H. James (Napier), H. King (Mastertoli), 96 points each. Thirty-four received £1 each, and 24 10s each. . . The B grade was won by N. W. Taylor (Waipukurau), with 94. He receives £3. D. Banks (Kimboltoh) and H. T. Brehandt (OkaWa), Who also made 94, received £2 The leading places in the tyro grade were taken by H. G. Collingwood (Auckland City) and C. Falconet (Balclutha), with 93 and 92 respectively. They received £1 each.