RIFLE SHOOTING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22344, 7 March 1938, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING

NOTES AND COMMENTS [By BULLSEYE] Fixtures March 12—Christchurch Defence Club’s fifth two-range competition (500 and 600 yards), at Tai Tapu. March 19—Christchurch Defence Club’s third long-range competition (800 and 900 yards), at Tai Tapu. April 2—Classification shoot at Redcliffs. April 15-18—Otago Rifle Association’s Easter championship meeting, at Dunedin. Christchurch Defence Club The Christchurch Defence Rifle Club fixed its fourth two-range competition at Redcliffs on Saturday. A fresh, variable wind tested the skill of marksmen, particularly at the opening range, although in several instances some outstanding scores were recorded. The conditions were two optional sighters and 10 shots at 300 and 500 yards. Following is the result:—

D. Murray. 46 . 46. scr—92; H. Harries. 46, 46. scr—92; H. Jones, 47, 43. 2—92; H. Reynolds. 41. 46 4—91: D. Keir, 46. 45. scr—9l; R. Rundle. 42. 44, 5—91: W. Hamilton. 44. 44. 2—90; G. Crimp, 44, 45, scr—--89; C. Malzard, 40 44. 5—89; M. Judkins, 46, 42, 1—89; A. Bruning. 42. 45. 1—88; J. Willocks, 40. 40, 7—87; J. Biggs, 36, 39, 12 —B7; D. Baker, 39, 42, 3—84; J. Sugg, 36, 36 , 6—78. Sydenham Defence Club The Sydenham Defence Rifle Club fired its ninth and final competition at Redcliffs on Saturday. Conditions were tricky at the outset, but later improved and some excellent scores were recorded at the 600 yards range. The conditions were 10 shots at 300 yards, and 11 shots at 600 yards; with optional sighters at each distance.

H. Gillum. 44, 48. 5-95; K. PouUien. «. 52. 2—95; P. Jack. 41, 48, 5—94; C. Thom, 45, 45, 2—92; P. Le Brun. 42, 45, A. Webb, 39. 46. 4—89; P. Morgan, 44, 41. 2—87; R. Hodge. 40, 43 ’ 4 ’ 43, 4—86; R. Ball, 38, 39 , 6—83, W. Tur ner, 36, 35, 9 —Bo. Jottings With a score of 92 °ff the rifle, S Nelson won the Christchurch Defence Club s fourth two-range competition at Keacliffs on Saturday. His score card read. 300 yards. 5545544353; 500 y ardh - 34 ' 5555545555. E. Truman scored a possible at 300 yards, while R. Weston and J. Chapman scored 49 and 48 respectively. Their score cards read: Truman, 4-5555555555; Weston, 5555555554; Chapman, 4-5455455555. At 500 yards A. Halmshaw and F. Hiscock both registered the good score of 48. their score cards reading; Halmshaw, 5555554545; Hiscock. ° 4 The s4 sec s ond Oakes Shield challenge match for the present season between Ashburton (the holder) and Christchurch (the challenger) has been tentatively fixed lor March 26. . . _ , P Riches, who is having his first season with the .303. won the Sydenham Defence Club’s ninth competition at Redcliffs on Saturday. His score card read. 300 yards. 44-3455545454; 600 yards. 4 -54555554544. J. McCarthy, S. O. Hay. A Barker, and R. Poulsen were the leading marksmen at 600 >' a rd s ■ , cards read: —McCarthy, 2-54554555555, JHaj , r.5555555535; Barker, 44-45455555545; Poulscn. 34-55555555525. . The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary prize meeting of the National Rifle Association of New South Wales will Ro down in rifle shooting history, not only as the greatest competition of its kind the Empire l\as known, but as the most successful. , , The Auckland team showed good torm in the service series at the sesquicentenarv matches of the National Rifle Association of New South Wales. The team won the "Phillips" service match, and also the "Heritage” Tiles match. As a result of the former success, the Dudley Cup has crossed the Tasman for the first time since it was given by Lord Dudley many years ago.

King’s Prize Final

The thrilling struggle for the King's Prize at the Sommerville range at Trentham, and which will long be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to see it, resulted in a win tor Colonel R, Bodley. the captain of the South African touring rifle .team, who defeated D. Roots, of Patea, by two points, Roots and E. M. Wrigley (Opaki) each finished with the same total, and m the shoot-off for second place. Roots won. As the Ballinger Belt may not be taken out of New Zealand, this historic trophy will be held by Roots, who assumes the title of New Zealand champion. Colonel Bodley’s name will be Inscribed on the belt. ... . . The King’s Prize match, which consists of 10 shots at 900 yards, was the culmination of a week's strenuous shooting. The score made in this match is added to the competitor's aggregate score in the qualifying matches, and the man with the highest aggregate becomes the holder of the championship rifle belt. The rules governing the match state that the holder must be a member of the New Zealand Defence Forces. The final resulted: —

Colonel R. Bodley (South Africa), 4-5453454445—43. 512 .. 1 D. Roots (Patea), 44—5544454543^—43. 510 2 E. M. Wrigley (Opaki). 54-4555534455

45 510 W. N.’Masefield (Blenheim), 54545444455

—45, 508 .. •• H. A. Lumsden (Hautere), 5545454555 — 47, 507 The King’s Prize Winner

Born 60 years ago, Colonel Bodley comes of English parents who settled in South Africa, taking up land in the Eastern Province. He served in the Boer War as a private, and the decorations he wears include ribbons of the King’s Medal with two clasps and that of the Queens Medal with six clasps. He served with the Kafrarain Rifles, and was one of three men selected from each of the colonial regiments to form Lord Roberts’s bodyguard. He served in the East African campaign during the Great War with the rank of captain. Long volunteer service also stands to the credit of Colonel Bodley. Colonel Bodley has been away with every South African touring rifle team since 1905, and he was captain of the team which participated in the Olympic Games in 1912 and in 1920.

KAIAPOI CLUB The Kaiapoi Defence, Rifle Club held its fifth handicap cup competition on Saturday afternoon, the conditions being 11 shots at 300 yards and 10 shots at 500

MINIATURE RIFLES RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CLUB The annual general meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Miniature Rifle Club was held recently, with the president (Mr H. Fleck) presiding. The report and balancesheet, which were adopted, showed that the club was in a strong posiiton, both financially and in membership, and a successful season was assured. The following officers were elected;— Patron, Major J. P. Oakes; president, Mr H Fleck; vice-presidents, Messrs A. L. Emerson. P. Le Brun. R. Stringer. A. W. Mewton, J. S. Chisholm. H. W. Wilkinson, B. O. Priddis, and F. Curtis; club captain, Mr H. Grade; secretary. Mr R. Erikson: assistant secretary, Mr A. Baldwin; committee, Messrs R. Dobson. P. Riches. C. Farley. A. Johnson. N. Blyth. and A. Pennelly; armourer, Mr K. Erikson: delegates to Christchurch Miniature Rifle Association, Messrs D. A. Russell and

A. Sligo: target judges. Messrs R. Dobson and A. Johnston; handicapper, Mr P. Riches; representatives to the Returned Soldiers’ Association Executive, Messrs H. W. Mewton, J. S. Chisholm, A. L. Emerson, and H. W. Wilkinson; coaches, Messrs N. Blyth and K. Erikson; selectors, Messrs P. Riches, N. Blyth. and K. Erikson. Motions of sympathy were passed with the relatives of Mr W. S. Wharton, former president of the Christchurch Miniature Rifle Association, and the Rev. F. T. Read, recently a member of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association. It was decided to open the season on April 11, and also to arrange for friendly matches with the various social branches of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Cashmere Club The annual general meeting of the Cashmere Miniature Rifle Club was held last week, with the president (Mr J. H. Williams) presiding. The season had been a very successful one, said the report, and although a considerable sum had been expended upon improvements to the range, the club was in a strong financial position. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected;— Patron, Mr A. J. Derbidge; president, Mr J. H. Williams: vice-presidents, Mrs C. L. Clark, Messrs W. C. Large, L. F. Tisdall, G. Peek, W. Reay, C. Hunter, F. C. Hogarth. W. J. Gobb, S. Hunsley. F. O. Clark, J. Chapman, A. O. Martin, F. Judkins, D. McDonald. A. N. Turner, P. Le Brun, W. Morris, W. Barrett, P. Cole, H.

Large, R. Hitchings, J. A. Robb. E. E. Wiltshire, and A. E. Tongue: dub captain, Mr D. McDonald: vice-captain. Sir R. H. Neill: secretary. Mr F. W. Lee: assistant secretary. Mr G. Pierson: treasurer. Mr A. Craw; auditor, Mr G. Naylor: committee. Messrs J. L. Ragg. R. Taylor, sir. Betteridge. F. Haworth, R. McCreanor. W. Stenhouse, and G. Naylor: selectors. Messrs D. McDonald, J. L. Ragg. and F. W. Lee: checkers, Messrs Ragg. Taylor, and Lee; handicapper, Mr R. H. Neill: delegates to Christchurch Miniature Rifle Association, Messrs J. L. Ragg. D. McDonald, and B. H. Neill.

300yds 500yds Hep. Tl. s. Nelson .. 43 49 5 97 E. Truman .. 50 47 scr 97 R. Weston .. 49 47 1 97 A. Halmshaw .. 45 48 3 96 J. Chapman .. 48 46 2 96 R. Neill 46 49 scr 95 F. Hiscock .. 46 48 scr 94 D. Harries .. 47 47 scr 94 H. Mason .. 46 47 1 94 A. Washbourne .. 43 45 5 93

Following is the result To. 300yds 600yds Hep. P. Riches .. 46 51 5 102 S. O. Hay .. 45 53 scr 98 V. Brown .. 43 49 6 98 J. McCarthy .. 44 53 scr 97 A. Barker .. 45 52 scr 97 S. Parks .. 47 50 scr 97 B. Dempsey H. Barker .. 39 .. 46 49 50 9 scr 97 96 F. Hodge .. 44 51 scr 95 W. Tritt .. 45 50 scr 95

yards. The following were the leading scores. 300yds 500yds Hep. Tl. A. Green .. 49 48 8 103 J. • Tait .. 45 40 12 97 C. Green .. 40 42 14 96 J. Ball .. 47 45 3 95 R. Fendall .. 48 46 1 95 H. Edwards .. 50 44 scr 94 F. Bryden .. 47 46 1 94 G. Stark .. 46 43 4 93 J. Bryden .. 45 47 scr 92