RIFLE SHOOTING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22534, 17 October 1938, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING

Smoke Concert Held The annual smoke concert of the United Miniature Rifle Club was held on the club’s range last week. The prizes and trophies won during the season were presented by the president (Mr P.. A. Le Brun). The club was successful in winning the senior grade championship in the Christchurch Miniature Rifle Associations winter tournament, and F. Hodge was the winner of the Pimm senior aggregate cup. ‘The club's championship series resulted:— Senior championship. F. Hodge; junior championship, V. Toomey: president s grade championship, L. Hutton. Club News The Celtic Ladies’ Miniature Rifle conducted a fair exchange competition for the Kearn trophy last week, the winner being Miss M. Wall. r . . . S Nelson, the winner of the Christchurch Defence Club’s two-range competition, was in good form at-Tal Tapu on Saturday. His score card read SM yards, 3-5555554455; 500 yards, 44-5d55554555. * jj Keir, the well-known Canterbury marksman, headed the scratch men at Tai Tapu on Saturday. His total of 97 off the rifle was made up as fo 11°ws :—3OO y am?. 44-5455545555; 500 yards, 44-5554555555. Keir has been three times club champion of the Christchurch Club and won the Canterbury title in 1928, 1929, and 1932. The Redcliffs rifle range will present a busy scene next Saturday. Two new defence clubs, the British (25th) Legion, the Legion of Frontiersmen, and also the Sydenham Defence Club will be holding competition shoots. In order to relieve the congestion on the range, the Christchurch Defence Club’s three-range competition which was set down for that date will now be fired at Tai Tapu. In reply to a correspondent, the winners of the Christchurch Miniature Rifle Association’s senior championship since the inauguration of the association are given below: —1916, Railway Reserve: 1917, Railway Reserve: 1918, Railway Reserve; 1919, Railway Reserve: 1920, Crown Brewery; 1921, Ward’s Brewery; 1922. Crown Brewery; 1923, Railway; 1924, Sydenham: 1925. Railway: 1926, Sydenham: 1927. Sydenham; 1928, Railway; 1929. Sumner-Redcliffs; 1930, Cashmere; 1931, Cashmere: 1932. Sydenham; 1933. Sumner-Redcliffs: 1934, United; i 1935, Sumner-Redcliffs: 1936, Christchurch; 1937, Marist; 1938, United. Fixtures October 22—Christchurch Defence Club’s first three-range competition, at Tai Tapu, October 22—Sydenham Defence Club s three-range competition, at Redcliffs. October 22—British (25th) Legion, and Legion of Frontiersmen Defence Clubs’ competition shoots at Redcliffs. December 26—Canterbury Rifle Meeting, at Redcliffs. . March 2, March 8, 1939—National Rifle, Meeting, at Trentham. *

.—# SNIPER PLATOONS FORMED SUPPORT FROM CLUBS . [By BULLSEYI] Twelve sniper platoons, one for each infantry regiment, are to be formed in New Zealand after a suggestion by the Defence Department to the National Rifle Association, which is fostering the idea. A platoon will comprise 20 men and will be attached to and trained by a rifle club. Already several members of the Taranaki clubs have signified their, intention of joining the platoon at New Plymouth. The following proposals for the formation of special sub-units have been drawn up:—(1) Riflemen to volunteer as territorials for special duty In sniper platoons, rifle clubs to do the recruiting and to vouch for the marksmanship of the members who volunteer. (2) Snipers are to be issued free with the 1914 pattern rifle, which was used during 1916-18 as a sniper rifle fitted with a telescopic sight. . The army will provide service telescopic sights on the basis of four to each platoon for training in peace, and the rifles before being issued will be put iq first-class condition by the armourers. An annual sniper course of six days will be held at the army school, Trentham, for selected snipers either before or immediately after the annual National Rifle Association meeting. Snipers attending the course as territorials will receive free travelling facilities. 12s a day pay. and camp allowance. They will wear the territorial uniform and possibly a special distinguishing badge. It is also intended that snipers should assist whenever possible with the coaching of the territorial unit. Christchurch Defence Club The Christchurch Defence Rifle Club fired its first two-range competition at Tai Tapu on Saturday. With the exception of a dull light for sighting, weather conditions were ideal and the shooting throughout was of a high standard. The conditions were two optional sighters and 10 shots at 300 and 500 yards. The following are the results:—

R. Weston. 46, 49, scr—9s: H. Harries, 47, 48. scr—9s: R. Neill, 48, 47. scr—9s; F. Hiscock, 48. 47, scr—9s; F. Judkins, 43, 47, 5—95; J. Chapman. 48, 46, 1—95; E. Graham. 44. 45, 6—95; H. Mason, 44, 49, 1—94; D. Harries. 47, 47, scr—94; D. McKenzie, 40, 48, 5—93; H. Jones. 47, 46. scr—--93; F. Matthews, 43, 46. 4—93: R. Hodge, 42. 46. 5—93; F. Hodge, 45. 46. 1—92; C. Thom. 43. 46. 3—92; M. Judkins, 43, 47, 1 —9l; E. Truman, 41, 49, scr—9o; A. Halmshaw, 42, 40 4—86; J. Sugg, 40, 38, 7—85; J. WiUocks, 36, 42, 6—84; W. Thom; 31, 44, 5 80,

KAIAPOI DEFENCE CLUB The Kaiapol Defence Rifle Club fired its second handicap cup ..competition on Sst- t urday afternoon, the conditions being seven shots at 300, 500, and .600 yards. The following were the leading scores:— - . 300 yds 500 yds 600 yds Hep. Tl.

300yds 500yds Hep. Tl. S. Nelson .. 48 49 4 . 100 R. Rundle .. 47 48 5 100 A. Washbourne .. 46 48 4 98 D. Keir .. 48 49 scr 97 A. Bruning .. 47 49 1 97 W. Hamilton .. 47 48 2 97 J. Biggs .. 44 48 5 97 D. Murray .. 47 49 scr 96 G. Crimp .. 48 48 scr 96 D. Fraser .. 44 46 6 96

H. Martyn 33 33 32 scr se G. Stark 30 32 32 2 96 A. Green 30 31 33 1 S3 H/ Edwards .. 30 33 32 scr 95 C. Green 29 31 28 7 95 G. Winter 23 31 28 7 94 J. Ball 32 31 26 4 93 R. Fendall 31 32 26 1 90 F. Beal 27 30 23 3 ' 85 J. Bryden 30 28 25 1 84