Late start by Tongans
Two Tongan full-bore riflemen at. the Games took up the sport only a month ago—vet one of them shot a possible over 600 yards during competition at West Melton yesterday. Until mid-December, Sesitnani Fenukitau and Ha’angaana Tati had never shot over more than 30 yards, and then only in their jobs as sergeants 'in the Tongan army.
They came to New Zealand on a banana boat, sleeping on the deck, because there was no money to send them any other way. The key figure in Tonga’s shooting history is Mr Wally Oakley, of Hororata, a shooter for more than 50 years, and a former New Zealand champion and Bisley representative.
On a two-year posting for Volunteer Service Abroad last year. Mr Oakley built a range and ritles and ammunition were obtained from New Zealand.
A month ago the two Tongan riflemen had never seen a gun like these being used at the Games. “To see one of them shoot a possible over 600 yards was unbelievable, '* Mr Oakley said.
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Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33446, 30 January 1974, Page 8
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173Late start by Tongans Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33446, 30 January 1974, Page 8
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