TRENTHAM RIFLE MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 139, 6 March 1908, Page 4

TRENTHAM RIFLE MEETING.

THE OPENING DAY.

-j 504."ENTRIES... v ' fIESULTS OF YESTERDAY'S SHOOTING. Tho. opening' day* of the riflemen's great carnival/ tho. annual; meeting, of. tho .Newt Zealand Defenco Forces '■ Rifle ''-AisoSationv' v :.--.'. .' 'dawned dull and" grey. Tho auspices as far • as .the weather was- concerned -were .'.depress-' .'. ; Jng - and without promiso. -, ". At about) 7' a.m.: ■. -?- a light drizzlo-was fallings and. tho,hill tops : ;wero draped •. with fleece-s .of .ram-mist: ':i-jv>.lAftpr ' breakfast, 'Midwover,"'.' the'' 'prospect ■■... 'v;brightoned, and betweeniO and 10 a.m.; as v'-fj''the meii' fell mfat'tlioir'." squadding!posts," i j'j.-i-'.J the :wehthor,, although tliill, arid ( was very favourablo for shqoting. 1 - SPEECH BY COLONEL COLLINS , •; . Shortly before 10 :o'clock,< Colonel Collins; . • 1 V.D v Chief Executive Officer on tho range, : . mounted, a ,:bbx in th'q. 'Mgh't. of . th'o, '' squad-. ;'itui:l!Sclfe&ed '.tte- It-was v-'M': his:pleasure, ho said,: to renew,his.acquaint- :■ i ance .with. old friends, and extend a .welcomo .iC^t'L^ne^.-bnes.^-jl^wasVy^-'g^iJfying'itd';'^. l-'4'X'Representative i'gathpring "of.Jrifldinen' on^^:.this'|occasi6nv.ahcl,'on hehalf' ir - of tho .ExeorttiVe Council; -he 1 thilnked: them ;for ;:tKeir;attMiaa®.: Ho wished W.refer.: to from; 1 tho' mwfin'g/qf l.'ono'.-falce;. Regularlv, since 1870 or thereabouts, Arthur Hid'attfendefl ihe i riifeetiiig^s;of tße". wpft . th' 6' .• :• 'i Champion Belt outright.i. Thisrifleman, had : ■ I'/ S?* : nqiv;eonofousl^^c^ji'fcrl thft'Ohampiori Bftlt 1 ,■ ;.' to ■ . the '■ Forces Rifle. r> . lAssOcirttion tor "(Sompotitfoir amiuallv.,': As a' challenge belt; .\Vhich could never bo- won outright (Applause) I V"-'.--:.They.' • note; continued" "Colonel' i iV.Collins,:.that ■ matches 12 and 13 had been ; onnounced- to-bo>fired'. (ls-'tho 'opening .ovent3.* >;■ ■..-.iThis.had.beennii order-.tottry-.tho oxpenment; !,of :;'.' single-mau .' targets; Of - tho success, felt,.^Cohfid"e;it ; j tho co-operation, of the men ho felt sure that X'ilrv-f in;;caxry& system .-nght^hrpiighr^'.v'v v-Further,- tho Executive, had; decided that; I),';.; .as. the iscores in theso .matches (Nos. 12 and $;!'• 'I;??); .wero.'/'cckonfcd ;in : th6: ? .aggr'egattf : fofv tlio = iearns',match,..Volunteers<v. .Rifle Clubs (No, £$& ■ 21)ya[; sep'a'rate. matclr;for ;v-, ho; placed.on tho .programme,-|tpwards tho .close of .tho- meeting,"m which the contest - .would :be h straight-out one:, v... ..The - prize-money for ■ this match, £20, which had been presented by the Hon - Hamilton -. Gilmorj'(,-;M:L.C.;. hud .ibOen;. atlg- ■. : : i mented bv - An'.additiohal l sii'iir-of"£2o:from. . : ;v-the Executive,- a: total- ofi-£4oj:'together'With ! - a- handsome .shield/'iil'esented- bviMfcsSrS;: P.--I h . ;; s-Dawson:. and'-;Colnpanv,'j'the>''w6ll-known' dis- j C: ; tillers; -To the-.: compiler.-of. the highest in-1 ; ■>, - dividual :scDr6 ,wo\ild also-be presented 4 now ','Le6-Enfield • rifle;- ■ lit -'consideration of tho of entries, the/Executive , ( Jt-t had,'further desired to add; an ' extras event; •. tho'Consolation Match, open to- all competiv tors who had'not won.f I or. over during the u":meeting. For.this match ft sum of i;loohadi been - apportioned. , Entries and. ammunition. viould bo'free (Vppliuso) iThe speaker vcongratulated Colonel'.Creswell .on the: splen- - did effort made by (the Now. Zealand.' repre- .-. , :isentative infle. team - which 1 competed --inf-the. ; ; , Empire' Match. last year.. ... Ho concluded by. t iA'sfiing the competitors alll'suc-v----;:-i'i t- : cess. They had a fair field and no favour," •• :„!'|':'"_and., ho hoped', that'm. the--coiitost"'for'the' m", championship-.'the best • man would win. .' (An- • '-plauso.) FIRING COMMENCES., ■ • ■ . • Tho men were then marched to the mounds . r.; '-.and punctualjy.at 10 o'clock, tho;crack;of the •. :■ •.. first■,rifle• rang• out and.'reverberatfed: among. > :'in; a'~ l , ."few- : l minutes'tfirin'g',; ca'mo- general ■ ; : ' - Between 11 and 12 o'clock, it became evi■j'dent that the weather, instead.of'improving; :;:;i -\ Heavy 'rain fell at i. / shorlly before 12 noon. , r • . ..'.The.., matches - taken wero tho> Volunteer and Rifle Club events . (12 and 13), anil the •;. v . 'Auckland match' (No. 1). A steady - drizzle '"./ throughout;the day hampered matf...:..., ters, and .none • of. the: matches ■- wero comV-: : v;v-. ipleted;-..-»The are ;tho higHe'st ■ completed scores:— - / .VOLUNTEER 'MATCH; 200, GOO, and . 1 • . SOOjjds; Soveii shots each.. , •' :; Tho following', aro ,the-.highest scores re- - oorded this match,: which, however, 1 wilf j not ho completed till to-morrow morning:— :'A.-W r . iEgdon,,..'Waimea Rifles ... 95 V Bugler Soler, :Warigdniii Rifles 94 i .Sergt. Siffipson, Waikato M.R. ... % .:.93 'A.- J; Taylor,:-Blonhoim j... •... ;D3 ; . Col_/-Seigt. iA. i-JM'Kenzio, Queen's Rifles/ 92 Capt. J.,;Searle.;Duncdm Pioneers ..f 93 Sergt. J. F. Atkins'on,'Akaroa M.R. ... 93 . , > Privato ! A.- Nail, Timaru Rifles ... ... 93 :.R. M. Harding, Blenheim Rifles- .... 91 ■ - W., H. Hughes,' Woodvillo-Rifles' ;91" !■T. A. Alexander, Waikato 'M.R...; ... 91 Farrier Wilson;: Studholmo M.R. ; 89 Sergt.. A.; Cowan, Oreti Rifles.... 891 ■ , ; ,'Sergt. J; C. Manly, _ Waitaki M.R. ... 89 : . Lieut. J. Timbrel, Linwood Rifles . ... 88 , ! Capt. W. Loveday, Woodvillo Rifles ... 88 , J.-Jack, Linwood Rifles i.'."-88' 'A. M'Munay, H.B.M.R .. ... 88 ■ -Private Caroy, Patea Ilifles" -" ... 88 F G. Head ;.. - .;; ... 88 .. • Privato Currie, Timaru Rifles ... • ... 88 F. Smaill ... 88 Edgecuniboßß ; J.'iivSergt. Needliamj .Palmefstfln' Nth". :Rifles * 87 . v : Sergt.- Small, Kaitangata Rifles ... .■ : ■... 1 87' Sergt Wills, Southland ... - ... 87 Trooper,Healv. 'Studholme "M.R. - .. 87 • > R. ,I)ippio, North Dunedm Rifles 87 !A Parke, No 2 Co. Engineers ... • ... 86 . i'. Whit-eman, Upper '.-Hutt lIC. .... 87 'iV},'.; V; .H'.; Pattinson, '.Miflerto'nß'.C. ■ Lieut. G. W. O'Sullivan, Blenheim M.R; 85 Capt. Cox . i ' ...<; Bg. 'J- Black, Orepuki-R.C. 85 ■.■.' .-E.t.G; Moncrieff , ; ; ...' ' S3 : .; *. : . Sergt. J. Johnstonp, Owak.i Rifles :. S4 --G.lDuncan, Kaitaiigata 'Rifles- .V. --.84 . Surgeori-Capt. MacKriight- ... ',>"B3 ; i Corporal J.: St^veiisj("Timaru 'Rifles .';. A' S3 .' '« Sergt. J. S. Fiyer • ... 83 ,Capt.VW. ,H. Melhuish, Kaikoura M.R. : 83 ! : Fdwleri : -Toko .:: ; ... \ ... 83 -.v.;v Lieut. J. P. White, Franklin M.R;. ... ,83 : Vft-;. "PrcffittvA rB3 4! Cdopar, Palmerston North' ; .Rifles.B3.' .- . . ' iSorgt. Jlitcliell, No; 5 jCo. '.Engineers,B2. ... .. ; Col.-Sergt; C. Pirie, Ranfurly Iliflcs ... 82 s G ; Anderson, Kaitangata Rifles '... ... 82 . Lieut. White, Pate.-i Rifles 'C : ■ ■ •;.. 81 •.. Lieut. O. Plea^]it,v.jtooaMfef : ;Rifl^'i;/S81 ; '

V In tho' Volunteer match/ Bugler - Soler," of- . iWanganui,';'- a . boy: under. 16. 'years of- age scored -94 points. Private-'A' J Taylor,' : Blenheim Rifles, • who scorcd 93, shot very , consistently ,rhis'sc6reVat'%6 three 'ranges' reading , 34,' 30, and 29.. Capt. Searley Pioneers, and;, , Sergt. J. I''. Atkinson, • jVkaroa Mounted Riflesy werq., equally , qon-. sistent' at- the'three- ranges. The;:threo vjjjpri who scored! Iposgiblbs at :the'!2o*o yrfrds ; rangej' • namely, Private.'M.:- Jackson, soil;, AVcll - ington- City Rifles; J- ' Meyeiy 'Hikoriingf Rifles; and C. Tronson, Ranfurly Rifles, each collapsed , at 800 yards. ;Thoir rango scores were as follow:—Jackson,- 35,. 34, 16;- total, S5. Meyer;.3s, 23,- 20; total, 78; Tronson, . '.7, ,26; 16; total, 77. RfFLE CLUB MATCH. _ Seven shotg at 200;'.600,; and 800' yards. . AV. Franklin, Weber 96 . A;'J. CaiiKiroii, Opaki 95 •"Capt. C.,Cra.w,.Chorlton .......94 ,11; Stewart; Weber. 92 AV. Randoll, Linton 92 AV. Moslen; Kaoo 92 F. Roberta, ScargiH 91 r Capt.AVi ''Ferguson, Huntorvillo ;.. 91 J. Greenwood, Karori 90 ' H. Hawthorn, Petone 90 J. G: Wilson; Petono 90 ,• J. Mould, Duvauchello 90 . G. Halliday; Karori; 89P.. C. Franklyn,-Weber 89 ■ G.,AV. Vennell, To AVliarau 89 •■■■. E. E. Veniicll, Te Wharau .......i.;.; 89 AV. Banks, Kimbolton 89,-' C. Thompson; Sounds 89 R. Catloy, Nelson 89 AV. Kemp, Karori 88 • C. Hoddery Karori. sua 88 H. Mawloy, Opalti .......; 87.,'.: •V 6.; Tiirnbiill, O.naki 87'\

F. Wilkie, Upper Hutt 87 :: W E. .Aston, .Karon PG !• ..Wv Farr, Karori 86 L. Kitcheli',, Upper- Hutt FG J; Liddlfi; Lincoln B6 Capt.W; J. Welch, Opaki ............ 8G J. Drummond, Tarata Rfi ii J: . Burns, Kahiri 8(3; ;• 0. Gbdsiff, Sounds 85 W. Shearman,"-Shannon . P5 > J. Kvlo, 'Lilltnij 85 . G. Hyde, Opaki 85 • A. W. Sopor, Tua Marina 84". : Capt. A. W. Masefield, Sounds 84 SI. Ji Marsh,-Mangorei/ 8 t . ,J. Whiteman, Upper Hutt 84 J- Fdast, ■..Opaki*' 84 W. 11. Thomas, Potono 84 A. France, Karori • 84 v.Gj.W: Lacov,.l'otono 81 ••.I.;J. AValker, Taradalo 83 ■ • I M. P.'Chapmair, To Kapa ............ S3 r &AV S;.-Henderson,*Pctone 62/ > .A. Walkei'j Douglas 81 |" 1)! M'Calmout, Opaki 81 i.: W. F. Narbey, Duvauchello ...81 C. Whiting, .Whareroa .....v......... 81' D. M'Leay, Opaki 81. -W. J. Henry,: Opaki .; 81 J'..X, Carter , 'I'etomS ;. 81 1 C E. Holland, Petono .- 81 • J.' R.'-FranklyiV Weber- 81' '■■■ S; Pafmer,- Weber .80 ...At 200.yards'.the.following secured 34's:"tW."' Raridcll, Linton; Capt. J. Ferguson, Upper.Hutt. : Thirtytbrep'pbints w'cro'put'.tip. by C, Hodder; Karon';'W. f SK'earriiah, 'Shannon; .Capt. Masefield,';' :S6un<M; 1 jWS\C'Fr"ariklyiV, • .-AVeber;. ■R. ■Stewart, •, \yeber-• J-: Greepwood; Kafbri; . jS[6ul(l, v ;■ l |, .' C. Fraiiliri, i Weber; W. Banks, Kimholton; J. Carter, Potono; J. If. Rennie, Christehureh. : At '600-yards 33,. points wer'o put 1 up Tiy W: Moslin, T. Roberts, Scargill, and W-. :luaiiklvn;.i"tyebor; 32's were scored bv Capt. 'Craw, -Chorlton; H.- Hawthorne,■ l'etono; W. H. Thomas,- Pet one. , 800 ! ry^rds^ay r b.i l illiant..effor.t was ,mado by A. J." Opaki; iVKo' secured' 34 at' this;,range..Other, good scores .'at 800 yards \vdro:—E. E.;. Venncll, 33: • Capt: JtSSWrORSrRSJ/'S®:" W.' Sh'6'armari, ..Shannon, 31.- A. Walter, Douglas,-, 31; C.'Thompson, 31ft.Petono, 31. ■ - <Ihero*are-113 meiv who have still to compete in matches 12 arid 13; ; / ■ THE AUCKLAND MATCH /.Che,AticAilanji\matcli (the first counting for ilh^B^t^yas-'commence^;at about lialf-nast two,..in a drizzling rain; which continued in'tefinittehtly; till four o'clock, ; when thfej.wea--,thj)r-;cleartd,,'-'aiVd 'theri'rain'fell'again 1 ; Shooting'* at'. the 200 yds.:. range .was under, somewhat ...unsatisfactory conditions,, and . alto-* was not , high. , Tho 'only possiblei -was recorded "by Rifleman D. '-of 'ithorFOpalq' Rifle' Club.' The following are ..the ■ Highest scorers at tho 200 yds. rango:^ 1 - _s V.' 11., A. M'Leay, Opaki >.. 35 . Or. iHawthfirne, "Petone R.C .)5 ;.!■ Ser*gtM..J.'".. ! -Rifles. .... 34 T l roqper,;,Healey, .Studholmo. M.R. ...' 34 Lieut; 'i Wliite/, Patea : Rifles 34.,: Corp lltishall 34 Trooper Kimpton. Franklin M.R..... 34 ."■'Sergt;' Drummoildy D'nnevirke Rifles 34 • .•'AV";/Barltropy Manchester Rifles ... ■ 34 Corp- :.' Gisbpriie 34 r ' Sergt; : ! M!Call6y,' " Australia ' 34 : i: J:to.'.- Jones,. .Post and Telegraph t Rifles 34 Pte. J. Liddle,: Lincoln Rifles ...... 34 : J:-" G: Mimroo;/.Murihikii 34 G-i HallidayrsKaron R.C. ... 34

~ Captain;Maseficld,-Sounds R.C. 34 ;• G;:Pai3cer,',-'No.: ,Company Engrs. 34 - Fartier ' Wilson,' ' ■ Studholmo. .;. - 1 .. '33 ' -'•tH.''Hawthorne; 'Petone R.C. 33 y ■Pfco.'rß.vß; Dippie, Dunedin ......... 33 P. Geddis, Green Island 33/ Lieut;-? Timbrel], . Linwood 33 ,Sorgt.', Moss,- Blenheim Guards ...... 33 r Pm. . Wiren, Wellington City Rifles 33 ittless,*; Whangamomona R.C.- 33 ' Sergt/M'Cormick, H. f ßay,'.-M'.R; 33 ■; '..v.;«.33 i J. Kinneard 1.....!....... 33 ' H. S. Franks, Nelson Rif1e5....... 33 • Capt; King,,Linwood Rifles ~....;... 33 ' P.; Renwicky -Napier.'Rifles;33 . Sergt. Walden. tGreytown -Rifles ... ,33 ' ■ W; Randall,/Linton R.C; 33 Pie. Cooper,' Palmerston North 33 -, tJ.,Kylo, Lmton ;. 33 W., Komp;.',Earori'i''\'.;i.'.;..v;;.;...'.v;;:.- 33 ?', Sergt. Wilhsfi'Sguthland-v;...33 P. Jleedj .Pongaroa,: M.R.--. .33 } CoL-Sergti-'Hulbort, -Patea-ißifles--..;-■ 33 • GREETINGS • FROM DEFENCE ■ MINISTER. Colonel' Cdllins.»received. tlie iollowirig telegram from tho Hon.' R.' .M'Nahj Minister for -Def e.aco,i^e^t«day' ( .Very .pleased : to- hear oft ,-fticord :'(!nfry : 's of 500 - compotit-oi-s': arid; will makil it. a' ; and Visit the -rango before M'Nib." ' v.. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. ; jTh'j following is to-day's;progranime:— •, ' ~'.B:'a;m.-fl?nisli of Volunteer.. and; Riflo'Club match, SOOyds. " .

.-Auckland\matchj..sooyds.:—B,a;m.—Squads l;to.2o. ,10 a.m.—Sqhads'26;to 50. .', ', ' inatch^V '800yd5. :—8.45 - a.m.— Squads 1, to 25.. 11:15 a.ui:—Squads'26 to 50. : Auckland match, •. 600yds.ll.SO. a.ni.— ■ Squads':! t0.25;. i''2;3o p.m.—Squads 26 to 50. Rapid. , firing v,match, '500yds::—3 p.m.— ,Squads, 1 to 25/ i.p.m.—Squads 26 to,so."''' : r * RANGE GOSSIP. -^It 'js''understood that: Colonel Collins' will ■make some, reference,;' during the meeting, to tlie forthcoming " Daily Mail," Empire Day . overseas .shooting .match, . which iis fired for on;Mr-,y 24 iiest!. yßiflemen have been so accustomed to practising ■ at* .200, 500, and GOO. yards:>in their, sbakon's:" competitions,: 1 that any- variation i'roip-that order , after leaving the 200 yards 'mound;'. usually results in .someono- being caught: napping. Rifleman W. J. Milroy, of Nfclspu, and an ex-champion (1905),' and Rifleman J. Turner,- of, Karori, : after firing from .■thoV2op.yards.v'iuouii'd. in matches 12' And 13, .tH6pfahg6s*Mvwliicli : wero 200,' 600, and 800 yards,.;pfo&(rfe?l?to the '600 yards mound, and. iuncohsciously sighted • for 500. yards. After wastihg two or. three' shots the 'eauseof their lack of success dawned upon them. Rifleman Milroy ; subsequently retired. ■The' shfaotin'g''ffl' fduiul at' the . 200 yards rrfngo .i.ivtlip-.,V,0l i i|nt-b'er and rifle club matches ; whs aiob'iso'igoQcl'Ss last year.: .There was nothing ,to be said against pither tho light or 'tho wind, but marksmen generally contended that-}'ji.Tiou§ up\y. conditions imposed, such as tho' the 'six-inch invisible MH's.-eye ion a twelve inch " black," wero somewhat of a handicap to them. Tho match was'; fifed under sefvico conditions, which barred tho.lise of orthoptics or verniers, and ■in-the case-of-thV riflemen it may bo iifge'd .-thpt- the noh-usago. of these instruments,.was partly',the cailse of. tho trduble. At last .y. e wX.w. e ®ting, however, the .shooting was (■jiist as .hot .wiuf'orthoptics. as.without them* "and' tli(ifo'is"n3 '"doubt tli-at" thtS changed. conditions,;of ;tho.:bull's-eyo was fchtj' fly; in tho amber. '- ; Marksmeh:Cohkl not locate tho invisible centre,-and tho twelve-inch black disc -was a,means, of keeping more in tho dark.It is understood that this innovation is in use at'y.meetihgs which include matches at 300 ■yiirdg." ■ Marksmen' at Trentham yesterday admitted that the''big black, twelve-inch disc would be easier, to pick up at-a 300-yards range,: and. inj-tho;,rapid-firing match,'such as one down; bn'tho progfaiiimo at' the present meeting', failed to.See tho exact reason 'J. : pr;,tho f .change, unless there wero 300 yard,rariges geiionilly'instituted. .''Tho invisible bull at 200 yards," said Coion'el Collins to,a...Disunion.• representative). "is a Bisley, innovation, 'introduced simply because' tho authorities found that possibles were be-coming-'too' oommoh.. marks'meii a "smallof'.'biili's-eye, iiivisiblb.- 'and a' larger black disc, yon, open lip possibilities, for more mental thought.- The innovation, lias . cer'.tiiinly bfeeri-'sucoc-ssful hore, as I beiievo there 'wero only.'two jioSsibles scored at tho range." The fortunate individuals who wero so suc-cossful-woro, W. M. Jackson, sen., City Rifles, Wellington, and J; Myers, Hikorangi Rifl<j Club.

•' The< time" limit, seven minutes for each of 'eight shot's at a range, does not appear to meet with a great deal of favour. No complaint is made; against the markers, but competitors" generally'contend that as it takes Mly half a miriiito to turn doivn and mark

the target, some allowance might' ho made for the riflemen.- Another argument against the innovation is the fact that the limit business, is not strictly enforced. Sbnin men take over tho timo allowed, while others, usually those new at tho game, worry to finish their shots in the regulated time: The veterans were well aware this morning that at such an early stage of the proceedings it was most unlikely that the authorities would onforce tho' strict regulations.

The singlc-niiin': target system is generally approved, and when properly carried out gives room for fair competition; .but Rifleman.R. J. King, of the, Opaki Rifle Club, who was champion shot at the 1903 meeting, is, not a, believer, in. the, single-men targets. He'contends,that 110, time is gained by the procedure. It might have an advantage at the short ranges, but not at tho long ranges. "The-system was tried at tins Christehureh meeting," said Rifleman King, "and was not a. success by any means." He would not lie surprised if thero was a reversion to 'tli'o old style .before long.

/ Marksmen generally approve tljo conditions '.stipulated by Rifleman sA. Bellinger, regarding tlie Champion Bolt/which lie won outright last year, but which ho has again offered for competition. One of the conditions is 'that the Belt, can never, again hp win outright. "It is only proper that such sli'ould be the case," is tho comment, "becauso the Champion Belt has now become so : old. that' it has a historic valuo, and shoukl .be "held temporarily for honour only." ''What are tho chances of a Bisley team going to England this year?" said Colonel Collins in reply to a Dominion representative. "Well, you will hayeto ask mo sometiling easier. So far I know nothing; but I may be able to say something on-tho subject 'before"the. conclusion of the meeting." Jt appears that there is sonic difficulty , asj' to. tho manner in which' tho' whole, business is •viewed by the'. Imperial authorities, who are at .present understood to he on the point of placing their ■ veto upon, the stationary target"'condition's wliich obtain at . the Bisley moetmg! ' Should they decide; dead against stationary, targets, it 'will be liselessjfor- the New Zealand: Government' to go to ttlie expense' of sending any -tca;m to Great Britam." ■ .' ■ ■ ■ .•/