THE CHAMPION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 144, 12 March 1908, Page 5

THE CHAMPION.

Rifleman George Hyde, of tlio Opaki Rifle Club, who has twice won the New Zealand Rifle Champion Belt in six years, is a Masterton business man, born' in Blonlieim in 1868. He'is, therefore, just about forty years of ago. He has been an enthusiastic rifle shot sinco tho days when lie'was a boy, of eighteen in the Blenheim Rifles, although it was not till 1902, ivhen lie first won the Champion Belt, that he considers that'ho did anything worth speaking about.' On one occasion, however, he had got : into the first fifty, previous to Winning the Championsh'ip. Hyde was a member of the Now Zealand team which visited Bisley in 1902/ where he shot fairly well.- . In the fights for the Belt Championship he has been very consistent. Ho was runnerup to Rifleman King, of Opaki, in 1903, dropped down to the thirtieth position in 1904, eighth in 1905, fourth'in 1906, ivhile last year he finished twenty-third : on the list with' 434. His'scoro in iho 1000 yards at the 1907 meeting was. 36, six more than hp made yesterday at'the same range. He won the' Wairarapa ltiflo Club Championship in 1903, and has,besides won ''several club trophies. Ho possesses about nine medals, gained through shooting, and has been a member of tho Opaki Ride Club for a little over ten yoars. '

In appearance Rifleman' Hyde is over six feet in height; , with: a, straight, spare figure. His eyes are blue, and ho attributes his success as a , riflo shot to his excellent vision,; steady nerve,- and regular life. In filing, off tho last shots for the Championship ho states that ho felt rather squeamish.: Ho had a sort of intuition, however, that he was holding his own, and • when lie saw the.' target go up for the last time, lie mado up; his 1 mind that ho was going to make a hit." and ho did. Rifleman Hydo is a married man, and lias two children." He is practically a total abstainer and a'non-smoker..