TRENTHAM, 19O9.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 9

TRENTHAM, 1909.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. AUCKLAND AND OTAGO MATCHES. leading championship aggregates. Fine weather was again the good fortune of the riflomen at Trentham yesterday, when the fifth day's events on the programme for the Dominion Rifle Association's championship meeting were successfully carried out. Tho championship events—Auckland Match, 200 and GOO yards, 10 shots, and the Otago Match, 800 and 900 yards, 10' shots, were carried through their final stages, thus bringing to a conclusion four of tho series, leaving now to be fired the Canterbury Match, which will bo tho hardest nut to orack in the whole programme; the ranges are 900 and 1000 yards, 10 shots at each. The completion of four out of the five ohanipionship matches shows that Rifleman A. H. Guy, of Kaponga, is leading for the "Fifty," with 388 points. The Union Company's silver cup, awarded to the highest aggregate scorer in the first three championship matches, was appropriated, by Rifleman A. It. Guy, Kaponga, whose aggregate score was 280 points; the runner-up was Quartermas-ter-Sergeant Shaw, of Auckland, with 277. The winner; of t'. i Auckland Match turned out to be Sergt. F. James, of Napier, with an aggregate score of 98; the runner-up wa# Col.-Sergt. Dewar, of Oamaru, 2 points behind. The Otago Match was won by Pte. Storkey, of Napier (98), Pte. Sorensen, of Auckland, coming second with 91. The Napier men have been distinguishing themselves during the last two days. Three teams contests were' taken in hand during the afternoon—the' Sectional Firing, Rapid .Firing, and Surprise Service Targets Matches. The first two were completed; the results of the third will be announced later. Timaru Port Guards, with an aggregate score of 106 points, carried off the honours in the Sectional Firing competition, while Victoria Rifles (A team) headed the list of prizewinners in'the rapid firing event. , An extra matoh .at 1000 yds., seven shots, was also fired the winner"'being Surgeon-Captain M'Knight, of ManiatotO, with 33 points. • SYNOPSIS OF RESULTS. First Day: Volunteer Match.—Won by'Sergt.-Major A. Hyde, Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles; aggregate score, 93 points. " Rifle Club". Match.—Won by Rifleman C. H. Speck, Stratford; aggregate score, 102 points. Carbine Cup.—Won by Rifleman C. H. Speck, Stratford, whose, score,, 102 points, was the highest compiled in matches 19 and 20 (volum teers and riflemen). : Extra Match :(No. I).—Won by Rifleman J. A. Franklin, Wober; score, 35 points (the "possible"), : Extra Match-(No. 2).—Won by Pte. Drunimond, Denniston; Rifles; score,. 34 points. Second Day:', , Nelson Match.-r-Won by Pte. W. H. Boys, Newton Rifles; aggregate score,, 93. Runnerup; Pte. J. ,A. Duley, Dannevirke Rifles; aggregate score, 97. Extra Match (No. 3).—Pte. W. E. Boys, Timaru, score,.33. • Runner-up: G. Howe, Ngatlawa, 33. 1 ' Extra Match (flo. 4).—Sergt. Sountag, Dunedin, 34. Riflemail W. J, Henry, Opaki, 34. Third Day: ; / Snap-shooting Match.-—125 "possible" scorers awarded prizos of'Bs, each, Rapid-Firing tyjitch;—Won by Rifleman J. L. Turner, Petone; score,.46 points. Attack.Match.-Won by Sergt. J, Peck, Waikato:Mounted score, 9 points. Cover Match.-flFwenty-five "possible" scorers awarded prizes o;';8s. each, ' Kynock Cup,'iwarded to'highest aggregate scorer in the Wnap-shooting"- £ind : " ,l c6ver" matches.—Thirteirf competitors tied with anflregate "possible;"—7o points. I Fourth Day: .. Wellington Mctch—Won" by"',Col|-Sergt. C. Grindell, Napier: aggregate score, l 9s points. ~MX t. r a. M 2tch\'(.No. 5).-Won by' ; Rifleman M'lntosh, Opaki j Score, 34 points. Extra Match (Mo. 6).—Won by Corp. J. B. Fisher, Stokej.scn'e, 34 points. Fifth Day: Union Cup.—Won by Rifleman A. H. Guy, Kaponga; score, 280 points. Auckland Matdi.'-Won by Sergt. F. James, of Napier; score 98 points. . Otago Match.-Won by Pte. Storkey, of Napier; score, 96 points. F . ir i l1 3—Won by Timaru Guards; score, 106 points. Rapid Firing,i-Won by Victoria Rifles, A .leam. •• • « s ' r E^- a .Mftch! ,No. 7.—Won by SurgeonCaptain M'Knight; score, 33 points,

ON rHE MOUNDS. NOTES ON THE; SHOOTING. The.atmospheje, early in . the • morning, was almost perfectly calm, and under these conditions those wlo went down on the mounds first did very well; the shooting, though undoubtedly of a very- l\igh standard, was, nevertheless, not so -good as on the previous day. There were, three "possibles," one at 600 yards in the Aucklahl Match, and two in the ifou yards stage of. tie Otago. Matoh. As the morning wore on', a breeze from the north sprang up, and the second detachment of squads in these matches encountered increasingly difficult conditions; the: sjoring rapidly fell below the standard attained earlier in the morning, and there were verj high scores. In the "Aucklind." An analysis of the best, markmanship in the tinal stage of the Auckland Match shows that possibles ivero' scored by:— Kifleman Thomson, Upper Hutt „ 5-5555555555 50 <3 L T, T bcores Points. bejgt. F. James, Napier ........ 5—5555545555 49 Scores of 48 Points. Lieut. W. H.. Atkinson, Auckland fw « ' , 5-5544555555 48 Oapt. Soramemlle, Alexandra t, • n '„ ' ' ... T> . 3-5555555553 48 Kifleman H. Earle, Riversdale TJ -j, • . i—4555455555 43 Collins, Pukeokahn „,, , • 3-4555555455 48 Pte Holdgate, Timaru 3— .« Eifleman K. I. Wilton, Mauriceville r, , 0 in- /■> 4-—5555554455 43 Col.-Sergt. Dewar, Oomaru ... 5-5415555555 43 Pte. iarley 4-5555554554 48 Kifleman A. H. Guy, Kaponga 3-5555455545 48 ' Scores of 47 Points. Rifleman Weloh -Opaki 4-5455355555 47 Corp. leasev, City Rifles, Wellington ■d v t, •,t r, ~ 3-5554545554 47 Boinbndier Dwight, Dunedin.rr3—5554545455 47 Col.-Sergt. Grindell, Napier ... 3-5455455555 47 Eifleman W Craw, Chorlton... 47 Lce.-Corp. Purnell, Wanganui. 2—5554515-155 47 Corp. Kells, Palmerston North 3—5535555455 -47 Sergt. Frank, Nelson 3-4555555355 47 Rifleman W. Tarr, Karori 3—5553555554 47 The " Otaflc," The following is an analysis of the best scores in the final stage of the Otago Match, 900 yds.:— "Possibles." . Sergt. W. T. Clyde, Waikari 0—5555555555 50 Sergt. Mainga.v, Auckland ...... 4—5555555555 50 Scores of -49 Points. Sergt. Montgomery, Port Chalmers 5-5555554555 49 Capt. W. S. King, Linwood ... 3—5555555551 49 Corpl. Welsford, Alexandra ... 5 —5555455555 40 Scores of 48 Points. Kifleman Mellor, Petone 3-4455555555 48 Scores of 47 Points. Eifleman J. Whiteinau, Upper Hutt „ , 5-5554555445 47 Lieut. Hawthorne, Civil Service Rifles . 0-4555554545 47 Eifleman W. Currie, Eiversdale 3-3455555555 47 Pte. Price, Wellington City Biflcs _. „ r ' '4-4535555555 '47 Pte. W. E. Boys, Timaru 4—5555544455 47 Pte. Sorensen, Auckland . 3—4555554545 47 Capt. Dodds, N.Z.G.A.V, 5-5545555541' 47 Col.-Sergt. Ching, Waimea ... 4-5555455355 47 Sergt. lait, Pahiatua . 4-5255555555 47 Scores of 46 points were made by :—Eifleman Smith, Kohukoliu; Sergt. Yates, Napier; Eifleman Bairstow, Opnki j Lce.-Corpl. Butcher, Dunedin; Corpl. Patrick, Auckland;. Pte. Sto.rkey, Napier; Pte. Cox, . Auckland; Rifleman Henry, Opaki; Rifleman Buntin. Christchurch; Lieut. Bollard, Hutt.

Services Matches: "Unknown Ranges." The afternoon was agai.l devoted to service matches, which showed the manner in which the Defence Department is gradually making their annual gatherings nioro for utility than for mere bull's-eye shooting. There were gathered together yesterday a collection of volunteers and riflemon, who were marched in sections all over the mounds to take part in a mixed sort of shooting, something like that which would be cxpected on active service. The most fascinating of these were the "surprise service-target" matches, in which the enemy, comprising three movable targets of six black figure "dummies" were placed at different distances up in the ti-trvi-novcred hills above the ranges. The men were marched into the field in sections under an officer, whose duty was to ascertain and give the distance when the dummies appeared in view. The distances ranged from 100 to 1000 yards, and when the dummies appeared in view they resembled nothing greater than a team of Maoris breaking cover. The riflemen and volunteers quite entered into the spirit of the thing, and appeared to fire again and again with the same vindictive pleasure which an.v man should be disposed to feel were he fighting in defence of his country. As the dust would fly up about the figures, a competitor would now and then be heard to exclaim, with some picturesque emphasis, "That's right! Pump it into the beggars and give them a hot time." The dummies were under exposure for only 40 seconds at a time, during which the competitors were allowed to fire as many rounds as they could, after which the injures fell flat as if they had been put out of actnn. The men then retired, and represented an enemy of skirmishers to the new sections which would be making their way to the different firing points. It has often been used against Now Zealand riflemen tint they would never look with a kindly eye on any proposal which might force them into army service conditions. It is jossible that numbers ol riflemen are not clamoured of army service, but judging from tho way into which they entered into tho spirit of the useful service Hatches yesterday there will be no shirking on their part if they are ever called to play tho gamo to a sterner purpose. In a number of instances tliev showed that they were not too familiar with drill movements. but they marched,' formed fours, extended, and trailed and shouldered arms with a business gravity most interesting, and when they got down with their rifles they mado the dust fly in clouds about tho dummy figures. Now Zealand should never have cause to fear for hor riflemen.

SOME OF THE TARGETS.

The "Auckland" Winner. (Aggregate ecor^-98.) Sergt. F. James,- Napier Guards. Auckland Match, 200 and GOO yards; ten shots at oach range. . 1

THE PRIZE LIST. AUCKLAND MATCH. 200 and GOO yards; 10 shots at each range. Prize money, —First, .£5; two of ; three of .£3; four of £2; sixty of £1. Tyro prizesten of iCI; twenty of 10s. Results:— Jib Sergt. F. James, Napier. 98 M Col.-Sergt. Dewar, Oamaru 96 ,£4 Eifleman Guy, Kaponga 9G £3 Q.JI.-S. Shaw, Auckland '.16 .£3 Rifleman H. Earle, Eiversdale .£3 Sergt. Frank, Nelson 'i 5 £2 Rifleman Tarr, Karori P 5 £2 Lieut. M. N. .Atkinson, Aucklaud ... 94 £2 Col.-Sergt. C. Grindell, Napier 'rf4 £2 Eifleman Currie, Eiversdale _... ... 94 The following were awarded pi./.es of .£1 each:—Rifleman Dick, Eiversdale, 94; Rifleman Thomson, Upper Hutt, 93; Pte. J. H. Holdgate, Timaru, 93; Corp. Jones, Wellington P. and T. Rifles, 93; Pto. Duley, Dannevirke, 93; Corp. Kells, Palmerston, 92; Pte. Parsons, Hawke's Bay, 92; Capt. Searie, Dunedin, 92; Rifleman Craw, Chorlton, 92; Rifleman Keino, Tararua, 92; Eifleman Loveday, Ohura, 92; Sergt. Brjt!ley, Dunedin, 92; Eifleman J. W. Milroy, Nelson, 92; Pto. Sorensen, Auckland, 92; Pto. Farley, Auckland, 91; Bombardier W. ,'l. Dwight, Dunedin, 91, Corp. Feasey, Wellington City Eifles, 91; Eifleman F. C. Frauklin, WeDer, 91; Pte. Griffiths, Wanganui, 91; Corp. Cameron, Palmerston North, 91; Eifleman Williams, Featherston, 91; Eifleman Hodder, Karori, 93; Eifleman Bairstow, Opaki, 91; Lieut. Skellov, D Battery, Wellington, 91; Rifleman Lower, Karori, 91; Corp. Stephenson, Timaru, 91; Col.Sergt. Hadfield, Blenlieim, 91; Sapper Tonkin, Dunodin. 91; Pte. Morison, Dunedin, 91; Corp. M'Coiiiiell, Canterbury Engineers, 91; Riflemin Whiting, Paraparaumu, 91; Lieut. Irvine, Nelson, 91; Rifleman Welch, Opaki, 90; Lance-Corp. Purnell, Auckland, 90; Sergt. Jordan, Blenheim, 90; liifioman Coleman, Linkwater, 90; Lieut. Shanks, Gore, 90; Eifleman Benton, F.catherston, 90; Sergt.-Major Evans, Christchurch, 93; Pte. Mayliew, Feuding, 90; Sergt. Eait, Gisboriie, 90; Sergt. Jameson, Stoke, 90; Lieut. Bollard, Hutt, 90; Col.-Sergt. Harrison, Wanganui, 90; Eifleman Roots, Kaponga, 90; Pte. Wilson, Studholme, 90; Rifleman M'KOnzie, Opaki, 90; Lieut. White, Christchurch, 90; Sergt. Clyde, Waikari, 90: Rifleman Aston, Karon, 90; Pto. Long, Hawke's Bay. 90; Sergt. Mills, Dunedin, 90; Liout. E. A. Holdgnto, Timaru, 90; Rifleman Groves, Rivcrsdalc, 90; Rifleman E. Craw, Chorlton, 90; Col.-Seret. Ching, Nelson, 90; Sergt. Anderson, Auckland, 90; Rifleman Al'Murray, Taradale, '90,-liergt. Wnkelin, Wellinglon (P. and T. Eifles), 90; Rifleman Buntin, Christchurch, 90. Counted out: Pte. J. H. Perrin, Mastcrton. TIRO PRIZES. Tho following tyros were awarded prizes of ,£1 each:— . Rifleman Batt, Jlangaweka, 89; Pte. Fisher,Wellington, 89; Lce.-t'orp. Butcher, Dunedin, 89; Pte. Frederick, Marton, 89; Corp. Moore. Otago, 88; Pte. Winterbotlom. Denniston. 88:

Rifleman Herbert, Pongaroa, S8; Corp. Welsford, Alexandra, 88; I'to. Jlogg, North Duncdin, 88; Pte. Snlinon, Ohincmuri, 88. ■ 10s. prizes.—Sergt. Montgomery, Port Chalmers, 87; Pte. Connan, Gisborne, 87; Rifleman Greig, Upper Iliitt, 87; Rifleman Wilson, Canvastown, 87; Col.-Sergt. Ross, Canterbury, 87; Rifleman Nix, Apiti, 87; Pte. Corbett, "Wellington 11. V.R., 87; Pte. Mills, Wellington, 87; Sergt. Husband, Dunedin, 87; Corp. Campbell, South Canterbury, 87; Corp. Fisher, Stoke, 87; Sergt. Fergusson, Auckland, 87; Corp. Alborough, kelson, 8G; Corp. Porte'ous, Caversham, 80; Pte. Johnstone, Hunterville, 86; Pte. Low, Wellington, KG; Lieut. Merrielces, Johnsonville, 8G; Rifleman Barr, Linton, SG; Rifleman Wilton, Alfredton, 88; Pte. J. B. Preston, Auckland, BG. Counted out: Pte. ,T. J. Preston, Auckland; Liout. Boon, Taranaki; Gunner Greenfield, Dttnedin. OTAGO MATCH. Ten shots each at 800 and 900 yards. 100 prizes, value ,CllO. First prize, .C 5; two at ,fi4; three at .£3; four at Sty-, sixty at JCI; ten at £1 (tyros only); twenty at 10s. (tyros only). £5 Pte. Storkey, Napier 96 jEI Pte. Sorensen, Newton • 91 X 4 Rifleman W. J. Henrv, Opaki 9-1 .£3 Rifleman Bulford, Karori ... 91 ■£3 Sergt. Clyde, Waikari 93 J!3 Capt. W. S. King, Linwood 93 £2 Rifleman Currie, Riversdale 93 £2 Corp. Patrick, Auckland 93 £2 Lieut. M. N. Atkinson, Auckland ... 93 ~£2 Rifleman J. R. Franklin, Weber ... 93 XI Corp. M'Connell, Canterbury 93

XI prizes.—Sorgt. Humphries, Hawke's Bay, 93; Sergt. Montgomery, Port Chalmers, 92; Sergt. Yates, Napier, 92; Lieut. Duncan, Millerton, 92; Rifleman Soper, Tun Marina, 92; Corp. Smith, Hastings, 92; Sergt. Maingay, Paiko, 91; Corp. Wellsford, Alexandra S., 91; Rifleman Mellor, Tetoue, 91; Lieut. Hawthorn, Wellington, 91; Pte. Alexander, Franklin, 91; Col.Sergt. Beckingham, Timaru, 91; Pte. Deihl, Dannevirke, 91; Col.-Sergt. Ching, Nelson, 90; Pte. Belk, Feilding, 90; Rifleman C. Whiteman, Upper Hutt, 90; Lce.-Corp. Butcher, Dunedin, 89; Sergt. Whitley, Kaiapoi, 89; Rifleman Ross, Petone, 89; Lieut. Ongley, Oamaru, 89; Corp. Toase, N.Z.G.A.V., 89; Pte. Smith, Palmerston North, S9; Gunner Ching, Lyttelton, 89; Rifleman Loveday, Ohura, 89; Pte. John Preston, Auckland, 89; Pte. Price, Wellington, 88; Rifleman J. Whiteman, Upper Hutt, 88; Rifleman J. B. Bairstow, Opaki, 88; Lieut. Bollard, Hutt, 88; Rifleman Guy, Ivaponga, 88; Rifleman G. Loveday, Ohura, 88-Sergt.-Major A. Hyde, H. 8., 88; President Masefield, Sounds, 88; Sergt. James, Napier, 83; Sergt. Tinney,, Wellington Guards. 88; Sergt. W. Yates,' Napier, 88; Rifleman W. Tarr, Karori, ' 88; Pte. Pleasants, Feilding, 88; Lieut. Shanks, Gore u 88; Capt, Dodds, Dunedin, 87; Rifleman M'Lachlan, Petone, 87; Rifleman M'Murray, Taradale. 87; Serjt.-Major Simpson, Waikato, 87; Rifleman Mawley, Opaki,_ 87; Sergt. M'Kerras, Newton, 87; Rifleman Wilson, Canvastown, 87; Corpl. Ivclls, Palmerston North, 87; Corpl. Munroe, Murihiku, 87; Sapper Tonkin, Dunedin, 87; Pte. Harley, Auckland, 87; Gunner M'Donald, Port Chalmers, 87; Sergt.-Major EUingham, Auckland, 87; Pte. Fisher, Welling-, ton, 87; Pte. Mackay, Dnnedin, 87; Pte. W. E. Boys, Timaru, 86; Pte. W. Cos, Auckland, 86; Pte. Drummond, Denniston, 86; Rifleman F. C. Franklin, Y/eb»r, 86. Counted out.—Riflemen A. J. Cameron, S. Mayiiew, J. Corlison, W. G. Franklin, J. W. Milroy. , TYRO PRIZES: J!1 prizes.—Sergt. Nelson, Canterbury, 86; Gunner Tarr, R.N.Z.A., 86; Corpl. White, Franklin, 85; Pte. Frederick, Marton, 85; Corpl. Alborough, Nelson, 84; Rifleman Nix, Apiti, '84; I'to. Olsen, Eketahnna, 83; Sergt. Hadlield, Blenheim, 83; Pte. Blanchard, Taranaki, 83; Sergt. Neville, Auckland, 83. 10s. prizes.—Lieut. M'lntosh, Waitohi; Pte. Mills, Dunedin; Rifleman Coe, Pongaroa; Gunner Fletcher, Dunedin; Pte. Robson, Napier; Pte. Porteous, Caversham; Rifleman Dons, Ohura; and Corpl. Hinvyler, Wanganui—each 82; Rifleman Algie, Alfredton; Corpl. Moore, Otago; Sergt. Jamieson, Stoke; Lieut. Bolton. Wellington; Pte. Sharland, Stoke; aud Sapper Naylor, Dunedin—each 81; Rifleman Dick, Riversdale; Pte. Julian, Wellington; Rifleman Duthie, Christehurch; Pte. Lineham, Ohinemuri; aud Rifleman M'lntosh, Opaki—each 80. Counted out.—E. C. Batt, J. T. Roberts, and Gunner Montgomery.

SEVENTH EXTRA MATCH. . Seven shots each, 1000 yards. Twenty-nine Prizes, value iIG 17s. Cd. .£1 10 Surgeon-Capt. M'Kn'-'st, Maniatoto ,i 3 £1 10 Rifleman P. Dons, Ohura 33 ,£1 5 Pte. W. M'Cardle, Pahiatua ... ... 33 i£l 5 Pte. Harding, Masterton 33 17s. Gd. prizes.—Rifleman P. Heed, Kaponga; Capt. Wain, Sttldholme; Sergt. Stock, Palmerston North; : Pte. G. Duncan, Kaitangata— each 32. . 12s. Cd. prizes.—Lieut, Duncan, Millerton; Lieut. Timbrel], Linwood; Pte. G. Hay, Duncdiu—each 31. 10s. prizes.—Pte. H. Corbett,. Wellington ; Rifleman P.. J. King, Opaki; JPte. P. W. Mackay, Duneuin;' Capt. W. S. King, Linwood; President W. N. Masefield, Sounds; Pte. T. Eraser, Kaitangata—each 30. ss. prizes.—Rifleman D. W. M'Lagan, Kaponga, 30; Rifleman W. Kenning, Tadmor; Rifleman G. Lovcday, Ohurn; Bugler T. Soler,_ Wanganui; Lieut. K. Nielson, Dnnnevirke; Rifleman W. Moselen, Jvaed; Corp. J. B. Fisher, Stoke; Rifleman C. Craw, Cnorlton; Pte. E. Manssen, Stoke; Corp. J. Marshall, Waikari; Rifleman 0. Whiting, Pnraparaumu; Q.-H.-S. Shaw, Auckland—each 29, RAPID-FIRING MATCH. Ten shots each, GOO yards; sectional targets; magazine to, be used. Target exposure, 60 seconds. Three, prizes, value illO. I'irst prize, J35; one at. <£3; one at JC2. .£5 Victoria Rifles A 58 •£3 Nelson Rifles (26 on men) 55 J2l Sounds Rifle Club (22 on men) ... 55 c£l Timaru Port Guards (22 on men) ... 55 The following teams also competedTaranaki Guards, S3; Opaki Rifle Club A, 51; Waikato Mounted Rifles, 51; Dunedin Navals, Victoria Rifles B, Napier Ififles—each 49; N.Z. Engineers, Newton Rifles, Linton Rifle Club, Opaki Rifle Club B—each 4G; Civil Service Rifles, 45; North Dunedin Rifles, 42; Blenheim Rifles, Gisborne Rifles, Petone Rifle Club A—each 41; Auckland Mounted Rifles, 38; H.B.M.R, Wellington Navals—each 3G; Wellington City lJifies, ICarori Rifle Club A—each 35; Denniston Rifles, Timaru Rifles—each 34; lipper Hutt Rillo Club, 32; Karori Rifle Club B, 24.

Nelson, Sounds, and Timaru. tied in aggregates, 55 each; the first named were awarded 26 points on men, the second 22 poiuts, and the third 22, being classified on that basis. TEAMS MATCHES. SECTIONAL FIRING MATCH. Eapid Fire.—lo shots cach at sectional target, 500 and GOO yards. Competition to be carried out under command of the team commander. Time, 45sec. from the order to commence at each distance. Magazines charged beforehand Three prizes, value .£10; first prize, JOS; one at «£3; one at «£2. .£5 Timaru Port Guards 106 .£3 North Dunedin Itifles 98 £2 *Taranaki Guards ■ ... 97 Following teams also competed:—*Waikato Mounted Rifles, 97; Victoria Eifles, Auckland, 96; Sounds Rifle Ciub, 91; New Zealand Engineers, 93; Gisboriie Rifles, 92; Newton Rifles, 91; Opaki Rifle Club, 90; Victoria Rifles B, 90; Petone Rifle Club, 88; Nelson Eifles, 86; Dunedin Navals, Wellington City Rifles, Wellington Navals, .Post and Telegraph Rifles, each 84; Blenheim Eifles and Napier Rifles, each 81; Auckland Mounted Eifles, 80; Upper Hutt Kifle Club, 79; Timaru Rifles, 78; Civil Service Rifle?, Denniston Eifles, and Linton Bifle Club, each 77; Opaki Riflo Clyb B and Dunedin City Guards, each 75; Karori Rifle Club A, 70; Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles, G4; Karori Rifle Club B, 53. *The Tarauaki and Waikato teams tied in poiuts, but on individual performances the former, being awarded 50 points on men, as against 48 for the latter, was awarded third place.

THE LEADING AGGREGATES. A TARANAKI MAN AHEAD. Rifleman Guy (Kaponga) leads for the belt. Appended are the fifty leading aggregates nftextile completion of the Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, and Otago Hatches. There remains the Canterbury Hatch (990 and 1000 yards), which is lo be fired to-day (Wednesday), and Thursday, after which there will bo selected the highest fifty aggregates, who will siioot off for the King's Prize oil Friday afternoon at 3 p.m:— Rifleman A. 11. Guy, Kaponga 368 Captain W. S. King, Linwood 3GJ Corporal Patrick, Auckland 303 Rifleman Tarr, Karori ... J63 Killonian Soper, 'l'ua Jfarina 303 Pte. S. Sorensen, Auckland 3G2 Gunner Chiug, Lyltclton ... Q.JI.S. Shaw, Auckland ... 3G2 Lieut. W. Duncan, iMillerton 361 Corp. Kelts, Palmerston North SCI Col.-Sergt.i Clung, Nelson 359 Captain N. Dodds, Port Chalmers ... ' ... 553 Lieut. C. G. Hollard, Ilutt 3J9 Pte. P. W. Jlackay, punedin 357 Sergt. F. Yates. Napier ... ;<57 Rifleman G. Loveday, Ohura ... ... 350 Pte. E.'W. Storkey, Napier 3. r 6 Corp. U'Connell, Cliristcfiurcb 358

Rifleman G. W. Milroy, kelson '.>G Lieut. 11. Hawthorn, Wellington 35G Corp. White, Franklin S3" Scrgt. K. C. Wnllis, Waikato 35, i Rifleman 0. Ilalliilny, Karon Sua Sergt. F. James, Napier Rifleman J. R. Franklin, Weber 3U I'te. W. Cox, Auckland ••• ••• ••• Troojier Alexander, Franklin I'te. L. Bolk, I'eilriing 353 Ssrgt. H. Frank, Nelson »J Sergt. Clyde, Waikari ;.. l J te. S. Mnvliew, Feilding ■*>- Lieut. M. N. Atkinson, Auckland Pte. C. G. Fisher, Wellington 352 I'te. \V. Drunimoud, Donnislon ML Rifleman Jlellop, l'etone ... . jjs- - J. B Bairstov', Opaki 3J. Sergt.-Jfajov Siinson, "Waikato Iral Pte. Frederick, Jlartou! j|3j Rifleman Henry, Opaki .! ;"J] Pte. Wing, Morton -i- — ' Rifleman Welch, Opaki ... , J Col.-Sergt. Hadfielu, Blonhomi isl Rifleman \V. C. Franklin', . ... ?51 Sergt. Skelley, Wellington jKO Sergt. J. Mills, Dunedin SajJ Rifleman Winslade, Opaki 350 Col.-Sergt. Beckingham; Timarn ...i0 liifloman J. M'Lnchlan, Petono 350 Pte. Morrison, Dunedin ... —, jjso Rifleman A. J. Cameron,' Opaki 350 Rifleman A. 11. Guy, Kaponga, Taranaki, at present 'leading for the grand aggregate, and winner of the Union s.S. Company s Cup, awarded to the highest aggregate scorer in the Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson Matches, is a New Zealander, bora in own district 31 years ago. He joined the Kaponga Rifle Club in 1005, and the following year won the clnb championship. This, and nis present success are so far his principal wins in' rifle shooting championships. Rifleman Guy is a nonsmoker, but not a total abstainer. The Union Cup was won last year by Captain King (Linwood), with the score of 268 points, or 12 points less than those of Rifleman Guy, who scored 230 points.

RICOCHETS.

Rifleman A. W. Soper, of Tita Marina, Marlborough, who is amongst the leading aggregates, with 303 points (five points behind Rifleman Guy), is a very stolid New Zealander, whose shooting at the present meeting has run him well into almost every prize-list. The average marksman usually takes a very long time before he makes up his mind that he is going to shoot; but Rifleman Soper manifests quite the opposite characteristics. He gets 011 to the target, and "looses off" with the cheerfill optimism of the man who feels that 110 h.*>s 'Fortune at his back. He rarely takes a second sight, cants his rifle to the right or left, according to the wind as his father did before him, arid his only instruments are his glasses, vernier, and a pot of black. Ho uses tho same elevation at Trentham as on his own club range at Tua Marina. Riflejnan is yn* married, almost a total abstainer, wliilo at tho same time he is a non-smoker. Private W. Mackay, the young Dunedin shot, who was leading for the on Monday ovening. had an unfortunate experience m the Extra Match at 1000 yards, when lie scored onlv 2 points out of a' possible .35. He did not'shoot too well yesterday, and at the close of tho day was standing at $57 points for tho aggregate. A hairdresser has arisen who will deliver a number of bristly pentlemen on the Trentham ran»e from such afflictions as beset the iinbarbered face of man. States a telegram which was posted up on the camp bulletin board vesterday: "Quarter-master, Camp, Trentham: Comine to-night. Please make known — A messaue from the Prime Minister to Colonel Collins, Camp Commandant:- t "Am very pleased to hear of tho opening of tho Dominion rifle meeting under such favourable auspices,-and I hope you may.have a very successful week. If at nil possible I shall be M«\d to come. I will advise you later.—J. (j. "\Vard.*' . O.M.S. £haw. Auckland, was second in the fistit for tho Unjon Company's Cup, with £77 poinK three points behind those of tho winner, Rifleman Guy (JCaponea), Taranaki. CfPtniu King (Linwood), Rifleman Soper (Tua Marina),, end Private Mnckay (Dunedin) were all in the running for the trophy " e *p re the last stages of tho Auckland Match (the GOO yards) were completed* but did not shoot quite iip to form at that distance. Ju connection with the nrm? for the Kin? s Prize Match at 3 p.m. on Friday next, a special excursion train will bo scheduled to leave Wellington at 1.50 p.m., leaving Defence Siding on the return journey at 5.55 p.m.