TARGETS OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 764, 12 March 1910, Page 12

TARGETS OF THE DAY.

TOP SCORE IN 'KING'S' MATCH. . Captain Sotheran, Qreymouth, made top score in the ten-shot King's match, and won the Rifle Challenge Cup:

'*- W took 5 degrees right as his mean deflection, moving back and fro across tlio target Elevation—79, one above normal (78). 5c0re—5555545555—49. The Champion's Score. Rifleman . George Halliday, winner ; of the New Zealand Rifle Championship for 1910. KingV Prize, match, ten shots at 1000 yds. . '

. ■ 1 ' •; . SWmdage and; elevation Varying very considerably,; necessitating.' the, - greatest care in judging the, allowances for each shot. • . -'y'OV. 'V. - , .-*

■ An Unfortunate "Magpie." President W. H. Masefield, Sounds Rifle Club, who made top score at 800 yds. in the Empire match. His fourth shot was a magpie. Had not■' that, bird of ill-omen settled upon him, ho would have 'scored''the possible. I : .'■ -

■ Score—44-5553555555—48. '.'Windage—Varying from "3 to 7 degrees right. - ; Elevation—One above- normal (48) for 800 yds. . v v Another "Magpie." / Captain W. S. King, was also the victim of a "magpie" when firing'his ten shots at 900 yds.

5c0r0—84—5355555555—18. " Windago—Varying from 6 to 8 degrees left,. ■ ; _ Elovation—Normal allowance 'foT 800 yds. —08. ■ ■ An Australian's Score, ■ 0. E. Boyd, of the Now South Wales team> made top. score for. his side in the Empiro match at 1000 yds.

5c0re—04—5551554535—40. Windage—Varying from to 7 degrees .left, at .which, deflection most of the bull's-eyes were scored., ' Elevation—One degree above normal (75) for' 1000 yds.

During-, tho Surprise Target match the lack . of training and discipline among some of the riflemen was apparent; although; in soino cases it was quite obvious that some rifle club teams were composed of cx-voluntoers. Colonel Hughes remarked in one instance, "Ah, you riflemiiii!—you want some drill!" The oommander of this squad knelt in the rear, armed with a closed umbrella. Tho match is admirablo for snap-shoot-ing and cover-taking, and points aro doducted ' where m?n , expose themselves. The umpires do not corrcct the men—who should, of course, - read the rules. The targets are real surprises, for a "head and shoulders" may bob up for four seconds, at. any. one of 25 places. The only notable deficiencies wero a few cases of unnecessary exposure, wriggling on tho mound and firing from, either the left or right side of the cover. It is laid down that the soldier must, fire round the right side of the target.

As soaking tents cannot be struck and bagged, it is unlikely that the Permanent' Artillery will ba detailed for camp-clear-ing to-day.