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Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1072, 10 March 1911, Page 9

At Trentham. Yesterday was. a very interesting day at Trentham, when the championship final by tho "King's Fifty" was fought out. From an onlooker's point of view the day was absolutely perfect, but in spito of that one heard a littlu more of "fish-tails," "corkscrews," and all the other evils that riflemen have been suffering from during tho past few days. A walk of some few hundred yards after tho train had been left brought the visitors (by such dusty, stony paths, full of pitfalls) near to Canvastown, and directly upon tho scene of action, where the sharp, snappy "bang" of the rifles told pno that work was on in gijim earnest.

A long mound, or low bank, extended for a groat distance directly in front of a palisade, and upon it wero lying the different squads of riflemen ready for their turn to tiro at the targets that seemed to be an impossible distance away. Impossible, and yet bull's-eye after bull'seye was made, leaving one marvelling at the keenness of sight and the judgment possessed by the shootists. Khaki-clad figures most of them, they lay about in divers attitudes, no two men. alike, with leather patched elbows (a necessary protection) and, in many eases, caps with flaps protecting their necks. They were not there to study grace, but to exercise the keenest skill, and they did it, many of them, till ono 'came away almost convinced that there was no finer sport than rifle shooting. Proficiency in anything always means self-denial, but - probably there is more exercised in this kind of thing than in any other. At the close of tho shooting most interesting speeches were made by his Excellency the Governor, who strongly touched the Imperial note, Colonel Collins and Mr. Carroll, at the closo of which the prizes vcexe presented to the winners by tho Governor. The winner of the silver belt, the badge, and all the other things that went with it, Rifleman Roots, was carried chair high, and took his honours most modestly. The shields ann silver cups made an imposing array, and a winning team of five riflemen that won a large and handsome cup were each ono presented with a small cup as well, rather a satisfactory way of assigning honours among a number.

After the presentation had taken place a number of people were entertained at ft.ternoon tea in a large . tent. by.. Mrs. Harton, his Excellency being among them. '15 i^V. w ? al " in * a Rrey coat with plumes; Mrs. Barton, heliotrope cosMrs. Chaytor, Mrs. Macintosh, Mrs. 4 Tolw4 l i', hlal V> * Irs - 0. Runny, Miss Mil- SrirU'wf Y T K ' ?, Hss Sim P»».

-Miss Gibbs, who has been staying with her brother Dr. Gibbs, at KelLno rencsday PQ J ' the I>ateena on *«"•

of M Mrs. M We e .t (?3rammerton) ' S the B ,lest

Miss Joan Cleghorne left by the Mararoa. last evening on a visit to Timaru.

Miss MDougall (Pinnoa) and her sistci are spending some time in Napier and ate staying at the Masonic Hotel

The Wellington College Old Girls* <Vssocintion is. holding its annual afternoon entertainment in the College, Pipitea Street on Saturday, March 18. '

Miss, Borlase, who has been away on a visit to friends, has returned to Wellington and will resume her dancing classes and assemblies :'■ shortly . after .taster. ■ ■ • '

Mlrs. M'Dougall her son in the. Waikato. b

, The friends of .Miss, Christine - Smith, daughter oi Mr. Amehus Smith, Wellington, will" regret to bear of her serious illness through an attack of diphtheria at Eotorua. Mrs. Smith went to Kotorua last week to spend a holiday with her daughter and she will now remain there until the latter is quite recovered.

Mrs. Bristow 'and her daughters sailed by tho Touganro for England yesterday.