THE RIFLE CARNIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1072, 10 March 1911, Page 6

THE RIFLE CARNIVAL.

THE BELT WON BY RIFLEIAN ROOTS A MEMORABLE FINISH, TWO MARKSMEN LEVEL AT THE LAST SHOT ONE POINT DECIDES IT. (From Our Special Reporters.)

It is all over and done with-in more tons* than one. Yesterday the illustrious fifty, who' bad oarncd tho privilege and distinction of contesting tho final match for tho Eiflo Championship of New Zealand, went down oil' the 1000 yards mound at tho Sommerville range, unel settled the business. Eifleman 'Boots, of Kaponga, who headed tho fifty list at the commencement of tho match, finished first,' after a sharp struggle with tho runner-up;(Hen-derson, of' tho Sounds). Rifleman Hoots made lS&-three points letter than did Eallidriy/the winner of tho previous year, and one point ahead of Henderson. In due course, after a triumphal '*ctiairihg"-tho' v :'usual little "pleasing ccremony"-tlio Ballinger Belt was! placed upon'the champion's shoulders by his xix..'colloriey'the'Governor, tmd ho was cheered by' the crowd.' An hour later the whole thing was over and done with—not Jor tne year" only, but for all time. There will be no more bulls-eye championships. There will be championship meetings, of course, there will bo kins a Hatches, triumphal processions, and lusty . cheerings as of yore, but the Now Zealand Rifle Championship will be held by H different typo of marksman from the belt "winner of yesterday, and tho years before. The man who wins the honour 'in-1912 will bo he who exccls'in marksmanship, as defined'by modern ideas on'the Bubject. Service shooting has c'o.-na by its own.' For all one may say. Eifleman Boots maybe champion'in 1912, but ho will have .to work harder for the honour, for the conditions will bo stiller.. Bo that 'as it may, however,' the bull's-eye'cham-pionship has been : awarded for the last time, since the prize-giving ceremonial .yesterday afternoon may to regarded as the obsequies of tho bull's-eye. "Eec/uies- .! :at: in pace \" THE FIGHT FOR THE BELT. ;;:' LAST SHOT DOES IT. The dawn of championship day gave promise of fair weather, and the promise held good. It was a trifle muggy, with big watery-looking cloud banks hugging the hills, but still ~a.pleasant' day ipr tho public. ■•'■"' . '.., The men'of the King's Fifty were more difficult to please. Earlier in the day, while the Champion Teams Match was being fired, the wind was disrespectfully referred'to as a "gdogly"-an expression from cricketing parlance. Its direction was ostensibly from tho rear of the mound, straight down the range towards the distant targets, but, exactly described by tho observant rifleman, it was a right 'ai\d" left up-and-down •roar wind.''- -This r is a particularly trying species,of "fish- !' tail," involving 'silent cogitation concern- ■'. ing allowance for deflection and elevation. >■ It ,was,.yn fact,.a,j"lulling" wind, coming .'. in erratic spasms, with a right and' left ■ movement all the time. That partly exI plains'the collanse'jof many a tried marksi "Considered generally, however, the •■ shooting, despite these adverse conditions, i was better than that recorded for the 1 previous King's Match, also fired in rathei '!■ nucer weather. Tho averqge scorein the ..' final last year was 29 points per man; \ yesterday the average was 32. Eifleman Eoots, the champion, did not ' make top score by G points. Openinc with a magpie for his sighter, he dis- : carded that," and trusted for better luck , with his first business shot, and got it— ,; a,bull. Then came two inners. a magpie, I an outer, and two more bulls. These ■f seven shots brought his aggregate of .die .■ up to 476. i Henderson, in the meantime, had raised ; his aggregate of '441 to 172, with his seven -.' shots, .1435555, and had lessened the distance between them by 3 points. Eifle- ' man Eoots's eighth shot was an outer fl78), while' ■Henderson, putting on ananother bull, stood just one point behind, with two moro shots to go. -."' Boots then'placed his ninth shot,in the inner (four), while Henderson jot anothei bull. This mado level pegging. It was an exciting finish, and no mistake. Amid this tense situation Eoots got oil his tenth and last shot—an inner a;ain— and all eyes were turned upon Henderson's target. If ho pot an inner he elrew if.a bull, he w;on. He fired. The target slid slowly out of sight, and a pause ensued, if the ladies present had fullj understood the statistical and technica part of the business of winning rifle cham pionships, that awful pause would perhaps, have got on 'heir nerves; but as it was, tho situation had little mean ine for them. Then the target reappeared. A magpie After scoring six successive bull's-eye! Henderson had finished disastrously witl a magpie, and lost the championship bi " 'one'point! Sergt. Frank,' a hot favourite for tin Belt tied with Henderson in aggregati points. He started off with a bigger lift but tho "shoot-off" gave him third place The Champion's Target.

Sightor 3. Other Shote: 5,4,1,3,2,5,5,2,4,4. One curious circumstance about the finish was Cox's ill-luck. Ho was lyinjr beside' Roots and, in putting a bull on Robts's target, Cox forfeited the score for the shot under the rules, but Roots declined to accept the signal as indicating n bull's-eyo for him and, firing immediately after, scored an outer. Ffad Cox put tho bull on his own target, he would have been sixth on tho list. KINO'S PRIZE MATCH. ' 1000 yards, 10 shots. Open to tho fifty highest aggregate scorers in tho seven matches of the championship series. To the aggregate scores for the championship scries is added the score made in the King's Match, the results of which are computed .from the grand aggregate scores of tho "fifty." Tho first man on the grand list is held to bo the winner of tho New Zealand Rifle Championship for one year, and is awarded the Ballinger Belt (won outright by Mr. Arthur Ballinger in 1907, and returned by him to the New Zealand Rifie Association' for annual competition as a challenge belt), the gold medal presented to tho winner by the Defence Minister, the gold badge' of. tho association, and a cash prize of .£SO; second prize, .£25, D.JJ.A. badge, and a silver star; third, ,£2O, D.R.A. badge and a silver, star; fourth, .£l2, and a silver star; eight prizes of ,£5 eoch with D.R.A, badge; thirteen of £2 each, with D.R.A. badge; and twenty-five of £2. The highest scorer in the ten-shot King' 9 Prize Match was also awarded the rillo challenge cup. Results, in order of morit, th« aggregates also being indicated.

1. Kiflo.tian D. Boots, Kapongsi (Bal- . ' linger Belt, - eold medal, cold . badge, and .{SOJ-rMS—3s,- 5M3255 2tt—3B 186 J.Eiflcm.m A. Henderson, Sounds (silver star, "badge, and —-111 —tr4c3| ■ Jj 5 5 —'i '1 .11 • 11111 ■ n 111 ■ 18J

3. Sergt. Frank, Nelson (silver star. badge, and JJ2O) —«6—4s, 4r0540a4 55—39 iSo ■I. Sergt. G. Sharltmd, Stoke (siiver star, badge, and i!12)~441—4 s, •5535345554—43 — 48 5. Rifleman" H. Ctithbertson, lua Marina (badge and .£5)—439—-s, • 4435335535-10 ••••; i,J 6. Q.M.S. Facer. Garrison Artillery (badge and £s}—43!)—2s, 553355.34- , 4<b 7. Capt. J.'X'Barltrop, Feildinff (badge and «£5) —430-H3s, 223535555 .43—37 46/ S. Bombardier P. W. Ohing, R.N.Z.A. (badge and «€5) —432 —os, 4225333544 —35 ' ■ ' 9. Q.M.S. Morgan, ' Auckland Jltd. -Rifles' (badge and <£5)—434—05, 4502555520-33 i 46' 10. Rflmn-. G. Williams, Ohtira (badge :and fiWWs, 2542224532—31... 467 11. Rflmn. F. Nosdham, Linton (badge and ■£$) —439—os, 4555022203-28 ... 467 12. Rflmn. F. C. Hay, Karori (badge ' - and «E5) —140—35,- 3302503533—2< ... 467 13. -W. . Milroy, Nelson , (budge and t £2)—42G —3s, 3434314544 ■ '—40' 460 14'. Pte. L. Loyeday, Woodyille (badge ' . and .£2)—435—55, 5350332334—31... 466 15 Pte W. Cox,-. Auckland (badge ' and .£2)—42C—3s. ... 465 16. Rflmn. W. AVinslade. Opaki (badgo and £2) —427—35,' 5443235444 3g 460 17. Pte. h!" Tiioiiipson. Napier (badge and X 2) —42.S—0s, 3553533253—37 ... 465 18.' Set. F. Wiekens, Wellington (badge and 4:2)—431—05i 5222524534 34 '. 465 19. Rflmnr'G.', Craiv, Linton (badgo and J02)—434—05. 3230543341—31... 460 20. Lieut. Comes', Ohinemwi (badge and 436—05, 52243-Moost-29 . 465 21 Trooper 'J[arenzi, • '-Ekotanuna (badgo and «£2)—42B—2s, 3342432555 31* >4 - •. 464 2° Rflmn. V. F«n\vick,*-'>Jsnne(lin (badge and £2)—433—r, 4-454405023 4oi 23. Pte. S. 'Clark,' Ohinemiiri (badgo and .£2)—43s—As, 0020553554-29 464 24. Cant. W. S. King, Linwcod (badge and ,£2)—425—25, 3452525354—3S .... 463 25. Minn. . , A., Jf'Mnr.ray,;' Taradale (badge and ,£2)—429—os; 443532344- ' ( "2l^M: 463 26. Rflmn. R. '®utbte.- Christchurcli (,62)—428—r, 2413350545-35 _ ......... 463 27. H. Waitolii (^22)— 4.07— 5352423452—35 ...... 462 28. Pta E. W. StnrkDv. Napier (X 2)— 42S—3s, 354330M34—3-1 462 29. Rflmn. G. Hnlliday. Karori (.£2)- . 421-35, 4324345345-37 461 30. Rflmn. A. .T. Cameron. Opaki (.£2) —42S—0s, 2554450035-33 461 31 Pt° "W S d v)i«vr. Cnromandel («£2) ' _ i............ 461 3° Sergt. Hartnell. Taranaki (.£2) 425—35. 2342445550-34 459 33. Rifleman J. L. Tnrnei;. Cellington (.£2)—426—55, .. 4a9 M. Capt. W. H. Cunuineham, "tt anga- ' nni (J2F-427—45. 5552023325—32 ...' 459 35.'Sergt. A. Law. Dannevirko (.£2)— 428—05, 2244334243-31 409 36. Corp. Bryden. Kaiapoi- (,£2)—434 -3s, 3010025335-25 ........ 409 37. Rflmn. F. Humphries, Okawa (M) 423—3s 2554343522—35 : 45S '38. Rflmn. W. N. Mafefietd, Sounds (,£2)—l23—3s, 4352453333—3.) 408 39. Sergt. F. Jaines, Napier (,£2)—4-'3 -4s, 4540032255-30 i..- 453 40. Rflmn. W. Iv. 'Williams, Ohura (.£2)—423—45, 3233-131452 —33 456 41 Rflmn. E. Sandford, Christcliurch (.£2)—427—55, 5232232352—29 456 42. Corp. W. Perston, Garrison Artil- .. lery U2)-432-2s, 5520203304-24 .. .-156 43 Rflmn. P. G. Hogsr. Waitoa Downs (■fiffl-426—05,' 5030355322-28- 454 44 Rflmn. M. P. Chapman, Te Kapu (,£2)—426—35, 3553034022-27 453 45. Sergt. Moselv, Ivaitangata (J22)— 424—35, 0450340534—2S 452 46. Pte. J. Brown, Dannevirke'(.£2)— 428—25, 4332430220—23 451 47. Rflmn. G. Hvde, Opaki («02)-427 os, 0053430332-23 450 48. Capt. J. Ross; Wellington (.£2)— 425—05, 0220242354-24 449 49. Rflmn. C. Craw, Chorlton (£2)— 423—05, 0325000355-23 416 50. Rflmn. .T. Burns, Karori (.£2)— 426—05,' 0000000020 -2 42S

Blenheim Rifles. Sergt. Hadfield 32 31 31 100 Pte. Ward 32 30 34 93 7 ifl. Logan 32 31 30 9a [>tc. Harding 31 Sit 3:1 91 I'to. J. HiidlWld 29 ;20. 22 SO Aggregate score ..... 156 157 153 *16u Napier Guards. iiergt. Kennedy 34 <53 31 93 •ergt. F. Janies ......... 31 33 . 2!) % sergt. S. Head 29 34 3'J 03 I'te. IT. Maidens 32 2!) 29 90 t'le. i\ Morgan 33 30 2(i S9 Aggregate score ... 102 139 115 ICG Taradalc Rifle Club. A, M'Mnrray 33 .11 30 97 R, Allan H5 31 29 !i.i iV. G. Balfour 33 30 .'JO 93 11. Jarvis 32 33 2S 93 Q; Grant , 30 31 27 Si Aggregate score ... 163 159 141 466 Karori Rifle Club (2). \V. Aston 32 31 31 97 A. France '32 32 29 9' H. Bulford 32 33 28 9? R. Randell 33 31 28 K W. Tarr ■ 30 33 27 9C Aggregate score ... 101 l 160 11G 46.1 Tua Marina Rifle Club. R. Cresswell 32 33 31 9t H. Checsinan 31 28 32 91 J. Cheesman 33 32 29 9] A. Soper 32 32 2S 95 H. Cuthbertson 32 32 25 St Aggregate score ... 163 157 115 ICi Opaki Rifle Club. R. J. King 31 33 33 10C A. J. Cameron 28 31 33 9J W. Winslado 32 30 31 9.' 0. Hyde 31 31 21 Sr W. Feast 30 31 21 85 . Aggregate score ... 155 IGS 115 46; Opaki Rifle Club (1). H. H. Mawiey 32 31 31 91 W. J. Welch 30 31 32 9? A. Boetham 31 29 32 91 C. .T. Engstrom 31 33 27 91 J. B. Bairstow 31 31 ,20 91 Aggregate score .... 155 161 148 4GJ The Other Teams. Aggregates and rango scorcs o£ the other teams:— 200 500 600 yds. yds. yd?. T1 Victoria Rifles 161 157 113 4GJ Wellington Civil Servico Rifles .. 161 163 110 4GI Akarana lt.C. (2) 163 159 111. 4K Akarana B.C. (1) .... IGS 155 142 • 465 Opaki R.C. (2) 158 150 152 40C Weber R.C 149 147 IG2 455 Karori E.G. (1) 158 152 117 457 Westport G.A.V 15G 160 111 457 Wellington P. and T. Rifles 159 159 139 451 Auckland M.R 157 157 142 45C Suburbs R.C. (Wellington) 157 153 145 45c Geraldine Rifles ; 156 116 151 45' Manchester Rifles ... IGI 150 141 455 Denniston Rifles ...... 160 155 135 ' 45( Nelson Rifles .L. 161 146 142 41! Oamaru Rifles 152 IGI 136 'lit Wellington Citv R.... 151 155 139 41! "Upper Hutt 1i.C.'... 157 153 138 415 Sounds R.C 159 151 138 41! Kaponga E.C. 159 148 140 44. Hutt Valley Rifles... 159 153 1.15 44i Stoke Rifles 159 119 137 41; Ashburton Guards ... 159 151 135 44! Wanganui Rifles (2)... 155 148 1(1 Limvood Rifles 151 116 143 44; Rangitikei R.C; 150 157 1.15 445 Ngatiawa R.C 157 118 133 43! To Wlwirau R.C. ...... 153 153 133 43! Mauriceville K.C. ... 153 156 129 43! Wanganui R. (No.' 1) 150 ,150 . 13G. 43( Christchnrch R.C. (3) 150 152 13 1 4.3 C Linton E.C. 15G 150 130 431 Invercargill Guards 161 142 132 43: Karori R.C. (3) 115 15G. 133 43 Timaru Port Guards (2) 158 155 120 43.' Christchurch R.C. (1) 158 159 115 43: tipper Hutt R.C..(2) 158 111 131 431 Timaru Port Guards ' -m 151 154 12.1 ' 421 Shannon R.C 151 142 134 42; Okawa E.C 157 114 124 42: Taranaki Guards ... 151 148 123 42! Karori R.C. (4) 142 138 129 40! Timaru Rifles 152 131 125 40! *Tho Upper Hutt team was composet entirely of the well-known shooting fam ily of'Whiteman.

THE PRIZE LIST THE UNITED SERVICE MATCH. RIFLE CLUBS WIN DAAVSON SHIELD. The United Service Match, Territorials v. Rifle Clubs, 20 men a-side, seven shots each, at 200, 600, and 800 yards, m = 3 fired in a failing light, but tho shooting was realty brilliant, the Eifle Club men winning by the narrow margin of threo points. The quality of the shooting can be' seen from the appended scores. The Rifle Clubs, The Rifle Clubs' Tally was as under -.- 500 600 yds. yds. T'l. A. ,T. Cameron, Opaki 49 50 00 A. M'Murray. Taradale ... 50 40 99 W. M. Masefield, Sounds ... 50 . 49 09 J. W. Milroy, Nelson 4S 49 97 R. Duthie, Christchurch ... 49 48 97 R. Stewart, Weber 50 47 97 A Henderson, Aknrana ... 50 47 97 F. C. nay, Karori 40 47 06 11. Cuthbertson, Tua Marina 50 4fi flfi W. H. Moselem, Kaep ... 50 4(1 96 F. Needham, Linton 47 48 95 E. F. Sandford, Christchurch 4fi 48 94 A. R. Wills, Christchurch 48 46 94 G. H-. Falliday, Kerori ... 45 47 92 J. L. Turner, Wellington 46 46 92 R, ,T. Kine. Opaki 47 45 92 ,T. Burns, Karori .' 47 4t 91 G. Hyde, Opaki 49 42 91 — Craw, Linton 45 43 R8 W. Winslade, Opaki 47 40 87 Totals ; 961 92S 1860 The Volunteer Team. The Volunteer scores were:— 500 600 yds. yds. T'l. W. Loveday, Woodville ... 49 50 99 Capt. King, Linwnod 50 49 90 Sgt. Frank. Nelsin 50 49 99 Sgt.-Major Drummond, Westport 50 40 99 W. Parley, Auckland 49 49 9S Lieut. Come?, Ohinemuri 50 48 !)» Set. Tones. Napier 50 48 98 Trooper Marenzi, Eketalmna i" 50 97 Col.-S?t. Harrison, Wangaiini '■ 47 49 96 W. Cox, Auckland 47 47 !H Ptc. Clarke. Ohinemnr. ... 47 47 94 Ftp. Storkan. Napier 47 47 91 Sgt. Sbarland, SMce .;.... 48 4fi 94 Cant. Barltrop, Feilding ...47 45 •92 OJt.S. Morgan. Auckland 47 44 91 Rst. Maingay, Pinko 49' 42 91 T.icut. Duncun. Millerton 47 43 P 0 Cnpt Ross, Wellinptnn ... 44 45 89 Corp! Persian, Lvttelton ... 47 42 89 Lieut. Bolton, Pahiatua ... 45 40 85 Totals 9." 929 1896 The prize Enfield ride, presented to the highest scorer in the United Service Match, was awarded to Sergt. Frank, of Nelson.

A shoot-off for tho position of runneri7p to tho champion took place between Sergeant Frank and Rifleman A. Henderson, who both scored 435 points. Henderson put on 19 as f0110w5:—12355; and Frank recorded 17 with 22145. Henderson was then hailed as the runner-up and winner of the Silver Star, D.E.A. Badge, and .£25 for second prize. ' Rifleman Henderson, tho runner-up, made top score in the final, and was awarded the Rifle Challenge Cup Tor the year. Tho winner last year was Captain E. Sothc'ran, of Grcytown. THE CHAMPION TEAM. OHUEA RIFLE CLUB. The annual Champion Team Match, a three-range contest at 200, 500, and GOOyds, seven shots at each range, resulted in a win for the Ohura Rifle Club, with an aggregate score of 475, the runners-up being the Blenheim Rifles, with 46G points. The match was one of tho big events on the programme, and great interest was displayed in the shooting, which was carried out under most difficult conditions, as regards the weather. When- asked for an expression of opinion as to the precise character of tho wind, one experienced marksman described it as a "googley," by which token it rimy bo accepted that the wind was very bad indeed. It'was not a strong wind, but frightfully erratic. Notwithstanding that, several of the men made possibles." Rifleman R. Allan, Taradalc, Private Cox, Auckland, Rifleman D. Roots, Kaponga, Private' M'Kouzie, Ashburton Guards, and Rifleman Greig, Upper Hutt each made the possible score of 35 at'2oo yards; Rifleman 0. 'Williams, Ohura, Rifleman F- C. Franklin, Weber, Sergt. ,T. Green, Westport, Private (Manlev, Oaninrn, Rifleman W. N. llasefield, Sounds, Rifleman A, Brown,. Rangilikei. and Rifleman A. Guise,- Karori, scored similarly at' 500 yards. Rifleman D. M'Loay Opaki. was the only man who scored the possible at 600 yards. Scores of 34 were made by Ward and Hadfield, of Blenheim, Aston. of Karori. W. S. Moore, of the Aknrana Club, J. R.Franklin, Weber, and Captain Barltrop, Feilrliug. Rifleman C. Williams, the ton man of the winning team, made a brilliant score of 101 for tho three ranges. Another good performance was that of Private Macmorran, of the Wellington Post and Telegraph Rifles, who aggregated 100. The result's of tho match were as follow:— 1. First prize, ,£2O, andv.the District Challenge Shield: Ohura Rifle Club '~' 475 2. Second prize, .£10: Blenheim Rifles 4GC 3. Third prize, JC7 10s.: Napier Guards 4GC 4. ,£5, Taradale. Rifle Club 4fif 5. Karori Rifle Club (No. 2) 40." G. £a, Tun Marina RiuV.Cliib 4G." 7. £5, Opaki Rifle Club (No.rl) 405 8. .£2 10s., Opaki Rifle Olub (No. 3) ... 464 Detailed scores of the leading teams:— Ohura Rifle Club. 200 500 GOO yds. yds. yds. Tl, C. Williams 34 ;)5 32 101 W.K.Williams 33 .81 32 Of H. Loveday 32 .31 32 9; S. Currie »*' 34 27 X G. Loveday ~,',......... 30. '27 31 S! Aggregate score ~. 163 15S 151 ill

CHATTIE MATCH. Distance 200 yards; six shots per man at special target in preliminary heats, and ten each in the final and semi-final. The teams shot in pairs, and fired at six targets, each of which collapsed on being hit. On the collapse of a' target the competitor occupying the corresponding position in the other team of Hie pair was considered as being liors de combat, and had to cease firing. On all tho members of a team being placed liors do combat, that team had to drop out of the competition. Tho teams fell in at tho 300 yards range, and on being "iven the order to go rushed forward to the next mound with rifles at tho trail. On arrival at the 200 yards range, each section commander gave his orders, Ihc men firing from any military position. J3, Napier Guards. JC3, Opaki Rifle Club, ty. 1. £2, Cb.ristcb.urch Eifla Club,

SECTIONAL FIRING MATCH. Hits. .£5, Second Battalion, Auckland 32 X'i, Linton Killo Club' -7 £2, Akarana Killo Club 20 C.A.C. CUP. The Service jllr.tch Icr tho Colonial Animuuition Company's Silver Cup was won by tho Wellington City Rifles, alter a successful shoot oIV in a tie villi the Okawa Killo Club and the Victoria liiiles, Auckland. The prize-money of £10 was awarded as follows:— Hit?. £a. City Rifles 10 •C' 3. Okawa II.C If, £2, Victoria Hides, Auckland l(j

Rifleman Boots, Rifle Champion of the year, is one of the 'youngest, if not the youngest, King's Prize winner amongst the names which grace' the records of the association. He is only 23 years of ace, but his fine performance was worthy of a veteran. Tor the past four years ho has attended the New Zealand Championship gathering at Trentham, and the year before last he shot his way into the final fifty. Ho carried off the Hawera Cup in 1007, and the following year his form still kept up, and he succeeded in winning tho Championship of the Kaponga- Rifle Club. This year he is runner-up for tho club championship. In the championship series at Trentham last year his score was 403. One of the most striking performances he lias put up during ins comparatively short career w.us ti total of 298 out of a' possible 315 in three shoots at 300, 500, and GOOyds. ranges. As c oon as it became known that Roots was tho winner of thi coveted prize, Colonel Collins approached the champion and congratulated him on his success, and took tho opportunity of introducing tho champion to His Excellency tho Governor, General Godlev, and the Hoiis. Jas. Carroll and Geo. Fowlds, who also tendered their congratulations. Subsonuently the champion was "chaired" off the moimd by his clubmatcs.