NEW ZEALAND BISLEY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 150, 19 March 1924, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND BISLEY

CRACK MARKSMEN AT TRENTHAM CAPT. H. SIMMONS WINS SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIP, i OPENING MATCH WON BY W. WEST Trentham camp, the Mecca of riflemen,, has taken on an activity that smacks of war-time days, only the smart military khaki uniforms have given plats: to the semi-military garb of the civilian marksmen who cannot keep away from tho National Rifle Association’s annual gathering—the New Zealand Bisley, which was commenced under the hapiest auspices yesterday. The 250 odd competitors this year include the finest shots in tho Dominion, and consequently competition is of the keenest. The King’s fifty will fire off for the coveted belt on Saturday afternoon, when it is expected that there will be many spectators. Riflemen regard themselves as singularly fortunate in having tho excellent weather' that prevailed yesterday—bright sunshine, moderately good light, and only a light breeze to trouble them. Trentham presented a cheerful picture when the riflemen went to the mounds in the morning. The pleasant surroundings, however, are known to harbour what is known as(“fish tad” when the weather is at all inclined to be breezy, and most riflemen who know Trentham have often wondered whether their calculations, wind gauges, or markers were at fault.’

The morning was devoted to service matches similar to those at the Aimy meeting last week, only under conditions 10() per cent, better. In the afternoon the opening match was fired. The service matches do not count in the aggregate for the belt. 1 he matches have been divided into three sections, A, B, and tyro, and both B grade and tyro competitors arc eligible for prize money in all competitions and the belt. In the absence of Colonel Collins, C.M.G.. 1.5.0.. V.D., (president of the association), Colonel R. Hughes (vice-chairman of tho executive) welcomed tho competitors,"and particularly the 'younger shots, who, ho said, needed encouragement when they got into the Trentham "fish tail.” Ho mentioned that Colonel Collins had been seriously ill and could not attend the opening this year. However, he desired to extend a warm welcome to those competing in tho New Zealand Bisley, and wished them & successful shoot. In a letter to the meeting the president said ho had been somewhat disappointed with the entries tliis year. The derecase was probably duo to the increased cost of the sport, which prevented a largo number of young riflemen from competing. It was up to all members of the association present to reduce tho expenses at the Trentham meeting by inducing a larger number of riflemen to participate, as increased entries meant a bigger prize list and a reduction in the entry, fees. The tack confronting the association was to perfect their organisation and to do this individual effort was required. . Mr. IT. T. Marshall. M.C. (chairman of tho executive) made air appeal for individual support. A resolution. of sympathy for Colonel Collins, expressings regret at his inability to attend, and the hope that he would be able to bo present before the meeting concluded, was carried by acclamation. . , , , , A start was made with the shooting at 3.30 a.m. Among the competing riflemen are L. G. Loveday. of tho Linton Club, who won the Ballinger Belt last year for tho second time; R., J. King (Opaki), who won the bolt in 1903 and 1919; ana D. Roots (Hawcra). who captured the trophy in 1911 and 1922. Other competitors present . who have won the belt a*) different times include;—Colonel E. R. Smith, Dunedin (1894); Lieutenant AV. Duncan, West Coast (1909); F. 11. James, Onawa (1913) • TI. V. Croxton. Karon (1920); W. AV. Masefield. Marlborough (1914): W j/Milrov, Nelson (1905). Other well-known rifle shots competing are:— Captain J. 11. (“Carbine”) Ross (Weilington). who won tho Carbine chainpion belt in 1888; Lieutenant F. H. Sharland (Blenheim), who won the army championship at the service meeting last week. , The association’s officers include: — Patron. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral; vi«- -patrons, the Minister of Defence (Sir Heaton Rhodes) and Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Edward Chaytor, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces; president. Colonel R. J- Collins, C.M.G., 1.5.0.. V D. • Chief Executive Officer. Colonel, R Hughes: Chief Range. Officer. Colonel F. B. Cresswell; Assistant Rango Officers, Majors J G. McNaught, V. Dunne, S. G. Sandle, Captains B. B. R. Parkinson and R. Renken, Lieutenants A. J. King, ■P- C ,P, O -I' l rAn’ cham, W- I" Gibson. S - S3 J’ O C ”} Officer-in-charge Markers. S.S.M. Kidman ; Chief Statistical Officer, Captain G. C. Felton ; Quartermaster, Captain Walker; secretary, AV. G. Fellinghani. Other officers who are responsible for the splendid management of affairs are President H. T. Marshall (chairman of the Executive), Major P. B. Henderson (who has charge of ranges, equipment, and hutments)) Major F. Burton Mabin (controlling the entertainments), Mr. F. E Chappell (officer in charge of the AM.C.A.). Ihe catering is in tho hands of Mr. J. "in o spite of the pleasant weather conditions yesterday afternoon, riflemen found tho wind variations difficult to cope with, the average breeze coming in at about 9 oi 10 o clock and suddenly changing to 12 o’clock (a direct frontal wind). Later it veered to 4 o’clock, the best wind for shooting at Trentham, and some good scores were made in tho opening match. There was one consolation in shooting at 300 vards. however, and that was that the bullseye was 2 inches larger than previous years. A very fine performance was put up by Captain H. Simmonds (AVanganui) in capturing the service championship with the highest aggregate in matches 1,2 3. and 4. He had an eight-point lead’, and finished np with a total of 116. Anart from the title, the champion secures £5, a gold medal, and the Kvnoc.h Cup. F. J. Soler, another AVanganui competitor, was a good second with 108 points. Tho champion service teams’ match was won by AVanganui with n substantial margin of 46 points. Petone was second with a total of 370 points. V. Jones (Kimbolton) was the only competitor who succeeded in securing the “possible” in the tile competition, whilst a largo number tied for second place with four hits. The opening match, which does not count for the belt, produced some splendid shooting at' each range—3oo yards. 500 yards, and 600 yards. J t. is expected that tho Minister of Defence and Lady Rhodes will ho present on Saturday to present the prizes. The General Officer Commanding has also been invited. , A number of competitors who figured premincxtly ip Axmy meeting Lxrt

week" have returned to the fray. Lieutenant Sharland, Army champion, S.S.M. Frank, King’s Medal winner, C. Ching and T. Tantrum, who have proved themselves fine service marksmen, are also attached to rifle clubs. There was quite an epidemic of ‘•possibles.” At 500 yards those who found the bull each time were: AV. West, J. O. Carter, E. A. Ballinger, I'. Hood, Lieut. A. Green, H. R. Hunt, M. Ccfnnor, R. Sneddon, AV. M. Holland. At 300 vards. possibles were registered by F. H. Jah*s, AV. Kirk, Lieut. J. Munro. L. Loveday, J. T. Gillan. The Marlborough match, 10 shots at 300 and 500 yards, and the Auckland mf.tch, 10 shots at 300 and 600 yaids, Wiil comprise to-day’s programme. With the splendid total of 102, AV. West (Okawa) only dropped three points and put on the “possible” at 500 varclsi His card for the match read," 33 at 500 yards. 35 (possible) at 500 yards, and 34 at 600 yards.

Following are the results in detail :— A SERIES (COMPULSORY). Individual Services Matches.

MATCH NO. 1. Rapid, 300 Yards. £3—H. Simmonds (AVanganui) .. 38 £2 —F. AV. Ching (Karori) 38 £1 each—F. Soler (AVanganui) 38, C Moss Dunedin) 37, P. Palmer (Patea) 36, R. E. Hester (Suburbs) 36, D J. Anderson (Kaituna) 36, L. Ashley (Auckland) 35, D'. Koir (Ashburton) 35, R. J. King (Opaki) 34, H. Head (Kaitaia) 34. J. Paterson (AA anuanui) 34, S. Elliott (Akarana) 34, F? Sandford (Christchurch) 34, L. G. Loveday (Linton) 33. 10s. each.—E. A. Ballinger fPetone) 33, G. Te AVhaiti (Taharangi) 33, C. A. Deihl (AVairakei) 33, G. Hood (Opaki) 32. J. F. Thompson (Greytown) 32, C. J. Nix (Featherston) 32, A J. Green (AVestport) 32. H. C. Jones (Okawa) 31, D. J. Allabaster (Old Navals) 30, J. C. Carter (Linton) 30.

MATCH NO. 2. Snapshooting, 300 Yards.

£3—IT. Simmonds (Wanganui) .. 44 £2—R. H. Nicholl (Petone) .... 42 £1 each —D. Roots (Patea) 41, G. Hood (Opaki) 40, F. Soler (AVanganui) 37 G. Cromie (Rakaia) 37, H. Marshall (Karori) 37. T. Erickson (Kaiapoi) 36, A. O’Donnell (Petone) 36, H A. Cromie (Rakaia) 35, J. Paterson (Wanganui) 35 A Nielson (Napier) 34, H. Frankland (Karori) 32. IT. Loveday (Ohura) 32, AV. Thomas (r Ws o "each-B. Holmes (Wanganui) 31 E A. Ballinger (Petone) 30, L. J. ‘ Reston (Akarana) 30, D Calder (Patea) 29, AV. M. Holland Ashbuiton) 28, J. A. Munro (Otago) 28. C. A Deihl (AVairakei) 28, F AV Ching (Karori) 28, J. Sunnex (Flaxbourne) 27 35.«6d. each-T. Warburton (Petone) 26, H. Hams (AVaihi) 26, I • Clark -(Ashburton) 26. MATCH NO. 3. Tile Competition. 1 " 200 Yards.

£3V. Jones (Kimbolton) 23 £1 2s. each—H. R. Hunt (Suburbs) (Dargav?fe) 2CI E Elliott (Akarana) 20 C. J. Nix (Featherston) 20, R. HNicholl (Petone). 20 AV Ogg 20 G. Lo AVhaite (Tuhurangi) 20, C. Ashley (Auckland) 20, H. Hams °5s n 6d. 2 eabh-F. J. Soler (Wanganui) 15, AV. Hudson (AVanganui) Ja, W • Mclver (Petone) 15, G. F. Joblin (Opotiki) 15/ J.' Te AVhaiti (Tuhurangi) 10, D Rait (Gisbornja) 15, Lieut. J. Munro (Otago) 15, C. J. Holland (Opotiki) 15, H. T. Marshall (Karori) 10, J. I. Gillam (Dunedin) 15, J. H. Cheeseman (Tua Marina) 15 T. Erickson (Kaiapoi) 15, N. AV. Wilkie (Upper Hutt) 15, S. Napier (Alfredton) 10, G. H. Cross (Hawera) 15, B. S. Brogan (lo Kuiti) 15, H. Feast (Petone) 10, Captain Bolton (Opaki) 15, I'. AA'. Clung (Karori) 15, F. C. Coxhead (Taliora) 15, J. AV. Boleyn (Duvanchelles) 10, L. A. Caldwell (Karori) 16, R. Brenican (Gisborne) 15, T. R. Imwis ( -) 15, H. T. Boom (Karori) lb, E. T. Sandford (Christchurch) 15, C.. J. Karlsen (Dargaville) 15, D. J ; . Alderson (AA’aituna) 15, T. B. AlcKiulay (Wakatijni) 15.

MATCH NO. 4. Moving Target. 200' Yards. £5—H. Moss (Poukino) 26 £1 10s.—R. J. King (Opaki) 24 £1 10s.—H. Simmonds (Wanganui) 24 £1 each—F. AV. McVicar (AYaipnknrau) 24, A. AV. McPherson (Tap.ihui) 23, H. Hughes (Wanganui) 21, A. E. Scholes (Upper Hutt) 21, 11. H. Donald (Opaki) 2(5, D. Keir (Ashburton) 20, H. Loveday (Ohura) 19, F. Soler (Wanganui) 19. 18s. each —A. Nielson (Napier) 19. E. C. Russell (Stoke) 19, E. Sandfcrd (Christchurch) 19, G. To AVhaiti (Tuhurangi) 19, J. A. Munro (Dunedin) 19. 10s. each —-H. Feast (Petone) IS. E. S. King. (Wanganui) 18, G. S. Taylor (Karori) 18, A. R. Barker (Linkwater) 18, L. Pash (Linkwater) IS, AV. Hudson (AVanganui) 17, C. J. Nix (Featherston) 17, H. T. Boon (Karori) 16. 2s. each—-R. J. Gillick (Dunedin) lb, AV. Mclvor (Petone) 16, F. C. Hogg (Linton) 16, B. Holmes (AVanganui) 16, E. J. Lentfer (Frankton) 16, 11. 11. Keene (Omana) 16. SERVICE CHAM PIONS FI IP. For Highest Aggregate in Matches 1, 2,3, and 4, in the Service Series. £5. Gold Medal, and Kynoeh Cup —Capt. 11. Simmonds (Wanganui) 116 £4 and Silver Medal —F.J. Soler (AA r anganui) ICS £2 and Bronze Medal —R. H. Nicholl (Petone) 106 £1 each-G. Hood (Opaki) 101. T. Erickson <Kaiapoi) 94, F. AV. Ching (Karori) 94, E. F. Sandford (Christchurch) 93, A. Nielsen (Napier) 91, C. J. Nix (Featherston) 91, I ieut. ,1. A. Munro (Otago) 91, H. T. Marshall (Karori) 88, 11. A. Cromie (Rakaia) S 6, J- Paterson (Wangaauni) So. CHAMPION SERVICE TEAMS’ MATCH. Scores made in matches 1 to 4 to count. Teams of five. Whining team io hold Sir John Logan Chailenge Shield for one year. Wanganui (H. Simmonds, AV. Hudson, E. S. King, H. Hughes, F. J. Soler), 416 points 1 Petono (F. AV. Warburton, E. Ballinger, R. H. Nicholl, 11. heist, J. °o’Do:iueli), 370 points ... 2 Opaki (R. J. King, G. Hood, FL H. Mauley, 11. H. Donald, F. Bolton), 362 points 3 Sixteen teams competed. OPENING MATCH. 300 Yards, 500 Yards, and 600 Yards. Seven shots. A Grade. £S—AV. AAtest (Okawa) 102 £4 —F. H. James (Napier) 100 £3—J. C. Carter (Linton) 100 £2 each —AV. S. Mills (Dunedin) 100, T. Warburton (Petone) 99. £1 each—J. Te AVhaiti (Greytown) 99 11. Harris (Christchurch) 99. T. A. Marett (Now Plymouth) 98, T. Gccdall (Suburbs) 98, AV. Dtmican (AVestport) 98 P. Munro (Utiku) 98, 11. Cuthbertson (Dunedin) 98, 11. Reynolds (Christchurch) 98. H. V. Croxton (Karori) 98, fl. Simmonds (Wanganui) 98, E. A. Ballinger (Petone) 98, W. Kirk (Tapanuo 9s, F. Hood (.Featherston) 97, AV. K. Osborne (Karori) 97, J. A. Munro (Otago) 97. R. E. Hester (Suburbs) 97, J. Ball (Kaiapoi) 97, L. Loveday (Liniton) 97, A. Green (Westport) 97, AV. 11. Ballinger (Petone) 97, 11. R. Hunt (Suburbs) 97, Al. C. Ceanoj (Okawa) 97. B Grade. £2—H. Frankland (Karori) 97. £1 oac ] T —J, 0. Feast (Greytown) 96, T. Whiteman (Uppor Htitt) % G.. 11. Cro.w (Hawera) Bfj. G. H. Taylor (New

Plymouth) 95. 10s. each—R. Sneddon (Old Navals) 95, G. E. Pearson (Dargaville) 95, C. J. Hollard (Opotiki) 96, A. C. Gawith (Gladstone) 94, W. J. Feast, jumior (Greytown) 94, C. J. Karlsclii .(Dargaville) 94, G. H. Duran (Oamaru) 94, W. J. Hudson (Wauganui) 94, J. B. Bairstow (Greytown) 93, u. Waddington (Methven) 93. *• Tyros. £1 each —P. Robertson (Christ church) 96, 11. A. Cromie (Rakaia) 9b, 0. P. George (New Plymouth) 95, S. C. Harrison (llawura) 93, 11. Hams (Waihi) 93. 10s. each —Dr. Reekie 'Kailnngata) 93, G. D. Arnold (New Plymouth) 92, G. Paterson (Renwick) 92>, H. 11-. Boyce (Bleiiilieim) 92, G. F. Joblin (Opotiki) 92. I’’. Brydon (Renwick) 92, W. M. Holland (Ashburton) 92, O. G. Miller (Dunedin) 9.1. J. H. Fraser (Kaitangata) 91, F. 11. MeVicar (Waipukurau) 91.