THE RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. FIFTH DAY'S SHOOTING.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 8 March 1905, Page 7

THE RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. FIFTH DAY'S SHOOTING.

TYRO M'CALMONT WINS THE OTAGO MATCH. MANY CHANGES IN AGGREGATES. MILROY LEADS THE FINAL FIFTY. THE FJ.RST OF THE RAPID-FIRING MATCHES. (From Our Special Reporter.) TRRNTHAM, Tuesday. A period of excitement prevailed in CRmp to-day, both during and after the firing of the Otago Match. This was the last of the five matches which oounted in the compilation of aggregates. Only the fifty competitors with the highest aggrogate scores in the Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago Matches quiilified to shoot in match No. 6, The King's Prize, and the marksman of the final fifty who compiles the highest aggregate in these six contests becomes the champion for 1905-6 and the winner of tho inuch-covcted Hell, as well as £30' cash, a gold medal piescnted by the Defence Minister, and tho Rifle Challenge Cup. As was indicated in to-day's Post, the shooting was decidedly of the in-and-out order, nnd there was much shuffling of aggregates owing to the vagaries of the wind and tho differences in the scoring. Not that tho weather appeared to be at all disagreeable !•> the casual onlooker. The day was of tho kind popularly classified as tine ; but. then, a zephyr that would scarcely move the dead leaves on a tree would upset tho calculations of a competitor nt a rifle meeting. Tho general opinion of marksmen is that the ritle range nt Trentham is easily tlio worst in the colony, because there are more tricky winds to tho hour than can be found anywhere else within tho knowledge of marksmen. And the worst of all these loud and emphatic complainings is that they are justified by tho in-and-out performances of consistent marksmen. THE PRIZE-LIST OF THE OTAGO ' MATCH. The following was tho list of prize-win-ners : — Open, to all members of the Defence Forces, ns defined in clause 1, subsections a, b, nnd c 6f the regulations ; 600 and 700 yds, ten shots at each distance. Entrance feu, sm. Highest posniblo, 100. Prizes : First £5, two of £4 (£8), two of £3 (£6), five of £2 (£10), fifty-five of £1 (£55), and sixteen prizes of £1 for tyros (£l6), making eighty-one prizes, value £100. Rflmn. M'Cahnont, Opaki, £5 ... 87 Capt. Skinnor, Auckland, £4 ... 84 Minn. Milroy, Nelson, £4 ... >.. 84 Rflmn. Craw, Chorlton, £3 ... *... 83 Lieut. Martin, Timaru, £3 82 Col. tScrgt. Soarle, Cavershnm, £2 ... 81 Pvt. T. Jack, Christchurch, £2 ... 81 Sergt. Sandford, Christohurch, £2 ... 81 Sergt. Maingay, Pinko, £2 81 Rflmn. A. Ballinger, Potone, £2 ... 81 Sap. Buntin, Christchurch, £1 ... 80 Rflmn. Allport, Nelson. £1 80 Sergt. Porriu, Palmcraton North, £1 80 Sergt. Harrison, Wangiuiui, £1 ... 80 dipt. Hobbs, Hutt V.R., £1 ... 80 Col.-Sei-gt. Carey, Pnt«n, £1 ... ... 80 Sergt. Moss, Bluff, £1 80 Pvt. Brown, WuiW, £1 80 Lieut. Edgocumbe, Waikato, £1 ... 80 Col.-Sergt. Irvine, Nebon, £1 ... 80 Rllmn. J. R. Franklin, Weber, £1 ... 79 Pvt. Humphries, Tamnnki, £1 ... 79 Lieut. Wain, Studholme, £1 79 Sorgt. Stuart, Ashburton, £1 ... 79 Rflmn. G. Hawthorn, Knrori, £1 ... 79 Rflmn. O. Halliday, Knrori. £1 79 Mtnn. W. Loveday, Mauriceville, £1 79 Sergt. -Major Wnnstall, Nelson, £1 ... 79 j llilmn. H. Hawthorn, Karori, £1... 78 IM. Burford, Timnru, £1 78 Pvt. Davidson, Wniroiv, £1 78 Rtimn. Mnbbett, Weber. £1 78 | Pvt. F&rquharson, Otago, £1 ... 77 Rflmn, M'Kay, Christchurch, £1 ... 77 Pvt. G. Loveday, Wnikato, £1 ... 77 L«nce-CorpJ. Mngee, Ohinemuri, £1 77 Rflmn. Greenwood, Upper Hutt, £1... 76 Rflmn. G. Craw, Linton. £1 76 Rllmn. W. Randell, Petone, £1 ... 76 Sergt. -Major Chittock, Matnura, £1... 76 Sergt. Dowar, Oamuni, £1 76 Sergt. Dntminotid, Dannevirke, £1 ... 7b Rflmn. J. G. Wilson, Petone, £1 ... 75 Col.-Sergt. P. Jack, Christchurch, £1...75 Pvt. Eden, Nelson, £1 75 I/ieut. White, l\Uea, £1 75 Pvt. Smithies, Wnngnnui, £1 ... 75 Rfhnn G. W. Vennell, To Wharau, £1 7b CorplM'Loan, Wgtn. Highlanders, £1 75 Rflmn. Barton, Whakataki, £1 ... 75 Lieut. Pcrnn, Palmerston N., £'i ... 74 Rflmn. Henry, Opaki, £1 74 Pvt, Clung, Nelson, £1 74 Rflmn. S. W. Franklin, Weber, £1 ... 74 Col. -Sergt. Duncan, Denniston, £1 ... 74 Corpl. Frank, Nolson, £1 74 Pvt. Pearson, Timaru, £1 74 Lieut. M'Cardle, Pahiatua, £1 ... 74 Staff Sgt-Mjr Peacock, Wnngnnui, £1 74 Seiyt. Puttiell, Wnngnnui, £1 ... 74 Pvt. AndorsQii, Auckland, £1 ... 74 Pvt. Hnndley, Wairoa, £1 74 Rflmn. Winsiade, Opnki, £1 74 Rflmn. Ayson, Murihiku, £1 74 Sergt. Evans, Christchurch, £1 ... 74 Counted out : Pvt. Harding, Blenheim. TYROS. Tho following lyros won £1 each: — Sergb. M'Cormlck, Hnwkes Bay, 73 ; Corpl. White, Christchurch, 73; Pvt. Johnston, \Vuiroa, 73; Rflmn. Whiting, Whnreron, 73 ; Rflmn. James M'Kenzio, Opaki, 73; Sergt. Stewart, Wnnganui, 73 ; Pvt. M'Kvedy, Greymouth, 73 ; Rflmn Onto, Tnradalo, 73? Corpl. Clyde, Wakari, 72; Rllmn. Smith, Mataura', 72; Lieut. M'Murray, Palmerston North, 72; Rflmn. Whitcma'n, Upper Hutt. 72; Pvt. Murray, Palmerston North, 72 ; Rflmn. Moore, Kimbolton, 72 ; Lieut. Andrews, Christchurch, 72 ; Pvt. Cullcn, Waipawa, 78. Tho mutch did not finish until past 3 o'clock, although tho men fired on without an adjournment for luncheon. The progress notes nlrendy published in "the Post kept renders in touch with many of the developments of to-dny's shootmg. There were many details of interest in addition to those telegraphed during tho day. In fact, (ho Otago Match was one of tho most interesting yot Shot nt tho meeting. It will bo noted from the nhovo list that the match enrYied £100 in prizes, the largest amount yot offarcd by the Association for any contest outside tho King's Prifce. Rifleman W. D. M'Calmont, who Won tho inntch "with tho lino scorn of 87— fine considering the circumstances under which tho shooting was done — has only born a rifleman for one season. Ho is a bridge contractor in tho Mastorton district, and had not risen abovo a £l at ,the, meetion. Tho following targets.,

show his hits at the two range* : Rifleman M'Calmont's Targets 600 yds. 700 yds.

The Otngo Match wns won last year by Col.-Sorgt. J. Sonrle, of the Caversham Jttfles, with n score of 91. The two best targets at the first distance were those of Lieut. Martin, of the Timnru Rifles, ono time of the Christchurch City Gunrds, who got one short of tho possible, and Col .'-Sergt. Irvine, of Nelson, last year's runner-up for tht Bell and a Bisley teamster. Sorgt. M'Konzio, tho Onmnru-cura-Bisjcy shot, got under way with a nicely made 43. Col.-Sergt. Caroy, the Patoa veteran, wont ono better with'•six bulls, two inners, nnd two magpies. Aysoa also put on 44, which represented good shooting with n tricky wind. Somo idea of Ihe tricks tho wind wns playing with good shots may be gathered from reproductions of some of tho blackboards. Fraser, tho Kaitangala crack, and Arthur Hydo, the Hnwkes Bay Mounted Riflos' champion shot, wero down together, with tho following results :—: — Frasor 2223350833—26 Hyde 5223452055—38 On an ndjncent target Morton and R. Vennell, who hnd previously done good shooting, woro plagued by tho wind — Morton ... 2232424243—28 R. Vennell ... 2033054444—29 Sorgt. Skelly, who did so well yesterday, put on 33, Capt. Barltrop 38, Sorgt* Wills -12. Another trio of interesting shootists who were firing on the same target registered those figures: — Lieut. Reid ... 5244545443—40 Marett ... 2425J04348—32 R. J. King ... 3445353543—39 Two nico targets for the 600 yds clistnnco for tho samo number of point! were shown by Privnte Geo, of iho Lin\Vood Rifles, nnd Rifleman Arthur Ballingcr, of the p otone Club, Horo are tho reproductions: — Gee's Target. A. Ballinger'sTaYget. 600vds. 600 yds.

Rifleman Milroy, of Nelson, who led tho aggregates during the day, and Private M'Evedy, of Greymouth, also showed 'nico tnrgcts for 46 points. The following aro reproductions: — M'Evedy's Target. Milroy's Target.' 600 yds. 600 yds.

Amongst tho most interesting bonrds shown during the match woro those of a trio of well-known shots who were down together nt tho samn target —Ex-Cham* pioh Nelson, Sorgt. Ross, and Ex-Cham-nion Hyde. Tho following was thoir •board at 600 yds:— Nolson 2335234443—33 Ross 5345224435—37 Hydo 3432532454—35 And at the 700 yds tho same trio put oa theso figures — Nelson .., ... 3524442304—31 Ross .., ... 4353032232—27 Hydo 4235433054—53 A start was mado upon tho final stage of tho match at 11.30 o'clock, and with ft refreshing breeze and something of a glaring light, affected at times by passing clouds, oven the veteran shots wore hard put to it to be "up sides" with tho varying conditions. Arthur Ballinc;er camo back with 81 (46 and 35), and his brother W. H. BaHinger, who knows as much about windages . nnd "Tronthamisms" as any other niton, got up with a score which bore ample evidenco of tho trickinosses of Trcntham. Ballingcr's hits were—3340424540—29. His score at tho first rango was 42. \V S Randell came back with 76 (40, 36). Naturally, under such conditions, when misses wero frequent nnd marksmen had an oyo on their aggregates nnd the final fifty, tho marking was frequently challenged. During tho match, indeed, 100 half-crowns wero paid by marksmen for challenges which wero not upheld. Another indication of tho way tho wind dealt with shots of repute is evidenced in the scores of the following five men who fired in succession at the same target: — Smithies .. 3502245453—33 Bent on .. 4335334423-34 ltowell . .. 2652222223—27 J. Wilson .. 0522222052—22 Smnill .. 4434400334—29 L4out. Okoy, n moinber of a Tnranaki family of crack shots, wns also numbered amongst those who burst up at this range. Coming back from 600 yds with 41, he rose from the 700 yds with: 22500 03235—22. Sorgt. Irvine, who had already compiled 48, only added 32. Stewart, of Aehburton, came back with 39, making his total 79; France, of the Karon Club, scored 42, 21—63. The Hawthorn Brothers (Knrori) made their aggregates equal, 325, Hurry putting on 43, 35—78, and George 43, 36—79. Privntc Balfour, of Napier, could not touch the""bull," but scored 35 (344342 4434). W. Loveday, who wns amongst the fancied for tho Belt, compiled 79 (44, 35). Sorgt. Maingay, of the Pinks Rifles (Te Arohn), who did so well Ins/ ypftr, but has not been much in oyi. "donee during this mooting, made a nic< 81 (44, 37). Captain Hobbs, of tlu Lowor Hutt, brought his aggregate to 413 with 80 (43, 37). MiTroy, going down with 46, came bnck with 38 (555? 422355), making his totnl for the mntch 84, and his aggregate 447, increasing his load over all competitors by 9 points, W. Loveday boing nis,nearest opponent with, 438. Champion Chiftg (Waimea), Sergt. Jack (Clmstchurch), and Private Percy Brown (Waihtt, representing different parts of tho colony, who wore down at tho snmo target, mado these hits, each man starting with a "bull" as the sighting shot :— Jack .. 5523422524-34,41—75 Ching 2244235453-34,40—74 Brown 2424435353-35,45-aO . Young Bugler Waddington managed to put 30 on at tho first range, nnd 29 nt the second—s9. A marksman of much older growth and with years of experience, missed tho target six times, hit tho outer region three times, and the magpie once (2000022300). Sorgeant Shaft, of Auckland, "who had kopt up as a lead©*, fell from gYa<* 'with a toUd of 70, of which the 700 yds yielded 32 (5424352403). Er-ohwnpton King, of Opaki, mnde his aggregate 418 with a score of 69 (39, 30). A RAPID-FIRING MATCH. The remainder of tho afternoon, after tho conclusion of tho big match, 'Was filled in with tho first of tho Rapidfiring Matches, 500 yds, seven -shots at each. Theso matches haws not been looked forward to-bj; conujej&oift. j&hi> are.

members of riflo clubs. Thoy call thoao contests "silly matches," but under tbo rules are compelled to take part in them under, penalty of £1 per match. It was well paat o o'clock before tho match was finished. Sixty soconds only ware allowed for tho firing of tho seven shots, and magazines woro not allowed to bo used. Thirty-fivo prizes of a total value of £50 wero allotted for tho match. The ordinary target was usod, and somo excellent shoptmg was done by Riflemen as well os Volunteers. The following was tho prizo-list : — 600 yds, sovon shots, magazines not to bo used, timo 60sec from signal to commisneo ; entrance feo, ss ; highest possible, 35. Prizes: First £5, second £4, two of £3 (£6), four of £2 (£BJ, twenty-seven of £1 (£27); makin 35 prizesj value £50. (Prizo-money for ties divided). Rifleman Bisholl, Tarata, £4 10s . . 34 L.-Corpl. Wills, Southland, £4 10s 34 Privato A. Kdcn, Nelson, £3 ..33 Riflemau Turner, Karori, £2 5s .. 33 Prirato Carlson, Auckland, £2 5s . . 32 Rifleman C. Thompson, Nolson, £2 5s 32 Privato Johnston, Bluff, £2 5s ..32 Sgt..Saisdford, Christclutrch, £1 18s 31 Rifleman A. Dawes, Alfred ton, £1 18s 31 Scrgt. Maingay, Piaka, £1 18s .. 31 RiSoman W. Randell, Petone, £1 18s 31 Rifleman F. Richardson, Karori, £1 18s 31 L.-Corpl. Mills, Dunodin, £1 18s . . 31 Rifleman C. Speck, Petone, £1 18s 31 • Privato Bftffour, Nupler, £1 18s . . 31 Rifleman Aston, Karori, £1 18s . . 31 Captain Domigan, Goro, £1 18s . . 31 Privato Lacey, Wellington Guards, £1 18s 31 Rifloinan E. E. Vounoll, To Wlmrau, £1 18 a 31 Following tako £1 each, with scoro of 30 :•— Surgt.-Major Peacock (Staff), Wanganui; Sorgt. Skclly, D Battery; Rifleman Earl, Mataiira; Rifleman uarton, Whakataki; Lieut. Cox, Auckland; Col.-iJorgt. Moncrioff, , Christchurch ; Privato Oansloy, Thames; Rifleman A. Ballinger, Potono; L.-Corpl. Lester, Christchurch ; Surgeon-Captain MacKnight, Otago ; Privato Davidson, Napier. Following tako 12s 6d each, with scoro of 29 : — Lieut, Perrin, Palmorston North : Corpl. 11. Pnpps, Nolson ; Liout. White, Patoa; Privato Handloy, Wairoa; Sorgt. -Major Potter, Auckland; Privato Jackson, Wellington City Rifles j Rifleman Balnoavos, Mataura; Private Parslow, Ohincinuri.