SERVICE NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1908, Page 9

SERVICE NOTES.

(By "Scout.") Secretaries of volunteer corps and of rifle clubs are iuvitod to , forward any items of interest regarding parades, shooting, or general company news. Long-range firing is now the order of tho day, and if continued practice can assure success tho Wellington marksmen should acquit themselves with credit in tho matches at 800, '900, and 1000 yards .which 4ro to bo fired next month in connoetion with the New Zealand championship meeting. On Saturday last the Karori Rifle Club comploted its competitions, tho event boing the finish of what was undoubtedly tho best programme tho .club has had so far, both as regards trophies prcbentcd to tho club and the number of members who attended the competitions. At tho commencement of the season a. full pnzo list v.ms drawn up, and in consequence, competition was very keen. Tho .opening match was fired on sth October, between teams picked, by tho president and Secro,tary. The result was a substantial ' victory for t-bo tetter's tca'rri, "&. lialliday socuring tho special trophy for the too scorer of the day. The following week tho lirsfc series of five matches, (tour to count)- was begun for trophies presented by Messrs. F. J. Lissington, W. H. Field, A. Collins, and W. H. Tisdall. These wore secured by F. Standidge 236, W. Komp 230, G. Halliday 219, and C. 'Hod dor 215 respectively. Tho second series cf fivo matches (four to count), for trophies presented by Mr. J. F. Mills, Judge Ravrson, Messrs. W..-J Blundoll, and Q. Gapes wm commenced on 16th November, and resulted in wins tor G. Halliday 24b, E. O. Lower 240, G. P. Brown 232, and A. \V. Kemp, 232. Tho third and final series, fired under the same conditions as the previous two, for trophies presented by Messrs. A. C. Pearce, W. Hecksher, ■ Judd, and RancTell, and W. BoddcU, and spocial trophies for all shooting, in the series by Mr. Owen Daly., commenced on 18th January., Tho series provided the most interesting finishes, for- tho whole season's shooting. .Rifleman A- Franco, who is jusl striking his old form, proved tho victor after a splendid finish. At the long range in tho last match, Wilson, a handicap man, compiled ',tho same score of 231, tut Franc^ being on • the scratch mark, took first honours. J.- Burns, with 225, filled third place, and W. Aston; 223. tho four. Tho mo3t exalting finish, and perhaps the biggest surprise for year, was furnished by tho competition 'for thjeOwen Daly trophies. With one 6boot to go, Prcsidont W. C. Jackson had a- lead of six points fcom F. Standidge, ' and ofeleven and twelve respectively ' from A. France and G. Halliday. His, victory was regarded as almost certain." Rifleman France, however, turned tho' tables, and at the close of the match had Brought his score level -Kith President Jackson's, and nine points ahead of F. Standidge, the nest highest scorer. A shoot off was necessary, France winning .somewhat easily. The Koloporo aggregate produced a very close finish, Rifleman J. Burns (448), just defeating tG. Halliday, the champion, by the narrow margin of two points, -which won him' tho Johnston Cup. Tho premier honours of the club wore secured by G. Halliday (626), who thus gained tho match, the, Pearco challenge shield, gold medal, and President's trophy. His shooting was very consistent all through. About the middle of the second series he took the lead, and Saturday after Saturday he steadily increased it, so that before the final match his position as winner -was unassailable. His long lead undoubtedly robbed the championship of a very groat d.gal of interest, which must have inevitably centred in it had thero been anything approaching a closo finish. TJio Substantial margin, however, clearly demonstrated that tho meeting was no "fluke." or lucky chance, but one of honest merit. Rifloman E. O. Lower (604), the runner-up, 1 was 22 points bohind, 'with C. Iloddor, third (602), two points away. Tho first position in tho handicap aggregate was secured by Rifleman F. Standidgo (605), who defeated A. W. Kemp (597), by' eight points'. W. Aslon, third, was one point away trom tho second man. Tho various range aggregates were won as follows:— 200 yards-G. Halliday, 127, first- J. M. Rabc, 125, second. SQO yards— J no. Burns, 24b, first; E. ,0. Lower, 244, second. 600 yards— F. Standidge, 159, first; C. Iloc(dcr, 156, second. 700 yards— F. Stnndidgp, 96, first; G. H.illiday and W. Tarr, 90, second. Long ranges, viz./ 800, 900,- and 1000 yards— G. Halliday, first, 187; F. Standidge, second, 172. Only two possible.* .were made during the reason, viz., G. Halliday at 200 yards, and by J. Burns at 500 yards.