AT THE MOUNDS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 50, 28 February 1914, Page 6

AT THE MOUNDS

GOOD SHOOTING AT TRENTHAM L. BELK WINS THE WESTLAND MATCH (FROM OCR SPECIAL RErORTER.) With fine, warm weather, and only a light breeze from the south, conditions were again favourable for good marksmanship this morning — the third day of the championship rifle meeting at Trentham. With the Westland mateh — seven shots at 300, 500, and 600 yards— the short-range scries is drawing to a close. It will finish with the Wellington and Canterbury matches on Monday. The shooting this morning was very good on the whole, and the standard of the opening matches in the " C " series was well maintained. There was, of course, a good deal of luck in the shooting, as one man might go down in a dead calm and get in a possible, while the next man would find a tricky wind varying and disconcerting his aim. This is what makes Trentham such a sporting proposition. It gives everybody a show in at least one match, and the average of alB the matches will be fair to all. Tho variations are very great, even on one range. One target wilL be better for firing than another, and if the same squad could get the same targot every time the result would surprise most people. The executive know something about things, and takes good care to vary positions so that the fat and the lean of shooting, so far as favours and disfavours go in conditions, are evenly enough distributed all round. It is a fact, however, that one range is better than other and one time of the day than another, and happy the man "who gets both. ON THE SOMMERVILLE RANGE. Most riflemen agree tiiat with an ordinary wind blowing generally towards the trenches the Sommerville ra«ge is a better one for the marksmen than its left-hand neighbour, the Collins. Both yesterday and to-day the shooting has proved this, and the great majority of the high scores and "possibles" are gained on the Somnierville — the central range of the three. Thus in the threedistance Westland this morning there were two possibles in Squad A 5 firing on the Sommerville at 300 yards— those of Marenzi (Kaitawa R.C.), and R. Randell (of the Karori Club). At 500 yards the following achieved the limit in score — Rflm. H. V. Croxton (Karori), Rflm. G. R. Smith (Kaponga), Rflm. Belk (Feilding), and Rflm. A. Glyn (King Country). At 600 th"c wind had sprung up a little and the possible was attained only by A. Olliver (King? Country). There were several " all-buts " at all three ranges. The following were the best aggregates on the Sommerville :— Rflm. L. Belk, Feilding, 33, 35, 34—102, the winning shoot ; Rflm. W. J. Mason, Dannevirke, 33, 33, 33 — 99 ; Rflm. S. Mayhew, Feilding, 34, 33, 32— 99; Pies. W. N. Masefield, Sounds, 33, 34, 31—98; Rflm. A. M'Murray, To Awamutu, 31, 33, 34—98; Rflm. J. W. Milroy, Nelson, 34, 33, . 31— 98 ; Rflmc A. A. Oliver, King Country, 34, 28, 35— 97 ; Rflm. F. Bolton, Opaki, 34, 31, 32— 97 ; Rflm. S. Marenzi. Kaitawa., 35, 33, 29—97 ; Rflm. W. Kells, 34, 31, 32—97 ; Rflm. W. Pearce, Rangitikei, 34, 30, 33 —97 ; Cpl. F. W. Ching, 34, 34, 29—97 ; Rflm. G. Devore, Auckland, 33, 32, 32— 97. Ching's failure at 600 was a sad disappointment, as the corporal was the winner of the Auckland Match with 97. His shots at 600 were 4- (sigher), 4355552— 29. With a score of 195, however, Ching appears to be leading in the Belt aggregate so far. The follow-, ing scored 96:— H. Loveday, Ohura^ G. Hepburn, Goodwood J A. J. Melville, 1 Auckland ; H. Frank, Nelson ; Lieut. L. Watt, Bth G.A.V. ; T. Muggridge, Ruapehuj A. Patrick, Auckland ; A. Soper, Tuamarina ; and Sgt. W. Dritil, Dannevirke; 95, R. Randell, Karori; A. B. Harrison, Ka.ponga, and J. Dalziel?, Linton; 94, H. R. King, Masterton; L.' Pejrcy, ' Alfriedton ; T. Kretschmaar, Auckland ; G-. R. Smith, Kaponga, and G. ~..iiott, Akarana. COLLINS RANGE. On the Collins range shooting was fairly rapid, though not by any means so accurate as yesterday afternoon. The wind was not remarkably troublesome, though some marksmen found extremely bad patches. The luck of many marksmen was quite out. Starting well at 300 yds, they would be successful also at 500, but at 600 would drop right out. Rifleman G. Loveday, of Ohura, was a typical case, though not the worst. He got a possible at the first .range, 33 at the next, then dropped to 30. However, as he got 98, the best score on the range, he had no cause to complain. In Rifleman W. Cheeseman's case the order was reversed. The Tua Marina representative started with 28, got 33 on the next range, and finished with a possible at 600, making a total of 96. Rifleman M'lvor (Te Awamutu) made 97, in the order 32-34-29. There were a great many scores over 90, but the number above 95 was comparatively small. Among the 96's were C. J. Fisher (Suburbs), W. Ryder (Okawa), Pte. Belk (Wellington), Ptc. Knowles (Railway Corps), and Pte. E. S. King. In the 95 section were Rflm. D. M. M'lntosh (Opaki), A. Batt (Lincoln), Gnr. Ballinger, and Rflm. F. W. Ongley (Oamaru). Ongley had hard luck with his last shot, a two following a collection of bull's-eyes with one 4. Many, also, were the men who favoured 94i among the number being : Rflm. G. W. Farley (Auckland), C. Richard&ou (Greymouth), W. Hodges (Opotiki), R. H. Cox (Karori), W. A. Lumsden (Opotiki), G. A. Eyles (Dannevirke), M. J. Marsh (Inglewood), E. Vennell (Te Wharau), aud James (Okawa). JUDGING DISTANCES. Results in the Judging Distance Competition of the service series, which has been proceeding during the past two days, were completed this morning. In this competition the distances are expressed in multiples of eight yards, points being awarded according to the percentage of error. Eight points are allowed for each correct estimate, and there are eight distances, making a possible total of 64 points. The winner, Major T. P. Halpin, obtained 55 points. Following are the awards of 10s prize money and over : — £5~-Mpj. T. P. Halpin. Reserve ... "55 £4— S«t. F. H. Sharland, 12th Nelson R?t * ..'. ...' 50 £3— Sgt.--\hj. Montgomevy. (Staff ... 48 £3- VJlm. I. 11. Kells. Greymouth 11.0. 48 £2— Sgt.-Maj. .J. R. Hell, Stalf ... 46 £2~Gorp. J. W. Ching. R.N.Z.A. 4f> Each £I-Uflin. J. M'Kenzio, Opaki R.C., 43; Rllm. N. Wood. Clnislchur.ch R.C., 43; Lieut. 11. Simmonds, Railway Corps, 42 ; Corp. N. GebbK 13th Auckland Senior Cadets. 42; Rflrn. C. R. Smith. Kaponga R.C.. 41; Rflm. W. J. Fenst. Opaki R.C., 40; RHm. F. Percy. Alfredton R.C. ; Rflm. T. Baxter. Elthani R.C. : Rflm. J. C. Yoe, Auckland City R.C, each 59. Lieut. W. .1. Logan. P. a-nd T. Corps ; Rtlm. 11. Willis, Kaponga U.C.. each 38. Uep.-l'ii'S. J. A nutlet. Nelson I{.C. ; Rflm. S. .(. llollard, Kaponga R.C. ; ilflm. K. Breisjin, (Jiebcirnn P.(J. ; Ullm. A. Franco, Old Naval* ; Oonil. L. Loveday, 9th. .Regiment 5 Rflm.. H. Loveday,

Ohura R.C., each 37. T.flm. W. Chirnside, Karori R.C, 36. Rfim. S. Mayhew, Feilding R.C., 35. Each 13s— Rflm. H. H. Gilshnan, Patea R.C ; Dep.-Pres. W. M'lvet, Te Awamutu R.C. ; Rflm. L. Percy, Alt'redton RC. ; RUm. IL T. Head, Akarana R.C; Rflm. R. J. King, Onaki R.C; Rflm. J. Anderson, Auckland RC. ; Rthu. J. Drennan, Oamaru R.C, each 34. Each 10s— Rflm. C. R. Norrie, Petono. R.C. ; Rflm. G. Loveday, Ohura R.C. ; Rflm. H. Ruffell, Sound*. R.C; Rflm. W. Pearce, Rangitikei R.C. ; Rrlm. G. Hyde, Opala, R.C. ; Rflm. A. Sangster, Stratford R.C, each 33. Sergt.-major A. Amos, Bth Regiment M.R. ; Rflm. F. J. Hinton, Opaki R.C. t Lieut. J. W. Peake. 16th Waikato R.C ; Rflm E. Ashworth, Maitawa R.C; Rflm. W. T. H. Owens, Kanieri R..C : Pte. J. A. Monro, 7th Southland M.R. ; Pies. \V. H. Mansfield, Sounds R.C, ?ach 32. A number of competitors who gained 31 points received 2s rach. WESTLAND MATCH Following is the prize-list :—: — Seven shots at 300, 500, and 600 yards. £s— Rflm. L. Belk, Feilding 33 35 34-102 £4— Rflm. A. Hyde, Okawa 32 33 34— 99 £4 — Rflm. W. J. Mason, Dannevirke , ... 33 33 33 — 99 £3— Rflm. S. Mayhew, Feilding 34 33 32— 99 £3— Rflm. A. M'Mur- ' ray, Te Awamutu 31 33 34— 98 £3— Pres. Wm. Masefield, Sounds ... 33 34 31—98 £2— Rflm. J. W. Milroy, Nelson ... 34 33 31 — 98 £2— Rflm. G. Loveday, Ohura 35 33 30— 98 £2— Rflm. A. A. Oliver, King Country ... 34 28 35— 97 £2-Rflm. W. Pearce, Rangitikei 34 30 33—97 £1 prizes: — G. Devore, Auckland; F. Bolton, Opaki; W. Kells, W. M'lvov, Te Awaniutu ; A. H. Guy, Kaponga ; J. W. Ching, R.N.Z.R. ; S. Marenzi, Kaitawa ; each 97. I Cheeseman, Tuamarina ; T. E. Knowles, Railway Corps ; Hr. Frank, Nelson • J. Hepburn, Goodwood ; A. Soper, Tuamarina ; N. Wood, Christchurch ; W. Ryder, Okawa ; G. Craw, Linton ; A. J. Melville, Auckland ; W. T. H. Owens, Kanieri ; H. Loveday, Ohura ; E. S. King, Masterton ; T. Muggridge, Ruapehu ; W. G. Duhls, Dannevirke ; E. J. Fisher, Suburbs ; A. Patrick, Auckland ; L. Watt, G.A.V. ; 0. Craw, Ohorlton ; R. W. Belk, P. and T. ; each 96. F. W. Ongley, Oama.ru ; R. Ranrlell, Karori ; D. M. M'lntosh, Opaki ; W. W. Maingay, Te Aroha ; T. King, Inglewood ; E. A. Ballinger, Wellington; A. Batt, Lincoln ; A. B. Harrison, Kaponga ; J. Dalziell (Linton); F. Hartnell, 11th Regiment : each 95. G . A. Ayles, Dannevirke; G. (T. Kretschmaur (Auckland); R.' M. Harding, Blenheim; W. C. Jones, Opaki ; S. Elliott, Auckland ; W. H. Thomas, Hautere ; S. H. Cox, Karori; M. J. Marsh, Inglewood j C. Richardson, Greymouth ,• •L. Percy, Alfredton; A. Vennell, Te Wharau ; W. A. Lumsden, Rangitikei ; A. Henderson, Sounds ; F. H. James, Okawa ; each 94. Several 943 were counted out. D Series, open only to marksmen who have never won a prize of over £1 at any Rifle Association meeting, is being fired this afternoon, at 300, 500, and 600 yards ranges. There are about 75 competitors. The miniature rifle and Morris-tube series also commenced this afternoon. OTHER RESULTS.No. 2 MATCH— Service teams' matches. '. Field firing competition : — Karori, 60 points 1 Opaki No. 1, 56 points. ... 2 Auckland City, 52 points ... 3 Linton, 48 points ... ... 4 Karori has competed in this competition eight times, and this is the club's fourth win. No. 3 MATCH— Superiority of fire competition : — Auckland City, 81 points ... 1 Sounds, 69 points 2 Opaki No. 1, 68 points ... 3 Karori, ,62 points 4