NEW ZEALAND'S BEST

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 66, 18 March 1924, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND'S BEST

RIFLEMEN AT TRENTHAM

N.R.A. MEETING OPENED

PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

(From Our Own. Reporter.)

TRENTHAM, This Day

True riflemen have one ambition, as far as the sport they follow is concerned, and that is to add the Ballinger Champion Belt "to their collection of trophies. Once a year they ■'gather at historic Trentham, the scene ol many a storn struggle in the years that have gone, to substantiate their claims to the coveted trophy, and to renew friendships broken only by the months that soparate one meeting from another. Again this year Trentham is the Mecca of riflemen, and at the 1924 meeting of the National Kiflo Association of New Zealand, which opened to-day, there is a Worthy gathering of representatives of the various clubs in the Dominion. To some extent it is a gathering of champions, of men who have made their mark before in the shooting world, but included in the number aro many . who have yet to face the crucial test of a New Zealand Bisley. That they are capable of good things they have amply proved at smaller and less important meetings during the seasons. Champions, lesser lights, and tyros, from the oldest to the youngest, from the man who has participated in belt meetings for twenty years and moro to the man who is making his first appearance, are all imbued with a common spirit—true sportsmanship and the. desire to do his best in the tests that are to be held during the present week. Under such conditions the meeting should be as successful from all points of view as have been the meetings of the past which have made history. Scenes in camp last night Went to' sliow that the old spirit of good fellowship still lives, and there was many a pleasant gathering 'where' -stories of the past were exchanged and where- prospects o£ the coming meeting were discussed. Time went quickly by, but even so riflemen did not lose sight of the fact that the real business of the meeting would commence on the morrow, and generally early hours were observed. After all, business is business, and where so much is at stake risks are to be avoided.

The list of some 250 entries that have been received contains the names of many of .New Zealand's best marksmen, and included in the number are about a dozen who have previously been successful in winning the much-sought-after Belt. Last year's winner, L. G. Loveday, of the Winton Club, is present to defend the title, which lias come his way twice, the first occasion being in 1912. Others who have gained the Belt, twice and are, now again in the fray are R. J. King, the Opaki crack marksman, who was tho proud winner in 1903 and 1919, and D. Hoots, of Hawera, who annexed the trophy in 1911 and 1922. Other Belt winners present, to again strive Joy the honour are Colonel E. R, Smith, of Dunodin (1894), Lieutenant -,W. Duncan, .West' Coast (1909), F. H. James, Okawa (1913), H. V. Croxton, Kavori (1913), W. N. Masefield, Miirlboyough" c(1914), and W. J. Milroy, of Nelson (1905). Many other well-known rifle shots are also taking a hand in matters, including Captain J. H. ("Carbine") Hoss, formerly of Napier, but now of -Wellington, who ,yon the Carbine Champion Belt outright in 1808, and Lieutenant F. H. Sharland, of Blenheim, who earned the title of Army Champion at the service meeting last week. A notable absentee is E. E. Vennoll, of Te Wharua, who Won the Belt in 1921. Vennell, it is stated, has done little of note in the shooting world since that performance. The Ballinger Belt has an interesting history. It was first competed for in 18C1, when it was won by Lieutenant Brighton, of Auckland. With the exception of 1865, 1869, 1878, 1900, and the war years competitions were held annually. In 1907 Riflcmati A. Ballinger, of the Petone Club, won the Belt outright, but the winner, inspired by the highest form of sports-, manship, handed back the trophy to the association for annual competition. WEATHER CONDITIONS. The weather conditions 'at Trentam this morning were in striking contrast to those ruling for the Army meeting. When competitors " turned out " they were greeted by a perfect morning, clear blue skies and bright, sunshine. More than that, there was an almost entire absence of wind. These factors combined should make for good shooting. Competitors paraded at the- squadding posts at 8 o'clock, and they were briefly addressed by Colonel H. Hughes, V.D., of Wanganui, who is acting as chief executive officer in place of Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., 1.5.0., who has not jet recovered from his recent serious illness. Colonel Hughes' said that he knew the men were anxious to get to work, but it was usual at the' opening of the meeting to welcome riflemen to Ti'eutham, more especially those win were making their first appearance, and give them a little encouragement when they got into the TreuUiam fishtails. He felt rather sorrowful that it-had fallen to his lot to address the competitors, as ho did [so in place of Colonel Collins, whose task it had been for years past. Colonel Collins had been very ill, and .was unable to be with them that clay, but he had sent a message which Colonel Hughes read. (In the course of the message Colonel Collins wished competitors a pleasant time, with a good shoot, and a successful meeting. "I am disappointed somewhat," said tho writer, " with the number of entries. I expected more, but the fact is probably accounted for I'y the increased cost of the sport, precluding the participation of a large number of young riflemen taking part in the meeting." He concluded by exhorting all riflemen to do their utmost in the interests of the sport, which was so dear to them.) , The gathering passed.a mntion expressir.g regret at the absence of Colonel Col-l-iis, and expressing the earnest hope that he would recover sufficiently to be able to visit Trentham before tho meeting concluded. Soon after the ceremony concluded, a start was made with the" shooting, the first matches Ijuiuy governed liy service conditions. These neoiijiii;<l the whole if tin; mi>niiiis, the matches bein" rapid (300 yards), snapshooting (300 \ard.s), llle competition (200 yards), ; ,mi „I- (lVihu; target (200 yards). Tin; ), lim w i||, Llio highest aggregate in the | vr n. mutches wins the fcrvioo completion This afternoon will by . devoted to the opening liiatch of the rille diamni ji.ship match, the' practices being .seven shots each at distances of 300, 500, and 600 yards. The points gained in the opening match do not count in the aggregate for the belt, the matches for which" do rot commence until to-morrow. The programme that lias been drawn up, for the meeting is a very comprehensive .me, anil it will take unlil Saturday to enmnlele il. The matches counting fur (he belt aggregate ;ire the MaHboroupli' match (ten shots each at 300 and 500 yards),. Auckland match (ten shots each

at 300 and 600 yards), Wellington match (ten shots each at SCO and 600 yards), Canterbury match (ten shots at 600 yards), Otago match (ten shots each at £00 and 900 yards). Huwkes Bay match (ten shots at 900 yards), Taranaki match (ten shots at 800 yards), and the King's match (ten shots at 900 yards). The latter match is open only to the fifty who have gained the highest aggregate scores in all matches previously mentioned, and the match score is added to the aggregate. In addition, there is a number of special aggregates, for which separate prizes are being given, several (cams' matches, and a North v. South match, in which twenty men drawn from each Island will compete. The programme will not be completed until Saturday afternoon, when" the King's Fifty will fire off. ■ USEFUL PRACTICE. Very complete arrangements have been made for the comfort of competitors who.have been quartered in the various huts. The majority of the riflemen arrived during the week-end, and much useful practice was carried out on the ranges yesterday morning. In addition to that, a number of the competitors competed at the meeting at Papawai during the latter part of last week, and generally all are in good form for the matches during the present week. The competitors have been divided into three grades—A, B, and tyros, and separate prizes are being given for each grade, although those in B grade and tyros are eligible for prizes in A grade and the. belt championship; . The list of officers who.have control of the meet-ing in their hands has already been published in "The Post." Following are the results of this morning's shooting: — No. 1 MATCH, 300 yards; rapid shooting; 10 shots; possible-EO. £3—H. Simmonds (Wanganui) 38 £2—F. W. Ch'ing (Karori) 38 £1 each—F. J. Soler (Wanganui), 37; C. M. Moss (Dune'din); 37; R. Palmer (Patea), 36; R, E. Hester (Suburbs), 36; D. J. Anderson (Kaituna), 36; C Ashley (Auckland), 35; D. F. Keir (Ashburton), 35; R, J. King (Opaki) 34W. Head (Kaitaia), 34; J. Paterson (Wanganui), 34; S. Elliott (Akarana), 34; E. F. Sandford (Christchurch), 34; L. G. Loveday (Linton), 33. 10s each—E. A. Ballinger (Petone), 33; G. Te Whaiti (Tuhirangi), 33: C. A. Deihl (Wairakei), 33; G Hood (Opaki), 32;.' J. F. Thompson (Greytown), 32 ;• C. J. Nix. (Featherslon), 32 ; A. J. Green (Westport), 32; H. C Jones (Okawa), 31; D. J. Alabaster (Okl Navals), 30; J. C. Carter (Linton), 30. - MATCH No. 2 (300 yards), shooting.£3—H. Simmonds, Wanganui .... 44 £2—R. H. Nich'oll, Petone ..: 42 ■ £!• each—D. Roots, Patea, 41; G. Hood, Opaki, 40; F. J. Soler, Wanganui, 37; G. Cromie,' Rakaia, 37; IP. T. Marshall, Karori, 37;. T. Erickson, Kaiapoi, 36; A. I-I. O'Donnell, Petone, 36; H. A. Cromie, Rakaia, 35; J. Paterson, Wanganui, 35; A. Neilson, Nr-iier,. 34; H. Frankknd. Karori, 32; H. Loveday, Ohura, 32; W. H. Thomas, 32. 10s each—B. Holmes, Wanganui, 31; E. A. Ballinger. Petone. 30; E. J. Res.tor, Akarana, 30; B. Calder, Patea, 29"; W. M. Holland, Ashburton, 28;. J. A. Muuro, Dunedin, 28; T. A. Diehl, Waitaki, 28; F. W. Ching. Karori, 28; J. F. Sunnex, Flaxbourne, 27. 3s 6d each—T. Warburton, Petone 25; H. Tarns, Waihi, 26; F. Clark, Ash;.burton, 26. "MATCH' No'.' 3 '(adO yards)','' t'ole' competi-' tion. £3—V. Jones, Kimbolton- 25 £1 2s each—H. R. Hunt, Suburbs; E. T. Haldane, Waipukurau; G. Hood, Opaki; J. L. Christenson, Omana; S. Elliott, Akarana; T. J. Nix, Featherton; R, H. Nicholl, Petone; W. Ogg, Kiwi; G.. Te Whaiti, Tuhirangi; 0. Ashley, Auckland; H. Adams, Waihi, all 20. 5s 6d each—F. J. Soler, Wanganui; W. Hudson, Wanganui; W. M'lver, Petone ;G. F. Joplin, Opotiki; J. Te Whaiti, Tuhirangi; D. Rait. Gisborne; J. A. Munro, C. J. Holland, Opotiki; IT. T. Marshall, Karori; G. T. Gillin, ' Dunedin; J. H. Cheeseman, Tua Marina ;' T. Erickson, Kaiapoi; N. W. Wilkie, Upper Hutt; S. S\ Napier. Alfredton ;G. H. Cross, Hawera; B. S. Brogan, Te Kuiti; 11. Feast, Petone;'- —. Bolton. Opaki; F. W. Ching, Karori; F. C. Coxhead, Tahora; J. W. A. Boleyn,' Devonchellcs: L. A. Cnldwell, Karori; Richard Brenigan, Gisborne; T. R. Lewis, H. T. Boon, Karori: E. T. Sandford, Christchurch; C. J. Karlsen, Dargaville; D. J. Anderson, Kaituna; T. B. M'Kinlay, Whakatipu, all 15. No. 4 MATCH (200. yards); moving ' . target. £s—ll. H. Moss, Poukino 26 £1 102—E-. J. King, Opaki 24 £1 10s—H. Simmonds, Wanganui ... 24 £1 each: F. W. M'Vicar, Waipukurau, 24; A. W. M'Pherson, Tapanui, 23; H. Hughes, Wanganui, 2i; A. .E. Scholes, Upper Hutt, zl; H. H. Donald, Opaki, 20; D. F. Keir, Ashburton, 20; H. Loveday. Ohura, 19; F. J. Soler, Wanganui, 19. ' 18s each: A. Neilson, Napier, 19; E. C. Russell, Stoke, 19; F. F. Sandford, Cliristchurch, 19; G. Te Whaiti, Tuhirangi, 19; J. A. Mnro, Dunedin, 19. 10s each :H. Feast, Petone, 18; E. S. King, Wanganui. 18; G. S. Taylor. Ka- i rori, 18; A. R. Barker, Link water, IS; ; L. Pash, Linkwater, 18; W. Hudson, ! Wanganui, 17; C. J. Nix, Featherston, 17; H. T. Boon, Karori, 16. . i 2s each : R. J. Gillick, Khvi. 16; W ! M'lver, Petone, 16; F. G. Hogg, Linton, 16; B. Holmes, Wanganui, 16; E j' Lenlser, Frank ton, 16; H. R. Keene' • Omana, 16. 'I