MINIATURE RIFLES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1926, Page 14

MINIATURE RIFLES

ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING

(Notes by "Trigger.")

The eighth annual championship of the Wellington Miniature Rifle Association took place on,3rd June, at the Wellington Harbour Board's shed 29. The meeting was officially opened by the vice-pat-ron, the Mayor, who was introduced to the assemblage by Colonel Mitqhell, D.S.O. In his opening remarks the colonel expressed pleasure at seeing so many old faces as well as a number of new competitors. He wished the association to know that a Bhed belonging to the Harbour Board would always be available for the championship meeting as long as he could use, his influence in that direction. He was delighted to see Mr. Norwood present to open such a function as a miniature rifle meeting, and humorously remarked that the Mayor might not be a rifle shot, but he certainly was a "target" at which all and sundry fired., The vice-patron congratulated the competitors on. turning out in such large unmbers at so early an hour, which proved beyond any doubt the interest taken _in miniature'shooting. Although not a rifle shot to-day, Mr; Norwood said that he well remembered many years.ago taking an active part in shooting, and quite appreciated the colonel's joke about himself being a "target" for the public to. fire at. He complimented the ladies upon taking such an interest along with the men, and hoped the pleasant relationship would long remain. On declaring the meeting opened he expressed a wish to fire a shot, and both Colonel Mitchell and himself fired five shots each. The result of their shoot proved that they were not. novices with the rifle. Mr. Norwood announced that the entries thia year, which totalled 152, for A and B grade, and 37 for C grade, constituted a record, as last year they to : tailed 144, which was the record up to date. ' ' , At the conclusion of "the Mayor s remarks three hearty cheers were given for both Colonel Mitchell and himself, and the meeting' started at 10 a.m. and concluded about '9.30 p.m. THE RANGE. Great praise is due to L. P. Wrigley, chairman of the executive for the day, and his energetic committee, who so ably helped him to carry out all the arrangements beforehand and on the day of the meeting. The large shed was made very comfortable, with plenty of seating accommodation, and the row of 16 targets were arranged in such a way as to ensure safety for markers and competitors. As the scores came to the hands of the checkers they were speedily dealt with, and any doubtful targets were submitted to the veteran referee, J. W. Longman, who gave entire satisfaction to all shots in doubt. The duties of secretary were in the capable hands of O. Wannell (the association secretary), and he had plenty _to do all through the day, and also paid out all prizes won during the meeting. THE VISITORS. The executive thanks all visiting shootists, both ladies and gentlemen, who came from Palmerston North and Featherston ■in such large numbers. Their presence strengthened the meeting considerably. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. At the conclusion of the meeting the cash prizes and trophies and medals were presented to the winners by the referee, Vice-president J. W. Longman. Cheers were given for the donors and winners. Championship Day, 1926, will long be remembered as a happy and enjoyable one. THE RESULTS. No. 1 Invitation Match (10 Shots). Rolls, Gibson, Nlcholl. Caldwell, each 99; Goldfinch, Bowrlng, Wcstbrook, Mrs. Crawford, Benton, M'Donuld, each 08. B. Grade.—Mrs. Potta 08, Miss Campbell 97, Mrs rickard. Miss Claughton, Miss Tunics, Grcon, each 9G. No possibles in this match. No. 2. Ladles' Match (10 Sho^s). " Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Crawford, Miss N. Kuane, Miss Foster, each 98; Miss Wllkins, 97; Miss Harper, Miss 0. Nix, Miss piaughton. Miss .Greathead, Mrs: Potts, each 95. "No. 3. Birthday Match (50yds and 7 Shot 3). K. H. Nlcholl, Corliss, each 70; Blsh, Parker, Willis (F..), ench 69; A. Hoddcr, Robertson, Morris, Teal, Otton, Bees, Miss O. Nil, M'Nab (F.), each 08. B Grado (50yds).—Mrs. Potts, Mrs. Cunliffe, each CO; Mrs. Porter, Miss Willis, M'Nab (South), Peat, Cairns, each 67. ' No. 4.-Wellington-Match ' (10 Shots). R. H.- Nlcholl, Bowrlng, each 100; Preston, M'Kenzie, Willis, Kendrlck, each 90; Freeman, Westwood, Hobbs, Anderson, Crlbb, Hare, Caldwell, Adams, each 98. B. Grade.—Gibson (South), 98; Mrs. Potts, Emmerson,- Mrs. Cunliffe, each 96; Mrs. Thomson, 95; Hlgglnson, Paul, Potts, Green, Halpln, Mrs. Fickard, Miss Campbell, Poutawcra, each 94. Men's Teams' Match (5 Men). Feathorston No. 1, Feathcrston No. 2, Hutt, .3 teams, equal total, 1291. FEATHERSTON No. 1. M'Kenzte 93 04 99 238 L. Benton .... »0 06 97 259 Bowrlng '.-.. 98 67 100 26a Johnson 90 62 91 252 T. M'Nab 95 68 94 257 Total 1291 . . FEATHERSTON No. 2. Mrs. Crawford 98 07 96 261 A. Hodder 92 68 97 257 A. Viles 90 67 95 252 A. Willis 9T 69 99 265 H. Rolls 99 62 95 256 Total 1291 HUTT. Kershaw .... 97 66 87 250 Robertson 97 68 98 261 Morris '94 68 95 257 Goldfinch 98 67 96 261 Bish ( 97 69 96 202 Total 1291 Also competed: Brooklyn 1287, South No. 1 1278, South No. 2 1278, Harbour Board No. 2 1268, Aotea No. 1 1263, Railway 1259, Harbour Board No. 1 1252, Public Service 1243, Palmerston R.S.A. No. 2 1204, Palmerston R.S.A. No. 1 1200, South No. 3 1099, Aotea No. 3 10G4, Aotea No. 2 954. Ladles' Teams' Match (5 Ladles). Ist, Brooklyn. Miss Tunks 96 93 89 278 Miss Claughton ...... 96 95 93 284 Miss Willis 91 91 89 271 Mrs. Wannell 93 82 92, 267 Mrs. Thomson 94 93 95 287 Total .• 1387 2nd, Petone No. 1. Mrs. Wild 83 84 90 257 Miss Wild 93 95 91 279 Mrs. Pickard 97 93 94 284 Mrs. Emraett ......... 95 92 93 280 Mrs. Fulier 94 95 86 275 _ Total ' 1375 3rd, Aotea. Miss M. Nix 90 94 89 273 Miss O. Nex 94 96 91 281 Mrs. Fowler 96 98 97 291 Miss Sullivan ...... 90 90 79 259 Miss Smith 90 89 87 266 Total ; ..1370 4th, Featherston. Mrs. Crawford ...... 98 98 96 292 Mrs. Greathead ....... 95 79 94 268 Miss Hodder •94 .93 95 282 Miss Greathead ■„... 97 ,79 97 '273 Miss Doolian 92 ,68 94 254 Total ..: 1369 sth, Petone No. 2. Mrs. Taylor 88 94 91 273 Mrs. BegK 92 91 86 2139 Mrs. Hobbs 89 76 87 252 Mrs. Bryan ...; 91 89 89 269 Miss Gregory .; .78 90 80 254 Total ....(' 1317 .■■ f . Final Ten. Nlcholl' 307 Westwood .... 359 Blsh 359 Corles 357 Oihson (P. S.) 358 Bowrlng 359 Robortson .... 356 Goldfinch .... 350 Willis 363 Teal 356 . B Grade Aggregate. Mrs. Potts 263 (gold medal), Mrs. Pickard 256 (silver medal), Gibson (South) 253,- Mrs. Thomson 253, Mrs. Green 252, Mrs. Emmett 252, Poutawera 251, Miss Tunks 251, Cairns 251, Miss Foy 248. W.M.R.A. Championship. Champion,' R. H. Nicholl, B.S.A. gold medal, B.S.A. sliver cup, and trophy; runner-up. Wills, 'W.M.R.A. gold medal and trophy; 3rd, Goldfinch, trophy; 4th, Bish, trophy; sth, ;Bow-

ring, trophy; 6th, Westwood,'trophy; 7th, Gibson, trophy; Bth, Corlcs, trophy; 9th, Crlbb, trophy; 10th, Robertson, trophy. W.M.R.A. Ladles' Championship. Champion, Mrs. Crawford, gold medal and trophy;. 2nd, Mrs. Fowler, trophy; 3rd, Miss Greathead and Mrs. Potts, trophy; 4th Mrs. Thomson, Miss Claughton, Miss Ruane, Miss Willis (F.), Mrs. Pickard, Miss Hodder (equal). C Grade Match. Halpln (P. N.) 68, Flnlay, Miss Foy each G7; Taylor (.South), Thrupp, Mrs. Congrove, each 66; Walker, Mrs. Warner, Mr 3. Verrall, each 65.

The champion miniature rifle shot for Wellington at the recent meeting on 33rd June turned out to be It. ,H. Nicholl, of the Harbour Board Club. His win was most popular. His shooting in the three matches which counted for the championship was excellent, and his scores read: 09, 70, 100; total, 269, out of a possible 270. His unassuming manner at all times on the rifle range makes him still more popular. He has been a rifle shot for some years now, competing at the Dominion Rifle Association meeting at Trentkam, and figuring in the prize-list, also at the W.M.K.A. meeting. This is the third time lie has been champion at the miniature meeting, having .won .in 1922,

1924, 1926, besides twice in the Wairarapa and runner-up. once. He won the W.M.R.A. inter-club aggregate, 1925, and was champion of ,the . Wellington Harbour Board Club three times and runner-up twice. His best performance in miniature shooting was,at Bisley in 1924, when there were 400 competitors, belonging to the Society of Miniature, Rifle Clubs in England taking part. He won his way into the final twenty, and by putting a "bull" on the wrong target he missed second place, and also a" handsome silver' cup and a big sum of-money. The Harbour Board Club may well feel proud of their member being champion for 1926. Congratulations to "Nic, as he is popularly known.