EYES ON THE BELT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 64, 17 March 1927, Page 10

EYES ON THE BELT

SHOOTING AT T&ENTHAM

NATIONAL MEETING

THE SERVICE MATCHES

(Prom Our Special Reporter.)

TRENTHAM, This Day. The historic Ballinger Belt, with its many happy associations, has once again acted as a magnet, and has drawn marksmen from all parts of New Zealand to Trentham, the scene of many stirring battles for honours which the rifle shooting world has to bestow.

When the 1927 meeting o£ the National Rifle Association opened this morning there -were close on 350 men in camp, with more still expected,'and it was anticipated that the entries would constitute a record since pre-war days. Old shots who have won prominence in the past are again in attendance/as keen as ever, and there are also many younger marksmen who are makine a first bid j for national honours. In recent district meetings a high standard of markmanship has been attained, and if moody Trentnam is on good behaviour there should iw S?i me great footing at the meeting. Weather conditions this morning were not very promising. Sis o'clock, when the camp tjrst began to show signs of activity, saw a drizzling rain falling from ominous-looking clouds, banked around the surrounding hills, but after breakfast tnere was a marked improvement, and wnen shooting commenced shortly after rS, ck tn<? Prospects were fair, me majority of competitors arrived in camp on Wednesday morning, and over 200 of them took advantage, of the opportunity ottered by the open ranges of setting a sight of the bull. Conditions yesterday morning were not of the best, but there .was an improvement later in the day, and competitors were able to get some useful practice. The majority of the competitors were well satisfied with their preliminary canter, and the cood scores registered provided a happy augmy for the meeting. Competitors last evening were satisfied to take things very quietly m view of the strenuous opening day in front of them, and the early-to-bed rule was generally observed. Very few were seen about the camp after 10 o'clock last night. The marksman takes his sport very seriously, and after all this is the only way in which it is possible to win °?\fVi lceess- Kifle shooting, especially | at jn.k.a. meetings, is a strenuous business, involving an almost continuous strain, and only those who have added physical fatness to their list of attributes a.re able to climb to the top. ■ A STRENUOUS PROGRAMME. There is a strenuous programme ahead of at the 1927 meeting of the NBA., but it is hoped to finish up on Wednesday of next week. It will mean hard work by everybody, and close application to the business in hand. Matches are divided into two series—A and B The A series is made up of service matches which are being fired this mornins, and in the B series are included all the remaining matches, including the all-impor-tant Belt practices. In the B series the lollowmg matches are set down for decision:—Opening Match (not counting for „'j ??' s^'en shots at each 300, 500, and 600 yards; Marlborough Match, ten shots at each 300 and 500 yards; Auckland Match, ten shots at each 300 and COO yards; Wellington Match, ten shot" at each 500 and COO yards; Canterbury Match, ten shots at 600 yards; Otago Match, ten snots at each 800 and 000 yards; Hawkes Bay Match, ten shots at 900 yards; Taranaki Match, ten shots at SOO yards; the King's Prize Match, ten shots at .900 yards; the Dominion Match J.™ counting for Belt), fifteen shots at WO yards and ten shots at 900 yardsChampion Team Match, Riflo Club Cliam'"o»-, Jenni Match, and the Intcrisland .Match. In addition there aro numerous aggregates to be decided. For the purposes of the meeting competitors are divided into three classes—A, B, and tyro and separate prize lists are provided'for each class. The various grades are denned thus: A. all competitors who have been in the King's Fifty, or have won a smgie prize of more than £2 at any New Zealand Championship meeting, N.R.A., or State meeting in their last four competitions, during the last ten years; B, all remaining entries other than tyros. Tyros: A tyro is a competitor resident in New Zealand who has never won a prize of £1 or more at any New Zealand Rifle Championship Meeting, N.R.A., Dominion, or State meeting. The control of the meeting is in good hinds, and with the co-operation of competitors everything should run smoothly. The president is Colonel R Hughes, V.D., and the chief executive officer is Colonel P. B. Creswell, V.D. Mr. H. T. Marshall is chairman of the executive, and his principal officer is Secretary W. G. Fellingham, who has reduced the running of N.R.A. meetings down to a fine art. The statistical officer (Captain G. C. Felton), who did such lino work at the Army meeting last week, i.s again present, and has an efficient Bvnff under him. Competitors may rely on the prompt posting of results. SOME PERSONALITIES. Champions of other years are at Trentham again to try their fortunes on the mounds and test their skill against the vagaries of the. weather. Former winners of the Ballinger Belt are represented by L. A. Galdwell (Karori), who secured a memorable shoot-off with Captain Simmonds; W. Duncan (Westport), who won as far back as 1909; D. Roots (Patea), who was successful in 1911, and again in 1922; F. H. James (Okawa), W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), R. J King (Opaki), H. V. Croxton (Karori), E. R. Vennell (Te Wharau), H. Simmonds (Wangauui), and D. J. Anderson (Kaituna). The majority of these men took advantage of the Papawai meeting earlier in the week to try themselves out, and most of them succeeded in getting into the prize-money. 11. J. King, W. Duncan, D J. Anderson, and E. E. Vennell all secured places in the King's Forty, and King was runner-up to B. Holmes, the Wnnganui marksman. Caldwell also showed good form in several of the matches at Papawai, particularly on the first day of the meeting. Other prominent marksmen who did well a' Papawai and are shooting at the present meeting included H. Hunt (Suburbs), J. C. Carter (Linton), V. E. Donald (Opaki), F. Sharland' (Remvick), S. A. S. Elliott (Akarana), and C. Broughton (Wanganui). Two veteran shots in Captain J. ("Carbine") Ross and "Tarn" Fraser (Kaitangata) have once again responded to the ltn-e of the ranges, and they are as keen as ever and set an example to their younger comrades. Captain Ross who won the Carbine Belt outright in 1888, has now handed this valuable trophy back to the association, and it will go to the scorer of the highest aggregate in the service matches. A pleasing feature of fhe meeting is the presence of a detachment of five men from H.M S. Renown. Included in the detachment is Petty-Officer Griffiths, who did so well at the Army meeting last week, although debarred from taking the principal trophies. His progress at the present meeting will be watched with interest, as he is a man with a big reputation, having represented the Royal Navy at Bisley. Another naval competitor is Sergeant A J. Howard, of H.M.S. Diomede, who also shot prominently at the Army meeting. Colonel E. R. Smith, the Dunedin veteran is missing from the 1927 meeting. He has oeen a regular attendant for many years. H. T. Boon, the well-known Karori shot is also among the missing, but his absence is due to misfortune. He competed at Papawai, but soon after leaving the meeting by car he met with an accident and received injuries which necessitated \ his retirement from the present meeting He will be sadly missed by the Karori team. MAKfNG A START. There was a minimum of delay in getting the meeting under way this morning. After an early breakfast competitors were paraded at the squadding posts, and here they were briefly addressed by Col. Hughes. "I want to welcome you all to Irentham again," he said. "I am very pleased to see so many of the old hands here again, and I want to tell them that they are always welcome. I understand that there are some men visiting Trentham for the first time, and I want to extend a welcome to them. Though they may be disappointed this year, I hope that they will turn up again next year to try their luck. While they are here they wiil I learn something from the older riflemen,' who know all the tricks of the trade, and they, will also ]earn eoinething of tricky

Trentham, which should be all for the good so far as their shooting is concerned. We have a very heavy programme and a short time m which to carry it out, and we want the co-operation of all the competitors. We want you to bear with all the little difficulties that will crop up and help members of the staff all you can. I want you to adhere to the time-limits as far as possible. There are some who shift about a lot and hesitate in order to get uniform conditions for each shot. I know all about it. because I have done it myself." (Laughter.) Colonel Hughes appealed to the competitors to refrain from "grousing," and he concluded on a note which appealed to everybody. "Just remember," he said, "that we do the work, and you take the money." Once the addresses were concluded, the men made their way to the mounds, and the first shot was on its way before halfpast eight. The morninc is beina devoted to service matches. There are four practices —300 yards rapid, 300 yards snapshooting, 200 yards tile competition, and 200 yards moving target. The snap-shoot-ing and tile competition practices are repeated. There are separate ■ prizes for each practice, and the man with the highest aggregate in all practices takes the Service Championship. A service teams match is also being fired concurrently with the individual matches. With good luck the service matches will be completed this morning, and this afternoon will be devoted to the opening match (300, 500, and 600 yards). The first of the service matches (rapid shooting) resulted in an easy win for P. J. Pring (of Auckland), who scored 45 out of a possible 50. He secured six "bulls," three "inners/' and one "magpie." F. J. Jeune (Gisborne) and ■J. H. Fraser (Kaitangata) were rnnners-up with 40 apiece. Petty-Officer Griffiths, of E.M.S. Renown, was well up with a 38. A Navy man, G. V. Cornelious, of H.M.S. Renown, carried all before him in the snap shooting match, scoring 86 out of a possible 100. His nearest rival was D. F. Keir, Ashburton, who returned an 80. DETAILED RESULTS. RAPID SHOOTING. . £4—P. J. Pring (Auckland) 45 £2 10s each—F. J. Jeune (Gisborne) 40 J. H. Fraser (Kaitangata) 40 £1 each—F. J. Soler (Wanganui), 39; P. H. Griffiths (H.M.S. Renown), 38; G. B. Watt (Auckland), 38; W. R. Barrett (Sydenham), 38; R. Donald (Featherston), 38; H. T. Marshall (Karori), 38; W. H. B. M'Corkindale (Mataura), 37; A. V. Swanson (Karori), 37; F. R. Chapman (Wairoa), 37;' T. Orr (Greytown), 36 10s each—J. V. M. Canty (Upper Hutt), 36; A. J. Howard (H.M.S. Diomedo), 30; J. C. Hepburn (Hamilton), 36; W. Hudson (Wanganui), 36; W. N. Masefiekl (Blenheim), 35; F. N. M'Vicar (Waipukurau), 35; J. Paterson (Wanganui), 35; H. Hunt (Suburbs), 35; C. J. M. Clark (Auckland), 35; C. E. Manly (-Napier), 35; C. H. Gower (Ratal, 34; W. Deller (Upper Hutt), 34; W. Sutherland (Goodwood). 34; C. W. Kibblewhite (Waimate), 34; R. Piper (Christchurch), 34; G. E. Carde (Wanganui), 34; G. H. Weir (Hawera), 34; W. Sullivan (Petone), 34; B. Brojan (Timaru), 34; C. J. Nix (Featherston), 33; D. Rait (Gisborne), 33; H Cromie (Ashburton), 33; W. A. Bull (Linton), 33; A. A. Napier (Alfredton), 33; R. T.. Cleary (Okawa), 33; T. F. Barrett (H.M.S. Renown), 33; R. E. Hester (Suburbs), 33; L. A. Caldwell (Karori), 33; F. T. Freeman (Karori), 33; S. Clack (H.M.S. Renown), 32; O. W. A. Pedersen (Petone), 32; 11. H. Nicholl (Petone), 32; A. G Devore (Akarana), 32; F W. Ching (Karori), 32; T. Kidd (Suburbs), 32; R. Mottram (Suburbs), 32; C. J. Page (Linton),- 32. SNAP SHOOTING. £4—D. V. Cornelius (H.M.S. Renown), £3—D. F. Keir (Ashburton), SO. £2 each—C. M. Moss (Kiwi), 77- T Goodall (Suburbs), 75; C. W. Kibblewhite (Waimate), 74. £1 each—F. J. Jcune (Gisborne), 72; A G. Devore (Akarana), 72; W. N. Maseneld (Blenheim), 71; F. J. Soler (Wanganui), Gi); H. Reynolds (Christchurch, 67; F. E. Fr.-mldyn (Old Navals), 60; T V Barrett (H.M.S. Renown), 6S; 11. Hunt (Suburbs), 65; J. C. Feast (Greytown), 65; A. R. Wills (Invercnrgill), 61; G. H. Taylov.(New Plymouth), 61; R. E. Hester (.Suburbs), 61; A. W. Holmes (Blenheim), 59: C. J. Nix (Featherston), 59. 10s each—W. K. Cress (Carterton), «)• J. L. Turner (Suburbs), SS; P. C. Hamilton (Wanganui), 58; A. Playle (Hamilton), 58; A. IT. O'Donuell (Petone), 57; F. C. Hood (Featherston), 56; J. Brennan (Oamaru), 56; H. King (Opaki), 56; J. V. M. Cauty (Upper Hutt), 58; J. Kyle (Petone), 55; R. H. Nicholl (Petone), 55; T. Orr (Greytown), 55; R. Mottram (Suburbs), 55; E. S. King (Wanganui), 54; A. Harris (Suburbs), 54; H. K. Oppert (Oamaru), 53; J. Hunter (Petom.l. 53; F. R. Chapman (Wairoa), 52;' F. 11. James (Napier), 51; G. E. Watt (Auckland), 51; S. A. S. Elliott (Akarana), 51; G. R. Smith (Kaponga), 51; W. J. Conibear (Old Navals). 51; R. J. King (Opaki), 51; T. Foden (Timani), 51; W. R. Barrett (Sydenham), 50; R. T. Cleury (Okawa), 50; H. Barlow (Linton), 50; P. O. Vealo (Hawera), 50; H. L. Rule (Petone), 50. >MOVING TARGET. £4—W. J. Fater, Reserve, 20. £2 ench—J. C. Hepburn, Hamilton, 22; J. Busche (Christchurch), 22; G. Hood, Opalci, 22. £1 each—R. A. Wilson, Petone, 21; S. 11. Monk, Ngatiawa. 21; 11. W. Feast. Greytown, 21: J. D. Kelly, Wangimui, 20; X J. Soler, WanKanui, 20; If. Goldfinch, Old Navals, 20; O. W. A. Pedersen, Petone. 20; E. E. Pennel, Te Wharau, 19; F. P. Cluttock, Timaru, Is"). 10s each—F. J. Jeune, Gisborne, II); ]•'. T. Freeman, Karori, 10; A. G. Devore, Akarana, 19; W. Sutherland, Goodwood, 19; P. J. Priug, Auckland, IS; A. T. Minehin, Umatoki, 18; M. P. Chapman, Wairoa, 18; G. E. Watt, Auckland, 18; F. Barrett, H.M.S. Renown, 18; L. G. Benton, Featherston, 18; J. V. M. Cauty, Upper Hutt, 17; T. Simpson, Awahuri, 17; P. J. Chapman, Petoue, 17; F. Cleuk, Ashburton, 17; W. Colquhoun, Akarana 17G. H. Weir, Hawera, 17; D. H. Clement, Ashburton, 17; E. F. King, Wanganui, 17; W. E. Jones, Timaru, 17; W. Sullivan, Petone, 17; W. 11. Masefield, Blenheim 17F. W. Ching, Karori, 17; L. 11. Koppert, Napier, 15; C. Butters, Rangiora, 15; G. Follett, Rata, 15; J. H. Ross, Old Navals 15; G. E. Carde, Wanganui, 16; F T Ivershaw, Petone, 1G; T. R. M'Caflum, Christchurch, 15; A. V. Swanson, Karori, 15; A. J. Howard, H.M.S. Diomede, 15; J- Hunter, Potone, 15; K. Ingley, Otaki, )a; F. E. Patchett, Blenheim, 15- R W Symes, Duvauchelles, 15; T. Whiteman Upper Hutt, 15; E. Rudd, Blenheim, 15,: W. J. Byford, Wairoa, 15; I. Tudhope, Scots College, 15; F. W. Cox, Lintou, la| oijxt ,OS'-, Nul? iel '> 15; J- H- Shepherd, Old Navals, 15; H. L. Rule, Petone, 15J. Hart, Havelock, 15.