SERVICE BELT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 11

SERVICE BELT

DECISION TODAY

TRENTHAM MEETING

WIND TROUBLESOME

(From "The Post's" Special Reporter.)

■TRENTHAM, This.Day.

Competitors taking part in the National Rifle Association's annual, meeting, considered themselves lucky today when a strong wind made conditions difficult for the.service matches without affecting the scoring for the.King's Belt series. Although the contest for the Service Belt excites considerable interest -and.attracts marksmen who do not contest the King's Belt, weather conditions do not trouble the marksmen to the same extent, a different type of shooting being undertaken. As the Service matches are compulsory, there was a good muster on the ranges, including two teams (eight .marksmen) from the Wellington Division, R.N.V.R.

The first match of the series was commenced at 9 a.m., the strong wind from the left rear leading to erratic scoring, some of the. marksmen making good totals-while others were well down on the ladder. The second match' followed, and as both called for twor practices the' whole of the forenoon was occupied. The third match is being fired this afternoon and as soon as it is completed the fifty marksmen with the highest scores will go on to the final"match, ten rounds at 600 yards; the highest scorer at the finish securing the Service, or Ross Carbine, Championship Belt. The scores in the first three matches of the'series will also count for the Champion Service Teams Match, which is open to members of Empire forces or the Police Force. The winning team receives the Sir John LoganCampbell Shield for one year.

Results are as follows:— FIRST SERVICE MATCH, five rounds application, and ten rounds snap- ■- ■ shooting, each at 300 yards.

£4£_W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), 67 £3—E. M. Wrigley (Opaki) 67 £2 F. S. Hood (Featherston) .. 66

■£1 each—A. J. Bruning (Christchurch), 65; F. Hiscock (Royal New Zealand Air Force), 64; A. G. Devore (Auckland City), ; i' 63; W. J. Burton (Okawa); 63; F. J. Soler (Wanganui), 63; C Milroy (Suburbs), 63; W. Oakley (Christchurch), 63; A. W. Harris (Auckland City), 62;' W. A. Whyte (Paparangi), 62; D. Wilton (Whangarei), 62; R. 8. % McKenzie (Rangitikei), 62- G. Craw (Linton), 62; F. Hickenbotham (Christchurch), 62; R. Congreve (Old Navals)', 62; J. E. Farley (Wanganui), 62. 10s each—A. C. Crossan (Auckland City), 61; D. H. Small (Karori), 61; W. N. Kummer (Opaki), 61; H. L. Mason (Christchurch), 61; W. A. Kenning (Nelson), 61; A. R. Tantrum (Levin), 61; T. Smith "(Culverden), 61; J. H. Kearney (Napier), 61; E. C. Crocker (Auckland City), 61; W. Duncan (Westport), 60; C. Humphrey (Okato), 60; S. A. S. Elliott (Akarana), 60; F. Bovves' (Auckland City), 60; C. J. Nix (Featherston), 60; F. H. Sharland (Nelson), 60; I. J. Spry (Auckland City), 60. * Counted out: J. A. Munro, R.. F. Wakefield, S. C. Parkinson, G. H/Taylor, J. C. Feast. SECOND. SERVICE ..MATCH, 10 rounds , : rapid and 10. rounds .snap-shooting, ; each at 300 yards.- ~ ' .. - ■ ; , (The following-results-are -subject--to-correction as the official count will not be made until this evening.) £4—R. H. Nicholl (Petbne) ...... 87 £3—J. H. Kearney (Napier) 82 £2—E. M. Wrigley (Opaki) 81 £1 each—F. Hiscock (Christchurch), 79; C. J. M. Clark (Auckland City), 78; P. H. R. Boon (Karori), 78; C. J. Robieson (Auckland City), 78; H. R. Hunt (Suburbs),'7B; I. L. Ford (Wanganui), 77; J. H. A. Blatch (Wakatipu), 77; W. N.Masefield' (Blenheim), 76; D. P. Donald (Opaki),' 75; W. J. Burton (Okawa), 75; H. King (Opaki), 75; J. Paterson (Wanganui), 74; R. Congreve (Old Navals), 74; P. R. Capley (Hautere), 74; J. E. Farley (Wanganui), 74.