SPLENDID WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 7

SPLENDID WIN

KING'S PRIZE

NEW CHAMPION'S

SCORE

TEN BULLS IN LINE

Starting with his< sighters, C. J. Nix (Featherston) had a' splendid win in the final for the King's Prize at Trentham yesterday by scoring ten bulls in a line. Although .he ran near the edge of the black at times there was little doubt about the result before the match was half over, arid when his final score was signalled there was an enthusiastic burst of cheering. The runner-up, W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) did not approach his usual form and was seven points down at the finish. The light breeze that had been blowing throughout the early afternoon increased slightly as the final progressed but kept fairly steady, with an occasional stronger gust. The second twentyfive in the King's Fifty went down first and some good scores were made, but the large crowd of spectators did not become really enthusiastic until the leading twenty-five opened fire. Nix and Masefield were closely watched and when the latter dropped a point with his third shot, thus making the scoring level, there was lively speculation as to the final scores. Each competitor scored another bull and then Masefield dropped behind with a three.. When he put in two fours with his next two shots while Nix continued to place fives, the winner was certain. However, there was keen interest until the last, everyone wanting to see whether or not Nix could keep up his remarkable shooting. When the last signal went up in the lower right-hand corner there was a spontaneous burst of cheering and the new champion was -warmly congratulated by his numerous friends. As soon as the match was over the winner was congratulated by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) and the president of the National Rifle Association (Dr. A. F. Ritchie Crawford), and was then chaired in the historic manner by his comrades and carried to the hall where the trophies were presented. TROPHIES PRESENTED. The V.M.C.A. hall was well filled when the trophies were presented by the Minister of Defence and Mrs. Jones. The president of the National Rifle Association presided and welcomed the visitors. The GovernorGeneral (Lord Galway) had intended to be present, he said, but had been unable to attend. The association, Dr. Crawford continued, was deeply indebted to the Minister of Defence for coming to Trentham to present the trophies, ov rather help to present them, because Mrs. Jones would be asked to assist. Dr. Crawford stressed the value of rifle shooting to New Zealand. It was unnecessary to remark on the anxious time the world was going through, he said; everyone must know that a good clean sport like rifle shooting—which, in addition, had an educational value —was worthy of the support of every member of the community. (Applause.) The meeting had been a successful one, Dr. Crawford added, and the ammunition, markers, and the assistance given by General Headquarters left nothing to be desired. The Minister said that he was glad to be present because it had been a pleasure to him to see the keenness of the marksmen and the splendid shooting in the final. A year ago the association had asked him to restore the railway warrants for contestants, either in whole or in part, and he had promised to investigate the matter. Unfortunately a number of major matters had called for expenditure and he had not been able to do anything. He could not promise to do anything during the coming year, but he would promise to go into the question once more. "I am glad that the ammunition is now up to standard,". Mr. Jones said. "When a man can get ten bulls at 900 yards you cannot say that anything is wrong with the ammunition, or the man either." The Department was doing a considerable amount for rifle shooting, he. continued. It provided ammunition and rifles at a reduced cost and carried the riflemen who lived in Wellington to the range free of post. Air of the privileges granted amounted to approximately £13,000 a year/ but the Government, was glad to make some contribution to the men who were trying to improve their shooting. New Zealand had some splendid marksmen' and he understood the association had been invited to send a team to New South Wales next year. He hoped that team would go and he would place the question of a grant towards their travelling expenses before Cabinet. Marksmen from all over the Empire would be there and it would be a splendid thing if New Zealand could show that there were better shots in the Dominion than elsewhere.

In conclusion Mr. Jones congratulated the winner and the runner-up. Results are as follows: — KING'S PRIZE MATCH. The Ballinger Rifle Belt, N.R.A. gold medal and gold shield. Rifle Challenge Cup, and £30—C. J. Nix (Featherston), 5555555555 50 522 N.R.A. silver star and shield and £15—W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) , 5545344544—43 516 N.R.A. silver star and shield and £10 —H. A. Cromie (Ashburton), 5555555454—48 513 N.R.A. silver star and shield and £8 —D. J. Guiney (Petone) (30), 5553544455—45 510 £5—H. V. Croxton (Karori) (3), 5555455535—47 510 £5—F. J. Soler (Wanganui) (43), 5554535544—45 508 £3—R. H. Nicholl (Petone) (4), 5555545554-48 507 £3—E. M. Wrigley (Opaki) (44), • 5555355554—47 506 £2—H. R. Hunt (Suburbs) (33), 4555545545—47 504 £2—J. McKelvie (Karori), 5445553455—45 '. 503 £2—R. F. Wakefield (Akarana) (4), 5454555455—47 502 £2—D. St McKenzie (Opaki), . 5544555455—47 502 £1—F. H. Sharland (Nelson), 5554555453—46 '.. . 502 £1—F. T. White (Okawa) (43), 5544534555—45 502 £1—H. K. Smith (Opaki) (33), 5344455455—44 ; 502 £l—S. H. Haraldsen (Napier) (03), j 2555544445—43 502 £1—A. H. O'Donnell (Petone) (44), 3454445445—42 502 £1—R. Congreve (Old Navals); (44), 3555555554—47 501 £1—F. J. Jeune (Gisborne) (44). 4455454554—45 501 £1—H. Harries (Christchurch), 5554544455—46 500 £1—J. I. King (Karori), 5453544455 —44 500 £1—J. Tansley (Invercargill) (44), ,| 5455444445—44 500 £1—L. H. Proffltt (Napier). 5555434543—43 500 £1—D. E. Wilton (Whangarei) (3), 5444555535—45 499 £1—H. L. Mason (Christchurch) (03), 5445443455—43 499 £1—S. Lumsden (Levin) (53), 5445555445—46 498 £1—C. A. Wohlers (Wangaratta, (Australia), 5545545544—46 .. 498 £1—J. C. Feast (Greytown) (34), 4545553544—44 498 £1—J. Sim (Okawa) (3), 5555433455—44 498 £1—H. King (Opaki) (44), 5443435444—40 498 £1—P. B. Goldfinch (Karori), 5535544545—45 497 £1—J. A. Munro (Mataura), 5533545355—43 497 £1—A. R. Symons (Okawa) (2). 5555555454—48 496 £1—F. Bolton (Opaki) (44), 4454555554—46 496 £1—H. C. Percy (Alfredton) (4), 5555544544—46 496 £1—R. Ellis (Takapau) (2), 5444535454—43 496 £1—L. Fellingham (Suburbs) (44), 4544554545—45 495 £1 —F. N. McVicar (Waipukurau) (3), 5354555445—45 495 £1—M. Jones (Wanganui) (04), 5435445554—44 • 495