CLAY BIRD CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 20193, 5 June 1929, Page 4

CLAY BIRD CHAMPIONSHIP

BARTON CUP WON BY -E, P, GRAHAM The second Otago clay bird championship was contested at the Dunedin Club’s grounds, Green Island, yesterday, before a large attendance of spectators. Weather conditions were perfect for shooting, there being a total absence of wind, and a cloudy skyline. Visiting members were well represented, and for the championship event, .sixteen shooters entered, the conditions being 21 clay birds, off 18yds. In winning the Otago claybird championship for the second year in succession. E. P. Graham, of the Dunedin Club, put up a meritorious performance by breaking lii.s 21 birds with the first barrel, and, in addition to the sweepstake money, he will hold the Barton silver cup for twelve months, together with a miniature enp presented by the Dunedin Club. Second and third sweepstake money was divided between F. Johnston (Lauder), and A. J. White (Dunedin), with 19 breaks each. The other best scores were; M. Sinclair (Oainaru) 18, R. Graham 18, O. E. Turner 18, H. Smellie 17, W. Sraeilie 17, C. Thompson (Oamarn) 16. In presenting the Barton Cup and miniature to Mr E P. Graham, the President of the Dunedin Club (Mr G. E. Turner) encouraged shooters to emulate the champion in the handling of the gun In other countries sporting facilities were getting further afield, and clay bird _ shooting had proved a popular pastime iii England and America.

In conjunction with the championship event other sweepstake matches were held, including ‘ ; Skeet,”_a new method in imp .'hooting. Although tried out by the Dunedin Chib lor the first time, in the dominion, it is likely to prove popular. Visiting members appreciated the new style «t trapshooting. which a How' . only one shot to each bird. Fourteen different angles comprised the contest. Af. Sinclair (Oamarii). and G. Ik Turner each broke 11 birds, and divided the sweepstake money. Other scores were: A. J. White 9, C. Thompson (Oamaru) 8, F. M. Campbell (Hamilton) R, E. M‘ln tosh (Moa Creek) 7, E. i*. Graham 7, , A nine bird sweepstake, of! 18yds, was competed lor prior to the championship event, and tiic prize money was divided between E. M'lntosh (Moa Creek) 9 birds, and E. P. Graham 9. the latter all first barrel breaks. Other scores were: M. Sinclair (Oamain'i 8. E. M. Campbell (Hamilton) 8, C. Thompson (Oainaru) 8

The concluding event was a twelve bird handicap sweepstake, and., with 11 breaks each, the l*olIowin« divided the 'prize money .R. M'Donald 12yds, U; M. Sinclair (Oamurn) I dye!?, 31; 0. Thompson (Oainaru) lljcls, 11; b. ]>. Graham 20vds, 11; J. Hutchison llvds, 11; G. b. 'J’urncr ll.yds, 11; G. J. Scott, llvds, 11. Other scores were: W. Breen 12yds, 10; T. Long 11yds, 10; J. Cook (Roxburgh) 11yds, 10. All the matches were capably controlled by the club’s referee, Air A. King.