RIFLE SHOOTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1925, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING

JN.R.A. CHAMPIONSHIPS, to / ' i " ® . , ? y(Per Presi k- ? • ' ' TRENTHAM, May 1. , The ' N;R.A. ‘/Rifle Championship ’ meeting opened this morning fin brilweather, in a. fresh, fluctuating left‘breeze. Passing clouds made oc- ■ casioiial dull patches-"of light, but generally- bright 'sunshine prevailed. The men, who paraded at 8 o’clock, were briefly addressed by. . Colonel Hughes; Chief Executive Officer.' He referred to the death of Col.. Collins, so long associated with ri flfi shooting, and at his instance,'..the wliole gathering remained silent, bare-headed, for a few moments as a .mark of respect for the departed'chief.. ..... Colonel Hughes then referred to Mr Massey’s health, and said all regretted . the Premieit/s. illness; j/and l . on his motion, the parade unanimously recorded it vote of sympathy from 1 the National Rifle Association,..with.the.Prime Minister .and his- family. In welcpining; the competitors, Colonel Hughes.said the cause of the postponement of the meeting was deplored, but it was gratifying that the entries, nevertheless/ were so good. A number of intending competitors had perforce to cancel the visit to Trentliam this year; as a result, but others, who , could ..hot come earlier in the year cpunt.er.-balanced tljese. The total enRy was 310, which’was the best since the war, period. At. this season, a period: when daylight. was less, and there was a liability of earlier stoppage of shooting if the afternoons became overcast, the co operation of all concerned was necessary to -enable tlie meeting to conclude in time. Specified, men then moved of? to the firing mounds to begin the service series. -. Notable among the absentees - is Cr’Qxton, ’ a ■ former champion, who is suffering from a serious affliction of the eyes, due to poisoning which developed while (.attending the Greytowfi meeting last week;- and necessitated his .-'return home before the shooting ended. z • Results: — No. 1 Match, ten shots, rapid fire, s 3OO yards, was. completed, but a few cards were outstanding. The.leader is J. L. Christenson (Omama), score 46, - followed by Capt. F. Bolton (Masterton) and F. R. Chapman (Wairoa) each . Moss (Dunedin), Devore (Aka.roa), Jack (Christchurch), each scored 40; Williams (Ohura) Rob. ertsbn (HaWera), Bryden (Kaiapoi) each 39. ■/i ' 1 ■ •