KING’S PRIZE WINNER

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1939, Page 13

KING’S PRIZE WINNER

MASEFIELD’S FOURTH. SUCCESS [per press association.] WELLINGTON, March 8. Experience triumphed over youth in the final match for the championship rille belt at Trentham to-day, when W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) won his fourth King’s Prize with an aggregate score of 520 out of a possible 550. After his. success he was “chaired” and carried shoulder high by fellow marksmen to the Y.M.C.A. Hall, where he was presented with his trophies by the Governor-Genei al, Lord Galway. Second place in the championship was obtained by F. Bowes (Auckland City), and the champion’s son, B. Masefield (Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles) gained third place, following a shoot-off with A. R. Symons (Ashburst). Before the start of the final Masefield had a two-point lead, but. he had three redoubtable opponents close behind him in his father, Bowes and Symons. Tile sky was overcast and dull, but there was an even light, with a. steady wind. Masefield, junr., who experienced trouble in judging the correct elevation, missed the target altogether with his first sighting shot. From the start he gradually lost ground to Bowes and his father, and after he had fired about six shots, it was obvious that the championship rested between these two, and that the best he could expect was to draw even for second place. However, he could not do better than 43 against his father’s 47 and Bowes’ 46. The Rifle Challenge Cup for the highest individual score in the final was won by H. K. Smith (MastertonOpaki) with the possible. A notable record as a marksman stands to the credit of this year s champion. He has been attending national meetings at Trentham for over 30 years, and has represented New Zealand in numerous representative matches. He has also competed at Bisley and in Australia. The leading scores in the championship were as follow: — Ballinger Rifle Belt, N.R.A. gold medal and gold shield, and £3O—W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) 47—520. N.R.A. silver star and shield and £15 — f. Bowes (Auckland City) 46 — 519. N.R.A. silver star and shield and £lo—B. Masefield (Nelson-Marlbor-ough Mounted Rifles) 43—518. N.R.A. silver star and shield and £B—A. R. Symons (Ashhurst) 45 — 518. . £5 each: F. J. Jeune (Gisborne) 44 —516; H. R. Feast (Greytown) 49— 514. £3 each: H. R. Hunt (Suburbs) 4i —514; H. K. Smith (Masterton-Opaki) 50—512. ■ , , £2 each: R. A. Jones (Ashhurst) 46—511; H. Harries (Christchurch) 44 —511;; D. Roots (Patea) 49 —510; R. H. Nicholl (Petone) 45 —509.