TRENTHAM SHOOTING

Grey River Argus, 6 March 1937, Page 9

TRENTHAM SHOOTING

NATIONAL MEETING ' First Day’s Results (Per press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 5. Mos.f. of the Dominion’s leading marksmen arc competing al the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, which opened at Trentham to-day in fine weather with an attendance of 290 competitors. The entry for this year’s fixture i-s the best thc association has had since the pre-de-pression days. Several ex-champions are competing, and W. N. Masefield, last year's belt winner, is defending his title. Australia is represented at the meeting by A. Wohlers, of Wangaratfa. Club, Victoria.

Before leaving for the firing points for the day’s shooting, the competitors assembled at tho squadding posts, where they were addressed by the president of the association, Captain A. F. R. Crawford. The increase in entries, he said, augured well for the success of the association.

Shooting commenced with the opening match, seven rounds at the 300, 500, and 600 yards range. Conditions were relatively easy, although the light was at times troublesome, and the last men had to contend with a slight drift, which needed careful watching. Conditions were more diffienq. at the 500 and 600 yards, particularly at the latter, a tricky fishtail breeze bowing down the range, and the win nor of the match was 11. R. Hunt (Suburbs), who finished with 104 out of a. possible 105. He received £5. H. Koppert (Oamaru) took second prize of £4 with 102.

First place in the B grade was filled by T. Smith (Culver-den), with 100.

Thc first match in thc championship belt series, the Canterbury match, ten rounds at the 300 and 500 yards, was fired in the afternoon. Although at times; tho wind was fairly choppy and inclined to fishtail, there were long, steady patches when it blew from one direction, and for the greater part of tho afternoon it was easy to read. High scoring was a. feature of the match, three finishing for the loss of ono point only. A count back favoured F. N. McVicar (Waipukurau), who took first prize of £5. Second prize of £4 was won by F. Iliekenbothain (Christchurch), land M. Jones (Wiw nganui) had to be content with third place for a prize of £3. The B grade, for which the first prize was £3, was won by N. Manssen. (Nelson) with 97.