NATIONAL RIFLE SHOOT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 5 March 1935, Page 9

NATIONAL RIFLE SHOOT

KINO’S PRIZE CONTEST O’DONNELL HEADS THE SCORES FEW PRIZES TO TARANAKI. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TRENTHAM, March 4. With the completion of all the championship short range matches and one long range match at the end of the day’s shooting at the national rifle meeting at Trentham to-day, A. H. O’Donnell (Petone) is leading for the King's Prize with an aggregate score of 286 out of 300.

The next two positions are occupied by two Napier marksmen, F. H. James and R- Nicholson, each with 282. James was the King’s Prizeman in 1913.

Two more long range matches will be decided to-morrow and the 40 marksmen with the highest aggregate scores at the end of these will compete in the final match for the championship belt on Wednesday afternoon. . When shooting commenced in the morning, the light was dull but fairly even. As the day advanced there were occasional patches of sunshine which caused a mirage, and, although conditions were at times tricky and required careful watching, they were not difficult to follow-. Dark, low-ly-ing clouds adversely affected visibility in the afternoon. A strong, frontal, fishtail breeze also blew down the range. Those who did well at the short range, but lost ground at the longer distance included the reigning champion, R. H. Nieholl (Petone). He dropped one point only at 509 yards, but at 600 yards could pot do better than 43.

The last of the short range championship matches was the Hawke’s Bay match of ten rounds at 600 yards, which was won by A. H. O’Donnell (Petone) with 49. A string of bulls was broken by an inner for his second shot. Several dropped only two points, but G. G. Keily (Auckland City) had the best -finish for second place. With the completion in the afternoon of the firing in the Hawke’s Bay match, the Trentham aggregate was compiled, this being awarded for tlm highest aggregate scores in the short range championship belt matches. First place in the aggregate was gained by O’Donnell with 239 out of a .possible of 250. The second highest score was obtained by F. H. James (Napier) with 238, and A. H. Oromie f Ash burton) finished in third position with 235- Six forty-nines were registered In the Taranaki match, ten rounds at 800 yards, the first place went to L. Palmer (Gtorohanga), and the next two positions in the prize list were occupied by F. H. Sharland (Nelson) and R. Congreve .(Old Navals). A't the end of to-day’s shooting the following were in the lead for the King’s Prize: A. H. O’Donnell (Petone) 286, F. H. James (Napier) 282, Ri. Nicholson (Napier) 282, F. Bowes (Auckland City) 281, E. Ballinger (Petone) 280, A. R. Wills (Invercargill) 280, H. H. Mclntosh (Blenheim) 279, A. Ri. Elgar (Okato) 279, H. V. Croxtqn (Karori) 279, C. .Whiteman (Upper Hutt) 279, H- Simmonds (Auqkland City) 278, W. Johnson (Featherston) 278, C. J. Nix (Featherston) 278, L. E. Braithwaite (Okawal 278. Results to-day were =—

Wellington Match. (Ten Rounds at 500 and 600 Yards). £s—lf. A. G'romie (Ashburton) 98. £4.—-K. Grigsby (Morrinsville) 96 £3 each.—P. H. James (Napier) 96. R. Nicholson (Napier) 95 £2 each.—D. Roots (Patea) 94, F. C. Hogg (New Plymouth) 94, H. H. McTntcsh (Blenheim) 94, L. Davidson (Patea) 94. Thirty-four collected £1 each and 14 10s each. The B Grade was won by S. C. Parkinson (Auckland City) with 95. Hawke’s Bay Ma\ph(Ten Rounds at 600’ Yards). £5.—A. H. O’Donnell (Petone) 49. £4.—G. G. Kelly (Auckland City) 48. * - £3 each.—H, V. Croxton (Karon), 48, H- Simmonds (Auckland City) 48. £2 each.—Rl. O. Anderson (Invercargill) 48, F. C. Hogg (New Plymouth), 48, E. Ballinger (Petone) 48, G R. Smith (Okato) 47, R. Nicholson (Napier) 47. Thirty-four took £1 each and 14 10s each. The D grade winner was C. B. Ben ton (Okato) with 48. Trentham Aggregate (for highest scores in Canterbury, Otago. Hawke’s Bay and Wellington matches). B.S.A. Cup, B.S.A. gold medal and £5 —A. H. O’Donnell (Petone) 239. £4.—F. H. James (Napier) 238£3.—H. A. Cromie (Ashburton) 235 £2 each—R. Nicholson (Napier) 234, F. Bowes (Auckland City) 234. Ten received £1 each and 10 10s. each. Taranaki Matoh. (Ten Rounds at 800 Yards). £s.—l j. Palmer (Otorohanga) 49. £3 each. —F. H. Sharland (Nelson) 49. R. Congreve (Old Navals) 49. £3.—H. R. Hunt (Suburbs) 49. £2 each.—T. W- Warhurton (Petonei 49, L. G. Benton (Feathcrston) 49. J. C. Carter (Petone) 48. £1 10s each. —W. H. Ballinger (Petone) 48, H. Y. Croxton (Karori) 4S Thirty-three received £1 each and 14 10s each The B grade was won by F. Becking (Cheltenham) with 48. Dr. A. F. Ritchie Crawford, Invercargill, was to-night elected president of the National Rifle Association at the annual meeting of members. He succeeds Colonel F. B Creswell, who recently announced his retirement fiom that office.