RIFLE SHOOTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15557, 6 March 1911, Page 9

RIFLE SHOOTING.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. [Per Press Association*.] TRENTHAM RANGE. March 4. To-day lias been a strenuous one for marksmen. From early morning till five o'clock in the evening the competitors were kept busy, with the exception of a short spoil for lunch. Proceedings opened with the Auckland Match, ten shots at 500 and 000 ■ards. All the targets were engaged, jnd shooting was very fast. When proceedings commenced at 500 yards Mie weather was, if anything, worse than it was yesterday. There was a stiff, fitful breeze blowing, but just as the first shots wero liroti tho wind died ■ away, and the Tesult was that tho first men firing put up good scores. Among these wero. a number of forty-nines, Shanks (Gore), Manley (Oamaru), Grover (Okato) and Bradley (Dunedin) being among tho scorers. Thoro were n number of forty-eights, and a whole ihcet of forty-sevens. Hay, of Karori, put up a possible, tho only ono of tho range. At 600 yards unfavourable conditions continued, but there were greater intervals of good weather. Cresswell. of Tunmnrina, got the only Eossiblo, but Penny, 'the Sandon-Oha-oa crack, who ha 3 been shooting well Sn all matches,. put up 49, which, )added to his 48 nt 500 yards, gave him a total of 97 and the match. The following is the prize list: —

Til# following xecaived £1 each:—Chiug IR.N.Z.A.), Morgan (Auckland), Grover (Okato), G. Hyde (Opaki), each 91; Sutton (Shannon), Harrison (Rahotu), Brownlee (Victoria Rifles), Moore (Akarana), Person (Dunedin), Govenlock (tVoodville), Cameron (Opaki), Letlnua (Akara.n»), Bradley (Dunedin), each 90; Keenan (.Dunedin), Ross (retired list), Law (Daunevirke), Engstrong (Opaki), Hollard (Hutt), Henderson (Sounds), Wradshaw (Ashburton), King (Masterton), airyden (Kaiapoi), Fenwick (Dunedin), Green (Westport), Duncan (Millerton), each 89; Hopewell '(Eltharn), Thompson (Napier), (Nicholls (Otago), Ondey (Oamaru), V\ orthmgW (Kiokio), Oliver (Upper Kingi Country), ftenior (Coromandel), Jamos (Napier), Bums tKarori), Daniil (Timaru). Cuthbortson (Tuaknarina), Williams (Ohura), Reardon (Auckland), Mitchener (Nelson), _ Palmer (\\ eber), Clarke (Ohinemuri), Harrison (Wanga-mu), Alexander (AkaramO. each S 3: Mackuy (Dun(din). Russell (Hutt), Smith (Hastings), kl'Clcav (Opaki). M’Mon-an (Fost. and Telorraph Rides), Hoad (Napier). Hurst (Waihao Downs), Holmshaw (Dunedin), Ling //i-. r.anraron). Nixon (Dunedin), Head (Aksr-L-.ia). Moselem (Kaeu). Prr-we (Gore). .Toplm 'Civil Pervire Rides). Williams (Okura), Roots (KaponwO. Hartnell (Taranaki). Mnse--5,1d (Sounds), Craw (Linton), each 87; Ingpen tPouotunoa), Godfrey (Wanvamu). inter bottom (Denniston), Kennedy 'Namer), (Karori). Mebdlle (Waikato). OenjisrT (Oameru). Mellmish (KoUiourn). Gardner (Ke.kahi). Stewart. (Weiirr). Howe (NgaLawa), M'Pberson (Tanamii), Skinner (active unattached), each 88.

Directly afterwards flip 500yds of [he Nelson match was taken. Greater interest than usual centred in the ranee, as it completed the Trentham t <r,arecate. which, consists of all scores of 500 and 600yds in the championship series. There was only one possible made, viz., by Drummond, of

Westport, an old Bisley representative, but 49’s were made by Patrick (Auckland), Williams (Feathcvston), and Purnell (Wanganui). There were a host of 48’s, with many 4/s. When tho ran go was completed it was found that Penny, of Sandon, was the winner with 186. The following is the prize-list,: TRENTHAM AGGREGATE, awarded to competitors whoso respective scores at 50U ' and 000yds m the championsmp senos

£i each— Sutton (Shannon), ISO; Bradley (Dunedin), 180; Ghing (Lyttelton), 180; Nich°]l! lach—Facer (Wellington), 179; Jones (Opaki). Clarke (Ohmemun) Watt (Wexport), Grover (Okato). each 178; Lon D (Waimangaroi), Govenlock (Woodville), (Auckland), Henderson (Sounds), M/Leay Opaki), each 177; Cresswell (Tuamarma), Farley (Auckland), Eyles (VannevnUe) Cuthterteon (Tuamarina), Moss (Bluff). Head (Napier), Smaill (Kaitangata). Reardon (Auckland), Harrison (Wanganui), oach 176, Allen (Wanganui), 175. . Counted out—M’Kay, Hunt, Preece, Skinner, Brvden, Moeelein, Cheoscmo/n, Storlioy and "Williams.

At tho conclusion of the 500yds of tho Nelson match, the first of the Service Matches, seven shots at dOuvds, was taken. In this match the target, which is head and sfioulders, w itli 8m buil’s-eyo, invisible to tho firers, is exhibited seven times at irregular intervals, lor four seconds. A hit counts five noints. The shooting was very good,’ the weather not having much effect on the firing at this range. r A large number scored seven hits, Keenan (Port Chalmers) getting six bull scves. The following is the prize-list:

' SERVICE MATCH, 300yds, 6even shots. Keenan (Dunedin), £S . . 7 hits 6 bulla Kelson (Canterbury), £4 • '' bits o putj 3 Wilkio (Upper Hutt), *2l3s 4d 7 hits 4bu s Woollev (Auckland), £2 13s -Id 7 nits 4 bulls Moss (Greymouth), £2 13s Id . 7 hits 4 but a Grover (Okato), £1 12a . . 7 hits 3 bulls Smith (Geraldine), £1 12s . 7 bit 3 3 bulla Macintosh (Waitoiii), £1 123 7 hits 3 bulls Broad (Geraldine), £1 12s . 7 hits 3 bulls Thompson (Sounds), £1 12a . 7 hits S bulls £1 each —Delicti (Maraokakaho), 7 hits 2 hulls; Masefield (Sounds), 7 bus 2 bulls, Winter bottom (Dennislcn), 7 hit 3 2 bulls; Robertson tlnnaxu), 7 hits 2 bulls; Holmshaw (Dunedin), 7 hits 2 bulls; Bulford (Karori), 7 hits 2 bulls; Tokely (Okawa), 7 hits 2 bulls; Williams (Oliura), 7 hits 2 bulls; M'Donald (l'Tajf bivamp), 7 hits 2 bulls; Beattie (Tapauui), 7 hits 2 bulla; Ding (Opalci), 7 hit 3 1 bull; Johnston (Nelson), 7 hits 1 Bull; Russell (Hutt), 7 hits 1 bull; Ogden (Lintvood), 7 hits 1 bull; Tripe (Marlborough), 7 iiits 1 bull; Dumsden (Sancton Ohakea), 7 hits 1 bull; Laking (Blenheim), 7 hits 1 bull; Sandford) (Christchurch), 7 hits 1 hull; Morgan (Carterton), 7 hits 1 bull; Sivinard (Queen's), 7 hits 1 bull; Rodgers (Wellington), 7 hits; Lovaday (Ohurat, 7 hits; Duthie (Christchurch), 7 hiii; Pliramer (Wellington), 7 hits; Danmil iTimaru), 7 hits; Givon (Wellington), 7 hit*; Daysli (Taranaki), G hits 4 bulls; Marenzi (Eketaliunn), U hits 4 bulls.

153 (Id each—Fisher (Wellington), 6 hits 3 bulls; Gasqucino (Wellington), 15 hits 3 bulls; Dunca.il (M.illcrton), G hits 3 bulls; Jonkins (Okato), G hits 3 bulls; Thomson (Upper Hutt), G hits 3 bulla; Guise (Karori), 6 hits S bulls; Chapman (Tekitpau), G hits 3 bulls; Warnock (Stoke), 6 hits 3 bulls.

THE MARIvSiuEN’S MECCA. SHOOTING OF THE FUTURE. [FllOil Obit CORRESPO.VDENT.] TRENTHAM RANGE. March 5. Trentham is notorious as a maker anti breaker of shooting reputations. Yesterday, Penny, the winner of the Trentham aggregate, was unknown, to-day ho may lay claim to the proud title of champion short range rifle shot of the dominion. Yesterday Rifleman Holliday, Captain King, Corporal Patrio'k, Trooper Marenzi and other wcll-knotvn marksmen were considered to he invincible at Trentham. To-day they stand before their M atcrloo. Though their prospects are not utterly ruined, they are in the position metaphorically. of a party that lias retired temporarily, and has taken up a new position which must bo held at all costs. In other words, they must from Monday’s bugle to commenco firing score winning snots or be counted out in this year’s race for the Belt. Last year’s winner and runner-up, Halliday and King, struck tho worst of the weather in tho two completed Bolt matches, and thov counted themselves fortunate that tlicir totals were no worse. At the first distance of the Nelson match, 500yds, fired on Saturday afternoon under tho most- treachorous weather conditions, those marksmen were more favoured, and King rang on eight bulls and two inners, a total of 48 points, and Halliday registered 46. “ Carbine ” Ross, who was third last year, has had his fair share of had luck. Over the long range courso he may assert himself, but there are several exceptionrdly fine marksmen in front who have come through tho trying period in capital style. Two of these are Sergeant Franks, of Nelson, and Needham, of

Palmerston North. Both are splendid types of young men, and each has scored several successes at the Lrentham meetings ol die last few years. • would select those two as holding the best chances of winning the Belt. b>hnoting, however, is as uiiceitain as cricket, more so, perhaps, and before much of tho long range firing has beon completed a new batch ol names may be found on the aggregate list. I liavo attended nearly all tho Trentham championship meetings since tlie range was opened in 1892, and 1 liavo not known any worse conditions to prevail than those of the two days of tho current meeting. Neither have 1 seen better scoring considering thoso conditions. Canterbury has still good prospects in the Belt. Gunner Oiling, of Lyttelton, a cousin, by the way, of tho famous Sergeant Ching, of Nelson, who won tho Belt a few years ago, lias an aggregate of 180 points, six only behind the leador, and ho is admittedly one of the best riflemen in New Zealand over all distances. Tlie successful marksman of to-day must excel at all ranges. One hears some of the old-timers referring to a certain distance as their “ pet range," just as lovers of racehorses will affirm that so and so is tho best six furlongs runner in tho dominion, and that another craok is the champion at a mile or at a longer distance. The modern marksman must bo able to hit the mark at all distances, and it is remarkable to note tho large number of men who possess that ability. Again, it is remarkable to note the easy facility with which tho trained rifleman call cope with the Servico conditions at T'Ventham. In Saturday’s event a small object, representing tho head and shoulders of a man, was exposed for four seconds only, and in that short space of time the marksmen, who were distant three hundred yards, had to aim and despatch tlie bullet, yet such perfection have the men attained that quite a largo number hit the figure each time it appeared, and the winner succeeded in striking tho invisible bull’s-eye, eight inches in diameter, six times out of the seven shots ._ The average shooting far exceeded military standards, and it is to be hoped that the point will not be overlooked by thoso who decry the usefulness of tlie bull’s-eye target and fixed distanco firing, tor it has been by this class of training that tho remarkable results in the Service sories at Trentham liavo been obtained.

The veteran marksman of the gathering is Captain G. J. Dormer, of Auckland, who is seventy-two years of age. Captnin Dormer was an instructor in Devon many years ago, and was a noted marksman. He first attended a New Zealand meeting in 1885 at Island Bay. Tho youngest marksman is Coombes, of the Auckland Grammar School, who is sixtoen years of age. The long ranges will bo commenced on Monday, and will bo continued on Tuesday and Wednesday, and tho championship will bo decided on Thursday afternoon. Tho following ore Canterbury’s scores in the Auckland match, ten shots at 500 and COO yards, and tho first range of the Nelson match, ton at 500yds:—

AUCKLAND HATCH, 500 and 600yds. f»#nny (Sandon), £5 97 Hay (Karorij, £1 93 Lovcday (Woodville), £1 Moss (Bluff), £3 93 93 Manley (Oamaru), £3 90 Creeswoll (Tuamarina), £1 92 Frank (Nelson), £2 92 "Watt (Westport), £2 92 Allen (Wanganui), £2 .91 (Linton), £2 • 82

make up the highest aggregate. . 186 183 l’ennv (Sandon), £5 * Needham (Linton), £-1 . • • 183 Frank (Nelson), £•*•••“ ; is.j Hay (Karcri), £3 . ! 182 Craw (Linton), £3 ; iso Loveuay (Wocdvillo), £3 •

LINWOOD RIFLES. 500 COO 500 yds. yds. Tl. yds. Lioutcnant Gee 44 89 — 33 39 CaDtnin King 42 38 — 80 48 Beil 34 35 — 69 46 Cooper 40 110 — Cl) 40 Hadley 41 25 — 66 28 ENGINEERS. Evans 46 30 — 76 44 Smith . 40 30 — 76 39 Turner 43 82 — 75 42 Jordan 43 32 — 75 43 CHRISTCHURCH RIFLE CLUB. Wilson 47 38 — 85 34 Wood .... 41 40 — 84 85 Sandford . 46 37 — 83 47 Ward , . 39' 41 — 80 83 Morrow 45 40 — 85 43 Rennie 43 29 — 72 44 Duthio . 40 37 — 79 44 Eibv .... 33 40 — 79 39 Fa.rle.nd 38 39 — 77 39 Guinoy 44 24 — 63 39 GERALDINE i RIFLES. Saunders 42 38 — 60 32 A. Beimingtoii 43 36 — 79 4(1 L. Bennington' 43 26 — 69 47 Howard 42 84 — 76 44 Smith 43 29 — 72 43 Broad 40 31 — 61 11 TIMARU PORT GUARDS. Glue 10 37 — 77 47 Daniil .... 45 43 — 88 41 Beckingham 41 33 — 79 li Pearson 39 36 — 75 41 W. G. Moore 39 38 — 77 41 J. J. Moore . 44 28 — 72 33 Foster 40 36 — 76 43 Waugh . . 43 34 — 77 45 Thyua , . 42 40 — 82 37 Hill . . 37 37 — 74 37 Burford 47 89 — 86 33 Millan 44 30 — 74 TIMARU CUT RIFLES. 44 39 — 83 46 Lieutenant Campbell . 42 35 — 77 43 Cairna 36 36 — 72 43 Whyte 33 40 — 74 41) Packer 36 32 — 68 36 Robertson 40 40 — 80 41 Dudley 34 88 — 72 86 TIMARU RIFLES. Higsrins 45 31 — 79 41 KAIAPOI RIFLES. Richard.a 41 43 — 81 45 Yollowlecs 42 83 — 75 39 Bryden 48 41 — 89 43 STUDKOLME RIFLES. Lieutenant Roberts ■13 38 — 81 11 Captain Wain 43 £9 — 74 43 CHORLTON RIFLE CLUB. 0. Craw 43 36 — 79 46 Andrew M’Kay 47 39 — 86 42 SCARGILL RIFLE CLUB. Cameron 36 36 — 72 •ir LINCOLN RIFLE CLUB. Liddie 46 39 — 65 36 NEW ZEALAND ARTILLERY (LYTTELTON). Chins 47 41 — 91 45 IMPERIAL RIFLES. Reeves 40 35 — 75 42 HIGHLAND RIFLES. Watson . . 41 37 — 81 48 Noleon 45 40 — 35 43 CHRISTCHURCH CIT> GUARDS. The Christchurch City Guards fired a coinuctition at RedcliSa on L Saturday lor their challenge belt and other trophies. Ih and B. Grades fired ten shots each at and 500 yards, and the Tocruits fired seven shots each at the same distance. 1 he lollowing are the leading scores : — CHAMPION BEI FT. 200 600 Hep. Tl. yds. vds. Corporal T. J. Noonan . 48 43 5 96 Sergeant T. Murphy . 43 43 scr Sergt. C. Meadowcrolt 41 48 7 B GRADE. Private V. Timms . 47 46 9 102 Private Atkinson . 44 30 15 Colour-Sergrt. \V. Haynes S6 34 10 Corporal W. Chapman . 41 23 10 RECRUITS’ CLASS. Privato T. Ellis . 30 23 2 o;> Bugler Hill . 24 9 2