RIFLE SHOOTING.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3713, 5 October 1926, Page 4

RIFLE SHOOTING.

The Wakalipu Defence Bide Club opened the 1926-27 season at Walter Peak range on Saturday, 25th ult. The day commenced inauspLciously m respect of 'weather,, but on arrival at Walter Peak Station the rain ceased and the remainder of the day was gloriously fine. About twelve riflemen! went from here and they were joined at Walter Poafk by two (others from' Glenorchy and one from Elfin Bay. •Shortly after tire launch Muratar arrived' with the Queenstown contingent the membeirs were entertained at morning tea at President Mackenzie’s home. The party repaired to the range, where all arrangements hold been made for the day’s shoot, including the installation of the telephone which proved most useful during the day. The competition was taken over three ranges—three, five and six hundred yards, with 2 optional sighters at each range. There wajs a good light for shooting, but the iwintd was blowing across the targets all day. There were, however, some very passable scores. Rifleman. Gray was the highest scorer with 86. H, Boss being next with 81. The following are the details:. TI. D. Gray, 27 at 300 yds 30 at 500yds--18 at 600 yds ... ... 86 H. Boss, 29, 27, 28 84 G. Shaw, 28, 28, 26 82 A. M. Boyne, 30, 23, 27 ... ... 80 L. Mann, 24, 28, 26 78 V. Colyer, 29, 27, 21 77 H. Mackenzie, 26, 30, 18 74 R. Grant, 27, 22, 21 70 A. Simsoix, 26, 29, lo 70 H. Louden, 24, 21, 24 69 W. D Warren, 27, 30, 11 68 W. H. Be my, 29, 23, 15— 67 J. W. Miller 27, 23, 16 66 J. Thornton, 17, 21, 27 65 J. Adams, 10, 16, 16 52 J. Mackenzie, —, 26, 21 47 P. Mackenzie, 21* 22, —, 43 T. P Lynch, 9, 20, 9, ; ... 38 During the day the members of thei Club received most hospitable treatment at the hands of the Mackenzie families. Full and ample luncheon was provided by Mrs H. Mackenzie, wife of the preisident; also afternoon, tea, and a further light repast before the riflemen left in the evening. Several of the members and their friends were also the guests during the day of the honoured patron of the Olub, Mr H. Mackenzie, senr. Shortly after partaking of the evening meal, all riflemen and their friends and members of all the Mackenzie household's assembled on Die lawn in front of the bogie of Mr H. Mackenzie, junr., The latter expressed the pleasure it gave him to see so 'many over in spite of thiei wet weather in the. morning. He hoped that everyone enjoyed themselves and that the 1926-27 season} would be a thoroughly successful'one. He also congratulated those who- won, the various Cups, and trophies lasi season. He then asked Major Mackenzie to present the trophies- and prizes won during the day. Before doing so; Major Mackenzie, in a few timely remarks, referred to the value of target shooting 1 , the necessity for good nerve, eyesight, and general good health in order to attain success. He expressed disappointment that there were not more- younger rifleshots. For some reason or other there dla not seem so. many coming forward as under the old volunteer system. He commended those members of the Club who came from as far afield as Glenorchy and Elfin Bay. to bo present that day. Major Mac-* kenzie then presented the trophies and in each case complimented the reeipients on their achievements.. He said it gave him very great pleasure to present the A Grade Championship! to Rifleman H. Lor den, who had done, Trojan work for the Club over many years. The following is the' list of trophajes., A Grade Championship Cup and gold' medal: Rifleman H. Lor den; B Grade Champion Cup and gold medal: Rifle: main Colyer; second prize gold medal Rifleman D. Gray. The Club’s prize for the handicap match (a watch) was won by Rifle mam P. Lynch. The president’s trophy of a silver teapot for competition amoßjgsit/ the members of Queiejnstewn section was won by Rifleman D. Gray aedi a similar prize gayen tf> Skiplpepsl sectijon was won by Rifleman. H. J. H' Lewis.

Major Mackenzie also diis-tribu-tioci the cash prizes' which were won at the day’s shoot. These ranged from £1 down to 7 s and thanks to the generosity of Major Mackenzie and the President, everyone present received a prize. (Bifleman Mann; also received V.-Pres Miller’s prize), At the conclusion of the prisegiving V.Pres. A. Simson took occasion to express' the visiting riflemeinJli thanks to the ’Mackenzie families for their splendid hospitality during the day, also to those who had contributed the cash for the day’s shoot. At his call three ringing cheers wore given for their hosts. Cheers were also given for the ladies who had so wi'llingJiy given their services in the various households, and tills call was reciprocated by three cheers for the visitors.

Miss Dowden made a pleasing* and: suitable reply on behalf of the president’s wife, Mrs H. Mackenzie, stating the pleasure it had given them to entertain the lillemen. Further cheers were given for the Mackenzie families as the _ launch moved out on tlie homeward journey.

PBEVIO US CHAMPIOXib 1917 H. Vu n tun zel mann—l Oxpts 1918— A. F. Smith—9Bpts. 1919 H. Ma cken zi e—9Bpts. 1920 Major Mackenzie—97pts. 1921 —fl. Mackeiizie—99pts. 1922 11. Vontunzelmann—lOOpts 1929 T. McKJ n lay— 99pts. 1924 H. Vontunzelmann—lOlpts, 1925 H. Mackenzie—lo2pts.