N.Z. BISLEY, 1913.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 264, 7 November 1912, Page 3

N.Z. BISLEY, 1913.

PROGRAMME ISSUED

IMPROVEMENT ON LAST YEAR

The programme of the annual prize meeting of the Dominon Rifle Association, to be held at Trentham, commencing on Thursday, February 27th, next, has been drawn up. To a largs extent the programme is similar to that of last meeting, but there are several important innovations, some of- 'which*, have been brought about owing to the action of the New Zealand Rifle Club's executive.

The'competitions-are again divided into three series—"A,"- "B," and "C." The "A" and "B" series, comprise the service matches, the first-named being team events and the latter individual matches. The Champion Belt matches are comprised in the "C" series. A feature of fche service teams matches is that the teams will consist of six men instead of twelve, the number insisted upon at last meeting. Twelve was too large a number, the consequence being that the entries were not forthcoming. With the reduction made for next meeting and the development of the Territorial scheme, a large number of teams from all parts of the Dominion should compete. SERVICE MATCHES. The individual service matches, which last March were compulsory on all competitors taking part in the Belt series, are made compulsory for the coming meeting on all competitors up t0... thirty years of age, except in regard to the first match, which must be fired by every competitor in the Belt series. The; match in which the exception is made • is-the standard s test, match, as authorised under the- regulations for ' the musketry course. Twenty-three ? rounds are fired—five "grouping'? at ; 100 yards, five ''snap-shooting" ate 200 yards, five "application" at 500 j yard's, and five "rapid" at 200 yards. No marksmen should grumble at the arrang-ement made in '.connection with the service events, and the rifleman who considers he should bet exempted from firing in this one event should be exempted from.appearing on a rifle range for all time. The executive committee, of which Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., is at the head, are to be congratulated on the service events, which will meet with general satisfaction throughout j the Dominion. A judgingdistance j competition has been included in the { "B" series—an innovation of a very practical nature. ' BELT MATCHES. In the "O" series, for the "Ballinger" Champion Belt, match No. 1 does not count in the aggregate. It is named the "opening match," and consists of seven shots at 300, 500. and 600 yards. The object of putting on this match is to allow ..competitors to get their eye in before the more serious business of the meeting is proceeded with, i Thei's* are 100, prizes allocated, valued " at £100. The other imatches are as follow (each with 100 prizes, value . £100): —"Auckland," ten shots at i 300 and 500 yards; "Wellington," | ten shots at 500 and 600 yards; "Canterbury," ten at 600 yards;! "Nelson," ton at SCO and 900 yards; ! "Otago," ten at 900 and 1000 yards; ' "Hawke's Bay," ten at 900 yards; "Taranaki," ten at 1000 yards. The King's pri»e, open to the highest - : fifty in the series, will consist of ten j shots at 1000 yards. j Special aggregate events are the •; "TronthSfm" and ''Bisley," for short , and long range shooting respectively. There is also a champion teams match and united service match. THE TARGETS. Figure targets will be used only at j 300 and 500 yards. .At1 600, 800, j

900, and 1000 yards the "black and white bull's-eye targets will be fired at. Last meeting figure targets were used at 300, 500, and 600 yards.

Consequent on the new arrangements made for catering, a fee of £1 per competitor will be charged. Extra meals will cost Is 3d each.

The programme as a whole is firstclass in every respect, and a decided improvement on that of last year. The meeting will, as tisual, be in the capable hands of Colonel Collins.