Rifle Shooting.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7848, 27 May 1904, Page 7

Rifle Shooting.

In view of recent discussions throughout the colony on the we ot wind gauges, etc., the following is interesting :-Thc Council cf the National Rit] e Association of New South Wales have decided that in view of the fact that m-eater accuracy and efficiency can be ensured by riflemen who use wind gauges, and, further, that as modern weapons are, and will be issued with this essential addition, it will be of advantage to train riflemen to the use &f the wind gauge ; also, that a proper representation be made to the G.O.C. with a view ol allowing the application" ami use of wind gauges in all rifle association matches.

Long-range firing, says Lieuien.intLolonel Maynes in his recently-pub-hshed book "The Infantry Weapon and its Uses In War," is always the dream of the theorist, but it w,ill bo avoided' as much, as possible by the soldier in the field. No battle was ever won at long ranges, because the long-range fire of infantry can never be powerful enough to play a decisive tactical role in war; it is the short-range firing, including . the bayonet assault, that decides, and it is for this short range fighting from 800 yard's and under that the infantry soldier is armed, and for which he should be prepared and trained. This training should be directed to malting the soldier uot merely a master of his weapon and a good shot, but also (and this is a more complex business) to make' him fit to take his place in the fr: ing line, skilled in the use of oover, something of a judge of distance, prompt to obey orders, and ready to put forth all his individual energies in close co-operation with comrades no longer shoulder to shoulder, I ait working to left and right of him: in extended' order. The annual "international" ruatch under the auspices of the Victorian Rifle Association was held at' Williamstown recently, the weather conditions being conducive to good scoring. As the'ranges are1 the same as for the Coleman Shield, the scores of the winning team, representing Australia, are interesting by way of comparison :—

Totals ... 326 322 310 958 —The highest individual scorer in the match was P. Fargher, of the English team, who made 100 <f xhe possible 105 points. .

Flowerday Withcringtpn Long Sarsfield Morrell G. "Williams W, Williams Sroig De Grandi Whitehead 2UU yds .;. 32 ... 33 ... 32 ... 32 ... 33 ... 33 ... 32 ... 33 ... 34 ... 32 5UU yds 34 31 34 34 30 31 34 33 32 29 GOO Toyds tals 32 </8 33 97 31 97 31 <j7 33 i'6 32 «6 30 f'6 30 96 29 95 29 90