RIFLE SHOOTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 644, 1 March 1923, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING.

GATHERING AT TRENTHAM. NEW ASSOCIATION’S FIRST MEETING. (Per Press Association.) TRENTHAM. March 1. The first meeting of the newly constituted National Rifle Association of New Zealand was opened at Trentham tills morning. The weather overnight was. showery tad the morning broke dull, the clouds threatening further rain, while a cold southerly made a marked contrast with the torrid heat often experienced here at this time of tho year. The list of eiitries is not complete', but it is expected that it will reach close on 500, which is less than was anticipated when the programme was drafted. Two years ago, the last meeting uhder the Dominion Rifle Association, 419 men competed, Among those oh the range to-day are practically all the recent King’s prizemen as well as others who have been trying hard for years to reach the champion’s chair. . The men paraded before nine o clock and were addressed by Colonel Collins, president of the association, who detailed how the Dominion Rifle Association was abandoned owing to the Government having to prune expenditure and how the nfle enthusiasts thereupon decided to run a meeting of their owh. This meant that the moil must dip a bit deeper into their own pockets, but the sport was worth it, and by making this meeting a success the future of the association would bo assured. The Government, although unable to make a monetary grant, had lent valuable aid in the matter of railway, fares, ammumtipu and range accommodation. Colonel Collins regretted that more young shots were not present and stressed the need for every man being a recruiting agent for the association, Mr R. Coombes, the sporting editor of the Sydney Referee, who, is a competitor, addressed the gathering, expressing thanks for the personal welcome and giving a message of goodwill from the Australian riflemen, who would have been represented by a strong team but for tho fact that the big Commonwealth rifle meeting clashed with this. “We recognised that it Was no use bringing anything but a team of champions here,” concluded Mx Coombes amidst laughter and applause. Colonel Hughes, chief executive officer, addressed the men on the work to bo done. A start was then made with the D senes, the first event being the No. 1 stage of the Anzao match, ten shots at 300 yards, which may bo regarded as a preparatory shoot for the tyros With profit to the, leaders. In the afternoon tho individual abrvioe shooting will commence. ’