NATIONAL MEETING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 76, 26 February 1938, Page 10

NATIONAL MEETING

RIFLEMEN AT TRENTHAM. AVIND CONDITIONS DIFFICULT. Per Press Association. TRENTHAM, Feb. 25. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association commenced at Trentham this morning, when close on' 300 marksmen went down at the mounds for their first match in a programme of rifle shooting extending over five days. The competitors include members of the South African team and two visitors from England as well as leading rifle-men from all parts of the Dominion.

Additions to prize money were announced during the day, the cash prizes for the meeting having bee- increased b,y £6O to £1169. The English visitors taking part in the meeting are Major P. S. Bapty and Mr AV. AVehster. Although not a member of the official British team, Mr AVehster accompanied the team to Australia and New Zealand. He will be returning to England with the team, which is due to sail from Wellington by the Aknroa on Tuesday but intends shooting until such time as lie has to leave Trentham to join the .ship. Although the weather was threatening, particularly in the early morning, the day remained fine throughout fov shooting. There was a strong fish-tail breeze, which swung from right to left. Marksmen caught by the sudden wind changes had low scores. Experienced men had the best of the conditions, but unless they were quick enough to got their shots away at the correct moment they, too, were caught. These conditions prevailed for most of the day. The morning light was perfect, but in the afternoon the visibility was not quite so good. The morning was occupied in the firing of the opening match of seven rounds at 300 , 500 and 600 yards. A sterling performance was given by T. Goodall (Suburbs), who had a score of 103 for the three ranges. A string of 20 hull’s eyes was broken by a three with his second shot at 600 yards. Four others finished with 101, hut the count-hack favoured the South African, M. Ekstein, who took second place. A start was made in the afternoon with the first match of the Championship Belt series, the Canterbury match, 10 rounds at 300 and 500yds. R. Congreve (Old Navals) won the match with 99, dropping one point at 500yds and the South African, I. Serfontein, finished second with 97. The compulsory service matches and the service championship will be fired to-morrow. Results: OPENING MATCH. (Seven rounds shots at 300, 500 and 600yds.) £5. —T. Goodall (Suburbs), 103. £4.—M. Ekstein (South Africa), 101. £3.—D. Roots (Patea), 101. £2 10s each.—R. F. AVakefield (Ashhurst), F. Bowes (Auckland City), 101 each. £2 each.—H. J. Whitehead (Kiwi), J. R. Keoghan (Westport), 100 each; Griffiths (South Africa), 99. Thirtyfour received £1 each and 24 10s each. The B grade was won by N. Amon (Rangitikei), with 99. He receives £3. H. Symon (Aifredton) and F. C. Hodge (Sydenham), with scores of 99 and 98 respectively, received £2 each. N. Fletcher (Levin), and C. Falconer (Balclutha) filled first places in the tyro grade. CANTERBURY MATCH. (Ten rounds at 300 and 500yds.) £5. —R. Congreve (Old Navals), 99. £4.—L. Serfontein (South Africa), 97. £3 each. —J. J. King (Karori) 97, L. S. Hare (Karori) 96. £2 each.—D. Roots (Patea), F. H. James (Napier), H. King (Masterton), P. AV. Congreve (Old Navals) 96 each. Thirty-four received £1 each and 24 10s each. The B grade was won by N. AV. Taylor (Wai'pukurau), with 94. He receives £3. D. Banks (Kimbolton) and H. T. Brehandt (Okawa), who also made 94, received £2 each. Leading places in the tyro grade were taken by H. G. Collingwood (Auckland City) and C. Falconer (Balclutha), with 93 and 92 respectively. They received £1 each.