TRENTHAM RIFLE MEETING.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 657, 5 March 1909, Page 7

TRENTHAM RIFLE MEETING.

FIRST DAY.

A TRIOKY WIND. PALMERSTON MEN PLAOED, (Press Association). Trentliam, Last Night. Wednesday night in camp was exceedingly cold, but the morning broke beautifully fine for the eighth annual.meeting at Trentliam. Shooting oominenced at 9.30. The competitors were mustered at tlio squadding posts and briefly addressed by 0)1. Collins, who intimated tli at tlio Defence Council had deoided to allow the use of orthoptics in all matches and adhere to the Bisley rule regarding rioochets, none to oount unless the bullet Btruok the bank close to the target. He was confident that the entries would have beeu much larger but for the slight fiuauoial depression. Many veteran riflemen are in attendance and another pleasant feature is the number of young marksmen who oome to fill places. The gathering is thoroughly reprosontative, competitors coming forward from almost every district bPtwo3n Auckland and the Bluff.

The light throughout the greater part of the day was good, but beoame very bad later in the afternoon while tho 800 yards matoh was proceeding owing to bush fires in the vioinity. The wind was deadly catohy and sot many experienced marksmen a problem to solve, especially in two rangos, the scores ranging down to 10 and a great many being below 80. The ammunition was specially packed for the meeting by the manufacturers and gave great satisfaction. Shooting at three ranges in the Volunteer and Rifle Club matches (whioh were fired simultaneously at the 200, 600 and 800 yards ranges) was brilliant, and at the last range a touoh of sensation was given by Speck, Stratford, potting up the possible, following upon the possile at 200 yards and three short of the possible at the 600 yards range. At the 200 yards stage shooting began in calm, and 'all buts' wore being piled on with pleasant rapidity, but soon a smart right rear breeze told against firing, which fell back a, point, and thirty-threes took the place of "allbuts," Only three possibles were secured at the range, the marksmen being Burns, of Karori; Higgiua, Timaru; and Speck, Stratford; while 34's were made by the following competitors : Shaw, Ohinemuri;. Dunoan, Millerton; Sutherland;' Geraldine; -Wayte, Mataura; R. J. King, Opabi; Fletoher, Duuedin; Halliday, Karori; Nelson and Baker, Wellingtonßoys, Nekton; Fisher, Stoke; Gwindell, Napiei; Molntosh, Waitaki; Tinney, Wellington; Atkinson and Kempton, Auckland; Williams, Ohura; Pnrnell, Wanganui; Koll, Palmertson; Morley, Otaki. At the 600 yards range tho shooting continued consistently good, and 4 possibles were put up, the marksmen being Mitohener, Milroyjand Sharland, Nelson; and Edgoanibe, Waikato. Kitohen, Upper Hutt, scored 84, and 80's and 83's were numerous. At the 800 yards range in addition to Speck, possibles were registered by the followingPlummer, Weilingon; Macey, Karori; Marenzi, Eketahuna; White, Frankland; Hyde Hawke's Bay; Bradley, Duuedin; Turner, Petone; tfeaßey, Wellington. Specks performance won for him not only the matoh but the Carbine Cup. It is somewhat remarkable that his final shot at the final range was not recorded and therefore counted as a misß. This he challenged and inspection showed he had scored a ball's eye and thus made the reoord for tho Dominion for these ranges, PRIZE LIST. Extra Matoh No. 1, seven at 500 yds. The following take £1 with 35 each:—Rifleman J. A. Franklin, Weber; J, MoKenzie Opaki; Oraw, Ohorlton; Private R. Luoaß, Palmerston North; Trooper Atkinson, Auckland; Private T. Jones, Dunedin. ! ' Etxra Match No. 2, seven shots at 600yds:—£1 5s M. Drummond, Denniston, 84; £1 R. Lucas, Palmerston North, 84; 17s Cd A. Patriok, Victoria Rifles, 84. Remainder take 10s or 9s. Volunteer Matoh:—Sergt. Hyde, Hawke's Bay 98, £5; Corp. Munro, Murihiku 98, £4; Sergt. Tinney, Wellington 98, £8; Lt. Skelly, D. Battery, 97, £2; Pvt. S. Sorenson, Auckland, 97, £2; Pvt. R. Paten, Dannevirke, 9G, £2; Sergt. W. Maingay, Piako, 96, £2. Rifle Club Match, 200, 600 and 800vdsSpeck, Stratford, £5, 102; Diok, Rivorsdale, £4, 97; Whiteman, Upper Hutt, £8,97; Willouahby, Gladstone, £B, 96; Bulford, Karori; Loveday, Ohura; G. Lovoday, Ohura, 9fi; Henry, Opaki, 95, £2 each. Twonty-seven tako £1 each.