National Rifle Meeting Commences

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 5

National Rifle Meeting Commences

300 Marksmen at Trentham

WIND TRICKS COMPETITORS Fzwm Our Own Correspondent. TRENTHAM, Last Night. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association commenced at Treutham 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 riflemen from all parts of the Dominion. Before leaving the squadding posts for the firing points competitors were welcomed by Colonel F. B. Cresswell, a life member of the association, who is deputising for the president, Dr. A. F. Ritchie Crawford, of the Invercargill Association. He said he was pleased to have members of the South African team competing and wished them all the best of luck. He regretted that the British team was unable to remain for the meeting. Additions to prize money were announced during the day, the cash prizes for the meeting having been increased by £6O to £1169. The English visitors taking part in the meeting are Major P. S. Bapty and Mr. W. Webster. Although not a member of the official British team, Mr. Wobster 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 Akaroa on Tuesday but intends shooting until such time as he has to leave Trentham to join the ship. Although the weather was threatening, particularly in the early morning, the day remained fine throughout for 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 get their shuts 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 bull’s eyes was broken by a three with his second shot at 600 yards. Four others finished with 101, but the count back favoured the South African, M. Eksteen, 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 500 yards. R. Congreve (Old Navals) won the match with 99, dropping one point at 500 yards and tho 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 600 yards.)

£5: T. Goodall (Suburbs), 103. £4: M. Ekstein (South Africa), 101. £3: D. Roots (Patca), 101. £2 10s each: R. F. Wakefield (Ashhurst), F. Bowes (Auckland City), 101 each.

£2 each: H. J. Whitehead (Kiwi), JR. Keoghan (Westport), 100 each. Griffiths (South Africa), 99. Thirty-four received £1 each and 24 10s each.” The B grade was won by N. Amon (Rangitikci), with 99. He receives £3. H. Symon (Alfredton) and F. C. Hodge (Sydenham), with {.cores of 99 arid 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 500 yards.) £5; R. Congreve (Old Navals), 99. £4: L. Serfontein (South Africa), 97. £3 each: J. I. King (Karori) 97. L. S. Hare (Karori) 96. £2 each: D. Roots (Patea), F. H. James (Napier), H. King (Masterton), P. W (Old Navals) 96 each. Thirty-four received £1 each and 24 10s each.

The B grade was won by N. W. Taylor (Waipukurau), 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. Colling wood (Auckland City) and C. Falconer (Bafclutha), with 93 and 92 respectively. They received £1 each.