RIFLE SHOOTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 18

RIFLE SHOOTING

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS THE SEASON'S PROSPECTS The City and Akarana Defence Rifle Clubs will commence championship shooting at the short ranges next Saturday, and it will be interesting to see how the scores compare, as the City Club has reverted to the sand and blue coloured targets, while Akarana is retaining the black and white. So far as championship honours are concerned, Jirospects jn Akarana are very open, although it is unlikely that anyone outside the recognised leaders will cause much ft-ouble. The present champion. J. R. Draffin, will again bo hard to beat, and he mado a fine score in a recent practice shoot, especially at 600 yards, where his 47 included a magpie. E. J. C. Reston is in great form, registering 95 at the middle ranges in the last practice. W. Colquhoun is another possibility, and if It. Wakofield shoots regularly he will add to the interest, as he is one of the most brilliant of the younger shots in Auckland. Regarding the City Club, H. Simmonds stands out, although there are several of his clubmates who should keep him fully extended. F. Bowes is a young shot who is rapidly gaining that littlo extra experience necessary to make him very dangerous, while G. G. Kelly should also be well in the picture. It is expected that C. J. Robieson will return to the sport this season, and he is another from whom big things can be expected. The executive of the National Rifle Association met in Wellington last week and drew up the programme' for the next New Zealand championship, which will open at Trontham on March 1. There are not many alterations to last season's programme, the principal one being the addition of a repeat plate practice in the service championship which will be fired in the afternoon instead of the morning, as in the past. The belt matches will commence on the following morning, but the afternoon will bo devoted to miniature shooting, when the New Zealand championship will bo decided, all ranges Up to 100 yards being used. For those not interested in miniature shooting, extra sweepstake matches at the long ranges are being staged.