EXPERT RIFLEMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 16

EXPERT RIFLEMEN

TWO OVERSEAS TEAMS BRITISH AND SOUTH AFRICAN CONTESTS AT TRENTHAM [nr TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] TRENTHAM, Wednesday The first appearance ever made in New Zealand by representative marksmen from Great Britain and South Africa was at Trentham to-day, whim members of the visiting teams from the two countries competed at the annual meoting of the Wairarapa Rifle Association. They are to take part in an international teams match with New Zealand to-morrow. The South Africans made a particularly good showing and their names figured prominently in the prize lists. The members of the British team also acquitted themselves well, but several of them failed to reproduce the form they recently displayed in Australia. South Africa provided the winner of the Wairarapa championship in C. H. Baxter, who is a member of the Petermaritzburg Rifle Club. In tho four onerange matches comprising the championship series ho dropped only three points with his 28 rounds. The runner-up for the championship was P. 11. T. Garnett, of tbe British team, who was one point behind Baxter with 136 out o::" a possible 140. Baxter received the congratulations of competitors on his success and was warmly applauded as. a bullseye was signalled from the butts to give him the championship. Record Entry o1 223

Ever since its first meeting over 40 years ago, the Wairarapa Association has always fired its competitions at Papawai, but this year's meeting was held at Trentham with a view to attracting competition from visiting teams. By adopting this course the executive ,of the association also provided the visitors with an opportunity to gain experience of Trentham conditions and to try out their rifles_ over the ranges they will fire in the international contest to-morrow. Twerityfive targets were required to accommodate the record entry of 223 competitors. , . There are 13 men in each of tho visiting teams. The British team is in the charge of Commander D. S. Swanston, and Colonel R. Bodley is commander of the South African team. In addition to these overseas visitors India is rejpresented at the meeting by Major P. S. Bapty, formerly of the Indian Army. The British' team also includes D. .L. Birney, who won the King's Prize at Bisley last year. •■, The National Meeting

The meeting was also attended by strong contingents from the "Wellington and Wairarapa Rifle Clubs, as well as marksmen from other parts of the Dominion, who will be taking part -in the national rifle meeting, which commences on Friday. The South Africans will be taking part in the national meeting and, judging by their performance to-day. they are expected to provide some strong competition. As the members ol: the British team are sailing for England by the Akaroa early in the week, they will not be able to attend that meeting. The matches were fired in brilliant sunshine. A slight drift 'from the right rear disturbed the aim of some of the marksmen and others experienced elevation troubles. The visitors had little difficulty in mastering the conditions and the shooting was generally of a ' high standard. Results of the Shooting The results of to-day's matches are -.{he follows:- ' ' Service Match, seven rounds rapid and seyen rounds snapshooting each, at 300yds.—£3, L. Boxhall (South Africa), 62; £2, J. R. Keoghan (Westport), 62; £1 each, H. T. It. Boon [(Karori), 61, E. A. Spradbury (South ; Africa), 60, It. Congreve (Old Navals), M. C. Ekstein (South Africa),, 58 each, E. A. Joh*ns (Auckland City), 57, R. H. Nicholls (Petone), D. F. Perrin [(Auckland City), P. R. Cleote (South Africa), 56 each, Roy Donald' (Feather- ' Bton), 55, J. McKelvie (Karori), 54. Bidwill Match, seven rounds at 300yds.—£1 10s each, L. Hare '(Karori),-L. J. Milne (England), P. R. (South Africa), C. J. Nix j(Featherston), C. H. Baxter (South ''Africa),' M. Jones (Wanganui), 35 eachjjfil each, H. R. Hunt (Suburbs), F. H. James (Napier), D. jßoots r(Patea), P. R. T. Garnett (England), .13, J. C. Reston (Akarana), 34 each. First place in the B grade was filled by A. Falconer (Mataura) and It. B. McKenzie (Rangitikei), who received £1 10s each. Wellington Match, seven rounds at 600yds.—£3, C. H. Baxter (South Africa),, 35; £1 6s 8d each, R. D. Greig (England), H. K. Smith (Opaki), R. B. Gray (Okato), 34 each; £1 each, H. Harries (Christchurch), C. Falconer (Balclutha), J. McKelvie (Karori), N. McCaw (England), It. E. W. Johnsen * (England), J. Paterson (Wanganui), R. R. R Rolston (Levin), Roy Donald (Featherston), 34 each. The B grade was won by D. F. Perrin (Auckland / Buchanan Match, seven rounds at 800 yards.—£l 18s 4d each, P. R. J. 'Garnett (England), W. J. Hague (South Africa), R. Wakefield (Ashhurst), W. C. Gibb (South Africa), 35 each; £1 each, T. Gruar (Petone), H. T. Boon (Karori), E. M. Castles (Waikopiro), J. Huston (Patca), J. Burnett (Gore), F. N. McVicar (WaiEukurau), H. A. Lumsden (Hautere), i each. R. R. D. Rolston (Levin) and R. B. McKenzie (Rangitikei) tied for first place in the B grade, each registering a possible. Dominion Match, seven rounds at 900 yards.—£2 10s each, A. H. C'Dpnnell (Petone), S. O. Hay (Christchurch), 35 each; £1 each, C. H. Baxter (South Africa), P. R. T. Garnett (England), F. H. James (Napier), H. Harries (Christchurch), A. J. Andrews (England) F. 0.. Hodge (Christchurch), S. Clark (Wairoa), J. W. Hague (South Africa). A. E. I«. Whittington (England), R, A. Fnl- . ton (England), 34 each. The B grade was won by J. Bishop (Hautere) ith a possible. He takes a prize of £— Grand Aggregate—£s and trophy valued at £3, C. H. Baxter (South Africa), 137; £4, P R. T. Garnett (England), 136; £2 and Bidwill Memorial Challenge Belt and Shield, 1 . H. James (Napier), 134; £2 each, J. W. Hague (South Africa), 133, H. Harries (Christchurch), 133. The challenge belt cannot be taken out of the Dominion and was therefore won b.v James. B Grade Aggregate.—£3 and Walden Challenee Cup, H. R. Feast (Greytown). "133; £2. G. Wilson (Invercargill), 131; £1 each, C. Falconer (Balclutha), 131, R. B. McKenzie (Rangitikei), 131, D. J. Flynn (Grevtown), 131. New Zealand Team Members of the New Zealand team to compete against Great Britain and South Africa in the international teams match to-morrow were selected at Trentham to-night. Captain W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) will act as captain and coach of tho team and other coaches will be T. H. R. Boon (Karori) and H. H. Mawley (Opaki). The members of the team will be: —F. W. Bowes (Auckland City), A. Ford (Inyercargill), .F. James (Napier), ,J. McKelvie (Karori), F. N. McVicar (Waipukurau), C. J. Nix (Featherston), D. Roots (Patea), F. J. Solcr (Wanganui), H. K. Smith (Opaki). and W. H. West (Blenheim). The .emergencies will be A. H. O'DonnsJl (ketone), und H. flames t (Christchurt)R)^