RIFLE SHOOTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23208, 30 November 1938, Page 24

RIFLE SHOOTING

' PRIZE MEETING AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN JANUARY The programme for the 65th annual prize meeting of the Auckland Rifle Association has now been issued. This follows the series of matches comprising the 1938 programme and will be held on the Penrose range on January 2 next.

The day will open, with a service match at 300 yards, the practice being 10 rounds rapid fire in 45 seconds, clip loading, the test being a difficult one on the 9in. bull and National Rifle Association rings. A ten-shot match at the same range follows and the competitors will then move back to 500 yards, where the first section of the combined 500 yards and 600 yards match will bo fired.

Incidentally the result of this match will decide the champion team, which shot in conjunction with the individual match. A ten-shot match at each of the long' ranges will complete the programme, the popular optional aggregate sweepstake comprising the scares made at 300 yards, 600 yards and 900 yards. Five matches makes a heavy day's shooting, but, provided the weather is reasonable, the championship should be decided before the light begins to fail. The big meeting of the year, the National Rifle Association championship, will open on March 2 next with the new inter-provincial teams' match of ten men a-side over 300 yards, 600 yards, 800 yards and 900 yards, individual matches commencing on the following morning. Indications are that most of the best of the local marksmen will attend. Both clubs should be in a position to field strong teams and, with the improved standard shown at Penrose during the last few seasons, a fair percentage of them should reach the final.

The Auckland City Club will be without the services of J. H. Kearney, who is recognised as one of the best allround shots in the country, and he will be missed if he retains his present form. His average this season in championship shooting is 93, which is exceptional considering three long range shoots are included.

Kearney has an excellent chance of winning the club championship, but, on form to date, F.'Bowes, A. W. Harris and A. G. Devore are all shooting sufficiently well to be dangerous. The first short range championship shoot last Saturday failed to produce the scores one would expect, there being just sufficient in the conditions to trap many of the marksnien. A. G. Devore led the other with 5, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5—47, and 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5—49, his best effort at 300 yards for a long time. His performances this season have been distinctly good. C. J. M. Clark had the same aggregate, his card reading 4, a, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5—47, and 5. 5, 5, 5, 5, 5. 5, 4, 5, 5—49. The holder of the club title, this is bis first good score to date, and he will require to be at his best from now on to have any chance against the strong opposition. E. J. C. Reston made 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 —49, and 5, 5. 5, 5. 4, 5, 4, 4, 5, 5 47, for the third place well ahead of the others. Reston is always seen at his best in a championship meeting and he can be expected to do well on January 2.