RIFLE SHOOTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5738, 6 November 1905, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING.

SATURDAY'S COMPETITIONS. “CORKSCREW” WEATHER AT TRENTHAM. There was another record attendance at Trentham on Saturday afternoon, two hundred and thirty-four volunteers being present at the range. Tho attendances this year have Keen far in excess of those recorded in previous seasons. Wellington volunteers seem to be fully seized of the fact that good marksmanship is an essential part of a soldier’s training. No doubt, the sending of teams to Bisley has given rifleshooting a great fillip. Had this been tho only benefit derived from the expenditure of public money in this way, tho colony would have been well repaid. But the despatching' of rifle teams has done more. It has advertised New Zealand throughout the Elrapire.

Not only are volunteers in non-com-missioned rank taking part in the -weekly competitions this year, but the coinmissioned officers are taking great interest in shooting, “lying down” with tiio rank and file. The presence of officers at the butts is a good thing, and helps materially, not only in the keeping of order, but in the betterment of ,shooting generally; for when an officer takes part in the weekly competitions it often has the effect of . bringing out members of his command, who otherwise would not trouble about shooting at all. , There was a decided ■ grievance amongst marksmen on Saturday. The new train arrangements made this year for the convenience of men going to Trentham were received favourably by all. Last year volunteers had to go out by a train leaving the Wellington station at 1.15 p.m.. and they returned by the “mail,” which by special arrangement, picked them up at Trentham, arriving in town by 7.15 p.m. Inis was a rather late hour: but considering the distance to the butts, was not a bad scheme. Owing to the large numbers who attended the weekly shoots, the arrangement was abolished this year, and “specials” (tor volunteers only) were substituted, a train leaving Wellington at 1.40 p.m., returning to town by 7 o’clock —ahead of the ‘ mail. This was considered a_ good scheme; but »-aturday’s proceedings caused much, ciis content, and there were whisperings amongst the men, which went to show that if the “programme” were again repeated the Trentham. butts would not see such enthusiastic crowds in the future. What caused the discontent was the non-arrival of the usual “special.” The mail train passed the Trentham siding, but did not stop, and it was not till some time had elapsed that a train made its appearance. In the meantime the men had had, to wait in the cold wind—there is no protein tion at the siding. Town was reached at a quarter to eight, a time which is far too late, and altogether unreason-; able; and if persisted in will go a long •way to discourage rifle-shooting. Captain W. G. Duthie (City Rifles) was range officer. The following corps were representedHutt Valley 36; Zealandia Rifles, 28; Guards, 22; Engineers, 21; Post and Telegraph Rifles, 20; D Battery, 20; Ivclhurne Rifles, 18; City Riflcs, 18; Civil Service Rifles, 16; College Rifles, 16; Karori Club, 17. The 500yds and 600yds ranges were used.

H. Marshall's Targets.

600yds

4533344—26

. 5554145—32

THE SHOOTING. The shooting was not. of a high order of merit for “corkscrew” weather', which has so cften been described in these columns, prevailed, the variation being from 3deg left to 4deg right, marksmen shooting with three lines on their bars. The highest score recorded was 58 out of a possible 70, put up by H. Marshall, of the Karori Rifle Club, the diagrams of whose targets appear above. At 500yds he made 26, a score which was beaten ty many other marksmen; but at the longer range (600yds) he .made a brilliant score of 32, which was far ahead of any other score at that distance. There were several good scores at the shorter range, however, two off the possible being reached by Private Withers, of the Post and Telegraph Rifles, and Harry Harwthorne, the consistent shot of the Karori dub. Withers “cracked up” completely at 600yds, only making 11 points at that distance; and Hawthorne went to pieces also, bin total at the longer range being 20. Thirty-two at 500yds was made by Private Smith, of the Post and Telegraph Rifles, and 31 by Sergeant Bolton and Private Williamson, of the same corps. This company is coming into great prominence by its shooting, which has steadily, improved during the last two

seasons. Tho shooting members of this corps are nil young fellows, and it is only steady practice, which they indulge in, that is bringing them to the fore. Li addition to their ordinary competitions, they tried conclusions with the Zcalandia Kiflos in a cight-mon-a-side match, winning by the substantial margin of 37 points. IV. ! Jackson, of tho Karori Club, also made ! 31 at uUOyds, and 30 was put up by I Lieutenant Hcllard, of tho Hutt Valley I Rifles. Those arc tho only scores ! worthy special mention. THE COMPETITIONS. Following are particulars of the various competitions:— POST AND TELEGRAPH RIFLES. Competition for Lieut. Esson’s trophy and cash prises. Former won by Private Williamson, with an aggregate of 60 points (seven shots);—

ZEALANDIA RIFLES. Ordinary trophy competitions (seven shots);—

CITY RIFLES. Competition (A class) for Mr Hunter’s trophy, which was won by Private Feasey, whose aggregate was two pointy ahead of Sergeant Jackson’s. The B class company trophy was won by Private Baker. Private Caluan being "runnerup,” 17 points behind (seven shots); A Class.

WELLINGTON GUAKDS. This corps completed its first series of matches, the conditions being five to be tired, and four to count, lour prizes are given in each class. Two ties occurred in the 13 class section. Privates Brisbane and Patchett tying for second place and X3rivates Dalton and Bowman for fourth. The ties were decided by the firing of five shots at 600yds., Scores (7 shots):

Next Saturday this corps will commence another, similar series of matches. The prizes, however, will be more valuable, and a larger number of marksmen should be attracted to the range. .

First competition for trophies in A and B classes, seven matches to be fired, the five highest scores counting towards tl belt in A class, and gold medal in B class, together with aggregate prizes. First and second trophies for the highest aggregate (Including handicap) will be allotted in the first three matches of the series (ten ehots)

KAHO3U CLUB. Second trophy competition (seven shots):— ' ■ 500 GOO :

500 600 yds. yds. Hp TI. Pvt. Williamson ... 31 26 3 — 60 Pvt. Smith ... ... 32 21 SC — 56 Sergt Bolton ... 31 21 EC — 55 Sergt Collins ... 26 21 1 — 51 Pvt. Gilbert ... ... 26 21 6 — 53 Sergt Gamble ... 35 25 12 — 52 Sergt Wakolin ... 26 21 3 — 50 Sergt Milne ... ... 26 22 so — 18 Pvt. Withers ... 33 11 1 — 48

A Class. 500 GOO yds. yds. Hp. Tl. Pvt. Schulenburg ... 26 23 8 — 57 Pvt. Barcluim ... 23 28 5 — 56 C.-Sgt. Bunckcnburg 25 26 so — 51 Pvt. Duggan ... ... 1G 22 8 — 46 Corpl. Astill ... ... 18 20 8 — 46 Sorgt. Neal ... ... 20 19 4 — 43 Corpl. Hugo ... ... 20 15 8 — 43 B Class. Pvt. , Bellamore 29 23 — 52 Capt. Corrigan 22 23 — 45 Pvt. Jackson 16 18 — 34 Sergt. Cassey 21 11 — 32 C. Class. Pvt. Anderfon 24 21 — 45 Pvt. R. MeRao 20 12 — 32 Pvt. C. Bargb 13 12 — 25 X’vt. Murphy 14 8-22

500 600 yds yds. Hp. n: Pvto. Jackson, sen.* 27 28 sc — 55 Private Peaseyt 27 28 so — 55 Private Moran 26 23 3 — 52 Sergeant Jackson ... 27 22 sc — 40 Private Newberry ... 27 20 BC — 47 Corporal Chandler / 22 15 6 — 43 B Class. Private Pitcher 11 21 14 — 49 Private Duff 2-1 6 14 — 4-1 Private Calnan 23 17 sc — 40 Private linker 23 15 60 — 38 *Ammunitiou prize. f Range prize

A Class. ' 500 600 yds. yds. Up. Tl. Sergeant Tinney 28 30 'so — 58 Sergeant Bolland ... 23 20 5 — 57 Private Aamodt 24 28 so — 52 Private Lacey 20 23 so — 52 Private' C. Guy 2-1 23 ;■ .5 — 52 Private Love 31 19 so — 50 Private Smart 25 2-1 sc — 49 Private 26 23 60 — ■19 Corporal Sneddon ... 21 19 so — 40 Aggregates. Private Smart 213 Sergeant Bolland’ 211 Private Love 206 Private Richards 205 B Class. Private Patchett 21 18 10 — 53 Lieutenant Smith ... 25 16 5 — 46 Private S. Guyi 23 22 sc — 45 Private Dalton 23 14 5 — 42 Private Bowman 22 10 5 — 37 Private Brisbane 19 15 sc — SI Bugler Power e 15 10 - 31 Aggregates. Private S. Guy 170 Pvte. Patchett (on shoot off) 163 Private Brisbane 163 Private Dalton 143 Private Bowman. 143

ENGINEERS. First match for Hallonstein Cup and trophies presented by Mr Wolland and Lieutenant Pedder (seven shots) ;— A Class. 500 600 yds. yds. Hp Tl. Q.M.-Sergt. Madeley 26 26 sc - 52 Sapper Parker 24 24 1 — 49 Sergt.-Major Homer 21 25 sc - 46 B Class. Sapper Fleet 21 21 sc — 43 Sergt. Gapea 24 15 2 - 41 Sapper Hughes 21 14 S) — 3,i KBLBURNE RIFLES. Competition for company trophies (seven shots): — 500 600 vds. yds. Hp Tl. Private Butcher 26 27 sc - S3 Private Bud 24 22 5 — 51 Private Taylor 17 20 5 — 42 Private Davis 21 20 6C — 41 Private Mayer 20 16 8 — 41 Private Stuart '16 16 8 — 40 COLLEGE RIFLES. Company competiti on (seven shots): — yds. yds. Tl. Private Parry* 28 26 — 54 Sergeant Warcl* 23 23 — 46 Corporal Felton* ... 22 18 — 40 Private Pierard 23 17 — 40 Private Cimino 20 18 — 33 Private Caldwell ... 18 19 — 37 Private Cowles 21 16 — 37 Private McIntosh ... 22 15 — 37 # Cash prizes. CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES. Trophy Competition (seven shots) Knn con - yds. yds. Hp Tl. Captain Wray 29 22 sc — 51 Sergeant Jones 19 25 2 — 46 Private Williams ... 26 n 2 — 39 Private Thompson ... 20 13 5 — 38 Private Cooke* 23 9 5 — 37 D BATTERY.

500 600 yds yds. Hi> Tl. Driver Butler ... 43 31 — R3 Bombardier Wickens 37 41 sc — 78 Sergeant Skellcy ... 37 39 sc — 76 Corporal Quinlan ... 33 30 7 — 70 Lieutenant Petherick 28 38 sc — 66 Captain Courtney ... 33 22 4 — ( Bomb. Shilling ... 36 21 7 — 6i HTTTT V ALLEY EIFLES. Competition for company shield and trophies, and ifr C. Hollard s medal (seven shots):—;

A Class. 500 yds. 600 yds. Hp. 1 n. Pvt. Hollard* ... 27 24 7 — 58 Col.-Sergt. Wood* ... 25 25 8 — 58 Lieut. Hollard* ... 30 20 so — 56 Pvt. Prampton ... 24 20 11 — 55 Sorgt. Baker ... ... 25 23 5 — 53 B Pvt. Allsop* ... Class. ... 23 15 2 40 Pvt. Bolton* ...- 15 ' 15 7 — 37 Pvt. Trevethick* ... 22 8 7 — 37 Pvt. Broad ... ... 13 19 sc — 32 C Pvt. Eilmistor* Class. ... 21 , 17 7 — 45 Pvt. Johnston* ... 17 16 10 — 43 Pvt. Martin* ... ... 19 11 6 — 36 Pvt. Eoutley ... *‘‘Legs in” for ... 21 6 ; 4 — 31 trophies.

yds. yds. Hp . Tl. H. Marshall ... 20 32 SC — 58 A. Guise 28 26 so — 54 W. Brown 28 ' 26 BC — 54 E. 0. Lewer ... 28 26 BC —/ ,54 W. Jackson ... 31 23 SO — 54 H. Hawthorne 33 20 60 — 53 W. Aston 23 21 6 — 53 J. Devine 30 19 so — 49 G. Holliday ... 22 25 6 •— 47 P. Hickson 20 21 — 47 W. Tarr 26 18 sc — 44 P. Standidge PBTONB 17 19 "club. 6 — 42 The Petone Club fired a trophy competition at Waiwetu day. Scores:— 200 range on Da-tur-500 600 yds. yds. yds. ■Hp . Tl. W. Thomas ... 31 32 26 1 — 90 A. Ballinger ... 32 30 26 so — 88 W. Bdlin 32 27 , 23 4 — 86 J. Ballinger ... 27 26 21 9 — 86 W. Judd 27 31 27 60 — 85 G. A. Mcllvride 18 22 ' 20 25 — 85 D. Hollard ... 29 28 - 23 so — 80 The first three secure trophies. "legs in” for