RIFLE-SHOOTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6053, 10 November 1906, Page 8

RIFLE-SHOOTING

WELLINGTON RIFLE CLUBS’ ASSO CIATION. ANNUAL REPORT. Tim following is a summary of the reoot-t to bo presented to the Wellington Uillo Clul.-.s' Association nt its' annual meeting on Alotiday next: Last ycar’.i ohooting meeting, hold on December t’fith (Boxing Day) resulted satisbiefonlv from the financial point of view. Tho attendance of competitors was about the same as the previous year, all hough had wo known earlier than we did (December 21st) that clubmen would Jiavo boon granted parses, tlicio would have boon more present; ns it was there was no lime to reply to many inquiries that Imd been received from intending competitors. Another tiling that kept a few away was the Wanganui meeting coming just a couple of days after cure, which led to our only holding a oneday meeting iso as to allow many of our competitors to go there. Notwithstanding this the association has now - a fair balance in hand, viz., .£l4, for its coming 'meeting. The programme last year for a one-day meeting was a liberal one, consisting of four matches (fourteen prizes in each match) with three grand, aggregate prizes and teams match (live men aside), tho total sum given in prizes being some JJ6U. In addition the Licensed 'Victuallots’ Association of Wellington (in -.which Mr A. Smith, Cricketers Arms, an old A.C. veteran, and a good shot, took a groat interest) gave handsome silver cup valued at A3O to bo tired for, open only to shooting men of Wellington (including Upper. Hntt). Tho cup has to be won twice in succession or three times at intervale, and is to lio fired for annually. Substantial donations to tho funds of the association were nlso received from the following: W. FI. Field. Esq. M.H.li. (patron), the vice-presidents Aiders AV. A. Grace, F. J. Liedngton, AV. 11. Ballinger, AV. 11, Thidall and A. M. Hayward, and Messrs Staples and Co. Tho president. Dr J. M. Mason, who has always (supported the association well, and also been present at same of the in eatings, was absent from tho colony last year. To these gentlemen heart}' thanks of the association have been tendered for their assistance and support, and to the Licensed Victuallers’ Association for its handsome prize. Tho shooting was of a fine order, good scores being made in each match, and everything in connection ivith the meeting going smoothly. Rifleman J. Burns' (Kurori R.G.) won the grand aggregate prize, including champion gold medal (presented by the patron). Private G. Lacey (Guards) second, and Rifleman G. Hyde (Otaki R.G.) third. Rifleman J. Burns nlso secured first win for tho Licensed ■ Victuallers Association’s Cup, with 119 points, the ruuners’-np being Private Lacey (Guards) and 11. Hawthorne (Karori R.C.), 11-1 each. Tho latter nlso won the first prize (AV. A. Grace’s) in the first match. . The team’o match was won by the Opaki team by 1 point, after a good contest, with Karori Rifle ' Club. No. 1 team second. Upper Hutt third, Karori Rifle Club No. "3 team fourth and Petone fifth. Mr Field, who has always been present at tho meetings, attended in tho afternoon and presented the prizes to tho successful winners. Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, V.D., Captain C. 11. Turner, and several other battalion officers also paid a visit in ilia morning, I whilst Lieutenant AV. Smith (Guards) acted as range officer, all of these being, outside military duties, enthusiasts in shooting. As tho .club’s meeting is always open to volunteers or any shooting man, and shooting generally "has taken on lately, it is fully expected that the association's coming' meeting will bo as well attended as any previous cues. Members of the Rifle. Clubs’' Association are reminded by advertisement in this issue of tho annual meeting called for Monday at tho Drillshed, when a good muster is requested. The heavy rain and boisterous wind of yesterday Ufompletoly upset arrangements made for a “day out" at Trentham. a few enthusiasts faced the uninviting prospect, and on arriving at the range put in some practice at 900 and IOOtI yards. The scores made, however, even by the cracks, were very poor, the heavy southerly wind driving practioally every shot clear of. the canvas. Tho usual - practice- will be held this afternoon, at 200, 500, 600, and 700 yards, and it is to bo hoped the weather will have by then. Tho match arranged to be fired yesterday between teams from tho Post and Telegraph Rifles and Masterton Rifles lapsed, the AVairarapa men being unable to come down. PIIESS ASSOCIATION. NAPIER, 'November 9. Shooting for tho Coleman shield competition took place. on the AA 7 aipawa range to-day. The weather was wet all day, anil the targets got in such a state at, shooting had to be abandoned after the'second range had been completed. Tho competition was decided on 1 ha. pot-i-Jfions at the end of the two rounds. The shield was won by tho Woodvilio Rifles with a score of 633, Hawke’s Bay Mounted Rifles second 634, AYaipawa Rifles third 626. Tho other scores are—Napier Rifles 623, Dannovirke Rifles 614, Ranfurly Rifles 595, Hastings Rifles 593, Napier Guards 566.