RIFLE SHOOTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7111, 25 April 1910, Page 12

RIFLE SHOOTING

AXXUAL "HARDWARE" CUP MATCH. This is an annual match shot for by teams representing the wholesale hardware linns of Wellington. A handsome silver cup has been presented by the firms, the conditions for which are, ten men a side, ranges 200 and 500 yards, seven shots at each, N.Z.R. Association conditions, three wins necessary to secure the cup. Last year the initial competition was held, Mills and C'o.'s team securing the first win.

On Saturday four teams entered, representing Messrs Briscoe and Co., Ltd., J. Dutbio and Co., Ltd., E. W. Mills and Co., Ltd., and the C. and A. Odlin Co., Ltd. On arrival at Trentha'm the weather conditions wore very bad. Th© light was dull, and the cold southerly wind camo in sharp gusts from tho right. The .Odlin Cb.'s team, -which was a strong one, started firm favourites, it being considered that they carried too many guns for the others, and rumours of some of their trials having leaked out. At 200 yards the first division of Odlin's, shooting well, quickly put on 141. Mills, however, shooting keenly, managed to head this with 145; Duthie's got on 121, and Briscoe's 107. With the second division down, Mills' put on 118, Briscoe's settling to it and running second with 115, Odlin's getting 110, and Duthie's 109. This left last year's winners, Mills and Co., in the lead with 263'/ Odlin's following closely with 251, Duthie's 230, and Briscoe 222. Going back to 500 yards the conditions became worse, the wind blowing in fierce squalls from the right, while occasionally light puffs came from the left. It was Trent-ham. in an angry mood, and was sufficient to harass the best of shots. Under such conditions it was still any team's match.' Tho coaches of tho teams had their hands full at this range, every shot being keenly watched. With,the first division down, Duthie's improved their position, putting on 118 and gaining three points on the lead. Mills, going steadily, got on 115, Odlin's 101, and Briscoe's (striking a bad patch) 52. With the last squad to go this left the position, Mills clear in front with 378, Odlin's dropping back to 352, Duthie's had crept up to 3-18, and Briscoe's were-last with 274. With the last division down tho going was very keen, and with the strong right gusts of wind the challenges were more frequent. However only one man won his challenge, and he secured a bull. Odlin's improved their position hero, gaining two points on tho leaders, with 94. Mills getting 92, Briscoe's rallying with 82, and Duthie's getting on 77. Mills thus ran out winners of a very keen match with 470, Odlin's 24 points away being next with 446, Duthie's folio-wing with 425 and Briscoe's with 356.

The shooting this year was a distinct improvement on last year's, when under much easier conditions . the scores were, Mills' 468, Duthie's 431, Odlin's 411, Briscoe's 305. It will be noted that Briscoe and Co. have made the greatest advance. The best score of the day was made by Dramnrtrad (of Odlin's) 59, a-really good effort under the conditions; Mcl/aren (of Odlin's) 58, and Bishop (of Duthie's) 57, were the nest best. It is worthy of note that tho whole of the winning team used "Aperture" sights, and aI T though some of the men had never seen them before they did well with them. Of Mills' team only three men fired in tho match last year, the new blood ■ proving very successful._ The cup is "to be presented to the winning team at a smoke concert to be held this week. The teams are much indebted, to Captain Gibbs, of the Engineers, who acted as range officer, and under whoso control everything worked most smoothly and without a hitch, also to the detachment of the Engineers who officiated in, charge of the trench and telephones. Scores: —

MATCH AT PALMESSTON WELLINGTON TEAM WINS. frEOM OtTR OWN COHEESrONDENT. PAL.MERSTON, April 23. Tlie annual rifle" match between a team of • Manawatu volunteers and riflemen and one representing the Civil Service, Wellington, was firod to-day on the Hokowhitu range, and resulted in ,a win for the visitors by a narrow margin. I'or the morning's shooting the weather was perfect wien the 200yds range was fired, but a howling easterly gale sprang tip just after lunch, and completely spoilt the afternoon's sport. It increased in fury, and was so etrong when the 600yds range was reached that it lifted one of the targets right out of the trenchr and carried it into the air. It

vas then decided to abandon the 600yds ■angc. The Mnnawatu team was not a .uhy representative one, Corporal Kells, .ho champion, being absent. The best Wellington scores were Champion Ilolliilav's 3-1 at. 'JODvds, and similar totals by "Lieutenant Skellcy and Kiaeuian Lurus at 500yds. Scores: Wellington. Kfimn. Barns o 7 Lieut. Skelley 0.) Kflmn. Halliday 6t Pte. Hamilton 6-1 Kilmii. Cody .- 03 Oapt. Itoss 61 Pte. Williamson 61 Staff Sergt.-ilajor Hose GO Pie. Evo3 00 Lieut. Bolton 09 Pte. Brooke 5" Pte. Low S 3 Total 73-i Palmerston. Sergt. Keedhani 06 Sergt. Dalziell 64, Pte. Cook 61 Itflmn. Pickering 60 Kflmn. Craw 60 Pte. O'Neill CO Eflmn. J. Perrin 5!) Sergt. Stock 57' Col.-Sergt. Perrin 57 Rflmn. Kyle 57 Pte. Friend 57 Pte. Smith 57 Total 715

E. W. MILLS AND CC . 200 500 Tl. yds yds 20 27 — 56 25 — 50 26 27 — 53 J. WrST 21 — 5 A 25 —; 2 G. 22 — < 7 27 15 — 42 23 18 — 41 '.. 19 10 — 35 11 — 35 ,- 263 207 470 C. AND A. ODLIN.CO. 29 30 — 59 30 23 — 58 31 22 — 53 30 20 — 50 28 21 — 49 26 21 — a C' Wickett 20 18 — 38 18 19 — 37 .10 — 32 6 — 23 251 195 446 J. DTFTHIE AND CO. 28 29 — 57 24 — 53 31 21 — 52 18 29 — 47 27 19 — 4G Griffiths 21 — 44 26 11 — 37 20 13 — 33 Ogg 15 15 — 30 16 10 — 26 230 195 425 BEISCOE AND CO. 24 24 — 48 ..: 28 19 — 47 17 — 44 23 20 — 43 21 17 — 38 \V. Bridson , 24 13 — 37 19 12 — 31 22 9 — 31 23 0 — 23 11 3 — 14 ~222 134 356