OPENING DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 11

OPENING DAY

SMALL ATTENDANCE OF TERRITORIALS SERVICE MATCHES FIRED. YESTERDAY’S WINNERS. Loophole Cover, D, Roots, Patea B.C. Rapid Shooting, Lieutenant A. J. Green, Westport.^ Snapshooting, W. Cox, Auckland, R.C. WEATHER PROBABILITIES TODAY. Misty and cloudy, with variable winds, moderate to strong westerlies predominating. Once again the staccato bark of the rifles is heard at Trentham, the occasion being the twelfth annual prize meeting of tho Dominion Rifle Association. The opening ceremony took place yesterday under most auspices circumstances. Though there axe 353 entries, the meeting is nothing like what it was two years ago, when tho entries reached a total of nearly 600. But it is a decided improvement on last year, tho entries then being something over 290. Many old faces are seen about the range; also some new ones, and when the Belt series of matches get under weigh next week it will be interesting to speculate as to who the King’s champion will turn up in, Most of the entrants are rifle club men, so it is confidently expected that some particularly “hot” shooting will he witnessed. There are a few Territorials present ( but until tho young soldiers of this Dominion have been properly taught how to shoot, it cannot be expected that the meeting will appeal to any but enthusiasts of some experience. Colonel R. J. Collins, chief executive officer of the Dominion Rifle Association, is in control of tho meeting, and others on the staff are LieutenantColonel B. Hughes, Wanganui (adjutant), Captain J. G. Roache, sth (Wellington) Regiment (secretary), and Captain F. B. Mabin, Wellington (quartermaster). Yesterday was spent in firing Service matches, which this year are optional to men of over thirty veare of age. A “left-front wind” blew over the range, but it did not seriously disconcert marksmen. The weather was lovely, the sky being beautifully clear, and a warm sun shining all day. The Service eories will continue until the end of the week. At half-past 8 o’clock the men paraded at the squadding posts, when, after triggers had been tested. Colonel Collins gave an address, as is his annual custom. It was significant that tho Colonel’s remarks respecting the encouragement of what should he the national sport of New Zealand were warmly endorsed _ by every man present. If the opinions of anybody in New Zealand are entitled to respect upon rifle shooting and its effective application to the defence system of the Dominion they are those erf Colonel Collins, and his remarks (reported below) are certainly worthy of consideration. “SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED.” ' “We aro opening this meeting .today under very good auspices so far as tho weather is concerned,” said Colonel Collins, “but our entry is not What I expected, -and I am somewhat disappointed at that,” In 1911 there was unmistakable evidence that the popularity of shooting was growing. At that meeting there were close on 600 entries, and he was justified in anticipating that, it would not bo very long before tho 1000-mark would bo reached. Instead of that, however, the change in the volunteer _ system came, and owing to the transition of tho forces tho Dominion Rifle Association received a setback, and the entries went down to 296 last year. NOT DOWNHEARTED, He did not lose hope—pven now he was not downhearted —but ho thought that this year would have produced a generally better result. This year the entries were 353. Seventy-four were put down as Territorials, ■ but many of these—if he might judge from tho old-time uniforms—wore on the reserve. There were 279 entries from rifle clubs. The number of tyros present was sixty-nine. He was very glad to sea those tyros there, but in past years they had had two- or three hundred. Nevertheless, it was very satisfactory to know that they had sixty-nine new men present. They had everything to encourage them, as there were thirty prizes in each match for tyros, therefore they had a picnic on their own. Laughter). WANT OP ENCOURAGEMENT. “There are many reasons no doubt for tho decline in our entries,” remarked Colonel Collins, “hut the principal one to my mind is the want of encouragement in rifle shooting. (Hear, hear.) As to who is responsible for that it is not for me to say, but no matter what our defence scheme may he—and it is one of which I entirely approve and is a very valuable one for this Dominion —rifle shooting must be encouraged, because « man may be well drilled and well disciplined, but as a soldier he is of very little use unless he can hit his enemy. (Hear, hear.) .1 think it is Lord Roberts who said that rifle shooting is 80 per cent, of a soldier’s training.” With this opinion in view ho (Colonel Collins) thought it should bo tho endeavour of those who command tho Territorials —ho spoke of regimental and company commanders—to do their best to encourage rifle shooting competitions. There should be no difficulty in that respect. He knew that General Godley was in favour of rifle shooting, _ but everything must not be left to him to carry out. Regimental and other officers should take a hand. (Hear, hear.) ABOUT SERVICE MATCHES. The present meeting was a great disappointment in many respects. There were few Territorials present, but the rifle clubs had favourably re-.r to tho call, and he was glad to see that ip tho Service shooting series the majority of tho riflemen had entered. The Service matches were looked upon as tho military value of the meeting, and riflemen should support them with a view to keeping the meeting going. Colonel Collins referred in appreciative terms to tho fact that there were several veteran shots taking part. Amongst these were Rifleman Fraser (Kaitangata), Captain Dormer (Auckland). Tho latter was an officer of over seventy years of ago. and it was a pleasure to all to sec him present. (Hear, hear.) Death had called away one officer who had done a great deal

for shooting —that was Colonel Bcckinghain, of Timaru. An old shot who was again at Trentham was Rifleman Harding, of Blenheim, whoso experience would probably data back to the early ’seventies. Colonel Collins concluded by wishing everybody success, and by appealing to the marksmen to assist 'the range officers, so that tho meeting could ho finished in good time.