FINAL DAY AT TRENTHAM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10848, 14 March 1921, Page 6

FINAL DAY AT TRENTHAM

COMPETITION NOTES IS THE RIFLE MEETING SERVING ITS PURPOSE? INTERESTING COMMENTS. In the teams match for the district 6liield at the meeting just concluded at Trentham, the best individual scores at the three ranges were obtained, by Rifleman H. T. Boon (Suburbs) and Rifleman W. H. West (Blenheim), each of whom secured an aggregate of 97. Rifleman West did best at the longer range, and was beaten by Rifleman Boon at the shorter ones. The respective cards read: —West—300yds range: 5 5 5 5 4 5 4—33; 500yds, 5 4 5 4 5 5 4—32 ; 600yds, 5 5_4_4 5 5 4 —32. 800n —300yds range : 5 5 5 5 5 5 4—34 ; 500yds, 5 3 5 5 5 5 5—33; 600yds, 5 5 3 3 5 4 5—30. BIG WORK. 1 During the progress of the Dominion Rifle Association meeting the members of the “Press’’ handled 80,000 score cards in order to keep the aggregates of the competitors up to date. This was necessary in order that the public might be acquainted, at the earliest possible moment, of how the marksmen were faring. The official list- was got out expeditiously, but progress returns were not made out. The statistical staff* under Captain G. Felton, carried out their onerous duties in an efficient manner. A considerable amount of clerical work wan involved, as will be gathered from the fact- that 68,800 cards had to be written out, the various scores piade by competitors checked and totalled, prizewinners separated, and prize-lists made out. In addition, squadding lists had to be made out in respect to ranges and aggregates, and queries had to be attended to. I THE - TELAMS MATCH. Next to the King's Prize, the teams match is looked upon by riflemen as the most important of the series at the meeting. The marksmen, in the majority of the teams, put up good scores in the short ranges, but on going back to the 600 yards range some poor shooting was displayed. Arthur Ballinger, who won the belt outright and presented it to the association for; competition, was a member of the Pctone A team, and at the 600 yards only scored 28. In the teams matoE none of the marksmen registered the possible, but several came within one of it. The possible at a range was 35, and 11. T. Boon (Suburbs), D. Roots (HaweraL A. McMurray (Frankton), W. Thomas (Linton), H. G. Day (Nelson), each scored 34 at the 300 yards range, and G. Stark (ICaiapoi) B. J. Cooke (Blenheim), W. J. H. Haase (Suburbs), J. Mclntosh (Frankton), J. McLauchlan (Frankton, late of Petone), Captain R. B. Irvine i(l2th Nelson Regiment), and E. F. Sandford (Christchurch), at the 500 yards range. GOOD SHOOTING. The highest individual score made in the Inter-Island match was that of Rifleman AV, K. Williams (Ohura). His card at the various ranges read as follows :—-300 yards range—4 4 5 5 5 5 5 33; 500 yards—s 5 5 5 5 5 5—35 ; 600 yards'—4 5 5 5 4 5 4—32. Possibles were made in the match by Rifleman J. O. Carter (Petone) at 600 yards range, and Rifleman W. K. Williams (Ohura) at 500 yards range. There was dissatisfaction amongst » certain number of competitors on account of not being chosen to fire in the Inter-Island match. Several thought they were better marksmen than some of those who were selected An old ex-champion belt winner stated /that if rifle shooting is to progress more attention will have t.o be paid to Territorials and Cadets. “It was deplorable,” he said, “that so few young men were making headway as rifle shots.” .A perusal of the marksmen who have got into the final fifty for years past shows that only the names of old riflemen appear. AN INNOVATION. The Inter-Island match was introduced into the programme for the first time. No prizes were allotted, hut the competition was such a successful one that it will be made an annual fixture. In the Inter-Island match the North Island team was two points behind the South at tMb conclusion of the first two ranges, and went back an additional ten points at the final range. Rifleman W. K. Williams (Ohura), who obtained the highest aggregate score, was placed in the North Island team at the last moment in place of Rifleman W. Moselen, who was unable to take part in the match. A fairly large number of competitors and attendants at the meeting was attacked with colic in a mild form and it was no doubt due to this sickness that some of the marksmen did not shot up to their usual standard. A MOOT POINT. The subject as to whether the Dominion rifle meeting was not one f, in favour of members of rifle clubs to a far greater extent than Territorials and Cadets was freely discussed m camp. It was out that tho Dominion Rifle Association was not an association in the true sense of the word. It was contended that it was purely a Government institution, and the competitors only paid entrancemoney. for the various matches. Service shooting did not interest riflemen to any appreciable extent, and as Territorials and Cadets were not in a position to purchase fancy sights they were heavily handicapped in competing in the series of belt matches. To overcome the difficulty it has been suggested that substantial prize-money be offered for service matches, and that they be of a more advanced nature than the- present elementary form. Service rifles should be the used, and, where possible, Territorial and Cadet shooting should be kept separate from matches in which members of rifle clubs take part. Another suggestion was that Territorial and Cadet champion shots should be found in each district, and prior to or at the D.R.A. meeting these ohampions should assemble and take part in a match in order to determine the champion Territorial or Cadet shot in the Dominion. The expenses of such competitors should be paid by the Government. The reason why so few Territorials and Cadets entered for matches at tho annual meeting at Trentham was considered to be due to lack of encouragement, and until some improvement is made in respect to relieving competitors of all or the major portion of tEe expense incurred in attending the meeting it could not be expected that many Territorials or Cadets would take part. GOOD WORK. The secretary’s department, over which Major V. Dunne presided, was responsible for the issuing of approximately 200,000 rounds of ammunition

to competitors, as well aa receiving entries for matches, isuing receipts and railway warrants (441), Handling cash to the amount of £4OOO, and the paying out of £2050 in prize-money. The markers and staff had also to be paid, and altogether the secretary and his staff had a busy time. The issuing of bedding and stores was expeditiously carried out by Captain Walker, of the Defence staff.