NEW ARMY CHAMPION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12392, 11 March 1926, Page 11

NEW ARMY CHAMPION

PROMISING SHOT WINS CHAMPIONSHIP BELT

GOOD SHOOTNG AT TRENTHAM

("Times" Special Reporter.) TRBNTJiAM, March 10. The new New Zealand Army champion rifle shot is Q.M.S. A. R. Tantrum, of Levin, who topped the list in his class on the ranges to-day. Two members of the Royal Marines exceeded his score in the aggregate, but they were not eligible for tho Belt. Tlie Cadet championship belt went to Sergt. Duncan, of the Auckland Grammar School. Good shooting was registered through* out the day m pood light, but with a somewhat tricky wind at times. The night ftring with machine-guns to-night was an innovation, and provided a novel feature of this meeting. To some extent at least Trentham is maintaining its reputation for fitful gusts and changeable conditions. 'Whereas the variations are not sufficiently severe to cause comment by the man in the street, competitors in the New Zealand Army rifle meeting, which was continued here to-day, feel and appreciate the playful moods of the wind as it sweeps across the ranges. Before dawn this morning a heavy southerly was blowing, but with the coming of day this veered back to its previous northerly cource, and os the morning wore on dropped somewhat, only to oscillate thus throughout the day and cause some of the riflemen on the mounds po little anxiety in some of the more crucial moments. This did not prevent the registration of some good shooting, and many of tho cards returned were of high merit/ The competition for the Army Championship was finished, the four practices tired yesterday being repeated, and in the afternpon machine-gun matches were tired. • I KEENNESS AMONG CADETS Particularly gopd firing wps registered op the cadet ranges, where the boys exhibited a keep interest in their matches, and where everything was disposed of ip very prompt fashion. It was ehowi* that fchsFfr is sqm© good material m the younger shots, and those . who headed the champjqnship list promise well fqr future meetings with tne Service rifle

Everything at the camp is going with a pleasant swing, and with a continuation of the fine weather till the end of the week, the ftrae spent by the 500 mpn should be quite enjoyable. Diversion there is in plenty, and during leisure hours the men indulge ip various pastimes at the Y.M.C.A. hoa* tel—where there is a multiplicity of amusements—while in the evenings the movies command the attention of a great majority of the oamp. > In . th© statistical office things are working smoothly under the direct control of Captain Felton who has with him an efficient staff of workers.

THE BIG EVENT tantrum WINS be;lt ’ Perhaps it was the erratic wind which capsed some of the higher scorers of yesterday to register lower cards to-day. Mason, who performed so well at the first shoot, was not in the final money at the end of to-day's match. Tantrum, the winner qf the Bert, apparently was not -shooting so wall, for he registered 91 only, as against his 114 on therfirst day. The runner-up. Tapper, of Auckland, also showed a lower score than at his first day, putting up only 94 as against IQS yesterday. The members of the Royal Marines showed the best form of the day A* J Howard 1 topping the list with the splendid aggregate of 226 (104 and 122) out of a possible of 350. J.. H. Keampy, of Napier, put on the great score of 216 (IQI UJ*)» but neither of these two are- eligible for competition for the Belt. THE YOUNG CHAMPION The winner of the championship, Q.M.S. Tantrum, has established a meritorious performance in carrying off this honour. Me is'not quite 20, apd is this year making his first appearance at the meeting as a territorial. Two years ajgo he shot as a cadet, and at that time it /Wes dnc)n r ®d that he would go far as a shot, his performance having attracted the notice of the officials. His shooting has for some time been creditably consistent, end he has now achieved the distinction of being the youngest Arjny champion the Dominion has had. . Lieut, Mo9r© (Wanganui), the jp23 champion, did not do well on the first day of the shoot, but to-day ‘ho registered a creditable scoire, slipping into fourth place in the Class 1 match with a card of 102. DUNCAN'S CONSISTENCY # After his consistent shooting on the first day, Cadet-Sergt. K. J. Duncan, of the Auckland Grammar School, was expected to perform well in the Cadet Championship aggregate. In this event ! he shot even better than on Tuesday, and registered 109 as against his 105 over the same practices, winning tho championship belt and gold jewel w}th an aggfegatq spore pf gl4, showing a I comfortable margin over tho next in order. Although putting on the highest sepre in the day's shoot, Sergt. R. J. David* son • (Christchurch) took second place in the championship with an aggregate of 199 (89 and 110 for the respective days). His low score on the first day kept him out of first honours t Third in order for tfie championship was Q.M.S. Sandford (Christchurch), whose aggregate registered 193, but who was kept out of the practice match prize-money by his modest score of 90 to-day, his card of 103 for the first day's shoot being quite creditable.

PRACTICE MATCH The previous holder of the Cadel Championship Belt was Cadet R. ff; Perkins, of Auckland, who is competing at this meeting os a territoriq}. In addition to counting for the aggro? gate, this morning's shooting comprised a practice match, which Sergt. Davidson captured with 110, being run tQ within a point by Sergt. Duncan. O. A. Cave (Wanganui) shot consistently and put on 105, the next in order being A. V. Lee (Pukekoh©) 100, and Sergt. H. Williams (Hamilton) 97. The match embracerl four practices. Application, snap-shooting, rapid and moving target — all at a range of 200 yards. THE MARKER3' PARADE

One of tho interesting features of the meeting is tho markers' parade. In all there are oyer 75 markers, a great number of whom are natives from the Whirnrapa, who make tlie pilgrimage every jyenr over the hill, bringing with them their wivaa suid sweethearts to wait »t table in the officers' and men’s mess rooms* There are all manner and types, short and tall, stout and thin—ana in the daily fall-in they present an interesting sight in the picturesque dress for tno rifle h Mirny of them, in accordance with the custom of the Maori, exhibit a desire for bright colours, and conspicuous among the varied football jerseys represented in the collection is op© of the brightest red and yellow bands. In the evening they present an entirely clifferent spectacle, however, the majority of them being attired in well cut and meticulously brushed navy blue suits, some being ©o daring as to appear

CADET CHAMPIONSHIP GOES TO AUCKLAND

at mess in whites, with blazers of the' sportiest colours. In the mess ro »ms waitresses are fast getting themselves accustomed to the conditions in readiness for the big meeting next weefc. Praise is given tlie markers by officers who have seen them at many successive meetings. Among the natives there are reputed to be some exceptionally adept hands behind the butts, and it is averred that at one meeting in a fast match they would attach a spot, patch the previous ’hole, and mark the current shot without allowing the targets to stop in gradual, rotary movement. Several teams' matches were fired during the day, included in which were those for the Hotchkiss and Lewis ma-chine-guns, and for the Cadets (Command teams). In all of these the shooting was reported to ,be quite good. ARMY CHAMPIONSHIP. Second Stage (Class II.). Pearce (Auckland) 103 £% 109—Corp. C. G. Batchelar (Nelson) 101 £2—' Tpr. A. J. Litchfield (Blenheim) 99 «61 15s—Sergt. L. Shepherd (Te Awarautu) 9. 99 IOs —Corp. F. H. Poolman (Whangarei) 98 <£l T. V. Middlemiss (Dunedin) 98 -81 each—Tpr. H. R. F. Thomson (Christchurch), C.S.M. A. R. Mayhill (Auckland), W. Press (Napier), 97; Sergt. S. J. Aston (Blenheim), 96. 15s each —S.S.M. A. R. Linton (Hawera), Sergt. N. S. Bradley (Hamilton), 95; IC. P. Tapper (Auckland), R. H. Perkins (Auckland), 94; Corp. G. R. Biady (Gore), 'Tpr. F. Horton (Blenheim), Sergt. E. W. Jepson (Wellington), 92; Corp. H. G. Burrell (Wanganui), Q.M.S. A. R. Tantrum (LeVin), 91; Sergt. C. L. Brett (Hamilton), 90. 10s each —A. R. Symons (Hastings), 89; C.S.M W. Dellei* (Wellington); Sergt. S. Williams (Wellington), G. Toureile (Dunedin), G. L. Helm (Napier), 88; *N. V. Carson (Auckland), N. A. Boon (Christchurch), 86; A* Me Jamieson (Kaikohe), 85; Sergt. A. H. Ferguson (Palmerston North), 84; Lance-Corp. J. JL Gagliardi (Wellington), 83; W- J* Mackenzie (Dunedin)

5b each—T. Papps (Masterton), C.S.M. W. A. McGuire (Auckland), 82; R. Willmott (Auckland), 81; *R- H. Hammond (Nelson), 80; C.Q.M.S C. \V. Brewster (New plymouthh 80; R. Graham '(Gore), M. C. Moore (Dunedin), J. C. Ashman (Petone), 79; Sergt. J. Hepburn (Hamilton), Gunner F. Jamieson (Wellington), Lance-Corp. J. A. Ashley (New Plymouth), C. G. Beer (Invercargill), 77; Sergt. G. D. Pollock (Dunedin), Sergt. A. Ainslie (Petone), R. R. Lyons (Auckland), G. W. Foote (Auokland), G. E. Parker (Wellington), 76; M. G. Larritt (Auckland), Sergt. C. G. McLennan (Napier), Sergt E. R. Mumby (Auckland); Tpr. F. F. Ching (Hawera), 75.

HOTCHKISS GUN MATCH. Open to on© team from each Mounted Rifles; 500yds to 200yds, flr© with movement, three strips of 30 rounds each per gun, one strip per gun at each of 400. 300 and 200 yards. 412, the Hotchkiss Challenge Trophy, and a trophy to each member of the team—2nd Mounted Rifles, Hawera (Corp. Wilkinson, Tprs. Ching, Shepherd, and French)... 51 £7 10s—4th N.Z. Mounted • Rifles, Waikato (Sergt. C. D.' Atorey, Corp. E. Bell, Lance-Corp. C. Woolston, Tpr. T. Nicholson) ... 40 £7 10s—let N.JS. Mounted Riflee, C.Y.C., Christchurch (Cqrp. C, G. S. Griffith, Tprs. Thompson, D. A. Robinson, R. H. Log&p) .*.*»** . 40 Following are details of the shooting t ARMY CHAMPIONSHIP (Class 11.).' Champion Belt, N.Z.A.R.A. Gold Jewel, and Q.M.B. A. R. Tantrum (Levin), 114—91 205 N.Z.A.R.A. Silver Jewel and 42—K. P. Tapper (Auckland), 103—94 ... 197 N.55.A.R.A. Brona© Jpwcl and 41 — Corp. F H. PoolnmP (Wharigarei), 94—98 192 ARMY CHAMPIONSHIP(CIass I.). A. J. Howard (Royal Marines), 104—122 226 42 — S.S.M. J. H. Kearney (Napier), 101-115 ?16 ARMY CHAMPIONSHIP, Second Stage (Class I.). 43 Sergt. A. J. Howard (Marines)... 122 42—5.J3.M. J. H. Kearney (Napier)... 115 41 10s—J. S. Thomson (Palmerston North) 103 41—Lieut. A- J. Moore (Wanganui), JOS 15s—S.S.M. .R. L. Jordan (Westport) 108 10s each, O.S.M. V J. Ryqn (Feilding), 102; J. F. Magon (Marines). S.S.M. C If. Rltzema (Petone), 101; Sergt. F. A. Hiscock (Marines), 99; Sec. Lieut. E. B. Diehl (Christchurch), 96. CADET CHAMPIONSHIP. Champion Belt. N.Z.A.R.A., Gold Jewel, and 48—Sergt. IC. J. Duncan (Auckland Grammar School), 105-109 314 N.Z.A.R.A. Silver Jewel and 42 Sergt. R. J. Davidson (Christchurch Roys' High School), 89— 110 ;. ...: 199 N Z.A.R.A Bronze Jewel and 41— Q. G. Sandford (Christchurch Technical College), 100— 90 193

TERRITORIAL CHAMPION-

(Sepond Stage). 42—Sergt. R. J. Davidson (Christchurch) i 110 41 10s —Sergt. K. j. Duncan (Auckland) 109 41—C. A. Cave (Wanganui) 105 15a each, A. V. Lee (Pukekohe), 100; Corn. N. Npakes (Hamilton), Sergt. ft. Williams (Hamilton). §7; Q.M.S. Playle (Hnmiltpp), Cqrp. G. Bradley (Hamilton), J. N, Jamieson (Pukpkohe), 94; 10s each, C.S.M. L. R. Osmond (Dunedin). 94; E. A. Hemming (Glen Eden), 93; Corp. L, H. Skelton (New Plymouth*. 91; Corn. G. P. Tapper (4uckland), 91; Corp. .T. D. Wajlac© (Te Awamutu), Corp. D. Milne (Rangiora), Q.M.S G. Sandford (Christchurch), 90; 7s 6d each, Corp. F. A. Burgess (Waipukurau), Corp. R. C. Collier (Hokitika), 20; 5s each, Sergt. J. J. Boon (Stratford). C.S.M. R. Faville (Hamilton), IC Wyclieley (Hamilton), 90; Corn. J. M. Carmichael (Hastings), Sergt. J. A. Clark (Gore), 89; R. Catlev (Nelson), 88; F. T. Hunter (Dargaville), 87; 3s each, Sergt. B. A. Lulhnm (Wellington), C. S. Turner (Wellington), P. J. Bell (Christchurch) E. C. Holder (Westport), 87: A. W. Clarke (Whnngnrei), 11. Stevens (Hamilton), 85: Corp. J. If. Chapman (Dunedin), 84: C. R. Nentie (Hamilton), S 3; Corp W. J. Burton (Hastings), 82; Corn. K. R. Sbjellerup (Nelson), 82; C. W. Amoore (Wellington), Sergt G- C. Baudinet (Wellington), J. Bennett (Christchurch). 81; R. Florence (New Plymouth), R. w. Scott (Paeroo), A. Mackintosh (Wanganui), Corn. G. E. Watt (Hamilton). 30; L.O. N j 3. CuUey (Te Awnmutu), H. A. McMillan (Dunedin), 79; L D. Walton (Auckland), W. Campbell (Wellington), Corp. S. C. Innes (Hamilton), J. B. Mackie (Dunedin), 78.

LEWIS GUN MATCH. 412, the Lpwls challenge trophy, and s trophy to each member of the team.— 16th Battery. Christchurch (Bdr. E. H.

Weir, Gnrs J. Dawson, C. Hoe, J. Fletcher), 117 points. 410 and a trophy to each member of the team.—lst Taranaki Regiment (Corp. T. Boyle, Pts. R. L. Slyfield, J. Campbell, K. Capon), 113 points. 42 10s.—1st Battery, North Auckland Regiment (Sergt. L. W. Reanney, Pts. G. Watt, J. Fox, L. Robertson), 95 points. Fourteen teams competed. THE A.S.C. LEWIS GUN MATCH. Tbe McKinney Challenge Cup, won by Northern Depot, N.Z.A.S.C., with 66 points; Southern Depot, 45 points; Central Depot, 22 points. Three teams competed. COMMAND CADET TEAMS RIFLE MATCH. 49, C.A.C. Challenge Shield and a trophy to each member of the team—Northern Command, No 1 team (Sergt. K. Duncan, Corp. G. Bradley, Corp. J. D. Wallace, Sergt. H. Williams, Corp. N. Noakas, B. Wycherley, Q.M.S. A. Playle, A. Clarke, C.S.M R. Faville), 542. 44 10s. and a trophy to each member of the team. —Northern Command, No. 2 team (Corps G. E. Watt, J. M. Jamieson, A. V. Lee, R. W. Scott, J. G. Tapper, E. A. Hemming, A. J. Robertson, W. E. Cullev, T. E. Dyson), 514. 42 5s each.—Southern Command, No. 1 team, 467; Southern Command, No. 2 team, 465; Central Command, No. 1 team, 459; Central Command, No. 2 team, 454. THE KING'S HUNDRED. The following hundred will fire in the King's Medal Match:— A. J. Howard, J. H. Kearney, J. S. Thomson, A. R. Tantrum, F. A. Hiscock, K. P. Tapper, F. H. Poolman, H. L. Mason, H. A. Litchfield, J. F. Mason, T. J. Denton, E. W. Hepson, G. P. O’Leary, A. R. Linton, R. L. Jordan, T. H. Ritzema, G. E. Parker, S. Pearce, A. Ainsley, L. Shepherd, E. R. Bray, C. R. McCallum, R. R. Lyons, J. Ryan, S. J. Nash, W. Bates, T. V. Middlemiss, C. G. Batchelar, W. Fisher, R. Wilmott, J. A. Godden. A. J. Moore, W. Deller, W. T. Ginn, N. S. Bradley, C. L. Brett, S. J. Aston, W. Press, R. H. Perkins, H. R. F. Thomson, H. J. Mealey, F. H. Sharland, S. Green, R. H. Hammond, G. W. Brewster, M. C. Moore, J. C. Ashman, A. R. Mayhill, G. L. Helm. S. P. Halloran, L. C. Robertson, L. H. Tobin, N. Proctor, F. J. Gwilliam, E. B. Diehl, M. G. Laryitt, O. W. Sandford, M. D. Bryce, V. B. Stagpoole, M. E. Gillespie, E. B. Berry, G. W. Foote, C. W. Bayzer, H. G. Burrell, P. McDonald, E. H. Durham, C. Allan, F. Horton, C. G. Beer, S. Luxford, F. F. Ching, H. W. Richardson, J. A. Hurst, J. A. Ashley, E. J. Tobin, J. R. Donn, A. M. Jamieson, J. B, Rowntree, N. F r Cowan, G. A. Tattle, T. Papps, W J. McKenzie, J. Henburn, A. Farrar, W. Milroy, B. R. Mamby, M. Moeelin, J. Thrupp, N. A« Boon, R, J. Byre, G. D. Bullock, F. Williams, H. Fretwell, V. J. Hellier, W. S. Mansell, L. Rutherfurd, A. H. Ferguson, L. Blackmore, J. E. Milner, F< Jamieson, I. H, H. Logan, A. R. Symons. •

IN THE FRONT LINK UNDER FIRE AT NIGHT SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS With twelve individual riflemen and three quick-firing guns spitting flame into the night and coloured flares overhead Tevealing the outline of targets at 100 yards distant, the ranges presented a most spectacular and inspiring sight this evening, when the night firing, which, was introduced at this meeting for tlie first time in the Dominion, was held under conditions as near as possible to those which would prevail on the field of battle. The Dight firing was regarded by the officers as somewhat in the nature of an experiment, and the results were watched with considerable interest by the G.0.C., N.Z. Forces (Major-General Young), Colonel Burgess,. and other officers of the camp. Except for the flickering light of an electric torch, or the occasional flash of a hurricane lamp, all was dark on the field, and ,the men moved hither and thither in the darkness, silently making preparations for the tests. TO THE FRONT LINE The sensation of approaching the front line was a peculiar one. Not knowing exactly where the tests were to take, place, an enterprising reporter, who wished to view tbe firing, was compelled to proceed with caution, apd survive the many vicissitudes and set backs provided by the ditches, an 1 rough surface ot tins ranges, each producing a slight, but nevertheless new, thrill. 0n the battleground Captain Steadman bad charge of the teams, of which there were seventeen in the Lewis guns, and nine in the Hotchkiss class. There were three sandbag breastworks, representing the front line trench, and at esfli of these was placed a team of four infantry riflemen with one machine gnn section. One hundred yards away Was a series of targets representing the approaching enemy, and as three Verey flare pistols were fired at tbe year oi the riflemen, the whole range was lit up in a brilliant glare, and the guns began to spit foytii t£eir hail of leap. THE ENEMY approaches Immediately the flares went up the guns would start, and as soon as the last flare died out th© firing ceased. Excitement prevailed among the men as well as among the and it was interesting to observe the slight advantage of one or two shots which one or other of the sections would secure as tlie flares lit up the night sky. They fired till darkness again enveloped the targets, anfl then-ras ait tht> start —some of those at the breastwork would get in an extra shot or two as the flares became spent and fell to the ground, leaving, in their wake numerous streams of white smoke which followed the remains of the flare cartridge to earth. IN RETROSPECT It was truly an impressive sight, and must have reminded many of the older hands present of days when the atmosphere reeked with powder and shot which was being used in a mission more deadly than that of last evening. But even the uninitiated coujd not help imagining the battle field. The sky was one big white light when the flaies were up, and when the cover of darkness again the night was resounding with the echo of the hundreds of reports from the rifles and quick-firing guns. At th* bia«A oi th* captain's whistle the first flare would go up, aiid firing would continue for about 30 seconds, while it lit the sky; then there would be a spell of about one minute before the secopd flare would signalise the coim menccment of the second round. SATISFACTORY RESULTS From the point of view of the spectator the results appeared to be eminently satisfactory, and it was the view of some of tho officers that this will—when firmly established as a regular factor m training—prove an effective method of Betting the uilmi accustomed to the use of the . weapons such as would be used in tlie case of war. Even more realistic should bp the battlefield manoeuvres, which . will be carried out under war conditions tomorrow, and which should give tho men an even greater insight into the finer points of conduct in tho front line. In the camp this evening’s experiment was regarded as most, successful, and it is likely that it will be extended at the Army meeting next year.