ARMY MEETING ENDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 9

ARMY MEETING ENDS

FINAL MATCH AT TRENTHAM THOMSON WINS KING’S MEDAL MINISTER PRESENTS TROPHIES ("Times” Special Reporter.) TRENTHAM, March 12. . Good fortune favoured the officials and'competitors in the New Zealand Army rifle meeting to the last, although a few ’showers of rain foil early this morning, there was not sufficient to .effect a stoppage of the King’s Medal match, or even to oaufee the competitors inconvenience. There was a. tricky wind blowing, however, and this was felt by some of tho firers at the longer ranges. . The shooting among the aspirants for the Kjng’s Medal woe highly creditable and .exceptionally dose. Staff* Sergeant ,J;. 8. Thomson (Palmerston North) and Sergeant A. J. Howard, of the Royal Marines, emerging with an enpinl. score of 137 for the four practices. - The practices included ten rounds rapid at 300 yards, ten refunds snap shooting at same range, ten rounds deliberate at ■ 000 yards, and firing with movement at, 600 to 1000 yards. . ' • When the two competitors tied, the’ competition was decided on the points gained in the firing with movement practioe, in which Staff-Sergeant Thomson gained 42 and Sergeant Howard 38.. Had Howard come out on top he would not have been_ eligible for the. medal, for the oonditione specify that the winner must be a member of tho active list of the Permanent Forces or of the Territorials., ' Third place was taken, by Trooper O. p. McCallum, of who put on 154. Staff-Sergeant-Major J. H. Kearney, of Masterton, getting into fourth place with a score of 152. “ ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT’ \ At the conclusion of the match the prize-winners were assembled and' addressed by the G.O.C. (Major-General l Young) and tile Minister for Defence (Hon. F. J. Rolleston), and-the.prizes presented. Major-General Vouiig, before asking the Minister to present the prizes, . expressed pleasure at the'manner in which.the meeting had -been conducted. Tho entries had been a record, and as far as he could judge the general arrangements had been very good. The marking was excellent.' and the discipline at the butts all that could he desiredi ‘‘l hope that, next year the discipline on til© range will be somewhat better,” concluded the G.0.C., “for there is room for much improvement in that direction.” 1 ,

The. Minister, after expressing his pleasure at- being, present for the presentation of the trophies, said that the Army ■ Rifle Association was an’ essential part of the defence system of the country, as' well as being «nbst useful "and important. “This; Territorial System,” he went on,’“‘has had what might .be called a rocky . ride in the prist, and it has been a pleasure to me to witness the splendid spirit which has actuated the officers and men throughout the whole foroe. I think we have now turned' the .corner, » and that the system is going ;to be a success in the future, so that those who are trained in it will he proud, to belong to it. A GREAT WORK If I may tender a word of advice, 1. would urge the men to hack their Ter. ritsrial Force all they can .by making the men feel that in joining it they are doing their duty, and performing a great work for their country. “Although it was not possible to hold a meeting last year, this has not made a difference in the standard of the shooting,, which has been better than ever. , You havefhad two inno. vations, she of which was the night firing, and I was pleased to see' them successful. I am. also glad tb see the men in blue from the Royal Navy, whom I understand have more than held their own. .

“The weather has been excellent, and 1 will look , forward to the time when the A.R.A. will do even greater service for the defence of the-coun-try.’! ' The Minister, then presented the prizes, the winners of the championship belt, and of the King’s medal being'chaired in the usual manner. ’' The damp broke up shortly before mid-day, the G.0.G., and omoers expressing pleasure at the manner in which the whole programme had been disposed of. A. number of the men will remain in camp over the Week-end and take part in the National Rifle Meeting next week, ', - The remaining results are given below:— THE KING’S MEDAL MATCH . King's Medal and £6—S.S. J. 8. ' - Thomson, N.Z.P.S., Palmer—ston North 157' £4—Sergeant A. J. Howard, .■ Royal Marines .................. 157 £3—Trooper C. R. McOallum, C.Y.C.- Christchurch 164 £2—S.S.M. J. H. Kearney, N.Z. ; P.S., Masterton 162 £1 each —R. H. • Perkins (Auckland, 148 j G. E. PoTker (Wellington;, 144; Sergeant F. A. Hiscoek (Royal Marinos), Lieutenant T, J. Denton (Christchurch), 143; E. H. Durham (Marines), 142. 10s each:* Lieut. A. J. Moore (Wanganui), 140; A. R. Syirionds (Napier), Lance-Corporal L. fi. Tobin, 139: Corporal E. H.'Poolman, 137; S.S.M. W. Bates. Sergeant R. .T. Eyre 136 ; S.S.M. C., H. Ritzemri (Petone), 134; Sergeant L. Shepherd (Waikato); Lieut. C. W. Kayser (Dunedin), G. W. Foote (Auckland), 133; Corporal H. G. Barrel, 132; O.SiM. A. R. Mnyhill (Auckland); S.S.M. G. P. O’Leary, W. S. Mansell- (Marines), 181; Sergeant A. H. Ferguson (Palmerston North), Sergeant F. Williams (Wellington). 139; S.'Pearce (Auckland), 127; Gunner F. Jamieson, 127; G. F. Mason (Marinas). Sergeant G. E. Milner /Christchurch), 135. NIGHT FIRING (With Vickers Guns) £lo—6th-M.R. Otago Hussars ... 1 £7 10s—1st Canterbury Regiment 2 £5 —Ist Auckland Regiment ....... 8 Fifteen teams competed.