DEFENCE FORCE RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12604, 6 March 1903, Page 8

DEFENCE FORCE RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL PRIZF FIRING. (Per United Piress Association*.) TREXTHAM, March 5. Tho first day's nliooting at tho Trentham meeting was highly sucessful from every point of view. The entries were a record fimcc tho great exhibition meeting at Winga- • tui, Otago, and ill the matter of Tyros tho finest tho association has over had, proving the increasing interest in shooting throughout tho colony. Out of 348 entries, there are 95 from rifle cluh>. It will therefore be seem that notwithstanding the disadvantages which they are placed in in regard to the programms as a whole, they were determined to fight hard to retain the belt. Shooting in the opening match was clearly a record for New Zealand, and probab'.y for tho Australasian colonics. Tint two men shouH make 100 out of a possible 105 in tho preliminary canter of a big meeting proves that the much-talkcd-of want of practice has done no harm. The men shot better in tho opening match this meeting than ever they did in their lives. Looking at tho two highest scoros (Hyde and Lester), they may he called marvellous. True, the light up to the last minute of shooting was all that could he wished for hi? scoring, but when tho lightness of the .303 bullet is considered, and tho effect that wen the slightest wind lias on it, and also that there wag at times a smart breeze athwart tho line of fire which tended to pur/.le the marksmen, every credit must bo given to Lester and Hyde, who tackled the work with such sueoMS. Turner (of Wellington) was hut little behind tho leading men, putting up 99: while Speck and Chins each came vory eloso up with 98. In ordinary years, either of these scores would have secured the first prizes. At the opening range, 200 yards, veteran F. W. Williams (Napier) gave an idea, of the strong direction of the shooting when ho planked on the "possible," which was shortly afterwards equalled hyHoward (Napier). There was a goodly number of 5Vs, and 33's wore quite common. At the 500 yards' range there were four " jiossibles"—Ohing (Nelson), Corporal .Tack (Linwood), Whitley (Kaiapoi), and Davidson (Wairoa), At 600 yards tho fine quality of the shooting was maintained, and for a time it looked as though the century would he considerably overstepped by the highest ecorer. Soon word passed down tho line that Hyde, who was reported to he in poor form, had scored 100, putting on 34 at the last range. Ghing finished directly afterwards with 93, and much interest was ts-i in Cox( Auckland), who, coming back < 68 to his credit, looked to have every chance of beating Hyde. Meantime Lwler (Christchurch) was pulling up lus scorc, and when ho had readied-97 it looked any odds on his beating Hyde. But lie was only ablo to get 3 with his final shot, which placed him with 100 to his credit, witli hut second place on the prize list. After such splendid shooting." 97's and under looked email indeed, and outside spectators, of whom there were several, hardfy noticed them. Tho ex-champions eonwefing are:— Parslow (Auckland), Hyde (Opaki), W. and A. Ballinger (Petone), King (Oamaru), Cluirton (Waiigaiimi), Major Okey (Taranaki), Kofs (Napier), Nelson (Blenheim). The Picton competitors arrived too late for tho first two ranges owing to the delay of the steamer, but were allowed to fire those distances at the eloso of the final range shooting. The opening shot of the mooting was fired by Okey. The following is the prize list:— AUCKLAND MATCH.-200, 500, and 600 yards; shots at each. Hyde (Opaki), £G 100 Lester (Canterbury Engineers), £5 .. ~ 100 Turner (Wellington), £4 99 Cox (Auckland), £4 gt) Speck (Stratford), £3 98 Ching (Waimea), £3 !)S Wilson (Petone) 97, Webster (Akarana) 97, Heotloy (Hastings) 9G, Bait (Knitangata) 90, Davidson (Wairoa) 06, Williams (Taradalc) OS, King (Opaki) 90, Sandford (Christchnrch) 95, Ayson (East Taieri) 93, Jfilrov (Nelson* 95 Purncll (Patea) 95, Small) (Knitangata) 05, Hardy (Blenheim) 95. Tnrnbull (Opjui) 94, Kemp (Christchurch) 94, Barraclongh (Wanganui) 94, Lieutenant Okey (Taranaki) 94, Howard (Xapier) 91, Burns (Karori) 94, Searle (Caversham) 91, Irvine (Waimea) 94, Ballin«er (Petone) 94, Henry (Opaki) 94, Brown (Hanl'aki) 94—each £2. Counted out:—M'Hattio (Opaki), O'Kee (Pinko), Coniß (Ohinemuri). 'moS.-'llie following are winners of Tyro prizes:—Williamson (Manchester Rifles) 94, Gillander (Dimcdiu) 93, Morrison (Ohinemuri) 93, Hopkins (Waipawa) S2, Franklin (Kuahine) 92, Bishop (Hastings) 02. E. J. Neill, a waitor in the camp, took ill yesterday. His condition was reriom this evening, and he was removed in the ambulauco to tho city hospital. It is supposed to bo a case of scarlet fevor. The general health of tho camp is good.