EXHIBITION RIFLE MEETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13831, 19 February 1907, Page 6

EXHIBITION RIFLE MEETING

(PZR trmiLD PItEBS AsSOCIATIeN.) OHRISTCHUROH, February 18. The Exhibition rifle' , meeting opened at Boclcliffs to-day in splendid weather. Tho range, which is located about six miles from Christchureh, had been specially pre- ; pared for the meeting, the Government having made a grant for the purpose. When tho 360 competitors mustered this morning the arrangements were hardly com- ' plete, and it was 9.15 before tho shooting ' commenced. A largo number of competi- : tors arrived from the north and smith on ' Saturday and Sunday, and camped on the range. The council has formulated a. timetable for tho meeting; which limits it to six days, but unless tho shooting is much faster than has been the case to-day a number of ranges will have to bo cut out. At a special meeting of the council the ■ pnze-li.it was augmented by £200 cash and a number of trophies. Amongst Ihe competitors arc tho pick of the marksmen of New Zealand, as well as a number of Australian cracks. Of those who have represented the colony at Bisley- 16 were prosent—viz.: W. Cox. Domigan, A. and W. Bellinger, Sandford, T. Jack, M'Kenzie, Shanks, Wmslado, George Hawthorne, G. 1 Craw, Franklin, W. S. King. R. J. King, , Clung, and 1 Irvine, and tho following chain- ! pions aro competing:—.!. Ross (carbine). A. Bellinger, W. S. King. Okey, R. J. lung, W. 11. Baliinger, Chins, Irvine, and Gee. Tho meeting opened with tho Otago Match, seven shots at- ZOO yawls, 500 yards and 600 yards. When the shooting started tho weather was all that could be desired. There was a slight wind blowing but. it gradually hardened. The only drawback was a puzzling mirage, which' tended to keep the scoring low. As there were only 20 targets the competitors were split into two flections of 180 each, and Ilio first section had some difficulty in picking up the range, although flags had becu placed at. intervals. Tho best scores in the first section were: Kennard (Linron), Bradley (Dunedin) Reed (Pongaroa), 34; Collett," Perham, Henry Handlcy, Walton, 33. " • Tho second section started at 11 o'clock, when the weather conditions were better, the mirage having disappeared. There was only tho faintest wind, and the light, was i almost perfect. A. R. Ayson (Murihiku) put, on the possible: Muir (Kinloch), Ching ' (Nelson), Turner (Karori), 34; Ching (Lyt- < tolton), M'Oalley (Australia), Feast (Opaki), • Robinson (Christchurch), Duley (Dannevirke), Drummond (Wanganuij, Buriord (Timnru), Mould (Duvauchellcs), T. Jaolc(Christchiirch), Geddes (Green Island), Lei j (Oreti), 33. , Tho_soo yards opened after lunch. By this time the conditions were practically « perfect. Trooper P. M. Ayson (Murihikii) ' put on the ])o.ssible, but as he had only got 28 at the 200 yards his score was not, 1 dangerous. Bradley (Dunedin), who came back with 34, put on a like score here, ] which placed him on top for the two ' ranges. The other pfincipal scorers were: ' Lindsay (Studh'olme), R. J. King (Opaki). ' M'Connell (Christchurch), Craw (Linton) M'Knight (Naseby), Thorpe fWairoa), Judd ' (Pcjonc), Wain (Studholme), M'Leay (Alas- : terton), 34. There were a number of 33's, ' among them lwing: White (Christchurch), ! Shanks (Gore), W. Franklin (Weber). Liddle J (Lincoln), Cameron (Palmerston), W. Craw (Chorlton), A. Marreft (Taranaki), Clark (Clutha), H. Cook (Olmstehurch), A. Bal- \ linger (Potone). The light was failing when the 600 yards { was commenced, Captain Salter (executive '

range officer) deciding not to fire the aconc section in the match till to-morrow. Th< 1- best completed scores are:— Captain Collett (Waipawa) 9' Private G. Haadley .. .. " \[ \'. 9 - . Kiueman R. J. Kennard (Linton) ... 91 '• Private Thorpe (Wairoa) r, Sergeant M'Ciay ' 9c Private!. Murphy (Christchurchj' .'. '~ fl{ Captain Crow (Choriton) .... 9c Rifleman Donald ll'Lsay (Mastcrton)' SC Lieutenant Sandford (Chrislchurch) .. 95 Captain Or. Crane (Linton) 95 Sergeant J. Bradley (Dtuiedin) .... Dj Sergeant A. E, Wills (Southland) ... 94 d Sup. M'Connell (Clirisicliurch) .. 94 ; 3 Rifleman W. Lavery (Christchurch) .. 93 y J" v ato -V- Marreli (Taranaki) .... 93 Junemtn James Bo'.eyn (Choriton) .. .. go n Sergeant Wilson ,' " gj I Sergeant-major Hyde (Hawkc's Bav) " 92 ; Sergeant-Tonkin (Dimedin) .' . 90 ! Rifleman W. Franklin (Weber) ' ' " 90 ' Rifleman Sirattleworth OVaiuui) .. "on Private P. Jack (Chrietohuroh) „ .' 91 3 Csptnin Maselield (Sounds) ... 91