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DEFENCE FORCES RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL PRIZE-FIRING.

TRENTHAM HIFLE RANGE,

March 2

The first day of the fourth annual meeting of tho Defence Forces Rifle Association was greatly marred by wet weather. As far as progress is concerned, the first rang© of the Auckland Match (200, 500, and 600 yards) did not start until 9.40, when th© rain ceased and the conditions for good shooting were excellent. There was practically no wind, and the light was perfect. As a result there were six "possibles"' — viz., Sergeant Ross (Hampden), Marshall (Karori), White (Patea), Captain Barltrop (Feilding), Sergeant Purnell (Wanganui), and Papps (Nelson) ; while the runners-up were numerous, and 33's quite tho regular thing. Several tyros got the latter figure, and give promise of good things in future. Tho first range was concluded just before midday, and it was arranged that the shooting should be resumed at 1 p.m. ; but in the interim rain began, and it was felt that the day's proceedings were at an end. However, at a little before 3 o'clock th© rain ceased, and th© "Fall in" sounded for the 500 yards range, and by th© time the first shot was fired the sun was shining, and shooting conditions all that could be desired. The afternoon's shooting was a surprise. Excellent as it was iv the morning at the 200 yards range, it was altogether surpassed at the 500. The men got on to the bull's-eye right away, and there were no fewer than 12 possibles, while 34* and 33's wer© quite commonplace. The possibles were contributed by Sergeant Sandford (Christchurch), Flaherty (Greymouth) , Irvine (Wairoa Mounted Rifles), Smaill (Kaitangata), M'Knight (Maniototo), Clifton (Huramua. Mounted Rifles), G. Hyde (Opaki), Barltrop. (Feilding, -formerly Nelson), Phillips (Auckland), Storkey (Ranfurly Rifles). M'Donald (Wellington), and T. Frazer (Kaitangata). Barltrop made possibles at each range, and each of his sighters wer© bulls, so that he put' up the main on each of his 16 shots. The weather this evening is again overcast and threatening. In order to encourage the markers the executive has decided to give two prizes of £2 and JBI for the best-kept targets during the meeting. General Babington paid a flying visit to the camp to-day, and was received by Colonel Collins.

At the squadding of the first match for th© Rifle Championship series this morning Colonel Collins, addressing th© men, expressed pleasure at seeing so large a number of competitors. H© was especially pleased to sco so many new men, whom he hoped would make a mark in the future. Trentham was, ho said, a hard range for beginners, but they should not b© discouragedHo drew attention to the fact that upon his return from England h© had resigned the post of executive' officer to the- association so that Colonel Sommervilla might resume his old position, but the Government had requested him to continue. In view of this special request, coupled with his love for rifle-shooting, having attended the association m&stings for a quarter of a century, he had decided to again take charge. — (Applause.) He referred in eulogistic terms to th© very excellent work don-a by Captain Turner, the secretary to th© Bisley meeting. The Colonel said the success was duo to the way all the men had worked together. They never forgot that they were New Zealanders, and, whether firing individually or in team 5 , invariably assisted each other. It wa» extremely creditable that a little colony like New Zealand should win the Kolapore Cup, seeing that while th© Mother Country had 1500 men to select from he had to select eight men out of twelve. Th© Government had recognised th© good that had come from sending tho team Home, and another would he> sent in April next. The conditions of selection would be th© same as last year. Every consideration wouliP be given to shooting at this meeting, but the Executive Committee was not bound to select according to order of merit thereat. The hanky-panky tricks played with scores last year by the register-keeper had resulted in a reversion to the former system, whereby competitors would score for each .other. It was intended to strictly forbid the use of "props" in shooting after the present meat ing. Th© Government had mad© som© alterations in Trentham, and h& hoped to see many improvements effected next year, including two ranges.

Tho improvements effected on the ground since last year have all been in th© direction cf facilitating shooting and increasing th© comfort of the men. The 800, 900, and 1000 yards mounds are" temporary affairs, as it is proposed to have a new range for these distances at the right of the present range. It is proposed during the winter to plough and =ow all the mounds with grass, to give shooters Vetter accommodation. A short range is to be made on the left of the present range, to enable shooting to bp done up <o 500 yard*. This will expedite the oomplet'on of matches. The question of sending Homo for 500 Ralston shutter targets is under the consideration of the. Go\ eminent. These targets are imperishable and not affected by weather as the present ones are. Competitors speak highly of the ammunition used. It i* giving splendid results It is tho Colonial Ammunition Company* Mark TT. 1905. and has been pu, up hi packet-, cf ri^it foi the convenio>ice of marksmen.

March :>

Throughout the day ilio -'h-ouiir ha-, not been of a high order from a -ooiing point of view owing to tho ntiff ami ycrv shifty breeze across tho range. The day's biumcs stsrte'l at S with the 600 .yard- rang.-" of tho Auckland Match, but tho hop^s engendered by iLe j?reuous day's shooting were-

doomed to disappointment. The flags on the range were blowing from all the main points of the compass at once, and the most scientific shootiste were baffled. Hawthorne's 99 for the Wellington Match was under the circumstances, a good performance, though 16 under th© possible. The Auckland Match closed before 10 o'clock, and the Wellington match, 600 yards, followed rapidly on its heels. Being a 10-shofc event, the rest -of the day was occupied in getting it off. The shooting was indifferent until, at the last range, just before the close, when the wind dropped coni siderably, and the men got a better chance at the bull's-eye at 600 yards. Out of a j possible 50, 46 was made in two places — I White (Christchurch) and W. G. Cato (Taradale) getting that score, with M'Keown runner-up with 45; Marshall (Pahitua), Morris (Bluff), Milroy (Nelson), A. Hyde (Hastings), and C. Cato were next with 44-. The 700 yards produced nothing remarkable, and only when the wind moderated was anything like fair shooting done. It was only then that one or two 44's wer© put I up and anything over 84 was totalled for the match. The scores went up rapidly afterwards. Milroy (Nelson) came out on top with -a score of 88, being just short of tho possible at each range. His performance was applauded. Humphries (Hastings) and M'Ewau (Taranaki) were runners up, each having scored 43 at 600 and- 44 at 700 yard«. All down to 79 came into the prize list, and tyros won £1 with 75. The following is th.3 prize-list- — AUCKLAND MATCH, 200, 500. and 603 yards. Seven shots at each rarge. - ~ H. Hawthorn. Karcri, £5 99 E. Shaw, Ohinemuri, £1 99 Ching, Nelson. £i 98 Carey, Patea, £3 98 Barltrop, Manchester Rifles. £3 98 Drummond, Dannevirke, J£2 S7 Speck, Petone, £2 97 Marshal], Karori. £2 97 Lieutenant Okey, Taranaki, £2 96 Tiicmas, Petone, £2 9G Dewar, Oaniaru. £1 96 Papps (Stoke), J. Hyde (Opaki). Moore (Kimbolton), P. Jack (Linwootl), Hall (Tuamarina), Smith. (Palmerston Xorth), A. Ballhiger (Pelone). Symonds (Hastings), W. Loveday (Mauriceville), Clifton (Huramua), Cox (Auckland), "UVikie (Upper Hutt), Franklin (Napier). TVhitely CKaiapoi). M'Kenzie (Opaki), Collett (Waipawa), Sandford (Chiistchurch) each 94. Martin (Timaru), Humphries (Taranaki). Hall tTekapu\ Storkev (Napier), Searle (CavershamL Stevenson Duntroon Rifles), Ross (Hampden), each 93— a1l take £1. Tyros: Cronin ("Woodville). Norton (Otaki), Anderson (Victoria Rifles), Johnston (Bluff) Carter (Woodville), each 92. Reynolds (Chiistchurch"., Okey (Toranaki), and Cato (Taraclale), 91— £1 each. " WELLINGTON MATCH.— 6OO and 700 yards. Ten shots. Milroy. Nelson, £5 .. •• .. 88 Humphries. Hastings, £4 87 M'Ewen, a'aranaki, £4 87 Pearson, Timarvi, 85 James, Taradale, £3 85 Carter, Woodville. £2 84 C. Cato. Taradale, £2 84 White Christchurch, £2 84 Henry, Opaki, £2 ." 83 Dswar, Oaniaru, £2 83 Ren ton (Alfredton), Poynter £Renwick), A. Hyde (Hastings) 82 each, Mills (Dunedin), Franklin (Weber), R. C. Brown (Waihi), Hollerd (Petone), Higgins (Timaru), Martin (Timaru), TV. G-. Ceto (Taradale) 81 each, Smaill (Kaitangata), G. Hawthorn (Karori), "Wills (Southland), W. Ballinger (Petone), Beckinghaxn (Timaru). Cameron (Opaki), Turner (Wellington), Ayson (Muriti^cu), "Wil'iams (\Vaipawa), Phaw (Ohinemuri) 80 each, Dick (Riversdale), Clyde (Dunedin), T. Jack (Linwood), Burns (Karori), Allpoit (Nelson) 79 — all take £1. Tyros : Kells (Denniston), Ross (Hampden), 77 each, Tennell (Tewharu), M'Lean (Queenstown), M'Corniick (Hawke's Ba-y) 76 each, M'Calmont (Opaki). Johnston (Bluff), and Ihillips Auckland) 75 — each take £1. Mavch 5 At, the start of the shooting at the 500 yards range of the Nelson ili-ch en Saturday morninar the weather was very fino. and even the most fastidious shots could not complain. The fire opened just before 8 o'clock with th© 500 yards of the Nelson Match, and the men qtiickly got on to th© bull's-eye, and possibles cam© quickly, vvhi l^ all-buts came along with a great rattle, and were so common as to be thouaht little of by shooting men. At this rang« Waddington, of th© Imperial Rifles (Christchurch). a lad of 17 j-ears, put up 34. Just at the finish of the first range a wind sprang up from the south-west, baffling tho' marksmen and reducing the value of the shooting. At one period a whirlwind enveloped the whol*» range. At 11.30 it veered round to northwards, and continued there until after dinner, when it again took a southerly turn. Shooters were at a ]oss how to deal with the vacillating element Windage allowances were made from dead-on to several degrees right pud left. The result was that the scoring was indifferent on the whole throughout me remainder of the day. Young Waddington, who scored an ail-but at 500 yards, broke up at the 600 yards, but succeeded in making top c core (33) at 700 yards, a really sp'endid performance. There was one possible at the last range, and on© man who at th© previous ranges had put on several bulls ended by a duck. The top scorer of the match was Randell (Petone), with 96 out of a possibl© 105, followed by A. M'Kenzie (Oamaru), G. W- Vennel (Tewharau), ancl Sergeant Bishop (Hastings) with 95 each

At the 500 yards in th-p Nelson Match the following secured possibles (35): — Bi dwell (Kawaiwai), Rews (Christchurch), M'Donald (Dunedin), Bunting (Palmerston North), It vine (Wairoa), Domigan (Gore), Sandford (Christchurch), Marshall (Pahiatua), and

Cornos (Ohinemuri). Twenty-four competitors registered 34's. Thirty-three's were so plentiful as to b© out of regard. The nine possibles gave th© successful marksmen £4 10s between them. Lieutenant Bunting and Private Irvin-e, who were shooting together, each made an inner for sighters, and then each put seven successive shots on the bull. At the 600 yards th© men who had scored possibles at 500 yards fared badi> ; Irvine secured only 21, Bunting 24 Domigan 25, Corncs and Bidwell 27, Sandford, Marshall, and Andrews 30 each. A. Ballinger scored 33, and Ching put on 27. The highest score at the rang© was 34, which figure was tt ached by Franklin (Weber), Hale (Pctone), and Hall (Tuamarina). There were several 53's, but the majority of the competitors were far below that score. T!h> final stage of the match (700 yards) was entered upon after dinner. It is considered th© nice'- difficult range, and often brings crack marksmen to grief. The wind was very variable, and necessitated constant, variations of windage to the right and left. At about 3 o'clock it moderated, and was steadier, but tho only remarkable performance was that of Bugler Waddington (alr-eady mentioned), who made the highest . score at the range (35), and he was heartily applauded. His aggregate was £6. winch put him into th© Tyro prize list. The match was won by Rifleman "Randell (Petone) wth an aggregate of 96—33 at 500, 31 at 600, and 32 at 700. Randoll -is a weli-'known rifleman, having been --shooting for about 22 years. The runner-up was -Rifleman G. W. Vennel (Tewharu) with 95. His position was decided by a "count back." H. Hawthorne (Karori), who won the Auckland Match, finished with 87, and Sergeant Shaw, runnerup in the same match, scored £9. MiLcoy (Nelson), who won the Wellington Match, put up 91. The match wes won last year by Sandford (Christchurch).

The Nelson Match was finished at 3 o'clock, and the 600 yards of the Canterbury match was taken and closed about 6 p.m. No possibles wer© registered, b'ai Papps (Nelson).' Lester (Taranaki). and J. Wilson (Petone) each scored the "all but." Including his sighter, Papps put on three bulls in succession, his last business shot being a 4. Seven marksmen reached 33 — viz. :— Sandford (Christchurch), Uurlfield (Blenheim), King (Opaki), Sergeant Smith (Manawatu). Tinney (Wellington), Bunny (Opaki), Gillanders (Dunedin). NELSON MATCH.— SOO, 600, and 700 yards. Seven shots. Randell, Petone, £5 . . , .. 96 ff. W. Vennel, Tewharau, £i .. .. .- .. 95 Bishop, Hastings, £4 95 Sergeant M'Kenzie, Oamaru, £3 . . . > . . 95 Gillanders, Dunedin, £3 93 M'Evedy, Greymouth, £2 9?, G. Hyde, Opaki, £2 93 Welch, Opaki, £2 93 Sergeant Drumrnond, Dannevirke, £2 . . 93 F. Wilkie, Upper Hutt, £2 93 Loveday (Mauriceville) 92, Stevenson (Duntroon) 92, Papps (Nelson), Wilson (Petcne), Kyle (Petone), G-. Hawthorne (Karori), Milroy (Nelson), Cole (Nelson), J. M'Kenzie (Opaki), J. R. Franklin (Weber), 91 each ; Morton. (Otaki), Cox (Auckland), Sergeant Hyd© (Hawke's Bay), Burns (Karori), Henry (Opaki), White (Patea), 90 each; Burton (Rongomai), Speck (Petone), Btintin (Christchurch), MacLean (Whereroa), Feast (Kaiwaiwai), King (Opaki), Halliday (Karori)-, Nicol (Bluff), Waine 89 each, all £1 each. Counted Out.— Wills (Southland), Marshall (Pahiatua\ E. Shaw (Olunemuri). Tyros, £1 each. — Private Engstorm (Pahiatua), 88 ; Sergeant Tinney (Wellington Guards), 87; Sergeant Harrison (Wanganui Rifles), 87; Lieutenant Andrews (Christchurch), 87; Bugler Waddington (Auckland), S6; Rifleman Moore (Kimbolton), 86 ; Private J. Marshall (Waikari), 86; Sergeant Stewart (Wanganui), 86. Counted Out.— L. S. Johnston, C. Baird, F. TVhiteman. Ih-e following are th© first 20 aggregates up to date, including the first range fired (600 yards) of the Canterbury Match. Th© figures in parentheses show th© aggresjates at the finish of the Nelson Match : — Shaw, Ohinemuri (265) 299 Milroy, Nelson (269) 298 Dewar, Oamaru (266) 295 Wilkie, Upper Hutt .. .. (263) 295 W. Loveday, Mauriceville .. (265) 294 Hyde, Hawke's Bay .. .. (265) 294 G-. Hyde, Opaki (267) 294 H. Hawthorne, Karori .. (263) 292 H. Papps, Nelson (258) 292 Pearson, Timaru (260) 291 Martin, Timaru (259) 291 C. Speck, Petone (262) 290 Sg. Drummond, Dannevirke (261) 290 Franklin, "Weber (264) 290 Ching, Nelson (262) 290 Smaill, Kaitangata .. .. (259) 290 W. Randell, Petone .. .. (262) 289 P. Brown, Waihi (258) 288 C. Cato, Taradale .. .. (261) 287 White, Patea (256) 287 Given fine weather the championship will be fired on Wednesday afternoon. There is no possibility of closing th© meeting til! Friday. A. Milroy was leading aggregate at the conclusion of the Nelson Match, ancl therefore wins the Union Company's Cup. March 6.

The weather at Trentham to-day was suoh as would have rejoiced the heart of a diought-strickeu farmer. For the greater part of the day rain f©ll in torrents, ancl the men were saturated and uncomfortableduring the firing at the two final ranges ot the Canterbury Match, the only business attempted. Shooting ceased at 11.30. The 600 yards lange had been tak*»n on Saturday afternoon. Shooting started to-day at 200 yards with a moderate wind and a bat! light for most of the time. Shortly after starting a drizzling rain set in, and by tho time the range was finished the men wer© soaked. Three -possibles were made at this range — viz., by \V. Ballinger (Petone). Sergeant Skel'ev (Wellington), and Carey; (P^tone). Eighteen competitors registered 34's. At tho next range (500 yards) the rain

came down in torrents, accsmpanied by violent gusts of wind. The scoring cards were almost reduced to pulp, aud it v>as impossible for notes to be taken of the progress' of the shcoting as it -proceeded, and the blackboards for seoi\ng were obliterated, and marksmen and officers laboured under great diftieultips. Bat the range having been started it was necessary

to complete firing, and the men had to grin and bear the position. Colonei Collins took his share of the discomfort, and did

-not leave the range until tae shooting was finished. Like others, he was soaked to the akin. There was no possible registered at 500 yards as might be supposed under the conditions, 34- being the highest range., score. The ton scorers were : llilroy (Nelson). T. Jack (Christchurch), Nelson (Woodvule). and G. W. Vennell (Te - Wharau). The match was won by Gillan-dei-s with 98. King (Opaki) being runnerup with. B7; Domigan (Gore), 96. The following- is the prize-list: — - "iAJTTERBUR'H' MATCH. 200, 500, and 600 raids ; ssvea shots. Points. , Grilkndexs, Dunedin, £a „ 9S -■> X. : J. King. Opaki, £L 97 " Domigan, Gore, JE4 . .. 96 ' ilartm^ Timaru, £3 96 "Skeiley, D Battery, Wellington, =63 ..96 -J. Wilgon, Petorie. £2 Sanitord. Christckurcli, £2 S5 stills, DuWdin, £2 .. ..' .» .- •• 95 - M*Hattoe. Opaki, £2 .. .j~ 95 .W. Bl" Ba3ingeisyPetone, £2 .... 95 -v>= kelson. (Woodville) 95, Tinney (Wellington), Milroy (.Nelson), W. Loveday~ (Mauriceville), '■"94 each; Stevenson (Duntroon), Wilkie (Upper ~Hutt), Prance (Karoxi), Holland (Nelson), Hal- ; Hday (Earori), Craigie (Invercai-gill), 93 each ; NJ- Gr. .'Wilson (Petone). Burton (.Eongomai), Causley t'Tiiames), llasefield (Sounds). Gunder-'-bch (Cferisiclmrcli), Ayson (M'urihiku), Cox <Auekla»<l). liangham (Waajganiu), Cl&ik - iOhxa&sixiri), Banks (IJLnnbolton), M'Murrav (Psdmssston " NoTth), Cole (Nelson), Walsh <TJpper Hutt). Wills (Southland), each 92; - aJacKniglit (Maniototo), 91 — take £1 each. Counted' otit : \?site (Patea), Eden (Nelson), Snwull ' (Kaitanfeatar), Shaw (Ohinemuri), Okey tTaranaM), Craw (Ghristehurch), J. Jack (Dun(^edin), Wl Cox (Auckland). DEununond (Dan- _ aievirke). Caxey (Patea), BeckingßtPin (Timaru), -Moss (BluS), Purnell (Wanganui), G-. Hawthorn (Karori), Irvine (Nelson). Tyros, £1. eaoh.— M'Ewen {Taranaki), 91; -Hadfield- (Blenheim), M'Elrea (Ashburton), Morton (Otaki), T. W. Vennell (Te Awkaru), Andrews. (Chxistchurcn), Benton (Alfredton), «»ch 90: Moora CKinibolton), 89. Counted ou'fc: M'Ev-edy (Greymouth). -_ The following are the 39 highest aggre- - ga-es:— ililroy. (Nekoc). 363; Shaw (Ohine3nuri)C"3sa; W- Loveday (Mauriceville), f 359; 81.B 1 . Wakie- (Upper Hutt).,, ?56; G. Hyde ' (Op'aka). 356; Martin -{Tianaru}, 355; Drum- . mond (Dannevi'r-ke), 352-; A". Hyde (Hawke's r-Hay), V 352- WiUs- (Southland), Dewar r-tOama*n)T 350; Pearson (Timaru); '350; - 'Chingj- (Nelson), .350 ; Qillanders, (Duaj^din), /350;-- --Smaill /Kaitangata),- 350; Speck' ."'fPetoße); 350; W. Kandall (Fetone), 3*9; -It: J.- King (Opaii)^ 34ff; Corporal Papps ;-<S'tok4i-5«-; A. M-'Kenzie "(Gamaru), 34T; '" Whit* 3*7 ; M'Kenzie (Opaki), . 3*7-; B. B&wthorn- (Earori)' 347; H. Marshall, (Karori) 3*6; Stcveason (Duntroon), 346; 'G. Hawthorn (Karori). 346; J. K. -Franklin (Webberh- 345; "Mills (Dunedin), ' 345 1 J. Wilison (Petone) v 344; Morton (Otaki), 343; Nelson; (Woodville): 345. There, are. 328 entries out of 389' marksmen . on the- range for tha 800, 900. and 1000 f aids, ranges. The firing is expected to take up therW&l» day. To-mosrow moTning the ' Otago". Slatch itill be- started if the weather, is still unsettled, permits. There are 16 more, matches to fire.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19050308.2.119

Bibliographic details

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 37

Word Count
3,205

DEFENCE FORCES RIFLE ASSOCIATION. Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 37

DEFENCE FORCES RIFLE ASSOCIATION. Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 37