RIFLE SHOOTING

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 52

RIFLE SHOOTING

THE BRITISH TEAM'S TOUR,

COLONEL HOPTON'S IMPRESSIONS.

_ (Frosc Oto Own Cobebspondeitt.) - AUCKLAND, December 10. Amongst .the arrivals -by the Mokoia""on Sunday from Sydney were Colonels Hopton and Cowan and Major Gouldsmith, of the British rifle team, which recently toured Australia and Canada.' Seen by a Star representative this morning, Colonel Hopton, who is commandant of the team, imparted some interesting impressions of the I tour. The team left England on August 9, ', and proceeded to Canada, where they I participated in the Palma Match at Ottawa I against American and Canadian teams. Asked what he thought of the American victory over the British and Canadian riflemen in that match, Colonel Hopton replied that their defeat was a very considerable one. He ascribed the success of the Americans to a combination of reasons, the 7>en's rifles, barrels, sights, and ammunition all being perfect. The winning team all used peep sights, which are not [ recognised by the British War Office. What is the objection to the peep sight? the reporter asked. "It is considered that they are not quick enough," was the reply, "but that is 1 hardly to be credited, since the Americans I claim that they are as effective in skirmish- ! ing as they are in deliberate shooting. In the Palma Match they were certainly quick enough for anything. The team, on receiving an urgent invitation from* Queensland, decided to break their journey at Brisbane, and take part I in the Brisbane rifle meeting. The British i riflemen then proceeded to Sydney for the i Empire Match, which was the primary 1 object of the expedition. On both days of I the match the team was at a loss to cope 1 with the weather conditions, a high and perverse wind blowing from different quarters throughout the meeting. In the big match the Britishers were defeated' by both the Australian arid New Zealand teams. After leaving Sydney the team' proceeded to Tasmania, and there won most of the matches at the Melbourne meeting. The 1 visitors also did exceedingly well, defeating the Victorian team and carrying off first and second prizes in the King's Competition. At Adelaide the Britishers did best of all, and in the team match of 10 aside they averaged over 100 per man at j the different ranges, which constitutes a recordAsked what he thought of the rifle shooting prowess of the Average colonial. Colonel Hopton replied that in Australia he found a great many more men in comparison to the population with a* knowleoV© o f rifle shooting than was the case at Home. The colonel is also of the opinion that the average colonial shots are as good, if not better, than the Home riflemen. Speaking of the New Zealand team's performance at the Empire meeting in Sydney, Colonel Hopton eeid he regarded the display as highly creditable. He thought it probable that the New Zealanders found the weather conditions at Randwick as difficult to negotiate as the British did, and that it was by sheer and dogged pertinacity right up to the last shot fired that the New Zealand team ran into second place. Referring to Cutler, the winner- of the King's prize, Colonel Hopton x said he thought the Bathuret man. one of the finest rifle shots he had ever seen. Since his memorable performance at Randwick Cutler has been very seriously ill in Sydney, and w&a % week or two ago operated on for appendicitis. Colonel Hopton and his brother officers are going to spend six weeks in touring the Dominion before returning to England, whither the rest of the British team has already pro- ,