RIFLE SHOOTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 66

RIFLE SHOOTING.

THE TRENT.HAM MEETING. WELLINGTON, October 31/ The programme for the next " Bisley," as drawn up by Colonel Collins, 1.5.0., executive officer of the Dominion Rifle. Association, and approved of by the council, was issued to-day. The meeting will be commenced on Friday, March 3, and entries will close on Saturday, February 11. The sum of £I9OO has been allocated as prizes. The opening match will be at 300, 500, and 600 yards, open to all competitors, there being no distinction between Territorials and rifle clubs men. The championship series will .consist of eight matches, instead of six, two of the double distance matches having been, converted into four single range matches. The piizes in this series have been increased to £1223. The grand aggregate match has a prize list of £222. TheTe a.To also two other aggregate lists to which £SO each has been allotted, there being 30 prizes in each, the Trentham aggregate being for all scores made at 300 and 600 yards, and the Bisley aggregate for ail scores made at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. In the championship series figure targets are to be introduced in place of bull's-eyes targets at 500 and 600 yards. They will be of the same dimensions and have the same divisions as the ordinary second-class target, and will be coloured in the upper half a light grey, and in the lower half green, having centrally on it a "head and shoulders" figure coloured khaki, 18in by 21in. The prize list in the service match series is £3BO, the same as last year, but a reduction of 6s has been made on the entrance fees. Matches for -which 4s were heretofore charged are now fixed at 2s 6d each. The prizes for the teams matches list includes many valuable trophies and £134- in cash prizes. The number of men to form a team is six. The matches consist of sectional firing, cliathe match (or falling targets), cover firing, field firing, competitions, and a surprise target match. A silver cup of the value of 60 guineas has ueen presented by W. Gregg and Co., Dunedin (Coffee Club Cup), and will be awarded to the team making the highest aggregate score in the series united service match, which carries with it the Dawson Shield and a cash prize of £2O. There will be a competition between Territorials and Tifle club men of 20 anside. Otherwise there is no distinction between these two arms of the service in the programme, which is, to say the least, very satisfactory. There will be an opportunity for an extra match every day, seeing that there is ample target accommodation, which, with the new system of squadding proposed, will not require 'the constant attendance of competitors at the firing points as heretofore. Consequent on new arrangements made in connection with the catering, it has been decided by the council that a catering fee of 15s per man will be charged, and must be paid at the time of entry. With the ample accommodation available, Colonel Collins is proposing a new system of squadding : four men to a squad, and 25 squads to a section, lettered from "A" onwards. Match barrels are prohibited. They were only allowed last year "on account of many of the Australian competitors being so armed, and as an inducement for them to come. Aperture back sights will be allowed as before. A competitor will have the option of converting his sighting shot into a counting shot. For the purpose of deciding ties a central of 12in at 500 and 600 yards, and 21in at longer ranges, will be marked on the target, counting 5 marks in a competition and 6 marks in shooting off. The usual, concessions of fares on intercolonial and coastal steamers have been arranged for. Free railway passes on the Mew Zealand railways from the place of residence to Trentham and back will be issued.