RIFLE SHOOTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 29

RIFLE SHOOTING.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING

WELLINGTON, March 9. Favoured, with fine weather, the Army Rifle Association’s third championship meeting was opened to-day. Last year the meeting was abandoned owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic, but the interval has apparently not caused any diminution of interest among the Territorials and cadets of the Dominion, the total entry topping 450, and includes a party of marines and bluejackets from the ships of the New Zealand division. The Territorials spent to-day on the Army Championship Match, which included ten rounds rapid, ten snapshooting at 300 yards, five rounds deliberate at 600 yards, and ten rounds fire with movement over a distance varying from 600 to 100 yards from the targets. Mapr-general Young paid a visit to the range to-day with Colonel-commandant M. M. Gardner, of the Southern Command, whc, with Colonel Burgess, visited all the ranges where shooting was in progres. Genera* Young entered all target trenches and wit ncssed the work of the markers, being speci ally interested in the Maoris who furnish all the derails for the Collins ranges and engaged in conversation with some who had been members of the forces serving overseas during the war. The general was also an interested spectator of the work done by the cadets. It may be noted in passing that the boys showed * keen appreciation of their individual parts in the job in hand, being alert, smartly turned out, and crisp in their movements, while their shooting showed a larger percentage of good scores than the territorials. The Auckland and Otago boys were prominent, but the Hamilton cadets, who on a former occasion came down like the Assyrians of old, and made a lot of the grown men feel small at a Dominion Association meeting, were especially io. Among the competitors on the range this afternoon were visitors whose acquaintance with shooting runs back to the faraway time “before the war.” What appeared to be a familiar figure was seen hobnobbing wit-h the tyros, and investigation showed this to be Irvine, of Nelson, who won the Kings Prize nearly two decades ago. Increasing years have levied their toll on him, how ever, and he found the going heavy in the fire with a movement requiring a strenuous run over practically a quarter of a mile of rough ground. Sharland, who won the army championship two years ago, only got on 87, blit those so far ahead now may be down a bit when to-morrow’s shoot ends. Some good shooting was done, but a great many were very patchy, and ploughed quite a lot of grass on the mounds in front of the targets. The afternoon saw the tile and running man competition fired at 200 yards. The results of these were unavailable. The cadets made a start with their short-range matches, the results of which are as follows :

MATCH 15. (Cadets.)

Five Rounds Application and Five Snapshooting at 25 yards. Posible score 50. 40s—Corporal J. H. Charpman, Dunedin 46 30s—Sergeant P. J. Bell, Christchurch 46 20s —Sergeant K. J. Dancan, Auckland Grammar School 45

The following take 15s each: —A. G. Bradley, Hamilton, 45; Lance-corporal W. E. Culley, Te Awamutu, 44; M. F. Keane, Hamilton, 44.

The following take 12s each :—Corporal M. Batten, Marton, 44; Corporal S. C. Innes, Hamilton, 44 ; A. V. Lee. Pukekohe, 44.

The following take 10s each: —C. S. Turner, Wellington College, 44; Sergeant I. S. Wright, Wellington, 44; Lance-corporal D. J. Tudehope, Whangarei, 44.

MATCH 16. (Cadets.)

Ten Rounds Rapid and Five at Moving Target, 25 yards. Possible ocore 75. 40s—Sergeant H. Williams, Hamilton 66 30s—E. A Hemming, Glen Eden .... 66 20s—Corporal G. E. Watt, Hamilton .. C 6 The following take 15s each: —Corporal J. H. Chapman, Dunedin, 65; C.S.M. L. R. Osmond, Dunedin. 65; A. G. Bradley. Hamilton, 65 ; Sergeant K. Dancan, Auckland Grammar School, 64.

The following take 10s each:—Corporal W. J. Burton, Hastings, 63; J. R. Brooke, Dunedin, 63; Corporal M. Batten, Marton, G2; Corporal A. O. Grant,Wellington, 62, Corpora] W. G. Broomfield, Whangarei, 62. Thirty-nine with scores down to 50 also won prize-money. MATCH 15. The following take 7s 6d each:—Sergeant H. Williams, Hamilton, and Bennct, Christchurch, 43 The following take 5b each: —Corporal A. Wade, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Lance-corporal I. Pirie, Napier; Corporal H. Innes, Hamilton; Corporal G. Tapper, Auckland, 43; Corporal J. D. Wallace, Te Awamutu; D. J. Armett, Hamilton; Corporal W. J. Burton, Hastings; A. W Clarke, Whangarei, 42; Sergeant, J. A. Clark, Gore; Corporal J. M. Carmichael, Hastings, Corporal F. A. Burgess, Waipukurau; Corporal A. A. Grant, Wellington; Sergeant F G. Doran, Oratia; H. A. M'Millan, Dunedin, 41. V. Searle, Wanganui; C.S.M 11. Stoneham, Christchurch; R. Florence, New Plymouth; G. W. A. Moore, Wellington, C.S.M, A, Cathcart, Wellington College; Sergeant J. Boon, Stratford, 40. J. L. Downer, Gore Corporal L. Skelton, New Plymouth • Ser geant-major L. R Osmond, Dunedin, H. Pay, Invercargill, 39. J. Jamieson, Puke kohe; Corporal G. Watt, Hamilton, 38. Corforal L. Carlisle, Hamilton; Corporal J. >yson, Auckland Grammar School; Sergeant R. Mortensen, Auckland; Q.M.S. A. Playle, Auckland, 37. Corporal E. Cowie ; Gore, V nce-coTporal R. Schulze, Dannevirke; S. ' son, Wellington; C.S.M. R. Faville, Auckland; R. Catlev, Nelson College; Sergeant A. Neilson, Well}/• on College, 36. Lanoecnrnoral 0. Bindon, Whangarei, 35. To-morrow the King’s Medal Match over the same ranges as to-days championship event will be fired. ARMY CHAMPIONSHIP. The results of the Army Championship in class 1 (Now Zealand Permanent Force and Royal Navy)—four practices for which highest possible aggregate it 175 were as follows: 60s—Sergeant F. A. Hiscock, Royal Marines 106 46s—S.8.M. G. P. O’Leary, Napier 105 30s—Sergeant A. J. Howard, Royal Marines 104 90s—S.S. J. S. Thomson, Palmerston North 103 15e—S.S.M. J. H. Kearney, Napier 101 10s —Petty Officer S. J. Nash, Royal Navy, 97; Lieutenant T. J. Denton, Christchurch, 96; Lieutenant V B. Stagpoole, Christchurch, 89; Lieutenant F. J. O. Williams, Auckland, 88; Lieutenant F. H. Sharland, Blenheim, 87. CLASS 11. Territorials and Reservists. 60s—Sergeant H. L. Mason, Christchurch ll? 60s—Q.M.S. A. R. Tantrum, Levin .. 114 40s—L. Robertson, Auckland .. •• .. 106

35s—K. Tapper, Auckland 103 30a—G. Parker, Petone 103 25a—Sergeant A. Ainslie, Petone .. .. 102 The following take 20s each;—C. R. M’Allum, Christchurch, 100; J. A. Godden, Wanganui, 98; R. Lyons, Auckland, 97; SerEianfc E. W. Jepson, Wellington, 92; A. J. itchfield, Blenheim, 88. DUNEDIN TEAM SUCCESSFUL. TRENTHAM, March 10. As the day advanced the weather held beautifully fine, with a good light, though the clouds continued to obscure the sun most of the afternoon, and an uncertain breeze brought a smoke haze :' oin the bush fires on the hills across the river to the rear of the range. The principal events were the Army and Cadet Championships, which were completed. The winner of the first was Tantrum, of Levin, a youngste.* lately out of the cadet ranks, in which he had already given a taste of his quality as a shot. , In the afternoon the Lewis and Hotch kiss light automatic, gun teams fired three matches each. Each team directed three bursts of fire upon targets appearing at intervals. The movements were well car ried out, and the shooting was good on the whole. At night an innovation was introduced in the form of matches Lewis and Hotchkiss teams. The idea was that the teams formed a force defending an outpost whereon an enemy attack was expected. When it came the men frrming the teams moved to cover, and Verey lights went up, disclosing groups o; enemy figure targets 100 yards away. These were subjected to three bursts of machine and rifle fire, and examination later showed that they were badly mauled about. Major-general Young and Colonel Chaytcr, of Marlborough were present in the afternoon and evening, the general officer commanding being particularly interested in seeing how the Territorials would shape with the machine guns under stress of competition which was greater than at home practice. The General expressed himself well pleased with the work he saw done. When the hits in the night firing competition were checked it Mas found that the First Battalion. Otago Regiment, Lewis gun and riSc team were the winners. TRENTHAM MATCH. 200 yards; five rounds at tiles, six at running man. Possible, 55 points. Class I. 60s—Thompson (Palmerston North) 51 50s —Diehl (Christchurch) 44 40s—O’Leary (Hastings) 39 25s each —Howard (Marines) and Denton (Christchurch) 32 Class 11. GOs —Ainslie (Petone) 41 55s—Speight (Dunedin) 40 50s—Elcock (Christchurch) 38 455-- Lavitt (Auckland) .. ~ ... ... 38 40s —Woods (Wellington) \ 37 35s— shley (New Plymouth) .... 37 30s—Markc. (Christchurch) 36 25s—Forbes (Christchurch) 35 20s each—Tov. nshend (Hastings), Roberts (Palmerston North), Knuekey (Hastings) 35 Scores down to 23 got into the prizelist. It is notable that in Class I seven out of 12 naval men were in the first 16 on the list, which is creditable in view of the fact that their opportunities for practice are restricted. CADETS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. TRENTHAM, March 10. 200 yards application, snap, rauid. and moving target. Possible score; 125. The following is -the prize-list for the second stage of the Cadets’ Championship:— 40s —R. J. Davidson (Christchurch) 110 30s—K. J. Duncan (Auckland) .... 109 20s—C. A. Cave (Wanganui) .. .. 105 15a each—A. V. Lee (Pukekohe) 100, N. Oakes (Hamilton) 97, W. Williams (Hamilton) 97, A. Playle (Hamilton) 94, G. Bradley (Hamilton) 94, J. N. Jamieson (Pukekohe) 94. 10s each—L. R. Osmond (Dunedin) 94, E. A. Hemming (Glen Eden) 93, L. Skelton (New Plymouth) 91, G. Tapper (Auckland) 91, J. D. Wallace (Te Awamutu) 90, D. Milne (Rangiora) 90, G. Sandi'ord (Christchurch) 90. Thirty-two other scores down to 78 were also included in the prize-list. CADET CHAMPIONSHIP. Made up of score in the preceding stage and yesterday’s stage. Belt, 60s, and gold jewel—Sergeant Iv. J. Duncan (Auckland Grammar School) 214 40s and silver jewel—Sergeant R. J. Davidson (Christchurch Boys’ High School) 199 40s and bronze medal—Q.M.S. G. Sandford (Christchurch Technical College) 193 ARMY CHAMPIONSHIP. The results of the Army Championship in Class I (New Zealand Permanent Force and Royal Navy)—four practices for which highest possible aggregate is 275—were follows: Belt, 60s, and gold jewel—A. R. Tantrum (Levin) ; 205 40s and silver jewel—K. P. Tapper (Auckland) 197 20b'and bronze jewel—Corporal F. H. Poolman (Whangarei) .. .. 192 The following were the best scores in Class I (Navy and Army Permanent Force). Recond stage, same practises as first stage:— 60s—Sergeant Howard (Royal Marines) 122 40s—S.S.M. Kearney (Napier) .... 115 30s —S.S.M. Thomson (Palmerston North) 103 20s—Lieut. More (Greymouth) .. 103 15s—S.S.M. Ryan (Feilding) .. .. 102 10s —Private Mason (Royal Marines) 10‘2, S.S.M. Ritzema (Petone) 101, Sergeant Hiscock (Royal Marines) 99, Lieut. Diehl (Christchurch) 96.

Counted out—Corporal Mealing (Royal Marines) and S.S.M. Green (Auckland). Class JI.

60s—8. Pearce (Auckland) 103 50s—Corporal Batchelor (Nelson) 101 40s—A. Litchfield (Blenheim) .... 99 35s—Sergt. Shepherd (Te Awamutu) 99 30s—Corporal Poolman (Whangarei) 98 25f—T. Middlemisa (Dunedin) M 98

20s each—H. Thomson (Christchurch) 97, C.S.M. Mayhill (Auckland) 97, W. Press (Napier) 97, Sergeant Aston (Blenheim) 96. 15s each—S.S.M. Linton (Awatere) 95, Sergeant Bradley (Hamilton) 95, K. Tapper (Auckland) 94, R. Perkins (Auckland) 94, Corporal Brady (Gore) 92, F. Horton (Blenheim) 92, Sergeant Jepson (Wellington) 92, Corporal Burrell (Wanganui) 91, Q.M.S. Tantrum (Levin) 91, Sergeant Brett (Hamilton) 90. Thirty-two other competitors with scores down to 75 got into the prizelist. COMMAND CADET TEAMS. £9 and C.A.C. Challenge Shield— Northern Command No. 1 542 £4 lOn—Northern No. 2 514 Others competing were: Southern No. 1, 467; Southern No. 2, 465; Central No 1, 459; Central No. 2, 454. LEWIS GUN MATCH. £l2 and Lewis trophy—l6th Battery (Christchurch) 117 £10 —First Taranaki Regiment .... 113 £5 —Ist Battalion (Auckland) .. .. 109 £2 10s—1st Battalion (North Auckland Regiment) 95 Fourteen teams competed. The Army Service Corps Lewis gun match for the M‘Kinney Cup was won by the Northern Depot, 66; Southern Depot, 45; Central Depot, 22. (The only competitors). HOTCHKISS GUN MATCH. £l2 and Hotchkiss trophy—2nd Mounted Rides (Hawera) 51 £7 10s — 4th Mounted Rifles (Waikato) 40 £7 10s —Ist Mounted Rides (Christchurch) 40 Eight teams competed. BATTLE PRACTICES HELD. TRENTHAM, March 11. The third day of the army rifle meeting brings the shooting near its end. Unusually fine weather all the week enabled the programme to be got through without a hitch, and nothing remains to be done but the firing for the King’s Medal, open to the 100 highest aggregates in the championship series. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. J. Rollestou) and Major-general Young, with a number of the headquarters staff, will witness the final shooting, after which the prize-giving will take place. Fine as was the morning, the afternoon was even better, being practically windless, with a steady, bright light. Apart from the teams’ matches and the battle practice match for territorials, the most interesting feature of the afternoon was a demonstration of the effects of grouped rifle fire and the different types of ma-chine-gun fire. Groups of figure targets were placed on the hillside behind the ordinary target line. A party of 16 riflemen had No. 1 enemy group, the Hotchkiss gun team No. 2, the Lewis gun team No. 3, and the Vickers gun team No. 4. On the right flank a staff officer and all the men not shooting were in the target trench, whence a view of the target groups was obtainable and the effect of the fire was observable. he riflemen fired first, and in the opinion of men of wide experience, who were watching the target group, it is doubtful if anything better was done by any similar team anywhere in the world. The fire was well maintained and distributed over an area occupied by the “euemy,” and the rattle of bullets on the wooden figures as the firer traversed the gun from side to side was like hail on a roof. During a period of one minute the Hotchkiss, Lewis, and Vickers teams brought their pieces to bear successively on the other “enemy” groups, and in each case the target figures anc. the ground in the vicinity were subjected to a species of “frightfulness” that brought back to ex-service men memories of stirring incidents with Fritz in the field. To others it was an eye-opener as to what “the boys” so often faced when they went so blithely “over the top.” General Young and the other officers were highly pleased with the demonstration as a whole, and the general took the opportunity to impress on all the observers the lessons to be learned from . they had seen. On returning to the firing mound he congratulated the gun parties. Immediately afterwards the northern command team scored a smart win ovei (he southern command in tile competition at 200 yards. The northerners had all then- 10 tiles down in less than 10 seconds and their opponents left only two stand ln ß- It was a remarkable performance. °-ti ] p l l 15 Vickers teams carried oui a match in the dark without the Vere,lifhts, which were in use last night. Each team loader before dark had noted the bearing of the enemy’s position, an i marked the place for his gun. At tin. appointed time after dark the teams took their stations, and, aided only by a smali aiming lamp, placed some distance froiL the firing position, the men in turn fired i'O rounds each at the enemy wrapped in darkness. Some were GOO yards away Everything was done in darkness, but the guns were working well, and, although the first tune the match had been fired the men were keen, and quickly fell into the run of the game. It was an interesting piece of work, though lacking in the sfiowed great keenness in the work, which spectacular effects of last night’s competition. To-night’s rfesults will not be known till the morning. CADETS IN BATTLE PRACTICE. MUCH REALISM. The Cadets forming teams from each of the three commands completed the battle practice competition. The boys showed great keenness in the work, which was judged on hits on the enemy, fire dilection and control, and discipline. The idea was thut. aeroplanes reported the ad vanee of an enemy force, who made an appearance in various formations at dif ferent points along the front, machine guns participating, and the attack culminating in portion of the enemy tanking an assault on the defenders under cover of gas. Moving miniature targets repre suited men and machine guns, all increasing in size us they drew nearer. The fina* explosion of a pseudo-gas bomb and the sudden appearance of life-size figures in the front parapet was Very realistic.

The Cadets all showed good knowledge of their part, and General Young, who was present, congratulated the boys making special reference to the northern team’s commander, C.S.M. Vavelle, whose control over the team was remarkable. The result was: Southern: Hits, 388; points for fire direction, etc., 28. Northern: 253 and 44. Ceptral: 253 and 20. Northern’s control score of 44 points out of 50 was specially good. TERRITORIAL BATTLE PRACTICE. The Territorial Battle Practice (on the same lines as that for the Cadets in the morning) was completed in the afternoon, and created a goo l deal of interest. The results were:— £9—Northern Command 453 £4 10s —Southern Command 362 Central Command 300 I.EtflS GT’N AND KIFI.E TEAMS. £S—First Ilattalion, Otago Regiment 41 £6—First Jiattalion, Wellington Regiment 40 £4—New Zealand Division Royal Navy 36 £2—First Battalion, Hawke’s Bay Regiment 33 Thirteen teams competed. lIOTCIIKISS GUN AND RIFLE TEAMS. For Teams of 80. £B—Sixth Mounted Rifles, Manawatu .. 22 £4—First Mounted Rifles, Christchurch 20 £4 —Eighth Mounted Rifles, Marlborough 20 TEAM MATCH. REGIMENTAL TEAM RIFLE MATCH For teams of 80. £l6—Permanent Force, Central Depot G 32 £l2—lst Battalion, Wellington Regiment 603 £10 —New Zealand Naval Division .. .. 500 £B—lst Battalion, Auckland Regiment 557 £0 —East Waikato eßgiment, Waikato 508 £4—Permanent Staff, Southern .. .. 559 VICKERS GUN MATCH. Fire with movement three bursts of one belt each time, while traversing ground from 600 to 300 yards ranges. £ls and Vickers Challenge Trophy—Bth Mounted Rifles, Marlborough .. .. 91 £lO and trophy—Mounted Rifles, Canterbury 74 £7 10s—1st Battalion Hawke’s Bay Regiment, Napier 61 £5 5s —Ist Battalion Auckland Regiment 62 £2 10s—1st Wellington*West Coast Regiment 60 Sixteen teams competed. SERVICE MATCH. TEAMS’ RIFLE MATCH. EIGHT MEN A-SIDE. £l6 and challenge Shield —N.Z. Permanent Force 069 £S—N.Z. Naval Division 588 £G—Northern Command Territorials 549 Six teams competed. COMMAND CADET TEAMS MATCH (Eight Cadets and Leader). £9 and C.A.C. Shield—Northern Command No. 1 542 £4 10s—Northern No. 2 .. .. .. .. 514 £2 ss, Southern No. 1 407 Also competed: Southern No. 2, 465; Central No. 1, 459; Central, No. 3, 454. The Stafford Challenge Shield for the best aggregate in three machine gun matches was won by Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment with 758 points. COMPETITIONS CONCLUDED TRENTHAM, March 12. The King’s Medal Match this morning completed the Army rifle meeting of 1926, and the new medallist appeared in the person of Staff-sergeant J. S. Thomson, of Palmerston North. He was not allowed to attain the honour without strong opposition. as the weather was excellent for the earlier of the four practices fired, but a high, blustery wind rather militated against good work at the long range. Thomson scored as follows:—43 at 300 yards rapid shooting, 35 at 300 yards snapshooting, 3 at 600 yards deliberate. 42 in fire with movement at GOO yards to 300 yards;—total, 157. Sergeant Howard, of the Royal Marines, tied with Thomson, getting 40, 42, 37, 38— 157, hut Thomson’s fourth practice score was the best, and he won the match. Howard was ineligible to take the King’s Medal, which is confined to purely New Zealand Territorials, forces, and staff. Two others, M’Callum and Kearney, topped 150, and half a dozen others made 140 or over. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. J. Rolleston). witli Major-general Young. Colonel C. G. l’owles, 0.C., Central Command, witnessed the final practice of the match, the detailed result of which is as follows: King’s Medal and £6—Staff-sergeant J. S. Thompson (Palmerston North) .. ' 157 £4 —Sergeant A. J. Howard (Royal.. Marines) .. 157 £3 —C. R. M’Callum (Christchurch) 154 C2 —Staff Sergeant-major J. 11. Kearney (Pennant . Staff) ) .. .. 152 The following take £1 each: —R. 11. Perkins (Auckland) 148, G. E. Parker (Wellington) 144, Sergeant F. A. Hiscock (Royal Marines) 143, Lieutenant T. J. Denton (Christchurch) 143, Seaman E. li. Durham (N.Z. Naval Division) 142. 10s each:—Lieutenant A. J. Moore (Staff Corps) 140, A. R. Symons (Napier) 139, Lance-corporal L. 11. Tobin (9th Mounted Rifles) 139, Corporal F. 11. Poolman (9th Mounter. Rifles) 137, Staff Ser-geant-major W. Bates (Permanent Staff) 135, Sergeant T. J. Eyre (Permanent Artillery) 135, Staff Sergeant-major C. H. Kitzema (Permanent Staff) 134, Sergeant L. Shepherd (Waikato Regiment) 133. Lieutenant C. W. Cayzer (Otago Regiment) 133, G. W. Foote (Auckland Regiment) 133, Corporal H. G. Burrell (Wellington West Coast Regiment) 132, Company Sergeant-major A. R. Mayhill (Auckland Regiment) 131, Staff Sergeant-major G P 0 Leary (Napier) 131, W. S. Mansell (Royal Marines) 131, Sergeant A. H. !• ergumon (6th Mounted Rifles) 130, Ser?S2 n a*r; Williams (Wellington Regiment) 129, b. Pearce (Auckland Regiment) 127, F. Jamieson (15th Battery) 127, J. F. Mason (Royal Marines) 125, Sergeant J. E. Milner (Canterbury Regiment) 125. TIIB KING’S MEDALLIST. King’s Medallist Thomson belongs to the Permanent Staff, being Instructor of mounted rifles at Palmerston North. He saw service in the war, and competed at BisJey in 1919, but just failed by one point to get Into the King’s Hundred. Los Loved ay, who won the King’s Prise on that occasion, pipped Thomson in the scramble

to get in at the tail end. Both were menu hers of the New Zealand team at that meeting, under Captain Simmon Is, of Wanganui, who two years ago distinguished himself at Trentham by carrying off both the Service Championship and the King's Prize at the national meeting. Thomson's (and Howard's) 157 out of a possible 200 constituted a very fine performance under service conditions.

PRIZES PRESENTED. As sooa as the shooting was completed and the positions of the men were ascer-i tained all the men paraded around the stand on which the Minister of Defence, with General Young and the staff officers, took the post. The General very briefly welcomed the Minister and expressed pleasure at the manner in which the meets ing had been carried through. The dis 4 ripline at the butts had been excellent, but he hoped next year to see an improve* ment in the discipline on the firing mounds. The lion. Mr Rolleston, in acknowle lging the welcome to himself as Minister of Defence, said he was pleased to see the interest all had shown in the meeting, despite the break in the sequence caused by last year’s epidemic. New Zealand's defence system had been through rather difficult times, but he felt the outlook was now better, and that the system was going to prove thoroughly successful, and produce a Territorial force of which they could be proud It was essential that tho whole personnel should put heart and soul into the work, and then the fullest effici-. ency would be secured. Mr Rolleston conn eluded with an expression of pleasuro at seeing the naval men taking part, and congratulated them on having made some calls upon the prize money. The Minister then presented the prizes: the King’s medal and the army and cadet champions were each chaired by their respective comrades, and heartily applauded, while the appearance of the naval team to receive second prize in the services match evoked prolonged applause and cheers. Iho Auckland cadet team also came in for special notice, but seemed able to carry off their honours with an aplomb which some services seemed unable to muster. This ended the 1926 army meeting, and by the evening the camp had resumed its normal state. It wiil be awake again on Monday with the advent of riflemen for the National Rifle Association’s meeting. VICKERS’ MACHINE-GUN MATCH. WON BY OTAGO “HUSSARS.” TRENTHAM, March 12. The work done by the Vickers machine gunners last night was highly eulogised bv staff observers as a fine performance for men to most of whom practice was quite new. The idea was that the guns were maintaining a barrage to cover the advance of a raiding party, and the job presented novel and interesting features, which kept a considerable number of men watching the 15 teams engaged till the end of the shooting. after 10 o'clock, despite the fact that the air grew keen. Some teams did not get a hit on the target, which is a very small affair—a 6ft hv 6ft screen in the dark. 600 yards away. But. a? Major Wallingford pointed out. they need not be discouraged. Their shots would be very near the target, and make thinks unpleasant for the enemy if a party was there. 7 he match was won bv the sth Mounted Rifles. Otago Hussars (Leader. Trooper r.otran). who take £lO. The Ist Canterbury Reeiment (Leader, Sergeant Forbesl aro runners-up. and the Ist Auckland Regiment (Leader, Sergeant Marriage) aro third. In connection with yesterday’s demonstration of the effect of concerted rifle and machine gim fire it should be noted that the party of 16 riflemen were just drawn haphazard at the squadding posts, and were riot in any sense a picked body. Thev might, however, have been selected and specially trained to judge bv the cool and collected manner in which thev went about the job. and the effect of their fire on the “enemy.” It was a fine tribute to th« quality of instruction given the Territorial Torces. WAIRARAPA MEETING. OPENED IN STRONG WIND. CARTEkiON, March 2. The Wairarapa rifle meeting was opened at Papawai to-day with a strong northwest wind and rear fish tail, '['here was a large attendance of riflemen from all over the Dominion. Service Match.—F. H. Sharland, 43, £2; W. N. Rummer, 42, £1: 11. Hart. 42, £1; Pres. S. A. Elliott. 42, £1; Pres. H. Marshall. 41. £1; T. Goodall. 40. £1; six secured 10s each and three were counted out. Bidwill Match. —\V. J. Feast. 49, £4; A. S. Ballinger, 48. £3; C. J. Nix, 48. £2: W. H. West. 47. £2; 11. Piper. 47. £] ; Donald. 47, £1; 30 secured £1 each and 11 were counted out. Of the tyros four got £1 and seven IQs, one being counted out. Auckland Match.—P. C. Hamilton, 49. £4; D. M’Konzie. 49. £5: L. T. Duncan. 48. £2; P. Nicholls. 48. £2; H. Harris. 48, £2; W. M'Bain. 48, £2; 30 secured £l, and five were counted out. Of the tyros four won £1 each, seven 10s. and one was counted out. Wellington Match (600 yards).—T. Marett. 49. £4: J. Christian. 48. £3; A. J. Green. 47. £2; Wil Feast. 46. £2: V. Jones. 46. £1: G. R. Smith. 46, £1; 30 got £l. and seven were counted out. Of the tyro 8 four got £1 and seven 10s each. Canterbury Match (600 yards).—J. O. Feast. 50. £4; H. Tewahaiti. 48. £3: W. M’Tver. 47, £2; D J. Anderson, 47. £2; Wil Feast, 47, £1; W. J. Green. 46, £1; 30 got £l, and 10 were counted out. Tyros: Four got £l. and seven 10s each. Midfield aggregate in matches 1. 2. 3 and 4.—J. C Feast. 1 87. £5: D. J Anderson, 182. £3 10s; A. S. Ballinger. 182. £3 10s; O J Nix. 181. £2.: C. Whiteman. 181. £2i W. Ballinger, 100, £1; 17 got £1 each. TEAMS MATCH. New Plymouth, 673. £4 10s. Greytown No. 1. 671. £2 14s. Wanganui. 661, £1 16s. March 15. The Papawai meeting was concluded to-day ia good weather. At the conclu* sion the prizes were presented by Mr 11. H. Donald, of the Opaki Club, who was chief range officer. Results:— BUCHANAN MATCH. 800 YARDS. A. S. Ballinger, Petone, 50, £3 10s. 11. T. Boon, Karori, 50, £3 10s. J. M’Kelvie, Karori, 49, £2; F. M‘Donnl<L Karori, 49, £2. A. V. Swanson, Karori, 40, £1; B. llolnie% Wanganui. 49, £l. Thirty qualified for £l, and eight wera counted out. Four tyros gained £l, scvnfli 10s, and three were counted nut

DOMINION MATCH, 900 YARDS. It. J. King, Opaki, 4S, £4. A. J. Green, Westport, 4S, £3. Lieutenant Duncan, Westport, 4G, £2; J. F. Thompson, Grey town, 4G, £2. Captain Simmon3s. Wanganui, 40, £1; F. M'Donahl, Karori, 4G, £l. Thirty qualified for £l, while three were counted out. Of the tyros four qualified for £1 an] seven for 10s. TIIE KING’S FRIZE. W. Ballinger, Petone, 315, £S, 1. A. S. Ballinger, Petone, 312, £G. 2. IV. Duncan, Westport, 309, £4 10s, 3. C. Whiteman, Upper Ilutt, 309, £4 10s; 11. T. Boon, Karori, 30S, £3; H. 11. Donald, Opaki, 307, £2. Three qualified for £1 Gs Sd and 31 for £l. Buchanan Cup.—J. C. Feast, Greytown, 155. Tyro Cup.—C. Davids, Gimmerhurn, 250. Maunsell Cup.—A. S. Ballinger, retone, J. D. Rivers Challenge Cup.—F. M'Donald, Karori. ~ _ . „ Bidwell Memorial Challenge Shield—A. S. K.illinger, Tctone, 275. LADIES’ MATCH. Mrs R. Tilson, 33, trophy valued £2 2s; Miss J. Morris, Greytown, 32, £1 ls_; Mrs Young, 29, 12s Gd; Miss O. Nix, 28. «s Gd; Miss Allan, 20. ss; Miss Nix, 20, -s Gd. Four others competed. DUNEDIN CLUB. The Dunedin Defence Rifle Club fired a practice match on Saturday Conditions were: Ten shots each at -U<> mid 300 yards. The following are the scores TI T. W. Parker, 45 at SOOyls, 47 at TOycls «2 W. A. Graham. 45, 47 " Mathews, 48, 43 ■ llay. 47, 43 •• •• ;; Jones, 40. 44 »o Kay, 44, 44 llolgate, 45, 42 go Goyen, 41, 42 .. ‘ gq Eason, 44, 39 Cooper, 40, 37 c 9 Lister, 45, 37 go Blair, 45, 37 ** ** gQ Bannermnn, 43, 37