RIFLE SHOOTING

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 28 March 1927, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING

RIFLLAIAN LOOTS HONOURED.

A SURPRISE VISIT

WUca it was known that Bidemnn Boots was returning home by ear from the Hi fie Championship Meeting instead of by rail, and consequently then would be no opportunity of welcoming him on his arrival, a number of hi comrades in the Hide Club decided U. pay him a surprise visit; on fc-murdav evening at his establishment in Bginoui jtreet, and as a result a good mimbei of ritiemoii, including His Worship the Mavor, who’is an active member ot lie club, waited on Rifleman Boots diortly before eight o’clock on batuiday night. On the champion appearing he was greeted with a round of cheering, after which His "Worship, addressing him, said that he desired on oehalf of the citizens of Pa tea' to welcome him back, and to offer him the very heartiest of congratulations on nis having achieved the signal honour of winning the Hew Zealand Bide Championship for the third time. Bille,nau Boots’ shooting, His Worship declared, was a credit to his chib, to himself, and to Baton, The win was all the more meritorious as it was carried out under what had been described as the “vilest weather conditions ever experienced at a Trentham meeting.’’ He only hoped that Bidcman Boots would attend the championship meeting next year and win the belt again. (Applause.) President Palmer, on behalf of the Bide Club, extended his hearty congratulations to Bidcman Boots on his brilliant victory under the worst weather conditions possible. He was -afraid the other competitors had “got the breeze up’’ when they saw how consistently Bidcman Roots was shooting. At any rate, in addition to winning the belt lor the third time, he! had succeeded in putting Patca on j the map, and he sincerely hoped that Bidcman Boots would repeat his .victory. (Applause.) Bidcman Boots, in reply, said limy had taken him completely by surprise. Ho had absolutely no idea that they would conic along, and ho thanked them most heartily for their congratulations. Ho considered he was , very lucky in winning. Perhaps it was because they .had experienced real Taranaki weather throughout the meeting. Ho thanked His Worship and President Palmer for the very nice things they had said about him. He intended to visit Trentham again next year, wdicn he would try and retain the belt for another year. He only hoped some other members of the Patca Club would also go and be successful in winning the championship. There was no reason why they should not, as it was largely a question of practice. One young ohot from the Patca Club, Bideman Huston, had done very well indeed at the meeting, and others should do equally as well if they practiced hard. He again thanked them all for their congratulations. At the call of His "Worship cheers were again given for the champion, the assemblage singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’’ prior to dispersing.