RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10300, 7 March 1905, Page 4

RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

(Per Press Association.) TRENTHAM, last night. The weatlier at Trentham to-day was such as wouhll have .rejoiced the heart of a •dfc'oug'ht.-st]*Hckett farmer. For the greater part of the day rain fell m torrents, and. the men were saturated and uncomfortable during the firing at the two final ranges of the Canterbury Match, the only business attempted. The scoring caixks wei'e almost pulp, and it was impossible for notes to be taken of the progress of the shooting as it proceeded. The blackboards for scoring were obliterated, and marksmen and officers labored under great difficulties ; but the range having been started it was necessary to complete the firing, and the men had to grin and bear the position. Colonel Collins took his share of the discomfort, and' did not leave the range until the shooting was finished. Like others, he was soaked! to the skin. There was no possible registered at the 500 yds, as might be supposed under the conditions, 34' s being the highest range score. Tlie top scorers were Melroy (Nelson), T. Jack (Auckland), Nelson (Woodville), and G. W. Vennell (Tewharau). The match was won by Gellande.rs, with 98, King (Opaki) being runner-up with 97; and Domegan (Gore) 96. The following have the highest aggregates : — Melroy, Nelson 363 Shaw, Oliinemuri 359 W. Lovedav, Mauriceville 359 F. Wilkie, Upper Hutt ... 356 G. Hyde, Opaki 356 Martin, Timaru 355 Drummond, Dannevirke ... 352 A. Hyde, Hawke's Bay ... 352 Wills, Southland 351 Dewar, Oamaru. 350 Pearson, Timaru ...- ... 350 Clung, Nelson ... ... 350 Gelkinders, Dunedin ... 350 There are 328 entries out of 389 marksmen on the range for the 800, 900 and 1000 yard's ranges, and the firing is expected to take up a whole day. To-mor-row morning the Otago Match will be started if tho weather, which is still unsettled, permits.