RIFLE SHOOTING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11116, 2 November 1907, Page 4

RIFLE SHOOTING.

It is often complained that rifle shooting, 'admittedly.-' "of great importance from a defence 'jpoint of view, is rfeglected by the general public while athletic contests arouse intense enthusiasm. When these comparisons are cited' the dissimilarity of the cases from a spectator's point is not always allowed for; a football match for instance, provides an amount of excitement that could not be obtained from watching men patiently taking aim at a target, and whether or aot the public taste can be judged as indicating a lack of interest m the important subject of shooting, the probability is that no change from a comparative point of view can be anticipated. But it is possible to arouse keener interest m shooting, and the report of the Bathurst match, decided yesterday, will be read with quite as keen interest as that of the next football match, and probably by a much wider circle. The match was a triangular one between teams representing Britain, New Zealand, and the Bathurst Civilian Club, and there was only a point between each team at the finish, Now Zealand winning from Britam by a point while the latter was a single point ahead of Bathurst. The splendid nerve required to bring about that result can be better ' imagined than described. A man had to keep a clear head, keen eye, and steady nerve to make the final score as Ayson did' to secure victory. The term "historic struggle," applied by the State Commandant, is hardly a fair description of a contest m which there is really nothing m the nature of a "struggle!/' but it is not easy to find a more suitable term. "Historic triumph" might apply, but considering that the victory was by one point only the honors are upon the losers almost as much as on" the victoTs. The chief value of the match is that it will attract attention generally, and that such a close and m a sense exciting match will live long m the memory of those who have read as well as of those who have seen

( ■ the match, for there is no doubt much greater attention should be paid to rifle shootingi One of the complaints m New Zealand ;is that most of the rifle matches are set (down for holidays, when men would like to have their leisure to spend" m othei* ways, and probably m time this difficulty will be met m some way. The Bathurst contest may help to some extent even m that by arousing more interest m rifle shooting.