MARKSMEN AT BISLEY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17116, 23 November 1929, Page 4

MARKSMEN AT BISLEY

QUALITY OF AMMUNITION CAPTAIN MASEFIELD’S VISIT New Zealand’s champion marksman, Captain W. N. Masefield, of Ellertori, Blenheim, lias returned to Wellington after competing with marked success in the contest for the King’s Prize at Bisley in July. After winning the New Zealand champion rifle belt, for the second time parly in the present year, Captain Masefield sailed for Australia to assist the Dominion rifle team at._the Victorian! .Rifle Association’a meeting, at the conclusion of which he proceeded Home.

Representatives off all parts of the Empire, including Trinidad, the Malay States, and Nyassaland, were present the the meeting held at Eisley by the National Rifle Association of Great Britain, over 1000 competitors, taking part. A fine' performance was put up by Captain Masefield, who secured sixty-sixth place in the King s Hundred and went on to finish in seventh place in the final for the King’s Prize. The final of the King’s in New Zealand comprises 10 rounds at 900 yards, but at Eisley 15 rounds at both 900 and LOGO yards are required. Captain Masefield qualified for the King’s Hundred with a score of 136, and in the final stage there was only one score better han his Idd. He put on a 73 at SCO yards and 71 at 1000 yards. His aggregate for the final, which is added" to 'that for the Hundred, gave him a grand total of 280 points—three points behind the winner, LieutenantColonel B. M. Blair, of the Sea forth Highlanders, Canada. Competitors at JJisley use the S.M.L.K. rifle, nothing olse being allowed. The single arm sling troubled Captain Masefield a little at the beginning of the meeting, hut he soon adjusted himself to the new conditions THE! AMMUNITION The ammunition served out to comnotit ovs nt Bisley was highly spoken of by Captain Masefield, who also commented upon the excellence of the shooting. "Tt was wonderful ammunition tihev gave us,” he said, "ft was made by the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich, and 1 found it wonderfully accurate. It was the ordinary service issue used by the British Army. Owing to the packing of the S.M.L.E, rifle by experts, and the splendid ammunition, the shooting was of a very high standard when the smaller bull’s-evcs are taken into consideration.” , . Captain Masefield mentioned that a British team would probably visit Australia for an Empire match in 1901, on the occasion of the opening of the bydnev harbor bridge. Even when lie was at’ Bisle.v the visit was being discussed, and preliminary arrangements in the way of finance were already being had a wonderful time,” said Captain Masefield, who made a tour through Scotland and Wales at the conclusion of the meeting at Eisley. Mhen I arrived in London L joined the North London Club, and the members treated , m , handsomely in assisting me to get accustomed to thy English conditions. Captain Masefield will defend his New Zealand title at the National Lite Association's meeting at Trent ham early next vear. _____