KING’S PRIZEMAN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19883, 9 March 1939, Page 9

KING’S PRIZEMAN

VETERAN SHOT’S TRIUMPH

FOURTH TITLE WON

EON PLACED THIRD

(’HAMPTON “CHAIRED

(Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

Experience triumphed over youth in the final match for the championship rifle belt at Trentham yesterday, when W. N. Masefield, Blenheim, won his fourth King’s Prize with an aggregate score of 520 out of a possible 550. After his success he was "chaired" and carried shoulder-high by his fel-low-marksmen to the Y.M.C.A. Hall, where lie was presented with his trophies by the Governor-General, Lord Galway. Second place in the championship was obtained by F. Bowes, Auckland City, and the champion’s son. B. Masefield, Nelson-Marlborough Mounted

TV. N. Masefield Rifles, gained third place following a shoot-off with A. R. Symons, Ashhurst. Before the start of the final, Masefield junior had a two-point lead, but he had three redoubtable opponents close behind him in his father, Bowes and Symons. Youth’s Form Slumps The sky was overcast and dull, but there was an even light with a .steady wind. Masefield junior, who experienced trouble in judging the correct elevation, missed the target altogether with his first sighting shot. From the start he gradually lost ground to Bowes and his father and. after lie had fired about six shots, it was obvious that the championship rested between these two and that the best he could expect was to draw even for second place. However, he could not do better than 43 against his father’s 47 and Bowes’ 46.

The Rifle Challenge Cup, for the highest individual score in the final, was won by H. K. Smith, MastertonOpald, with a possible. Father’s Notable Record A notable record as a marksman stands to the credit ot this yc.u s champion. He has been attending the national meetings at Trentham lot over 30 years, and lias represented New Zealand in numerous representative matches. He has also competed at Bisley and in Australia.

Leading scores in the championship i were as follow: — Ballinger Rifle Belt, N.R.A. gold medal and gold shield and £3O—W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), 47, 520.

N.R.A. silver star and shield and £ls—F. Bowes (Auckland City), 40, 519.

N.R.A. silver star and shield and £lo B. Masefield (Nelscu-Marl-borough Mounted Rifles), 43, 518. N.R.A. silver star and shield and £8 —A. R. Symons (Ashhurst), 45, 518.

£f) each —F. ,T. .Teune (Gisborne), 44 516; H. R. .Feast (Greytown). 49, 514. each—H. R. Hunt (Suburbs), 47 514; h. K. Smith (Masterton-Opaki) 50, 512.

£2 each—R. A. Jones (Aslihurst), 40, 511; IT. Harries (Christchurch), 44 511; D. Roots (Patea), 49. 510; R. H Nicholl (Petone), 45, 509.