RIFLE SHOOTING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12016, 4 March 1920, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING.

THE TRENTHAM MEETING. atoms Per Press Association. Trentham, March 4. The Jeremiahs of yestereve were proved faiee prophets of evil,for after midnight the wind dropped and threatening rain clouds were carried away to the eastward. The morning broke fair though a fog hung low on the hills at the back of the range. The bright sun soon dissipated it, and when competitors, whose numbers reached the 400 mark, with some yet to come, paraded at 8.30, the prospects were excellent. Oolonbl R J Collins, chief executive officer, briefly addressed the men, greeting old hands and welcoming those making their first appearance. He specially congratulated veterans, like Colonel Smith and J Parslow, whose devotion to the sport over such a long period of vears should' prove an incentive to younger men. Colonel Collins expressed disappointment that the entries were not more numerous, hut felt assured that the reason could be found in the fact that the new rifles and barrels promised a year ago had not vet arrived. He traced briefly the difficulties that always faced the Association arising out of this very question, but added that the Defence Department was doing all possible to assist the Association Executive, and he hoped with the arrival next month of the long delayed new rifles, he would be safe in anticipating a much larger meeting next year. Colonel Collins congratulated Sergeant Leslie Loveday, M.M., on winning the King’s Prize at Eisley, and his call for three cheers for the present Service Rifle Champion of the Empire was hearfcilv responded to.

The men then marched off to the ranges for the fiist event in the B series, the Glassification Practice Match. Given fine weather throughout the meeting may he concluded on Wednesday.