The Gun.

Southern Cross, Volume 11, Issue 17, 25 July 1903, Page 2

The Gun.

[[Members of Gun Clubs are invited to contribute to this column. Items of news, reports of matches, meetings and all matters of interest to shooting men will be welcomed if they reach this office by five p.m. on Thursdays. Address, “ Chokebore,” Southern Ceoss office, Invercargill.]

Notes by “ Chokebore.”

The final monthly shoot of the Invercargill Gun Club, for the season 1902-3, closed on Wednesday, 15th, when the final round for Mr Roope’s trophy, and a 12 bird inanimate sweep, was shot off.

Mr Roope’s trophy caused great excitement among members, and it was not until the shoot off between Bain and Dunlop (25 points eaph)—the former falling out in the second round of the shoot off—that the contest was decided, after three very close matches.

I must congratulate the Avenalite on his win and his consistent shooting throughout. Bertie has secured the ‘ lion’s share ’ of the trophies and prize money this season, closely followed by D. Bain, In the inanimate sweep, 12 birds, Bain put up the possible, T. Irving coming second. Making a possible in this match, Bain takes the prize for most possibles for the season. For the general average, I believe it is a toss up between Bain and Dunlop. This is a very high position for any member to hold in a club. I congratulate the above two on their consistent shooting.

| The Old Yet has lost none of his energy at the traps, and on Wednesday killed his birds with marvellous accuracy, especially a straight-away bird from No. 3 trap, with the second barrel. „In the clay bird sweep he was also fairly successful.

McYinish scored a second in a sweep, and but for a little hard luck from a bird from No, 4 trap, should have won. The bird that ‘Mac’ missed was one of the hottest from the traps ot the day, and would have wanted a Grorrick to have stopped it. McAuliffe was in fairly good form, jbut lingered rather long on some jbirds ; this was no doubt due to his jusing a strange gun.

I I was pleased to see on the ground ion Wednesday, the old familiar face of one of Southland’s best sports, who ihas been away for some considerable time in the North Island, I refer to Mr T. Irving. ‘ Tom ’is down on a holiday, but could not stay away from the ground when a match was on. All were pleased to see him back, and one and all agreed that ‘ Tom ’ was still the same old sport ‘ as of yore.’

‘ Tom ’ informs me that he has not met two hotter men at clay birds, in all his travels, than Messrs Bain and Dunlop. This says a lot for Southland. My own opinfon is that he is not far wrong.

Tbe championship of New Zealand will be held at Christchurch on 10th August. Entries close with Mr Cassin (Secretary of Christchurch G Club) on Ist August. The entry fee is £3; winner taking 60 per cent of stakes and medal, value £2O, given by Messrs Sandstein, Christchurch ; second, 25 per cent; third, 15 per icent ; less 10 per cent for expenses. Following are the scores : Third competition for Rcope’s trophy, 4 live and 6 inanimate birds.

PIGEONS. YDS. Harris 24 1 0 0 0 Bain 26 1112 i T. Irving 29 0 { McAuliffe 22 2 0 Dunlop 27 a 2 112 Brey 241 212 0 McYinish 241 0 111 TIES (Roope’s Trophy.) Bain 0 10 Dunlop Oil INANIMATE BIRDS. YDS. TD. Bain 16 1110 1 I—9 Irving 18 0 110 1 I—4 McAuliffe 10£ 0 0 110 I—4 Dunlop 17 110 12 o—B Brey 11 0 0 1 1 0 2—6 McYinish 10 110 11 I—B

OPEN HANDICAP. (5s Inanimate Sweeps, 12 Birds.)

YDS. TL. Bain 16 1 12221 1 11 111—12 T. Irving 16 0011011211 12- - 9 McYinish 11 00010001 1200- - 4 Brey 14 1000010011 10- - 5 Dunlop 17 01021102011 1- - 8