RIFLE SHOOTING

Southland Times, Issue 20526, 30 June 1928, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING

NOTES BY MARKER. The Invercargill men had a narrow escape on Wednesday when they were 8 points down at 500 and 600 yards. Good shooting at 300 yards in a failing light by President Dr. R. Crawford, Deputy-Pres. A. R. Wills and Riflemen Henshelwood, J. Ure, W. Milley and M. Summers saved the day when it looked as if the Mataura Club was going to prove victorious. After many mopths of waiting I am pleased to see a possible shot on the Otatara Range. Several local men have missed seven shot and ten shot possibles by the bare point at different times, but I did not think that a man from far off Mataura would first attain the coveted achievement. It is only a short while since Mr Munro scored a possible on his own club’s range. 1 recently heard Mr W. McChesney speak most highly of this gentleman’s ability and experience as a rifle shot, and the reference then made was surely justified. The possible on Wednesday last was attained at 500 yards, when Rifleman A. Robertson, of the Mataura men, and the local Rifleman R. Ure and C. Wilson just missed by one point each. Mr Robertson dropped his point on his sixth shot, whilst Messrs Ure and Wilson each dropped his point on, his second counter. Whilst Mr Munro was top scorer for the day with 35, 31, 31—97. Mr Wills of the lofcal men put up a more consistent performance with 32 points at each range—total 96 points. At, 600 yards Rifleman W. McLeod, of the Mataura men, had the highest score — he was unlucky indeed to drop to 27 poirits at 300 yards, his scores reading 33, 33, 27, total 93. At 300 yards Messrs Wills and Henshelwood of the local team led with a good 32 points each. On Wednesday evening an association giving promise of every success in the nature of the Invercargill Miniature Rifle Club was formally opened by the President, Dr. R. Crawford, in the Drill Hall. I was particularly impressed by the praise meted out by the doctor in his opening speech when referring to the assistance rendered by the Defence Department. There is no doubt that in recent years the Defence Department looks w’ith kindlier regard on private or quasi private enterprise touching its affairs, and the Invercargill Defence Rifle Club members, at least, were with their president in the spirit of his remarks. I was sorry that the permanent staff were not present to hear the eulogy. The Miniature rifle club has even now a fair membership. Secretary Morrison tells me that the Post and Telegraph Department will be putting in a team and Mr Smith of the N-ZR-, and late secretary of the Greymouth Miniature Club, states that there is a possibility of his Department being also represented. When the club appoints a handicapper I hope he keeps an eye on Mr Smith, who even now’ wears a “Hotty Button” won on the coast. Mr Smith will be a valuable man in the club and know's the game to his finger tips. On the open range the Invercargill Club has several new members who are just joining up and some of them give every promise of becoming good shots. One in particular is an adept with the short service rifle and found no trouble in hitting the bull the first time on the range with an aperture sight.

The Saturday men are congratulating themselves on the choice of Mr Sheehan as chief executive officer. Since his appointment things have run, on Saturdays at least, smoothly and up to the mark. Rifleman W. H. Cunningham was unlucky last Saturday in the championships. His true form is shown in a 44 he scored in a practice shoot fired after the official score of 32.

Rifleman J. Morrison is now no longer one of the weaker shots. He has benefited immensely by the coaching in holding that he has recently received and his 45 last Saturday including a “magpie” but with a two bull finish was an effort worthy of any of the club’s crack men.

The Australian team is now in England, They were selected from different Australian States and are as follows:

Victoria.—L. R. Armstrong (Melbourne Cricket Club), G. E. Robinson (Collingwood). P. A. Pavey (Caulfield). Neyv South Wales.—F. S. Nelson (Concord), G. L. Walker (Concord), A. H. Ray (Concord).

South Australia.—H. G. Mutton (Police) W. Green (Adelaide).

Queensland. —Warrant-Officer D. Quirke (Instructional Staff), J. M. Clancy (Cooparoo). Western Australia.— E. C. Gare (Perth), N. C. Blurton (Leonora). Tasmania.—J. McElwee (Launceston). Commandant, Colonel C. E. Merrett (Victoria) ; adjutant, F. S. Bleechmore (Adelaide) ; official coach, F. G. Harrison (New South Wales).

Shooting on the particularly tricky Murray Bridge (South Australia) range recently, M. W. Parish scored 74 points out of the possible 75 points at 600 yards. His only shot out of the bullseye was his fourth, which was in the “black inner ring. Members consider this one of the best performances ever put up on the range, more especially as the variable wind blowing required alterations of 2deg. or 3deg. between shots.

The following are the results of the championship competition of the local club and also of the H. and J. Smith Cup Handicap competition:— CHAMPIONSHIP. —A Grade.— W. Milley 309 J. Ure 306 A. R. Wills 301 W. McChesney 300 H. H. Moss 292 R. Ure 291 Dr. Crawford 290 W. S. Ayson 286 E. J. McLauchlan 276 W. E. Diack 275 M. Summers .. ?. 273 —B Grack - T. E. Henshelwood 296 W. H. Cunningham .. .. 278 J. Morrison 273 M. Sheehan 271 W. Henderson 26.5 C. H. Cunningham 253 J. Tansley 250 H. & J. SMITH, LTD. CUP. T. E. Henshelwood .. 907 J. Ure 904 W. McChesney 898 W. Ayson 898 J. Morrison. .. 895 W. Milley - 891 R. Ure ...... » - -- 890 H. H. Moss .... ™ 889 A. R. Wills . 885 Dr. Crawford - - 871 W. E. Diack 869 W. H. Cunningham 869 M. Summers 862 E. J. McLauchlan 853 J. Tansley ...... 843 C. H. Cunningham 838