RIFLE SHOOTING

Southland Times, Issue 20538, 14 July 1928, Page 11

RIFLE SHOOTING

(Notes By “Marker”). Some time ago I was handed by a member of the local rifle club a cutting from an old newspaper under the heading of “Volunteering” a reference which will recall happy memories to many residents of Southland. The cutting—the name and date of the paper are not ascertainable — is a report on the opening of the second Grasmere Rifle Range. It reads as follows:—“An event of importance in the history of volunteering in Invercargill was marked yesterday afternoon when the new rifle range at Grasmere was formally opened. There was a large attendance of old marksmen and young marksmen and even a veteran of Crimean and Indian Mutiny days in the person of Colour Sergt. Patterson ran his eye along the sights again and found the target as well as most of them, too. The weather was glorious the bright sun having a gleaming of genuine summer warmth in its rays, and probably on no occasion have so many ladies graced the scene with their presence. The formal ceremony was performed by Mrs J. E. Hawkins who fired the first shot and fired well because she made a bullseye. Majors Hawkins and Henderson and Mr A. F. Hawke, president of the Rifle Club, spoke a few words in praise of the new range and cheers were given for the architect Mr Sharp, the contractor, Mr Morris, and Captain McKenzie who gave valuable assistance in drawing plans. Accomodation is provided for each company and also for the Rifle Club. There are two targets 4 by 4, two 6 by 6, and two 8 by 8 feet. There are two target mounds each 80 feet long and the firing mounds, placed every 100 yards up to 800 will accommodate a full company for volley firing. Volunteers should be proud of the range and with the new magazine should take an increased interest in their duties. The competitions for the Mauser rifles, and Transvaal sword presented by Messrs R. Kidd and J. Vickery, second contingent, were shot for and as the entries were numerous, the competition lasted until after six o’clock. Lieut L. Lennie proved the winner after a keen and exciting test closely followed by Sergeant Wills, Privates Johnston and J. Grant. Forty-seven competitors took part in the match which proved the most enjoyable ever held at Grasmere. “The leading scores were as follows:

The ladies’ prize was won by Mrs Hawkins.” Next week I will endeavour to establish the identity of the majority of the above marksmen some of whom are still with us and I will supply if possible the year of the opening of the range. The Nightcaps Rifle Club has, I notice, held its annual meeting and it appears that despite the heavy expenditure entailed in getting under way the financial affairs of the club are in a fairly sound footing. The work done by some members of the club in the erection of a parapet, targets and frames in addition to firing mounds speaks volumes for their industry and ability. I expect that in another year or two this country club will be almost as strong and will put forward teams equal to the best that the Invercargill and Mataura Clubs can produce. The prize list for the season was as follows: —No. 1, cleaning rod, Dr Reekie (300yds) ‘ 44; No. 2, cleaning rod, Dr Reekie (300yds), 42; No. 3, collar box, R. H. Schoen (300yds), 45; No. 4, silver spoon, G. Excell (300yds), 45; No. 5, gold medal, W. Excell, (200, 300, 500yds), 94; No. 6, sweepstake, D. McGregor, (500yds), 39; No. 7, sweepstake, J. Wilson, (600yds), 42; No; 8, set of carvers, J. Wilson (Service), 34. At the meeting the following officebearers were elected: —President, Mr G. S. Edie; vice-president, Mr F. Boyle; range captain, Mr W. Excell; scoreman, Mr E. Excell; secretary, Mr James Wilson; auditor, Mr A. Milne. Some of these gentlemen held office last year. The leading scores put up last week by the local club members in their championship competition are worthy of comment. The 10 men averaged 46.4 points each off the rifle —a remarkably fine display. The following are their scores:— W. Milley 48 J. Ure 48 W. McChesney 48 R. Ure 47 W. S. Ayson 47 Pres. Dr. Crawford 46 W. H. Cunningham 46 D. Pres. A. R. Wills .... 45 M. Summers 45 W. Cook 44 Deputy President Wills was unfortunate to get a “magpie” with a bad cartridge in the middle of his shoot otherwise he would have scored a 46 or 47. The following are the results of the handicap and of the championship competitions at present being run by the club:— H. & J. SMITH LTD. CUP. J. Ure 952 T. E. Henshelwood 952 W. McChesney 946 W. S. Ayson 945 W. Milley 939 J. Morrison 939 R. Ure 937 H. H. Moss 933 A. R. Wills 930 Pres. Dr Crawford 917 W. H. Cunningham .. .. 916 W. E. Diack 914 M. Summers 909 C. H. Cunningham .. .. 885 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. “A” GRADE. W. Milley 357 J. Ure 354 W. McChesney 348 A. R. Wills 346 R. Ure 338 Pres. Dr Crawford 336 H. H. Moss 336 W. S. Ayson 333 W. E. Diack 319 M. Summers 318 “B” GRADE. T. E. Henshelwood 340 W. H. Cunningham 324 M. Sheehan 315 J. Morrison 314 W. Henderson 305 C. H. Cunningham 297 I was pleased to see Rifleman A. Cowan on the range last Saturday. Mr Cowan is one of the more experienced shots of the club and a valuable man in a team. His presence at Stewart Island on the new wharf has deprived the club of his assistance on the range of late. His score on Saturday was, by the way, 41 points not 31 as the Press had it. The sympathy of the members of the Invercargill Rifle Club, and, for that part, of riflemen generally is extended to the club’s Deputy-Chief in his present bereavement. Out of respect to Mr Wills the committee meeting called for last Tuesday evening was postponed. THE MINIATURE CLUB. This club has now found its “sea legs” and is running along quite smoothly. I hear that a committee meeting is being called for next Tuesday, the one called for last Tuesday, having been postponed. At this meeting several matters of policy and administration will come up for dis cussion. The appointment of Messrs M. Sheehan and R. Ure to the respective offices of executive officer and scorer has proved particularly beneficial to the club as was evidenced by the businesslike manner in which matters were run last Wednesday. The only fly in the ointment from the men’s point of view is the better form shown by the ladies in their shooting.

Lieut. L. Lennie .. .. Score Hep. Total 73 10 83 Sergt. Wills 81 scr 81 Private Johnston .. .. 75 6 81 Private Grant 79 scr 79 Mr Craigie 77 scr 77 Mr Roach 75 scr 75 Qr. Mst. Sgt Cunningham 61 12 73 Sergt. Robinson 62 10 / - Sergt. Ferguson .. .. 61 10 71 Mr W. Smith 71 scr 71