RIFLE SHOOTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 58, 4 March 1912, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING.

i BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS AT TRENTHAM. THE PROGRAMME PROGRESSING. (Per Press Association 3 Wellington, March 3. Yesterday was the worst day encountered on the Trentham range for years. Shortly after daybreak rain 'started, and by the time the fall-in was sounded, at 8 o’clock, it had settled into a steady downpour. The first matches taken were snapshooting at 300 yards, and the moving target at 300 yards. Again the hits were spotted, and the conditions of the series, as far 'as rifles and targets are concerned, were nearly assimilated to the standing target ones. The heavy rain did not Appear to damp, the ardour of the competitors, but many of them who looked with contempt upon this portion "of the programme did not do justice to it in their shooting. In the snap-shooting match, although no sighters were 'allowed, many of the men got on to the target at once, the spotter of exposure showing quite a large percentage of hits. Law (Dannevirke) made no mistake. He struck the bull with each shot, getting the possible. Mawley (Opaki) and Simmonds (Blenheim) each got 22, and there were four 2l’a, among them Captain King (South Island champion).

In the moving target match, which was taken at the same time, competitors had to fire at the head and shoulders target, which was exposed seven times for four seconds, each exposure being made at a different part of the butt. Each hit counted four points. As showing the merit of the shooting, .there were nine possibles, but Purnell (son of Major Purnell, the champion of 1888) and Mayhew (Feilding) got the ‘first places, owing to the greater During the firing of this match, Gunner Watkins (R.N.Z.A.), one of the markers, was injured. A low shot struck the mound, and either a stone or the nickel case of the ‘bullet struck his shoulder, inflicting a painful wound. First aid was rendered by Merrilees, one of the competitors, and a doctor was at once telegraphed for in the unavoidable absence of Dr. Purdie, who makes 'daily visits to the camp. Watkins was afterwards re- i moved to the barracks for further treatment. He is a man of about 6ft. 2in., 'and as there is no head cover to incommode them, the tall markers are alvays placed in the Collins’ butt. The butt had been overhauled by the Public Works Department fast before the meeting, and the point at whim ■ the accident took place was a foot |Love the (rejgulation height. ;The| | official' hoard of iriquiry took tfie evi- ‘ dence,, and m reports was. fonyarded to headquarters, lit ,i if E A VO"

In the afternoon the Attack Match,, which comprised an attack on a position, at 400, 300 and 200 yards, and observation of fire was commenc?d. 1 here was still a steady downpour, which had continued without inter urns'or from the morning. Russell (Pv tone) did exceedingly,!; hm shets hit the figure, and seven the I km were bullseyes, This Wtsjiy ! gav ? him first placb. , Bolqyn rCh’ar- - oarae next with eight -hits. . bVorq tfdro foUr' with sevW ihiti, •jjjK.Fr ng all round, considering c>.rations,, was very good. While the Attack Match was being fired, an extra match was started at 1000 yards. Despite the heavy rain there was a fair entry. The best score was put up by Hunt (Wellington) 32. The shooting all round was fairly good.

The storm continued during the night, intermittent gusts of wind driving the heavy rain hard against the tents. (Although there was a certain amount of discomfort, it was not till 8 o’clock this morning that any ■of the canvas structures were demolished. An extra heavy gust struck the camp, and in a minute or two Col. Collins’ headquarters marquee was lying on the ground, while in another corner three or four tents collapsed, as did the large Press marquee and the Karori Rifle Club’s marquee. Captain Sandle quickly 'had a squad of Permanent Artillerymen at work, and the marquees were re-erected. To-morrow morning the belt series, in which the Ballinger 'championship belt forms the principal trophy, will be commenced. The first event will be the Auckland match at 300 and 500 yards, the Wellington Match, 500 and 600 yards, being fired in the afternoon. Tine following are the leading prizewinners in the service matches on Saturday. Snapshooting, five rounds.—Law (Dannevirke) 25, £4; Mawley (Opaki) 22, £3; Simmonds (Waitohi) 22, £2. Moving Target, 300 yards, 7 shots; head and shoulders target.—Purnell (Wanganui) and Mayhew (Feilding), 28 with 5 bulls-eyes each, £3 10s each; Morgan (Auckland), HalKday (Karori), and Sergeant Drummond (Westport), 28 with 4 bulls’-eyes each, £2 4s each.

Attack Match, 400, 300 and 200 yards ; three shots.—Russell (Petone) 45, with 7 bulls-eyes, £4; Boleyn (Charleston) 40 with 4 bulls-eyes, £3; Randoll (Linton), 35, with 15 bullseyes, £2. The following are the scores for the service aggregatesßussell (Petone), 207; Simmonds (Blenheim), 196; A. H. Guy (Kaponga), 177; Mayhew (Feilding), 176; Merrilees (Thames), 176; Masefield (Sounds), 173; F. James, 168; Tl. Duthie, 167; R. J. King, 166; and H. R. King, 164. The Running-Man Competition will not be competed till Wednesday.