THE TRENTHAM MEETING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 61, 5 November 1912, Page 8

THE TRENTHAM MEETING.

PROGRAMME ISSUED. The programme of the annual prize meeting of the Dominion Iliilc Associat on, to ho held at Trenthatn, commencing on Thursday, February 27th next, has been drawn up. To a large extent the programme is. similar to that of last meeting, but there are several important innovations, some of which have been brought about owing to the action of the New Zealand Rifle Clubs’ executive. The competitions are again divided into three scries—“A,” “13,” and “C.” The “A” and “13” series comprise the service matches, the first-named being team events an dthe latter individual matches. The Champion Belt matches are comprised in the “C” series. A feature of the service teams matches is that the teams will consist of s x men instead of twelve, the number insisted upon at last meeting. Twelve was too. large a number, tiie consequence being that the entries were not forthcoming. With the reduction made for next meeting and the development of the Territorial scheme ,a large number of teams from all parts of the Dominion should compete. Service Matches.

The individual service matches, which last March were compulsory on all competitors taking part in the Belt series, are made compulsory for the coming meeting oh all competitors up Co thirty years of ago, except in regard to the first match, which must be fired by every competitor in the Belt series. The match in which the exception is made is the standard test match, as authorised under tiie regulations for the musketry course. Twen-ty-three rounds arc fired—five “grouping” at 100yds, five “snap-shooting 1 ' at 200yds, five “application” at 500yds, and five “rapid” at 200yds. No marksman should' grumble at tiie arrangement made in connection with the service events, and the rifleman who considers he should be exempted from firing in this one event should lie exempted from appearing on a rifle range for all time. The executive committee, of which Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., is at the head, are to ho congratulated on the service events, which will meet with general satisfaction throughout the Dominion. A judging-distance competition has been included in the “B” series—an innovation of a very practical nature. Opening Match.

In the “C” series for the “Ballinger” Champion Belt, match No. 1 does not count in the aggregate. It is named the “opening match,” and consists of seven shots at 500, 500, and 600 yards. The object of putting on this match is to allow competitors to get their eye in before the more serious business *,of the meeting is proceeded with. There are 100 prizes allocated, valued at £IOO. The other matches are as follow (each with 100 prizes, value £IOO) —“Auckland,” ten shots at ■3OO and 500 yards; “Wellington,” ten shots at 500 and 600 yards; “Canterbury,” ten at 600 yards; “Nelson,” ton at 800 and 900 yards; “Otago,” ten at 900 and 1000; “Hawke’s Bay,” ten at 900; “Taranaki,” ten at 1000 yards. The King’s prize, open to the highest fifty in the series, will consist of ten shots at 1000 yards. Special aggregate events are the “Trentham” and “Bisley,” for short and long range shooting respectively. There is also a champion teams match and united service match.

Figure targets will only be used at <3OO anti 500 yards. At 600, 800, 900, and 1000 yards the black and white Hill’s eye targets will be fired at. Last neeting figure targets were used at 800, 300, and 600 yards. Consequent on the now arangeraents made for catering, a fee of £1 per competitor will be charged. Extra meals will cost Is 3d each. The programme as a whole is first-class in every respect and a decided improvement on that of last year. The meeting will, as usual, be in the capable hands of Colonel Collins.