NEW ZEALAND BISLEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1914, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND BISLEY.

THE MEETING CONCLUDED. [Per Press Association.] Trentham, March 5. The annual shooting meeting under the auspices of the New Zealand Rifle Association was concluded to-day. At the conclusion of the firing, the competitors grouped round the platform for the presentation of prizes.Colonel Collins, chairman of the executive, speaking from a dias, thanked the public for their presence and encouragement. He also thanked the Government for its liberal treatment of the Association, pointing out that the assistance amounted to a grant 'of £750, ammunition valued at£soo, free railway passes estimated at £250. As the services of Permanent Artillerymen were not available as markers, the Association had been compelled to seek the services of civilians, and this extra cost, amounting to £250, had also been borne by the Government. Colonel Collins proceeded to refer to the service the Association had been since its establishment in 1871 b to the Dominion as a meads of encouraging rifle shooting, Every effort was being made to keep the Association up to date by the inclusion of service matches in the programme. This was necessary to meet the military requirements, and had caused some criticism from those who pinned their faith to bullseye shooting, but, while General Godley insisted upon the men shooting under service conditions he had no intention of banning the bullseye. (Applause). The future of the Association lay with the Rifle Clubs, which in turn must be fed from the Territorials. Good as the Territorial scheme was, it was not calculated to encourage keen shots, and did not give sufficient encouragement to practice. As a remedy for this weakness, he advocated a more liberal supply of ammunition to the younger branch of the service.; They were in the habit of hearing the range described as “tricky Trentham,” but he hoped this view would not bo unduly dwelt upon and so discourage young marksmen from coming to the meetings, for as good scores could be put on at Trentham as on the local- ranges. He hoped that next .year every experienced marksman would bring a tyro with him. (Applause). Following are the scores of the leaders at the conclusion of the championship series:— Masefield (Sounds) belt and £2B 625 Lieutenant Siramoncls, £l6 ... 609 H. Loveday (Ohura) £l2 ... 605 .Milroy (Nelson) £9 12s ~. 603 Oliver (Ohura) £4 ... ... 598 Given (Suburbs) £4 ... ... 598 Mclver (To Awamutn) £4 595 Eyles (Dannevirke) £4 ... 591 Henderson (Sounds) £4 ... 591 Rent (Div. Slg. Corps) £4 ... 591 Sopor (Tunmarina) £4 ... 590 Mclntosh (Opaki) £4 ... 589