MARKSMEN COMPETE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 610, 12 March 1929, Page 13

MARKSMEN COMPETE

ARMY RIFLE MEETING HARD TESTS AT TRENTHAM Press Association TRENTHAM, To-day. The New Zealand Army Association rifle meeting opened this morning. The weather was fine, with a light breeze. Last year time was lost in forming tho contestants into squads, but on tho present occasion the work was expedited by a card system, inaugurated by Captain Steele. Brigadier Sinclair-Burgess, during an address, stated that the meeting was important from a military point of view, as, in addition to shooting, it called for organisation and brought members of the various units closer together. He pointed out that in the British Army the machine-gun power had been doubled in mounted and infantry divisions. There was an impression that the rifle was not now as important a weapon, but the rifle would still play an important part in any future wars as an individual and collective weapon.

The first stages of the army and cadet championship commenced soon after 8 o’clock. These practices comprise slow firing at 300 and 600yds range, rapid fire with movement at 600 and 500yds, snapshooting with movement at 500 and 300yds, and rapid fire at 300yds. For territorials there are similar practices for the second stage, but at different ranges. The first stage of the cadet championship is slow, snapshooting, rapid and moving target fire, all at 200yds range, the second stage being all at 300yds.

This afternoon will be occupied with machine-gun competitions at 600 and 400yds, fire with movement and rapid action at 600yds. In the last-mentioned four plates are employed at varying levels, each member of the detachment firing at different plates. Conditions generally are harder than previously, the scoring surface of the targets being less than at the National Rifle Association meeting. Record scores were established last year and to equal them good marksmanship will be necessary. There is great keenness displayed among competitors and the health of all units is good.