RIFLEMEN RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 616, 19 March 1929, Page 13

RIFLEMEN RETURN

SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA N.Z’S FINE REPUTATION The New Zealand Rifle Association's representatives who have been competing at the Australian "Bisley” returned this morning by the Ulimaroa from Sydney. The members of the team won £ 263 13s 4d at the meeting. Captain IS. Marshall, who had charge of the party, said this morning that it was the most successful team which had ever competed in Australia. In addition to Captain Marshall those who returned were: —Captain IT. Simmons (Thames), C. Whiteman, T. H. R. Boon, A. V. Swanson, W. McIvor and D. Roots (Wellington), Tl. Feist and J. Feist (Greytown). F. James (Napier), D. Keir (Ashburton), and R. Piper (Christchurch). Captain W. M. Masefield, of Marlborough, has gone on to England to compete at the Bisley meeting there. "There was not a discordant note on the whole trip,” Captain Marshall, an okl Rifle Brigade officer, said this morning. "Our fellows all pulled together and gave of their best. "We put up a record of success which has never been equalled by any other team from New Zealand. "Before the meeting opened we practised daily, and by the time the championships started our men were fresh and in good condition. When the meeting opened the weather had grown cooler and there was no mirage to hinder the New Zealanders. "The team’s conduct has been excellent and New Zealand’s already fine reputation was upheld on and off the range. The Australians commented on the fine team work of the Dominion. If a rifle went wrong, there were always half a dozen offered by other fnembers of the team.” Captain Marshall was loud in his praise of the kindness of the Australians they met. Everyone was most hospitable. Special mention was made of Colonel Merrett, chairman of the Victorian Rifle Association, and Mr. D. McGill, the secretary, who had done everything to make .the. New Zealanders enjoy their stay. The most sincere congratulations came from their Australian opponents, said Captain Marshall.