Rifle Association.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4382, 6 March 1909, Page 3

Rifle Association.

A GOODLY GATHERING.

PUZZLING CONDITIONS.

Trentham, March 4. Wednesday night in camp was exceedingly cold, but the morning broke beautifully fine for the eighth annual meeting at Trentham. Shooting commenced at 9.30.

The competitors were mustered at the squadding posts and briefly addressed’by Colonel Collins, who intimated that the Defence Council had decided to allow the use of orthoptics in all matches and adhere to Bisley rules regarding ricochets; none to count unless the bullet struck the bank close to the target- He was confident that the entries would have been larger but for the slight financial depression. Many old riflemen are in attendance, and another pleasant feature is the number of young marksmen who come to fill places. The gathering is thoroughly representative, competitors coming forward from almost every district between Auckland and Bluff

The light throughout the greater part of the day was good, but became very thick later in the afternoon while the 800 yards was proceeding, owing to bush fires in the vicinity. The wind was decidedly catchy, and set many experienced marksmen a problem to solve, especially in the 600 yards range, the scores ranging down to 10 and a great many below 30.

The ammunition was especially packed for the meeting by the manufacturers and has given great satisfaction. The arrangements are most complete, and the catering all that could be desired.

VOLUNTEER AND RIFLE MATCH

GOOD SHOOTING. The shooting at three ranges in the Volunteer and Rifle Club matches (which were fired simultaneously at the 200, 600, and 800 yards ranges) was brilliant, and at the last range a touch of sensation was given by Speck, of Stratford, putting up the possible, following upon the possible of 200 yards, and three short of the possible at the 600 yards range. At the 200 yards stage the shooting began in calm, and “ all huts ” were being piled on with pleasant rapidity, but soon a smart right rear beeeze told against the firing, which fell back a point, and thirty-tlirees took the place of “ all huts.”

Only three possibles were secured at the range, the marksmen being Burns (of Karori), Higgins (of Timaru), and Speck (Stratford). At the 600 yards range the shooting contiuued consistently good, and four Eossibles were put up, the marksmen eing: Mitchener, Milroy aud Sharland (Nelson), and Edgecumbe (Waikato). Kitchen (Upper Hutt) scored 34, and 30’s to 38’s were numerous.