SCHOOL RIFLE RANGE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3831, 9 November 1936, Page 4

SCHOOL RIFLE RANGE

OFFICIALLY OPENED ON SATURDAY. SIX TEAMS COMPETE IN MATCH. After a postponement, due to unfavourable weather, the miniature rifle range constructed at the Te Awamutu District High School, was officially opened last Saturday afternoon in the presence of a very interested assemblage. The range, located on a low level at the back of the school grounds, provides for a 25-yard range. It has been cut out of a high bank, and is regarded as a first-class one, safe and secure. The headmaster Mr A. J. Shepherd, apologised for the absence (through indisposition) of Mr G. B. Melrose, chairman of the' School Committee, and paid a warm tribute to the men who have been busy for some time past in constructing the range. It would be a decided asset to the school, for it would assist in instructing the boys to shoot accurately. He added that the school was indebted to the Defence Department for equipment. Then he invited Captain Clachan, of Hamilton, to formally declare the range open, and to fire the first shot. Capt. Clachan complimented those responsible for providing such a fine range. The site was an excellent one. The school’s Cadet Corps hail been formed in the third term of last year, and it comprised a fine type of boy. There had been great improvement apparent at his latest inspection, and he complimented all concerned, especially the boys and their officers. The Cadets had shown a great keenness in their training, and the new rifle range would be of much assistance. Accurate shooting and a knowledge of firearms are very important in equipping the boys. They would also have opportunity to learn to lead others and preserve discipline as non-commissior.ed officers, and that would be an asset to them through life. Targeit-shooting is only a minor portion of the training for defence and civil life, but it is very interesting. He concluded with again complimenting all concerned in providing such a first-class rifle range. Then Sergeant-Major Brant took charge of proceedings, and six teams were ready for competition, two School Cadet teams, and one each from the R.S.A., the School Old Boys, local Infantry, and School Committee.

The first match of ten shots was won by the “Terriers” with the fine score of 244, the scores being: Terriers 244, School No. 2 team 227, School No. 1 220, Committee 198, R.S.A. 191 and Old Boys 190. In the second match the positions were: Terriers 241, Old Boys 227. School No. 1 227, Committee 211, School No. 2 210, and R S.A. 187. The third match, fifteen shots (time limit) resulted: R.S.A. 24 sec, School No. 1 35 sec, Terriers 40 sec, School No. 2 44 sec, Old Boys 65 sec, and Committee 103 sec. Thq aggregates showed the following figures:—Terriers 569, School No. 1 532, School No. 2 517, R.S.A. 478, Old Boys 475, and Committee 430. That slow time in the third match ruined whatever chance the School Committee had of winning, and while the R.S,A. team included one exceptionally good marksman it also included at least one who (as someone remarked) should have fixed his bayonet and charged the target! Incidentally in the third match, fifteen shots, one R.S.A. member recorded a score that included nine bulls and four inners—the best card of the afternoon. Then the captains of each team competed, and these figures altered the aggregates somewhat, the adjusted totals being: Terriers 645, School No. 2 567, School No. 1 566, R.S.A. 478, Old Boys 475, and Committee 430. During the afternoon tea interval, Mr Shepherd announced that Captain Clachan had donated a polished 15inch shell as a trophy for competition among the School Cadets, and that Mr D. Clark had assumed responsibility for having the trophy engraved, while Mr W. G. Adams (another School Committeeman) had donated a medal for competition. He understood there was also a Shield for the best platoon score. (Applause.)