DEFENCES FORCES ANNUAL MEETING

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12184, 6 March 1908, Page 2

DEFENCES FORCES ANNUAL MEETING

Trentharn, March 5,

The Defence Forces Rifis Association's annual meeting opened this morning with 504 entries, constituting a record. The weather wits unfaTOurable for shooting, intermittent showers falling all dny.

In addressing the competitors previous to the start of the shooting, Colonel Collins said in consideration of the large entries the Council had decided to place a Consolation Match of £100 on the programme for men who had not Avon £1 or over at the meeting. He also announced that the match for Volunteers and Rifle Clubs, would be a straight out team match, instead of taking the aggregates. The Council had clecTded to supplement Mr Gilmer's prizes by £20. and the winning team would also take the Crawford Shield and a'Lee-Enfa'eld rifle for the highest scorer.

The shooting started with the 200 yds of tho Volunteer and Rifle Clubs Matches, which were fired concurrently. There was a puffy wind, and heavy showers during the firing, and only three possibles were made—Private Jackpson, apnr., Wellington; Private C. Ponson, Napier, and j\leyer, iiakurangi. Only six 34. 's w^re made, but there was a laige number of 33's.

At the 600 yds, showers continued, and the result was mediocre shooting. . Jackson, however, got 3-1. which gave him 09 to go back with, He however failed at SOOyds, getting only 10. Despite the bad weather a lad, a bugler named Soler, of Wanganui, put on 3d, and got a total of 94. . .

The following are the ' highest "coiin' pieted scores of the Rifle Club 3 Match, 200, 600, and 000 yds:— W. Franklin. Weber .. .. 9G Cameron, Opaki 95 C. Craw, Chorlton .. ... 94 Mosleu, Kaeo 92 Eandill, Linton 92 The highest scrores in the Volunteer Match, the same , conditions are — Eden, Waimea 95 Bugler Soler, Wangnmn .. 91 Taylor, Blenheim .. .. 93 ; Scalier Dunedin 93 Atkinson. Auckland .. .. 93 ! Noill, Tiraaru 93 A. McKenzie. Oamaru a .. 92 jPlumor, Wellington .. .. 91 The 200 yds of the Auckland Match was started this afternoon, and was liied in the rain, only ono possible bcutig made, but there were fourteen 34 's. -=: