MEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORGES RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12480, 5 March 1909, Page 2

MEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORGES RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE TRENTHAM MEETING,

[United Press Association.]

Trentham, March 4

„.. Wednesday night in cainp_ was exceedingly cold, but the morning broke beautifully fine for the eighth annual ireeting at Trentham. The shooting commenced at 9.30. The competitors were mustered at the squadding posts and were briefly addressed by Colonel Collins, who intimated that the; Defence Council had decided to allow the use of orthopties in all matches, and to adhere to Bisley rules regarding ricochets, none to count unless bullets struck the bank close to the target. He was confident that . entries^ would have been much larger but for the slight financial depression. Many old veteran riflemen are in attendance, and another pleasant feature is a number of young marksmen. The gathering is thoroughly representative, .the competitors coining forward from almost every district between Auckland and the Bluff.

.The light throughout the greater part of the day was good but it became very thick ISte in the afternoon, while the 800 yards matgh was proceeding, owihg~to bush' fires in. the vicinity. The wind was- decidedly catchy, and set r-'.any experienced- marksmen a problem to solve, especially in two ranges, the scores ranging -down to ten, and a great many were below thirty. The ammunition was specially packed for the' meeting by- the -manufacturers, and it is giving great satisfaction. The arrangements are most complete. The catering, is all that could be desired.

VOLUNTEER AND CLUB MATCHES

The shooting at the 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.. At the 200 yards stage the shooting began in a calm and all biits were being piled on with pleasant rapidity, but soon a' 'smart right rear breeze told against the firing, which fell back a point and thirty-threes took the place of all buts. Only three possibles were secured at the' range, the marksmen being Burns, of Karon, Higgins of Timaru, and Speck of Stratford. Fisher, of Stoke, made 34. At the 600 yards range the shooting continued consistently good, and four possibles were put up, the marksmen being Mitchener, 1 Milroy, and Sharland, all of Nelson, and Edgcumbe, of Waikato.

Volunteer match, 200/600, and .800 yards, seven shots at each range: ./Sergeant Hyde, Hawke's Bay/ £5, 93 points .. „ „ OQ Corporal Munro, Munhiku, £4, 98 P °Sergeant Finney, Wellington, £3, 98 PC Lieutenant Skelly.V Battery, £2, 9? points. ." „ i no Private Sorrenson, Auckland, &&, Private Pat m, Dannevirke, £2, 96 W. Mangay, Piaku, £2, 96 PC There were also 42 prizes of £1 each and 15 tyros of £1 each. _': Besides Speck, Bradley, of Duneduiv Turner, of Petone, and Fearey, ■ ot Wellington, made the possible at BUU yards in the Rifle Club match. , - Rifle Club match, 200, 600, and 800 \ards, seven shots at each range : Speck, Stratford, £5, 102 points. Dlpk.-Riversdale, - Whiteman, Upper Hutt, £3, v< P( Wmoughby, Gladstone, £3, 96 P °BiiUford, Karori, £2, 96 points. ' Loveday Ohura, £2 96 ponts. S^SsSSh^^esand I^^o^^he Carbine Cu fe It appears his final shot at the BUO yards was hot recorded a-nd was counted as a miss. He challenged the score, and on inspection of the target it wasiound he had scored, a bull sExtra Match, No. 1, 7 shots at 500 yards. \ Franklin, "Weber >- £1. 35 points. Cropp, Chorlton/£l, 35 points. Cropp Charlton^l, 35 points. . McKenzie.Opaki, £1. Lucas, Palmerston North, ±-1, no Auckland, £1 35 points: Jones, Dunedin,£l, 35 points. Extra Match/No, 2, 7 "shots at 600 ■ yard's. ../-/';, ':■ . ■ DrummbniJ j '' Denniston, 255, 34 P °Lulas/ Palmerston North, £1, 34 P9 Patrick, - Victoria Rifles, /17s 6d, 34 points. ' „ „ ,rt The other prizes were or 10s and »s each. .. ■■•.•■'■-'