SCHOOL SHOOTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1924, Page 8

SCHOOL SHOOTING.

JELLICOE BOWL PRESENTED. TECHNICAL COLLEGE SUCCESS. A LL-ROUND EFFICIENCY. The handsome silver bowl donated by the ex-Governor-General (Viscount Jellicoe) for the most efficient shooting unit amongst the schools of New Zealand, was presented to the New Plymouth Technical College cadets yesterday by Major-General C. W. Melvill, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., G.O.C. New Zealand Forces. The bowl, which, is awarded under conditions similar to those in force in the Imperial Challenge Shield competition, has now been wop three times by a New Plymouth school, the previous winners being: New Plymouth Boys’ High School. 1921, Nelson College 1922, New Plvmouth Bovs' High School 1923.

Shortly after three o’clock, MajorGeneral Melvill, accompanied by Colonel Commandant C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D. 5.0.. A.D.C., O.C. Central Command, Major D. E. Bremner, M.C., and Captain L. W. Andrew V.C., arrived by car at the college. The cadets and college girls paraded in the courtyard in the rear of the building. Captain A. L. Moore was in command, and associated with him was Lieutenant H. H. Skelton. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., chairman of the Taranaki Education Board, accompanied by Mrs. Smith, and Mr. P. J. H. White, also a member of the board, were present during the ceremony. Major-Gen-eral Melvill inspected the cadets and then addressed the parade.

CADETS HIGHLY" TRAINED. Major-General Melvill said- he had been present when Viscount Jellicoe visited the school about three months ago, and he had been impressed by the sportsmanship displayed 'and the fine effort made by the boys when they took part in the competition last year. Their success went to prove that they were highly trained and had put their heart and soul into the shooting. The score attained by the college was 23 per cent, higher than that made by any otlter New- Zealand competitors, continued Major-General Melvill. Their a»erage was 89 per cent., while the next best was just over 62 per cent. Viscount Jellicoe. when last at New' Plymouth. was not aware of the fact that the boy& had won his trophy for 1924, but when he heard the results he wished the boys to be informed that he was proud of their splendid efforts. BENEFITS OF SHOOTING. Speaking on the benefits to be derived from rifle shooting, Major-General Melvill said it developed steadiness and self-control, two very essential qualifications for the good rifle shot. It also improved the eyesight considerably, and more important still, it developed the company spirit.

He was very pleased to hand over the trophy to the college, and he considered that the people of the town should be proud of the fact that, of the four times that the cup has been fired for it had three times been won by a New Plymouth school. Tn conclusion h*» congratulated the director (Mr. A. L. Moore i and all concerned on gaining their objective, and 'he hoped that they would even increase their score next

Company Sergeant-Major V. Hellyar received the trophy, and was congratulated by Major-General Melvill. Captain G. H. Gorringe (coach) was then introduced and was also congratulated on the high degree of efficiency attained by the teams in his charge.

This concluded the ceremony, and Ylajor-General Melvill and his associates were then entertained at afternoon tea in the school buildings.