NEW RIFLE RANGE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 7

NEW RIFLE RANGE

OKOKE RESIDENTS’ ENTERPRISE. OFFICIAL OPENING ON SATURDAY. Mr. G. Benton, the veteran president of the Okato Rifle Club, fired the first official shot on the new Okoke rifle ran go on Saturday afternoon. At the ceremony there was a large attendance of riflemen from Taranaki clubs, visitors who had not previously inspected the range remarking upon the natural suitability of the site and the excellence of the work done on the range by local enthusiasts. Situated on a narrow gully on the property of Mr. A. Smith, the range is naturally endowed with good light, background and shelter. Since the inception of the idea to make a range on the site, a tremendous amount of work has been done in spare time by those interested in the Okoke Rifle Club. Butts with two targets have already been provided against the background of a high spur on the hills and fenced stands at 300, 500 and 600 yards have been prepared. There is also scope for the provision of a much wider variety of ranges, when the activities and membership of the club increase, it being possible to get 1000 yards without difficulty. Saturday’s opening- ceremony was of an informal nature, numerous Okato and New Plymouth club members accepting the invitation of the Okoke Club to try their skill in unfamiliar conditions and to offer advice for the improvement of the facilities already provided. Asking Mr. Benton to fire the first shot, the Okoke president, Mr. E. K. Blundell, said many young men in the district were extremely keen to become expert in the sport and the club had already more than 30 members. The idea of providing a range in the district had had its origin at a Farmers’’ Union shoot held at the Waiwakaiho range two years ago. For some time an endeavour had been made to organise at Urenui, but when these efforts fell through, it was determined to get a range at Okoke. The club was very deeply indebted to Mr. Smith for permission to use a portion of lus property for the purpose. On July 10 this year the initial meeting had been held and, when Mr. Smith had given his permission to’ use the gully for a range, work was immediately started. On July 12 officials of the Defence Department had inspected the site and approved of it and had made a final inspection, approving the work done on August 28. He welcomed visitors and any suggestion they might make to better the range or the running of the club. Mr. S. Roebuck, replying on behalf of the visitors, said that the inexperienced Okoke shots showed great promise. He congratulated the clubs on possessing such enthusiastic members and the members themselves on the fine work they had done on the range. The first competitive shoot on the new range was a teams’ match, president v. vice-president, at 500 yards. Some high cards were returned, notably those of S. Roebuck (33), V. Rodgers (32), C. Humphrey (32) and K. Blundell (31). Light conditions of a dull afternoon and a tricky wind across the gullies made shooting difficult at certain stages. The scores were:—

President’s: K. Blundell 31, S. Roebuck 33, P. Smith 14, E. Benton 26, H. Rook 30, W. Hargreaves 27, A. Smith 21, G. Kenah 25, G. Hoskin 23, H. Hoskin 24, D? Cole 23, J. Ramson 24, G. Wright 27, H. Mack 11; total 339. Vice-president’s: A. Zimmerman 17, C. Humphrey 32, S. Higgs 29, A. E. Denne 27, V. Rodgers 32, T. Hoskins 17, M. Jonas 30, Ron Sole 27, C. Lee 28, D. Parke 26, F. Morris 30, J. Robinson 30, A. McKeown 25, F. Gile: 14; total 364.