RIFLE SHOOTING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18205, 5 March 1929, Page 9

RIFLE SHOOTING.

VICTORIAN MEETING OPENS. (Ualted Pres* Association—Br Elaatr*# Taisgraph—Copyright.) (Received March 4. 8.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 4. The Williamstown range presents a wartime appearance, when© there are numerous tents and the bivouacs of the competitors in the Victorian Rifle Association’s meeting, who have been practising for the past week for the big event which began to-day, leading up to the opening stages of the King’s Prize on Wednesday, which reaches the final phase on Friday. Merrett’s team contest, which is the principle objective of the New Zealand and Interstate teams, will be fired on Thursday. Among the notable marksmen entered is F. Harrison, official coach of the last Bisley team, and one of th© most interesting personalities of Australian rifle shooting. Conditions at the start of to-day’s shooting were fair, but a mirage caused trouble later.

BRILLIANT SHOOTING IN OPENING MATCH.

WON BY NEW ZEALANDERS. (United Praia Association—By £leetrl« Telegraph—Copy right.) (Received March 5, 12.20 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 4. Six hundred marksmen entered the various events at Williamstown. The New Zealanders are w.ell, having been restricted to light practice during the hot weather. To-day’s fine weather with a strong light and a cool wind, was a welcome relief to the Dominion competitors. Rifleman James, of Napier, won the first match, the Frank Stuart, of ten shots, at 300 yards, taking ten rounds with the possible. Continuing, he registered seventeen consecutive bulls. This was a magnificent performance and he was warmly congratulated by the Australians. The other prize winners were: Soler and Mclver, scores 48. £2 each; Kerr 47, Masefield 46, J. Feast 45. each £l.

The remaining New Zealand scores were: Piper, Hood, Simmonds 45; Nix, 43; Patterson, Bolton. Boon and H. Feast, 41; Swanson. 40; Whiteman, 39; Root and Orr, 38. After lunch, the wind increased in strength, making the holding difficult for the rest of the day. In the Swallow and Aerial match, ten shots at 500 yards, Patterson, with 49, won £2/10/-. The following took £1 each: James 48, Mclver, H. Feast, Whiteman. Swanson, and Simmonds 47, Root 4 6. The counted out were: Soler, Boo> and Bolton 46. James is leading all in the aggregate. Captain Marshall is delighted with the team’s performance.