RIFLE SHOOTING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20669, 6 March 1937, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING

NATIONAL MEETING TWO MATCHES FIRED By Telegraph— free* Association TRENTHAM, March 5. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association opened at Trentham in fine weather this morning. The entries total 290, an increase of nearly 50 over those received last year. To conform to the standard adopted by Bisley last year, the size of the bull’s eye at 800 and 900 yards has been reduced from 36 inches to 30 inches. At 300 yards the tin hat aiming mark has been increased from 12 to 14 inches, and at 500 yards and 600 yards from 24 to 28 inches. Before leaving for the firing points for the day’s shooting, the competitors assembled at the squadding posts, where they were addressed by the President of the Association, Captain A. F. R. Crawford. The increase in entries, he said, augured well for the success of the Association. They had at last achieved what they had been striving for for a number of years, and the Association was now the sole controlling body of rifle shooting so far as rifle clubs were concerned. One thing they still had to keep hammering away for was the restoration of railway warrants for competitors attending the National meeting. He would also like to see the full pre-depression grant to the Association restored. Results:— Opening Match Seven rounds at 300. 500 and 600 yards £5—H. R. Hunt (Suburbs), 104. £4 —H. Koppert (Oamaru), 102. £3 each—C. A. Wohlers (Wangaratta,* Australia), 102, T. M. Goodall (Suburbs) 102. £2 each—C. Whiteman (Old Navals) 102, R. Congreve (Old Navals) 102, W. Oakley (Christchurch) 101, J. C. Astman (Petone) 101. Thirty-four took £1 each and 14 10/- each. The B Grade was won by T. Smith (Culverden) with 100. He received £3. J. R. Keoghan (Westport) and N. Manssen (Nelson) who also made 100 received £2 each. Canterbury Match Ten rounds at 300 and 500 yards £5—R. N. McVicar (Waipukurau) 99. £4—H. F. Hickenbotham (Christchurch) 99. £3 each—M. Jones (Wanganui) 99, J. Christian (Wanganui) 98. £2 each —H. King (Opaki) 98, P. Berry (Tararua) 98, T. H. Proffitt (Napier) 97, J. C. Feast (Greytown) 97. Thirty-four took £1 each, and 14 10/each. The B Grade, for which the first prize was £3, was won by W. Manssen (Nelson) with 97. H. Brehaut (Okawa) and F. H. Ashton (Whangarei) each 97, took £2 each. TIMARU DEFENCE CLUB The following handicaps have been declared for to-day’s match. Conditions: seven shots at 300, 500, and 600 yards:— Scr. —Black, Johnstone, Jones, Paine, I. Johnson. 2. —Malcolm. Cross Duncan, Head, Bradshaw, F. Chittock. 3. —Brehaut, Rex Jones. 5. E. Healy. 6. —P. Stewart, Green, E. Chittock, Parker, R. Jefferson, J. Healy, F. Johnstone. 7. —C. Blackwood, Kenealy, Knight. 8. —Hedley, Hopkins. 10.—Talbot, A. Chittock, Greenall. 12.—L. Smith, Toms, I. Blackwood. 16—Toneycliffe.