RIFLE SHOOTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17526, 1 May 1925, Page 8

RIFLE SHOOTING.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. Per Press Association. TRENTHAM, May 1. The rifle championship meeting opened this morning in brilliant weather. There was a fresh, fluctuating, left breeze and passing clouds made occasional dull patches of light, but generally bright sunshine prevailed. At eight o'clock the men paraded and were briefly addressed by Colonel Hughes, chief executive officer. He referred to the death of Colonel Collins, so long associated with rifle shooting, and at liis instance the whole gathering remained silent and bare-headed for a few moments as a mark of respect for the departed chief. Colonel Hughes then referred to Mr Massey’s health and said they all regretted the Prime Minister’s illness, and on bis motion the parade unanimously recorded a. vote of sympathy of the National Rifle Association with the Prime Minister and family. In welcoming the competitors Colonel Hughes said the cause of the postponement of the meeting waß deplored, but ill was gratifying that the entries nevertheless were so good in number. Intending competitors had perforce to cancel their vi«.it to Trentham this year as a result, but others who could not come early in the year counter-balanced these. The total entry was 310. which was the liest since the war period. At this season the period of daylight was less and there was a liability of earlier stoppage of shooting if the afternoons became overeast. Therefore the co-operation of all concerned was necessary to enable the meeting to conclude in the time specified. The men then moved off to the firing mounds to begin the Service seriep. Notable among the absentees is Croxton, a former champion, who is suffering from a serious affliction to his eyes, due to poisoning, which developed while he was attending .lie Grey town meeting last week, and which necessitated his return homo before the shooting ended. In the final of No. 1 Match the leading prize winners are Christensen 46, Chapman and Bolton 41, Soler (Marton), Moss (Dunedin), Devore (AkaroaL Jack (Christchurch) each 40, Williams (Oliura), Robertson (ffawera), and ilrydcn (Kaiapoi). each 39. No. l Match, ten shots of rapid fire at 300 yards, was completed,, but. a few cards are outstanding.. The leader is J. r.. Christensen (Omana) with a score of 46, followed by Captain F. Bolton (Masterton) and F. It. Chapman (Wairoa) each with 41. No. 2 MATCH, SNAPSHOOTING.—Ten rounds at 300 yards:—J. Scott (Petone) 44. H. Fenst (Greytown) 39. P. C. Hamil ton (Wanganui', Captain Siiumonrie (Wanganui) and S. J. Ball (Kaiapoi) Tn No. 3 Match, five shots at tiles. 200 yards. Feast got all five down and so far no one has equalled this.