RIFLE SHOOTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18393, 20 February 1928, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING.

VICTORIANS COMPETE AT TRENTHAM. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 19. The visiting New South Wales and Victorian riflemen were yesterday given an unofficial introduction to Trentham rifle range and an informal welcome from the representatives of the Wellington and Wairarapa Rifle Associations. The afternoon was devoted to firing a teams match of ten men aside, the visitors putting in a team from each State, while Wairarapa sent down a hot and enthusiastic combination and Wellington city and suburban clubs put in three teams. The weather was fine and .very warm, and there was just enough left rear wind of a fishtail character to keep all hands, but especially the men new to Trentham, working hard. Of some it may even be suggested that at times they .were engaged in plain unadulterated ''guessing" as to the elusive breeze’s gambolling?; and variations. The New South Welshmen were at a disadvantage in that they only reached Trentham in the morning and had only time to get in very little practice before the match. The Victorians were in a better case, as they had been camped for a couple of days at Trentham and were warm in their praises of the treatment accorded them by the Defence authorities, and the assistance given by Captain H. H. Whyte, who placed every facility for practice at their disposal. Before the match began Mr W. J. H. Haase, president of the Wellington Association, and Mr J. F. Thompson, president of the Wairarapa Association, briefly welcomed the visitors, promising them a good time and wishing them the best of luck. Mr Thompson adding the warning, however, that the local men expected to do to them what certain other Australian visitors were doing to the New Zealand representatives in the cricket field at the same Shooting then began at three hundred yards with seven shots. Wairarapa finished up with an aggregate of 318, nine points ahead of Victoria, who were one ahead of Wellington No. 1 team. Wairarapa repeated* its total at five hundred yards and retained the lead, but by only a single point, from Wellington No. 1, who put together 327. The Victorians fell back a bit, being overhauled by Wellington No. 2. Six hundred yards saw Wellington No. 1 pull two on the Wairarapa men and win the match by a single point. The Victorians were next thirty points away. The New South Welshmen, no doubt owing to the handicap already indicated, found themselves forming the rearguard. Eric Ballinger, a well-known Petone Club man, put. on the best individual shoot of 33, 35, 34, total 102. Next best was G. Bruce, a Victorian with 32, 34. 34. total 100. These were the only ones to notch the hundred.. Scores:—

CHRISTCHURCH DEFENCE CLUB. The Christchurch Defence Rifle Club’s final long range competition was fired at Tai Tapu on Saturday afternoon. The results were as follow:

300 500 600 yds yds yds T1. Wellington No. 1 308 327 312 047 Wairarapa 318 31S 310 046 Victoria 309 306 301 916 Wellington No. 3 300 310 302 912 Wellington No. 2 307 315 280 911 New South Wales 301 309- 280 890

800 000 yds. yds. Hep. Tl. Rifleman R. Piper .. 35 31 ser 66 Rifleman N. Harris 3 2 3 3 ser 65 Rflmn. A. Haimshaw 35 30 ser 65 Rflmn. J. Gagliardi.. 34 24 3 61 Rflmn. J. A. Gagliardi 30 26 3 59 Rifleman D. Murray 27 30 1 58 Rifleman Li. White .. 27 24 6 57 Rifleman R. Neill . . 27 26 3 66 Pres. N. Wood 28 27 scr 55 Sec. W. S. Wharton 30 17 8 65 Rifleman D. Harries 24 2 8 1 53 Rflmn. P. Robertson 30 22 1 53 Rifleman G. Crimp . . 30 21 1 52 Rifleman A. Beaven 24 21. 4 49 Rifleman .1. Davison 18 27 3 4 8 Rifleman P. Morgan 30 17 1 4 8 Rifleman S. H. Clark 30 17 1 48 Rifleman C. Wear .. 10 31 6 47 Rifleman G. Calvert 13 23 8 4 4 Rifleman J. Chapman 24 1 43