THE KING’S PRIZE.

Wairarapa Age, 13 March 1933, Page 5

THE KING’S PRIZE.

CROXTON OF KARORI WINS CHAMPION BELT. VICTORY IN CLOSE-FOUGHT CONTEST. C. J. NIX OF FEATHERSTON TAKES THIRD PLACE. WELLINGTON, March 12. The Rifle Champion Belt, Gold Medal and Gold Badge of the National Rifle Association and the King’s Prize of £3O, were won at Trentham on Saturday by H. V. Croxton, of the Kaxori Rifle Club, with an aggregate score of 569 out of a possible 605. Croxton received all the customary honours accorded to the King’s Prizeman. He was cheered, “chaired” and carried from the range shoulder-high by his club-mates to receive, for tho second time in his life, the coveted King’s Prize. His previous championship success was in 1920. A strong right wind blew across the ’range, the correction required ranging from, twelve to sixteen minutes of the angle. With his final ten rounds, Croxton put on 46, to win by a margin of one point. H. Simmonds (Auckland), who made 45, was runner-up, with an aggregate of 568. C. J. Nix (Featherston), who occupied seventh place in the King’s Forty, moved up to third place as a result of his 49 at the final range. W. M. Masefield (Blenheim) was fourth, with 565, and F. H. James (Napier) fifth, with 564. The next five positions were filled by E. S. King (Wanganui) 562); D. F. Kerr (Ashburton), 561; E. M. Wrigley (Opaki), 561; F. J. Jeune (Gisborne) 559; C. Whiteman (Upper Hutt), 559. Croxton’s win was verjr popular. He has attended seventeen New Zealand National Rifle meetings and on thirteen occasions obtained a place in the final.

The grand aggregate for the highest aggregate scores in service and belt matches except the final ten shots was won by Simmonds, who receives the Collins Challenge Cup and Gold Medal. E. M. Wrigley (Opaki) was second and H. L. Mason (Christchurch) third.— (PJL)