RIFLE SHOOTING.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1211, 28 February 1922, Page 4

RIFLE SHOOTING.

KING'S MATCH TO-MORROW.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

GREYTOWN, This Day

The final stage toward sorting out the fifty men to fire in the King's Match to-morrow was fired this morning, when the Dominion Match, of ten shots at 900 yards was got off. The light was dull, with a changing light and puffy left breeze of little strength, but subject to sudden fluctuations and failings that played havoc with the scores, including that of Guy, one of the leaders; he fell from second to fifth place. So far as available the ten leaders are: Roots 492, West 488, Perrin 488, Holmshaw 486, Guy4B3 , Piper 479, Guiney 478, H. C. Loveday 477, Bryan 477, and Eccles 476.

Messrs F. W. Flanagan (valuer-gen-eral), A. Hyde (valuer at Hamilton), and A. B. Jordan were in attendance at the Farmers' Institute yesterday to hear statements by financiallyembarrassed farmers, a large number of whom availed themselves of the opportunity. A well-known resident is In a Palmerson North hospital, and has undergone a very serious operation, which had been postponed for several months pending the arrival from France of a special anasthetic suitable to a weak heart. It is stated (siays the Manawatu Daily Times) that under its influence he calmly watched the operation with painless interest. The Manawatu Flaxmillers' Association has commenced practical experimental work to asecrtain whether certain flax roots may be found dmmune from the ravages of yellow leaf. They are receiving pound for pound s/übsidy from the Government. So far nothing in the way of practical results have come from the investigations which have been made by the Government experts in this matter.

"We have in the House of Representatives some thirty farmers. The Government is entirely in sympathy with the aims of the farming community, and the latter is getting far more from this Government than it ever had from any before it. 1 believe we ought, as a union, to think twice before we enter upon the thorny path of party politics." Thus Mr W. J. Poison in reply to an inquiry at Gisiborne as to his opinion on the New Zealand Farmers' Union taking up 'political action. Comment is made by the New Zealand Dairyman on the record of the Mataura Dairy Company of 2s 6d per lb on the average for two years running. " This will probably stand for a century," remarks the dairy organ, and adds, "It will be remembered that they paid 2s lid per lib last year, plus 10 per cent dividend, which made the full amount 3s. This year they will pay 2s, making the average for two years 2s 6d per lb. These wonderful prices are due, of course, to the fact that the output has heen sold for two years." On Saturday afternoon last the annual parish picnic in connection with the Presbyterian Church took place at the Paterangi school grounds, when the weather was favourable and an enjoyable time was spent. Visiitors were present from Ohaupo, Ngahinapouri, and other places. The Paterangi tennis club having granted the use of the courts, this enabled those so disposed to usie the courts and thus added to the enjojmient of the gathering. Children were in attendance in large numbers, and everything was done for their happiness. It is gratifying to record that members of other churches were present and participated in the pleasures of the occasion.

A pleasing incident took place at the close of the Presbyterian church service at Pukeatua hall on Sunday, when Mr C Rumbles, on behalf of the ladies' committee that had so successfully organised the recent bazaar, presented Mr W. T. Braibyn with a beautiful stained oak pulpit chair, and expressed the hope that the recipient would be long spared to use it. Mr Brabyn thanked the -ladies for their thoughtful and much-appreciated gift, and trusted that it would result in the speeding on of the work of getting backs on some of the seats in the hall; he had always felt for old people especially, and now he would be more keenly concerned, and hoped improvement to the seats would he quickly attended to.

The Te Awamutu Young Men's Institute, formed about 1912, and which during its short career as an active organisation became the owner of a section of land adjoining the auction mart in Market Street, is to he either revived or liquidated at a meeting next Monday night. Its original membership register has been recently discovered, thus defining those who may have actual say in the disposal of the property. This lapsing of the society demonstrates how a mushroom organisation can come into being, obtain and restrict the use of land which in course of time becomes valuable, and finally end in chaos. It <may he that a new society will he formed out of the ashes of the old one, but there may be certain legal technicalities to overcome. Although little has been heard of the society in recent years it has had some prominence in the courts, having been sued by the Borough Council for accumulating rates. At next Monday's meeting the " cleaning up" process will he begun. "It would be an extremely dangerous thing if a man could be exonerated from crime because he was drunk," remarked Mr Justice Str.'nger during the hearing of an assault case in Auckland. That plea, continued his Honour, could only succeed when the accused in certain instances' was so reduced as to be incapable of forming any intent. If drunkenness could stand as an excuse all a man would have to do to commit a. crime would be to get drunk first. The law was not so futile'as that. Tn the case before them the loss of intent was absent, and the whole set or series of ;,<:•! s of accused was sufficient to discount the plea of drunkenness. "I assmua he was under the influence of liquor." said his Honor, "but he was able to commit a crime which disclosed intention, designing, and ability to carry out those designs."