RIFLE SHOOTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1944, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING

MEETING AT WAVERLEY • MASTERTON COMPETITORS IN PRIZE MONEY. NEW ASSOCIATION FORMED. Two Masterton riflemen, Messrs H. K. Smith and C. A. Whiteman, were in the prize money at the largest rifle meeting since the outbreak of war, held by the South Taranaki Rifle Association at Waverley on Saturday. The standard of shooting was exceptionally good. The Coad Cup, for th'e best aggregate at 300 and 500 yards, was won by H. K. Smith, 48—49—97. In the Waverley Handicap, 10 rounds at 300 yards, which won won by B. J. Castles (Ormondville) with a score of 49, H. K. Smith, 48, was sixth. C. A. Whiteman was counted out. J. Cunningham (Patea) 48-1-49, won the Waitotara Handicap, 10 rounds at 500 yards, in which H. K. Smith 49-Scr.-49 was third.

In the open championship, which was won by D. Roots (Patea) with a score of 143, C. A. Whiteman 139 was ninth and H. K. Smith 139, twelfth. The other Masterton competitors at the meeting were J. Bouzaid and D. P. Donald. The formation of a New Zealand branch of the National Rifle Association of the British Empire took place at the conclusion of the meeting.. The decision was made unanimously by 95 riflemen from all parts of'the North Island as a result of dissatisfaction with the inactivity of the . Rational Rifle Association of New Zealand. A motion was passed expressing concern about the apathy and obstruction to rifle shooting by the army authorities. It was stated that the National Rifle Association had let the clubs down very badly.