CHAMPION MARKSMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18972, 25 March 1924, Page 5

CHAMPION MARKSMAN

WELCOME TO CAPTAIN SIMMONDS SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. The citizens of Wanganui assembled in full force at the Railway Station last evening to welcome Captain H. Simmonds, winner of the King’s Prize, at Trcntham. The train pulled into the station to the strains of “See the Conquering Hero Comes,” and upon the appearance of the champion the crowd cheered heartily. Captain Simmonds was “chaired” by his clubmates of I the Wanganui Defence Rifle Club, and a procession was made, headed by the Garrison Band, to the Council Chambers, where Mr. J. C. Richardson presided over the civic portion of the reception. Mr. Richardton, on behalf of the citizens of Wanganui, congratulated Captain Simmonds on being the champion i shot of Now Zealand, and on the man- ; ncr in which he had upheld the t»a- -; ditions of Wanganui, as others had i done in years gone by. The people of , i Wanganui were proud of him—they ' were always proud of their champions. • The successes of such men helped to I build up the reputation of the town, i and he concluded by hoping that Captain Simmonds would continue in his successful career as a rifle shot.

Mr. Hope Gibbons, the Mayor-elect, tendered congratulations on behalf of Greater Wanganui. He v nut—fl the opinion that Captain Simmondu owed his present proud position to hard training and clean living. All classes of sport tended to help improve the minds and bodies of sportsmen, and, in consequence, all sports resulted in the welfare of the community at large. He congratulated Captain Simmonds on winning the King’s Prize, the Service Championship and “a few other things • chucked in.” Mr. A. G. Bignell also spoke. Ha considered that Captain Simmonds had won his honours by hard work and hard thought, and the fact that the issue depended on the last shot indicated that the champion had “nerve, and the right stuff in him.” Captain Simmonds, on rising to reply, was greeted with prolonged applause. He thanked Mr. Richardson for the reception and the honour paid him. He said that it had always been his ambition to win the King’s Prize. He was also pleased that he had been instrumental in bringing the championship to Wangmui, because, from previous observations, he had noticed that the citizens of Wanganui had always honoured their successful men. Captain Simmonds went on to speak of “bull’s-eye” shooting and 44 service” shooting. He had always contended that a good “bull’s-eye” shot made a good “service” shot, and his experience in France as a sniper, and his win at Trcntham, had confirmed that opinion. He wished to thank Captain Wales and the local Defence Staff for assistance rendered to him and the members of the Wanganui team which had enabled them to win the Service Championship Shield. The proceedings were brougl L . to a close by tie singing of 4 * For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

After marching to the Rutland Hotel, the Wanganui Pipe Band playing 4 4 The Cock o’ the North,” a reception was given to Captain Simmonds by the Territorials and Defence authorities.

There was a large gathering in front of the Rutland Hotel to welcome the champion. Lieut.-Colonel Cunningham spoke from the balcony, and at the outset apologised for the absence of Mr. Veitch, M.P. He welcomed the champion, and remarked that local riflemen had won the championship several times since it was instituted in 1861. Lieut. Owen won in 1863, to be followed in different years by Churton, Remington, Purnell, Kruse. Captain Simmonds had been a keen shot for many years, and in 1914 got second place. The championship was not fired during the war. Captain Simmonds was top at his school, and put up a record that had never been beaten. On this occasion he had won both the service championship and the open championship. Lieut.-Colonel Hughes congratulated the champion and said that he hud won more trophies than had ever previously been won.

Mr. Hope Gibbons congratulated the marksman for bringing to Wanganui the greatest possible honour. Congratulations were also extended by Mr. J. C. Richardson. Captain Simmonds briefly returned thanks for a right royal welcome. Ho would try next year to retain the championship for Wanganui. (Applause). The Garrison Band played 4 4 See, The Conquering Hero Comes,” and the Pipe Band played a selection.