NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2442, 5 March 1909, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE.TRENTHAM MEETING. [Peess Association.] TRENTHAM, March -4.1 Wednesday, night in camp was exceedingly cold, but the morning broke beautifully fine for the.eighth annual meeting at Trentham. The shooing commeniced at 9.30 a.m. The competitors were mustered at the squadding posts, and briefly addressed by Colonel Collins, who intimated that the Defence Council had decided to alloAv the use of orthoptics in all matches, and adhere to the Bisley rule regarding ricochets, none to count unless the bullet struck the bank close to the target. He Avas, he said, confident that the entries Avould have been much larger, but for. the silglit financial depression. . Many old veteran marksmen Avere in attendance, and another pleasant feature is the number of young marksmen, who come to fill their places. The gathering is thoroughly representative, competitors coming fonvard from almost- every district betAveen Auckland and the Bluff.

Tho light throughout the greater part of tlie day was good, but became very ’thick late in the afternoon while tho SOO yards match was proceeding towing to bush fires in the vicinity. The ■ wind was decidedly catchy, and set many experienced marksmen a problem to solve, especially in the 600 yards range, scores ranging down to 10, and a- great many below 30. The ammunition was specially picked for tlie meeting by the manufacturers, and has given great satisfaction. The arrangements are most complete, and the catering all that could be desired. Tho shooting -at three ranges in the volunteer and rifle club matches (which were fired simultaneously at the 200, 600, and 800 yards ranges) was brilliant and at the last range a touch of sensation was given by Speck (Stratford) putting up the possible, following on the possible at 200 yards, and three short of the possible at 600 yards. ' At the 200 yards stage shooting, began in calm weather, and allhuts were being piled on with pleasant rapidity, but soon a smart right rear breeze' told against the firing which fell back a. point and -thirty-throes took the place of all-huts. Only three possibles, were scored at the range, tho. marksmen being Burns, of Karori. iHiggins, .of-.Timaru, and Speck, of Stratford. Thirty-fours were made by.'the following. competitors: Shaw (OhiuonnfH), Duncan . (Millcrton), Sutherland .’(Gerald ine), Way to (Mataura), R. King (Opaki), Fletcher (Dunedin), Halliday (Karori), Nelson and Baker (Wellington), Boys (Newton),. Fisher (Stoke), Swindel (Napier) ~ Mclntosh, .(Waitahi), Tinny ellington), Atkinson, and Kompton (Auckland), Williams (Ohura), Burnell (Wanganui). Kell (Palmerston North), 'and Morley (Otaki). At the 600. yards, .range the shooting continued, consistently good, and four possibles were put up,- the marksmen being .Mitchoner, Milroy, and Sharland (Nelson), and Edgcombe (Waikato): Kitchen (Upper Hutt) scored 34, and 30’e to 33’s were numerous.

At. the 800 yards stage, in addition to-Speck, possibles were registered bv the following: Plummer (Wellington),-

MeLay (Karori), Marenzi (Eketahuna). White (Frankland), and Hyde (Hawke's Bay), Bradley (Dunedin), Turner (Petone), Feasey (Wellington). __ Specie’s performance won for him not only the match, but the Carbine Cup. It is somewhat remarkable that his final shot at the final range was not recorded, and therefore counted as a inks. This he challenged, 'and inspection showed he had scored a bitlls-eyc, and-thus made the record for tho Dominion for these ranges. PRIZE LIST. Extra Match, No. 1, seven shots at ' 500yds.—The folowing take £l, with/ 05 each: Riflemen J. A. FrankßiTf 1 (Weber), J. McKenzie (Opaki), Craw (Cliorlton), Private R. Lucas (Palmerston North), Trooper Atkinson (Auckland), Private T. Jones (Dunedin). < Extra Match, No. 2 ; seven shots at 000 yards.’—The following take prizes: 255, M. Drummond (Denniston); 20s, R .Lucas (Palmerston North); l7s 6d, A. Patrick (Victoria Rifles), 34. The remainder take 10. s and 9s. Volunteer Match—£s, Sergt. Hyde (Hawke’s Bay), 98; £4, Corporal y .vlimro (Muriiiiku), 98; £3, Sergeant Tinny (Wellington), 98; £2, Lieut. iSkclly (D. Battery), 97; £2, Private Sorenson (Auckland), 97; £2, Private R. Patton (Dannevirke), 96;. £2, Sergt. W. Ala ingay (Piako), 96. Rifle Club Match, 200, 600, and 800 yards.—Speck (Stratford), £5, 102; Dick (Riversdale), £4, 97 ; Whiteman (Upper Hutt), £3, 97; Willoughby (Gladstone), £3, 97; Bulford (Karori), LoA r eday {Ohura), G. Lovedav (Ohura) 96; W. j. Henry (Opaki), £2, .. 95. Twenty-seven men take £1 each, , THE GISBORNE TEAM. [Special to “Times.”] TRENTHAM, March 4. The team arrived safely late on Monday night, after <a- good passage, and practised on Tuesday so as to give us the elevation for the volunteer match. We fired in the above’to-day, the following being the team’s scores,, the ranges being 200; 600, and 800-^^ yards:—Rait, 33, 23, 31—-87; Breiu- X-y—----gan, 32, 22. 30 —84: Barney, 26. 20. 23—69; McGuffie 31:20, 22—73; Carman , 31. 29 , 30 —SO; Hingston, 30, 23, 30 —83. The weather conditions were not too good, fiaving a disastrous effect on most of us at 600 yards. 'they improved at 800 yards, although a bit hazy. Breingan put on 33 at 500 wards in' a continuous match.