NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2443, 6 March 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE TRENTHAM MEETING. [Press Association.] TRENTHAM, March 5. Another cold night was experienced under canvas, to be followed by a bright, sunny day. Competitors were early at the squadding posts, and a start was made firing before 8 o’clock. During the early part of the morning scarcely a breeze was experienced, the weather being practically perfect for shooting. Colonel Collins, with his long experience at the range, stated that never before had he experienced two such favorable mornings in succession for shooting. As the day wore on the breeze increased, and was playful with the marksmen at the 800 yards range. The Nelson match was concluded, and likewise part of the Auckland match. The latter will bo concluded on Tuesday next.

The folowing are the prize winners: Nelson Match, 500 and 800 yards.— £5, Boys (Newton Rifles), 98; £4, Dalev (Danuevirke), 97; £4, J. Mills (Dunedin); 97 ; £3, Higgins (Timaru), 96; £3, Soper (Tuamarina), 96; £3, Sergeant Lee (Oreti Rifles), 96; £3, A. Guv (Kaponiga), 95; £2, Frederick (Itoyaf Rifles), 95; £2, W, S. King (Linwood), 95; £2, McLachlan (Petone), 95, and 60 others take £1 each, while 12 were counted out. Busines commenced with the Nelson match, 500 and SOO yards, ten shots each range. There was a slight haze from grass fires in the neighborhood, but the men .did not complain of any defective light. The 500 yards range is the easiest of all ranges for marksmen under conditions such as prevailed to-day, for the bul!s-eye is larger in proportion to the distance than at anv shorter or .longer range. Nine markemen succeeded in finding the bull with all their shots. They were: Marshall (Waikare). Rowe (a tyro, from Auckand). J. J. Preston (Auckland), Duthie (Christchurch), F. W. Ching (Lyttelton), Bigg (Christchurch) Dodds (Port Chalmers). "Williams (Featherstou), and Forbes (Napier). All-huts wore registered by Lee (Oreti), Mills (Dunedin). J. J. Moore (Timaru), Wakelin (Wellington), Wing (Rangitikei), McKenzie (Opaki), Ongley (Otago), Merrilees (Jolmsonville), Bovs (a tyro, from Newton), Preston (Auckland), Nolan (Canterbury), Melbr (Petcine), Needham (Palmerston North), Drummond (Denniston), Staudish (Tarata), Jarvis (Taradale), Person (Timaru), Soper (Taumarumu), Bolton (Pahiatua), and Duncan (Miller ton). ’ Thero were about fifty-five iß’s. The 800 yards.stage was fired under conditions not so igood as those prevailing at the 500 yards range, for a brisk breeze sprang up, and during the shooting practically “boxed the compass.” At one time it was over the left, and then a front-right, and again a direct rear. Some /one on the racecourse adjacent had lighted a rubbish or grass fire, and the smoke from this stung the eyes of the marksmen, and dimmed the targets to some extent. As a consequence, the excellent shooting up to this- point markedly fell off, though there was, on the whole, fair scoring. Two possibles only wore recorded, these being secured by Guy, of Nelson, who, with his “lighter,” put up eleven bulls-eyes, and Wills, of Southland. Neither ot these two, however, came on top in the match, for Guy had only put up 45 at the previous range, and Wills had lmt 42 to his credit. The Newton (Auckand) tyro, Boys, put up an -allhut at this range; as lie had done at the 500 yards stage, and liis 98 aggregate was never reached in-the match. Mills, of Dunedin, was runner-up, with a total of 97, having come on the ground with a score of 49 to Ins credit in the first stage of the competition. Lee (Oreti) toalled 96 (47 at 800 yards), and Soper (Taumarunui) registered similar figures. There were several 48’s scored at the final range, but the.,majority went far below that score. The 200 yards of the Auckland match commenced this afternoon, when Shaw (Ohinenuiri) and Milroy (Nelson) were the only two reaching possibles. Several all-buts were registered, 'while 48’s were also much in evidence. THE GISBORNE TEAM. (Special to “Times.”) TRENTHAM, March-5. All fired in the Nelson match to-day, ten shots at 500 and 800 yards. The match started off well. Rait made 45, Breingan 39, McGuffie 46, Barney 41, Carman 46, and Hingston 4o at 500 yards. The 800 yards range proved too big a hurdle for most of us. Tbo windage was mostly responsible for the scores. At 800 yards Raft made 38, Breingan 31, McGufho 18, Barney 35, Carman 17, Hiugston 26. We have also fired the 200 yards stage of the Auckland match, feu shots at. 200 and 600 yards. The scores) wCre: Rait 45, Breingan 44, McGuffie 45, Barney 39,. Carman J2, Hingston 46. Wo have yot a hopo of some cash in this match. The final stage will bo fired on Tuesday. All are having an enjoyable time, notwithstanding our being unablo to capture a first , ip to to-night.