RIFLE SHOOTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5213, 1 March 1904, Page 6

RIFLE SHOOTING.

WAIRAEAPA ASSOCIATION MEETING. Special to the “Times.” MA.STBRTON. February 29. . The twelfth annual meeting of the Wairiarapa Rifle Association, commenced today on the Papawai range. Grey town. There were seventy competitors. Amongst those firing are Ballinger Bros., Trovethick, King, Welch, Turnbull, Bidwill, Caualey, Brown, Nelson, Domigan, Lester, Hobbs, Redd, Henry, Williams, Bums, Rtandell,’ II alii day, and others. The weather was fine, but the wind puzzled some of the! competitors. The vicepresidtent (Hr Bidwill) opened the proceedings, with a bull’s-eye. The first match fired tvos the Feathexston Match, distance 500 and 600 yards. ,J. McKenzie, Opaki Club, made top score with 63, out of a possible of 75. W. Ballinger, Petone Rifle Club, and R. H. Barker,' Carlton Rifle Club, were, second and third respectively, with 62 each. The Rapid Firing Match, seven shots in 60seo, 500yds, was won by Jas. McKenzie, Opaki Rifle Club, with 32 out of a possible 35. W. H. Welch, Opaki Club, and Captain Nelson, Woodville Rifles, were second and third respectively, with 31 each. .

In the Gretvtown Match, Trevethick QPetono Rifle Club), Corporal Morrah (Christchurch Engineers), with 35 each at SOOvds. made the only possibles during the day. Several, including W. Ballinger and Whiteman, were within one of the major points. Considering the choppy wind, the shooting in this match was remarkably good.

Lieutenant Redd (Queenstown Rifles) was top scorer with 64, F. Whiteman, Upper Hutt Rifle Club, 61, Corporal Kinnard, Manaiwatu, 60, being next highest. The targets were in first-class condition, and the butts were considered by those naost capable of judging as second to none in New Zealand. Th® markers, under Sergeant Dockery, performed their work excellently. By his win in the Greytown Match Reid wins the silver Sunlight Cup. which last year was carried off by King. The trophy has to be won twice in succession or thrice at intervals. Sums of .£5 10s and X2 10s have been added to the aggregate of the Petone,Match. A late start wa s mad® to-day, and the aggregate returns are not wholly completed. Henry is leading, with 147, A. Ballinger and Nelson arc next with 142 each. An early start is to be made to-morrow, when all the matches will be concluded. Principal scores; Featherston Match; 500 and 600yds, seven shots at each range. . J. McKenzie, 0.8. C.. X2 ... ... ... 03 W. H. Ballinger, P.R.C.. .£1 10s ... 62 E H. Barker, Charlton, XI 5s ... 62 W H] Thomas. P.E.C., .£1 5s 61 J Henry. 0.R.C., 61; J. Burns, K.R.C., 61;’ J. MeHattie. 0.R.0. 60; J. Welch, Upper Hutt. 60; Lance-Corporal Lister, C.8.V., 60; W.A. Feist, Kaiwaiwai, 60; A. Ballinger, P.R.C., 59; H. Walden, Greytown Rifles, 59; G. Blane, Opaki, 58—each take XI. Eight others take 15s each, .and twelve others take 10s each. Rapid-firing Match; 500yds, seven shots in BOsoc. .Tas McKenzie 0.R.C., £1 10s 32 W. H. Welch, 0.E.C.. £1 5s 31 Capt, Nelson, Woodville Rifles, XI 5s 31 Captain Domigan, Gore Rifles, 30; Captain Hobbs, Zealandia Rifles, 23; A. Benton, Kaiwaiwai, 28—each take XI. W. A. Feist. Kaiwaiwai Rifles. 28; W. H. Thomas, Petone E.C.. 27; W. N. Kummer, Whareama R.C.. 27; H. Walden, Greytown Rifles, 27 —each take 15s. Ten others take 10s each. Some of the best shots in the colony, including W. Ballinger, King. Causley and Brown •were not in the prize list. Greytown Match, 500 and 700yds, seven shots. Lieut. Reid, Q.R.C., X 3 61 F. Whiteman, Upper Hutt, XI 10s ... 61

Kinnard. Mauawatu, 'GO; J. Henry, Opaki 60; A. Ballinger, P.K.C., sb; C. Trevethick, P.R.C., 58; Captain Jones, No. 1 N.Z. Engineers, 57; Lance-Corporal Lister, C.E.V., -57; Captain Nelson, Woodville, 56—each take £l. McHattie, Oxjaki, 56; L. Craw, Chorlton, 55; Corporal Morrow, N.Z. Engineers, 55 —each win ios.

The Mastcrtou match was commenced, but only the 600yds was finished. Thomas, Petone, and' Turnbull, Opaki. are leading with 33 each, A. Ballinger 32, Broun 31.