RIFLE SHOOTING

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 11

RIFLE SHOOTING

♦ NATIONAL MEETING AT TRENTHAM TWO HUNDRED MARKSMEN PRESENT YESTERDAY'S RESULTS (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) TRENTHAM, March 1. Two hundred marksmen from all parts of the Dominion are competing at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, which opened at Trentham to-day in fine weather. A heavy day's programme was set competitors, but by making an early start and shooting late they were able to complete three range matches and the compulsory service matches. The latter were fired in the afternoon.

The entries are up on last year by 17. Eighty-six of the competitors are B grade marksmen, and the remainder A grade. This year's entry is the best since 1930, when there were 269 competing. Ten former winners of the Champion Belt are competing. The reigning champion—R. H. Nicholl, Petorie— is defending his title. There is one woman competitor, Mrs E. D. Hill (Whangarei), who also attended last year's meeting. A notable absentee is Colonel E. R. Smith (Dunedin), who won the Championship Belt 41 years ago. For more than half a century he has been a regular competitor at national meetings. He always fired without a sling, even though its use was permitted. His view was that the steadying of the rifle by means of a sling was not a true test of marksmanship. "I had hoped to live long enough to see the sling abolished, and all competitors required to shoot off their ■ muscles instead of leather straps," wrote Colonel Smith in a letter received by the association apologising for his absence from the meeting. Before leaving for the firing points, the competitors assembled at the squadding posts, where they were welcomed to the meeting by the president of the association (Colonel F. B. Creswell). Elevation troubles upset the calculations of some of the first squads to shoot in the morning, the sun being behind the targets. As the morning advanced, the light improved; but the wind began to freshen, and a fish-tail breeze required careful watching. The conditions for the service shooting in the afternoon were good. Firing commenced with the three range King and Henry Match, which called for seven rounds at 300, 600, and 800 yards. This match does not count for the belt, but it allows marksmen—more particularly the visiting competitors—to become acquainted with Trentham conditions. The winner of the match was the B grade marksman, L. W. Grcatbatch (Takapau), who finished with 102 out of a possible of 105. No slings or scientific aids to accurate shooting were allowed.

In the service matches, the No. 2 service match, comprising seven rounds application, 10 rounds rapid, and 10 rounds snap shooting, all at 300 yards, was won bv R. H. Nicholl tPetone) with 111 out of a possible of 135. Nichols takes £4. The runner-up was W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), with 110, and C. J. Nix .Fcatherston) was third with 110. Masefield, who collects ,£3, also wins the C.J. Cup for the highest score in snap-shooting. Nix takes £2, and 15 others £l. The No. 3 service match, comprising tile and moving target competition, was won by F. J. Solcr (Wanganui), with 73 out of a possible of 80. Solcr collects £4. The second prize money of £3 was collected by E. M. Wrigley (Opaki), with 60, and M. Hugo •Old Navals), who finished third with 59, receives £2. Fifteen others receive £1- each. Results are:— King and Henry Match, seven shots at 300, GOO. and 800 yards—£s and King and Henry troohy, L. W. Greatbatch (Takapau), >2; £4, I-I. Simmonds (Auckland City), 101; £3 each to Goedall (Suburbs), 101; H. H. Mcintosh (Blenheim), 101; £2 each to L H. Proflitt (Napier) 99, P. Berry (Tararua) 99, H. V. Croxton (Karori) 99. D. Roots (Patea) 99. Thirty-four others took £1 each, and 14 10s each. The winner of the B grade was C B. Benton (Okato), who took £3. N Mac Williams (Tnvercargill) and M. Hugo (Old Navals) were second and third respectively, and took £2 each. With the completion of the service matches, the 40 highest scorers were compiled. Marksmen securing places in the service 40 qualify to shoot in the final match for the service championship. They are as follows:

F A. Hiscock (Christchurch) .. 160 W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) .. 159 R. H. Nicholl (Petone) .. 159 fa. McKay (Alfredton) .. 151 G. G. Kelly (Auckland City) .. 151 E. J. Soler (Wanganui) .. 150 S. C. Parkinson (Auckland City) 150 E. M. Wrigley (Opaki) .. 149 H. R. Hunt (Suburbs) . . 149 C. J. Nix (Featherston) .. 148 J. E. Farley (Wanganui) .. 147 J. C. Feast (Greytown) .. 147 T. McNab (Petone) .. 146 L. W. Greatbalch (Takapau) .. 146 C. H. Gower (Wanganui) .. 144 A. V. Barrow (Cheltenham) .. 143 D. McKenzie (Opaki) .. 141 H. Frankland (Karori) .. 141 J. H. Kearney (Napier) .. 141 H. C. Percy (Alfredton) .. 140 R. F. Wakefield (Akarana) .. 140 G. T. Gardiner (Havelcck) .. 139 H. Hughes (Wanganui) .. 139 Max Hugo (Old Navals) .. 138 L. A. Caldwell (Karori) .. 137 E. Ballinger (Petone) .. 137 F. H. Sharland (Nelson) .. 135 H. V. Croxton (Karori) .. 133 F. Bowes (Auckland City) .. 133 H. Simmonds (Auckland City) .. 132 W. J. Burton (Okawa) .. 131 W. McChesncy (Invercargill) .. 130 R. Donald (Featherston) .. 130 G. H. Darcy (Royal Marines) .. 130 A. G. Rhodes (Greytown) .. 129 H. King (Opaki) .. 129 H. Whiteman (Upper Hutt) .. 128 R. C. Anderson (Invercargill) .. 128 F. C. Wright (Napier) .. 127 F. E. Franklyn (Old Navals) .. 127