THE RIFLE CARNIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 427, 9 February 1909, Page 8

THE RIFLE CARNIVAL.

DOMINION RIFLE ASSOCIATION. THE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. '■■"With the opening day—March '4—of the great New Zealand Rifle Carnival, the annual championship meeting of the Dominion Eifle Association at Trenthnm, within measurable distance, a word or two as to the general arrange-" ments may not be amiss. • A glance at. the olnbial programme for this, the, eighth, annual meeting, a. copy of which hasbeen courteously forwarded by Colonel R. J. Collins, V.D;,.; ohief executive officer of the association,'and: the patron of rifle shooting in New; Zealand, reveals - the fact that in- the : . main the general .features of the .arrangements are; praotically the same as last year. The principal variations from last year's programme' were outlined in , the columns of The Dominion some time.ago," .but they will.bear repetition. ■: '■''THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES. ./:• The first sis matches on the programme are the' "championship"', series ::-t(1)-' Auckland match,'-200" and 600 yds.,' ten.shots; (2) "Wellington match, 500.and. 600yd5.,. ten: shots; (3) Nel-. son match, 500 and 800 yds.,: shots; (4). Canterbury match, 900 and 1000 yds., ten-shots;) (5) Otago'match, 800 and: ?00yds., ten shots— for each of-them prize-money to the amount of .£llo'is offered. ",-:V ':,:'"'. ...' '-~-„ \- ..The fifty highest aggregate;scores,in the first five matches are , entitled. to 'compete. in the "King's Prize Match," Va'- 'ten-shot - contest at The scores made-in this* m'atohi;;will be added to the scores made in. the -.foregoing series,;and the highest' grand aegreeate-'scorer' -will: become the'winner of the Kings.Prize and.the holder, of the .Champion Rifle .Bolt - for; 1908. (The holder of the belt must" be ■■ a member, of the New Zealand Defence Force's;) .... \" ' ';. .Fifty prizes, value .£223 ;■ and'a: New. Zealand Rifle Association .badge to.each ■ of.the. twentyfive highest aggregates.'•; •■.■' .'.', .' ■• . First:'- The' "Ballinger" Rifle Champion -Belt (won outright by lilr. - Arthur /Ballinger, Petone Eifle Club,'and "presented, by: him .to'. Bifle. Association' for. competition),. Gold ''■■''"Medal- presented; by: the Right: Hon. :the ■Defence Minister,, ; and Gold, -Badge of : the. Association • ■ S . - . and .£SO Second:^Silver Star and N.Z.R'.A. Badge ■;„,. 25: Third: ;•■'■;-'••."'„ ;: ' : .:,";,■ ', : :.-- ;,,;v2O Fomth: '' : '•■■'■■" ,-, : .--' "^ ; ' ;.: ■■::.;„' 12 Eight Prizes 1 of. each and N.Z.B.A. Badge 40 Thirteen Prizes;of £2, each '-. „.' '. '26. of '£2 :••- . ./ : . „■-:-. . \. : ::\ '■■",-'./'!'.■; '.!,.■' :'■■ '. : '.': ; v^223; !' There are.3o:tyro prizes'ih each'of the : first five matches,' and the; total'/prize-nVoney.-for the championship series' .;■:: V'■:' ■'.'■' '■'■■''■:■ SERVICE'MATCHES., -\i-,v';V '. '..■- ' ; All. members.; of the. Defence Forces, who, ; are competitors in.any of the. championship mat-, ohes, must'.enter'for three of the. six service matches—the' "Attack". (attack ..and, ■ observation of, fire); the "Cover,"- and 'the "Loophole: Coyer" 'matches—under.a penalty of. 10s.- for, each match. The' other "events' in the service series 'are the "Snap-Shooting," : "Rapid-Fire," and "Running-Man" (a;cohtinuous nmtch, open throughout the m«bting), : and there is."added-a -"Service .Match , . Aggregate,' ,, .wherem:-prize-money totalling £20 will be divided among'the eight highest aggregate.scorers.in. the, six ser,yice matohes. ■'■■ The total prize-money" in the service series is: : •>. '■'■'; : C r --'.-

I ■:■ : ■.'•,:; A ■'- :TEAMS [ MATCHES;- : ]>\.. ! ■■■]. .;. ■ .Teams' ; matches ■''to. the' number. of six' are: 4ncluoied;in'the programme,'prize-money.^to.the: amount of .£l3l hiivingbeeh allotted for these events.- ■':-The-first; nveT-"Sectional, Targets, ■ "Cover-Firing," '"Surprise .Service" Targets," :"Rapid-Fire," and the.-.Colonial Ammunition, Company's "Field-Firing";matches—rare open - toteams of six men; with a.co.mmander who may not fire;: the ; sixth matoh,v the : "Champion Team Competition," is open to.'teams .of five men from'any unit of the defence force's of the Empire. Finally, there is.the "Teams Cham, pipnship"' matoh....-.,.■...-•: v. : -/: : :..;■.-.-."-';.'^-' : '.vv.'.' .:; V- : EXTRA MATCHES. 'VJ ; ; : ;: • A sum of iGWO hasbeen'setaside-for extra matches, of ; which" there ;are "Vol. "Kifle . Club . Match," .'.'and; "United' Sevice. Match" (volunteers v." rifle clubs). ~. ".,.-■ ■'.■; . ;; '.. ':-:; : : --'.; : .' ■ I:- '..,-.. :-:'■■■ "'■' '■'. -V -:n ■i. CUPS AND TROEHIES.V,: '}:C':^The'trophies and cups'of the Doinihibn Eifle' Association .'are/held' by 'the pinners"for one year, and, if won.-twice in:successiqn,vor three- . times at, intervals,' , become (witK , the exception of the pistrict Challenge^Shield: and -Colonial, Ammunition Company's Cup), the absolute property of' the < winner. ' The' cups. and>trophiea: are:—'.'■' ' '. '■ ■■. '• ■.- ''"'.,'■ :'•"'<:' : '\ .■ ' \ ■ ffnioh Company's Cup.—Awarded to the highi ost,aggregate scorer.:in! k the/first three.matches ;of the-championship series.'•."■■• : '- ; '- : .--''. : . > ?-:- . i ' , --! ; Kynooh; Cup;— Awarded/ to the - highest aggregato -scorer - .in; the.: service 'matches, seven' ?and;:ten—the, • "Snap-Shooting'', and- : ,'fCover;'' events. •■':".: '■ '■. : : .-.. .'-'''.v : '.;•." .'.- : V_.V:':?; ; Carbine the volunteer :pr rifleman: who: compiles the highest - aggregate score in : , tke:'-'Y.oluuteei" .ox' 'llife,C\uV'.match..... : :"'; ■ Uifle ChaUenco Cup.—A-watded-to the highest scorer in l the ' King's Prize"; match (notnecessarily the winner of the ohampionship). ■ ■ ' .- District Challenge Shield-Awarded to th'e : winning- team -in , ; the ' "Champion■■' Teams' Match. •■..; .'..■■,■'...., -.■■:■"... ...... .-•,•:■•,.' ,-,. ;. ■■-. : Colonial', Ammunition Cup.—This trophy becomes'the property of the: team which wins it thrice . conseoutively in .the "Field-Firing"' event. :"■.' '."•.''. ■'.','; ■ ■; : "■ '.:-' .: ./ ■.'■■'• .POINTS FQE eOMPETITOES.V 1 ' : Volunteers must fire in the uniform- of their corps,- either .full dress 'orundress. The-tunio shall be fastened from top-to. bottom, with the exception of the two highest buttons. In all - cases, officers and non-comnlissioned : :officers must wear, the badges of their respective ranks'. . Competitors shall submit.their rifled'and ammunition for inspection- whenever required; No -fixed' artificial, rest shall.be allowed.;. A waterproof sheet or great-coat—not folded-up, but laid flat—mny be . used as; a. protection from the ; ground;;but.no cork beds, elbow rests, or mats, other .than those provided at thefiringpoint,, shall be allowed. ■ ■"...•-.;.' ■ ' ■'■-'.. :. .-■. Competitors may;wipe : dut'or:clean:out their Tiiiesonly between 'the-distances-in the , competition. They Vmust; not load until, they have taken their positions at the!.firing-point,, and the.scorer'has given the wordi"All clear."-.No one shall,be allowed to'join a squad after the commencement of the second round. : .' ' "■ '

: Slingivmaybeused as an assistance in shooting.. They, musttbe ; of the Government-length and. pattern,.arid' attached- to 'two separate swivels on.the rifle.as in any. pattern-'of Government, arms.; Length not" tq exceed' 54Jin., ; not,including buckle. In the ..kneeling, position,; the.sling shall not be placed under the leg; it may. be aro'und-.arm :or'wrist'.but not around any other part'of.the'body..of the'com- ; •petitor. On- no. account are straps to' be'siibstitued for-slings. . ■'. ' :'■' ; .•,.-•-.•/..'':- j.i .In individual competitions a competitor'inay use; a! binocular,- a field-glass,■ or a telescope 1 (not.mounted , upon any kind of stand),"provided thatihis doing so .is.not allowed-.to'delay. .the shooting; but no person except the scorer shall be permitted to speak to the competitor after he has taken his place ,at the' firing-point; no person shall afford him any information which may .be calculated to assist, or confirm his judgment as ; to firing'. .Any .violation ■ of ■'. this rule, or any/part of it, shall be "ist once ported bythe. scorer to,the.range officer,'-who.' shall caution the offender, and on any repeti* tion; of ; ,the. offence therange officer shall deal' with the case as laid down.in the regulations under the head of "Penalties," and may remove, the, person: so advising from the ground ' Magnifying: sights, artificial-rests, shading- or ; sheltering,, or ■;assistance of y any- kind: when firing, is prohibited., '. v - ■'~ -.-. .No two competitors shall shoot'-in the .same squad or match with the same rifle, nor shall any, competitor change his rifle iir any match unless it becomes unserviceable by.acoident 'and permissionUs granted by the range officer '' "■ ■ ' In matoaes". shot, for by "representative" teams'the .members of each team will be- permitted ■■■;to. "coach" or "spot" for each other and to' use:.binoculars and field-glasses (not mounted upon-stands) for that purpose, proyided'that their doing so is not allowed to delay the shooting. The word . "coaoh". shall mean that the captain or any member of the team shall give all the assistance they can to each other, as to windage, elevation, and spotting; but shall not include plumbing the competitor's rifle by looking over the shoulder of the man firing. .The duly recognised captain of a team, nlthough' .himself not. shooting,, will be- perniitted to. assist his team in like manner; but no person,, with the above exception, will be perraittqd -within"'the ropes, or allowed to offer advice'or instructions to the competitors. Any infringement of this rule will be dealt with as kid. down :for the case of individual, competitions.'Teams must fire at the targets to whioh they are told'off.':;,:. .' V .■'.'., Competitors'shall not use any kind of'oil or l grease as. a .lubricant'.for the bullet. i -. ■'■'■■.. . ■■Any-'Yofonteer' having, to address- a. range officer or ■ one- of the : . staff . must salute /-'and rxiiy member of n rifle olub club, not being instructed in the proper manner of saluting, must stand at "attention," and speak.in-a.civil and. respectful manner 'while'addressing suoh offlcers.- "■ Tho occupants of any tents neglecting to put oiit their lights when ordered to;do so by the officer 1 of the dayor'the-non-oomniissioned oflicor detailed to wo that light ere cut out shall,

on the'. 'eircuinstahces being •reported ".to-, the executive committee,'.be fined' individually,2s. 1 6d;. for each; offence, and: such .fine nynst be paid previous to their taking: part in any competition. >■' ..--.-" :':'■■:.',■"■':■,'■ -..'. -.)■ ':'■ -,'■■-'■ ''■■'■.■ ■■' Railway, passes, first-class return,: will be issued to commissioned officers:. and. captains .of; rifle olubs and second-class return to all ;other : ctmpetitors... These, tickets will -be-issued: by the officer ■ commanding. the district in jWhicli: , the competitor resides ..to all : volunteers and members o£ defence rifle clubs who have duly entered, for the meeting, but no' pass, will be issued .unless the competitor has paid ;at. least £1 ss. in entrance fees.: Tents'and .straw: will be provided on the range, but competitors must, bring their own blankets and tent furniture;, stretchers and chnirs can be- procured ;iii: Wei-, lington. Arrangements will'be made.for,:catering at the .camp at a Teasonable'l charge and with the Union Steam Ship Gorupahv for. a re- : duotion:in.'fares;' Lytteltpn' to ■Wellington; and' Onehunga to Now Plymouth.'. -' '^■'"■ : >':- ;, ~' :. ?■■ The Lee-Eiifield mngazine riSe .SO3J .(2) the Martini-Enfield .303, and-the 'HJH.'or. L.B.icari bine as issued from the: New Zealand Defence Departmenl;, and.no other -rifle' will bs'.-allow'ed-to be.used.' Pull of trißger > > 511 i; sights,will .be strictly, in accordance 'with-those issued. with:the particular pattern, of Government service rifle used by the competitor. Theonly colours'' allowed ■ on, the ■■■'sights.Vare.- black or. white,- or black-and,-' white;: but not mixed' 80-asto. produce grey. .No. appliance may be affixed: for the :purpose of .shading: the sights. ,; • The backsight must not be' supported ;by. any means extraneous to the lifle. The bar. may be reversed,, and may be usedon either. : side of ; the .uprights,: or it may. be' removed altogether and a-bar-of other pattern substituted-for it; also:the backsight, as. issued,,'may':bVremoved, and there;-,may. be substituted: for'it/anyibacksight (which may; include either.;a: ; vernierV: aventometer, or an aperture sight, or all or any of these),,.provided; in : the case'- , of both barand backsight:— . : v ;.':•-'.-.••..- .- '-'J-- '■,-.■,■' : -..; ;>~---: .■:. : (a.) It'is : iuade'_of 'metal; '.'■/.'■■. :5:.- *' .: '::"Y",;.;.' '•' :(b.). It is,: in the:opinion, of the","c'ouncil, sufficiently strong'and, suitable.for i-military "purposes; ;. :.■.•■ ■'•'"■■- ■■•."X;■■• ■. : '.■"■'•:".-■ ■."•-■ .-■-■ -■- /. ..(c.)- In the' caseVof; a,substituted har, that it is attachable to andmoves along the uprights' only, of the.backsight of Government; regulation; pattern, and is so attached, when used in any competition; and ; ■-;'■':, ~' '•■ '--..;;. ■:., s ■ (dOIn- the : ,case,of.-a; substituted: backsight,' that it is attachable to-the,rifle solely by.the withdrawal of the,.hinge : pin of'; the -sight of Government regulation pattern and its' reinsertion, and ,that 'it: is so attached; when 'used in any competition.•■:•■ ■.■('■,-.:■• ;■-. : - '■',-■,:■ :■:.-. ;.:/•■■ > : Inthe case :, pf rifles fitted with a 1 safety-catch the: thumb-piece of.. the, safety-catch: must be: jiiito.down, >and the cateh must;not .he in any way, as meaiis; of- .discharging; the: rifle.;. The handguard" may.be ■- removed at:the' option' of. .the firer.; Ammiini tion; will be' supplied ..to; competitors: free .of.. 'charge; and no, other ; than that supplied must be used' by competitors. :: ;i : ~'r -J '".;■:".:.; TiV'" wtV' , '- r -O' ; "^-

■ : K; 1 THE, : Oi;FICIAL,'STAip|i;<u-; v ■ '■;:} ■ The.following officers , .nave.been'*appoiiited to" .action.- the staff of .the Chief 'Executive , Officer .(Colonel;Collins):—^;>:n ; ..:^«o.^:',,:.>? ,'...;.;> 1' Superintending range. officeK •'■ -Major- iD: : Hughes, V.D.; statistical-officer,-. CaptainC.H. : Tnrne'r; camp ..adjutant, •G.-.G'/ Poster ;' camp quartermaster, , Captain-I'.'BurtoniSlabin; l medical.'pfficerVih charge,.-llaiori;Ji'.R.VEUrdyi" -'M.B.'veecVetary for. the: meeting,; Lieutenant J..G.■■■■Eoa'phe;'■ range officers,; liieutehahfcrCpldnels. J. Drummoid, E.B. Cresswell, .W.,Beckingliam," D.S.'O.,''Capta'ins>'H.' S; ■G. Harper', P.vC:Bishop. J:- Shepherd;-Li Skin-' ner, E. B/,M6rgan, I\E: Salter; J. iM'Naught; J. Grant, S. V. Tfast, TV; E- MT>an, Xusu-; tenants P. Douili'C^E.-Andrews, , : ,1. T: 1 : Standish.r E.' T. Chapman;V P. Brandon, D. CookeV■;;> . : ;:' :i S-v .'. :'<;M : i-} : \K:': r : :. -■'■: .;,'TheV prizes willbe presented-byiliadyPlunket' on Friday, s March-12, aV-i3o.''p , ,mi r :';- , ■/■■>■■■;• :;-'i.-:---. : --.\ . Saturday, March 13, : will'p'rbbabjy-,b'e:'devoted : ■to a cadat Bisley if : arrangemehts~can be 'made' •sv'itli' the. !■;■':'■.;■ :;:'v:^/'TIM-TA : B^ i ■TUursday,; MarcK .4.—FaU-in;9. ;a.m; ■;'-, .Com- : mence-firing 9.45 a.m.; Matcn-N0'.':19," vbluni.teersy 200, 600, and 80O.yards; No.^o,'rifle: clubs. .200, .600;; and 800, yards. .; ''-^-U .v.; ; ■-■ ■•■.-,...:.;■• Friday, : . Maroh s.—lf atct? 'No; ■'■''' J 3, i, Neleo'n : Matoli, '500 and; 800 yards , ; Nb. ; -I; , Auckland'' matchi;2oo yards.- i s l :'.; ; ;:>-'-,- , . ,, ; , .■■':: '..-£■'■ ,'• March 6.—Service matches, Nos.' 7; 8, 9, and 10., •"■.■■."-' : . :■,'.,...; .•:'-..-i,-,. : ?'- i Monday,: March. B.—Match No.' 2,;.Wellingtbn; ; .;500 and 600 yards;No.'s, Otaga,;Boo:yards;-Nb.-' .11, Loophole, :500 yards.-.:•;-}■ ''mi-,-^"mc-'Ka.:'>:'■ .' : - ;•; Tuesday,' 'March.'9.—Match, No., ri^i-Auckland,, ,600 yards;: N0...5, .OtagQ,.;9ooJy(ir(3s;,..teams -matcheei '13 : and:l4.j .'■."■. ■"'.',':■'■■ l ' : ,'r'"v -','"'■ :..- . Wednesday, March 10.'r : -Matcli. : -No.: I',' Ca'nter- . bury;: 900 yards;: teams • matohes ? Nos. ;• 15; ; 16: arid'l7;>' ;:■>■:.•,.'■-V-: ~::>•: : : , ;;.- ';>v'-. ■Thursday,■• March:' 11;—Matoh':No.' i> ■ Canter- • bury, 1000 yards; No. , 18,: Champion' teams, 200 500, ■:,■::, ■, ■•- -. ■■;:'.?■ j: -.;- •.-■■.• ;■■;','■"-■■ ! Friday,. March -12.—Match -No.' 21; : TJiiited Service match, No. 6,-King's Prize (rifle chaihploh,ship).v;;;: T ! *q 'f-vA : '... After. Saturday; next,. ihe 'ranges :at •Trenthamr will : be'.olosed, .with.the exception.of the'long.distoince'. mounds .on'the Seddon 1 . Eange; : whiok' ,will_ remain;,open for- practice.':'iEinemeri.-are reminded that 'entries., for ithe .Dominion. E;i;-' 'meeting,.; which".■'■■ i cbmmenqesV^^ "on ■• llarch'v.'i nest,; ■ positively close . •■on. ; Friday-.ieit. Entries will pe received-'by officers command-' ing districts .or .sub-districts,,and Railway, passes: will be forwarded- to- .competitors; - . • In larce districts, where communication .with. the . dis-'-tnct officeVmay oause. delay, .officers command- '■■ ing; districts - may- appoint .Pffic'er-in : "any itown to take, entries .and issue ..railway .passes' .direct' to coaipetitors. Entry.'forms can.-be obtained from. the district' office;: or from .'captains of-companies-or: captains' of defence 1 vide clubs, throughout; the Dpmiriion;ior •, froni '• the -; Zealand Defence"forces; Eifle Meeting,.iWeUingtbn. V.-V .'.,;.;, :Vr ; ,.-:, ."