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Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 448, 5 March 1909, Page 8

; V RICOCHETS. It has been the custom for competitors at the "running-man" target, which is a continuous event, to enter,several times, thus getting thoir respective eyes in before finally shooting off for the servico aggregate. The institution of the "first-entry-aggregate-shoot" rule is an equitable decision, as all competitors are thus placed on tho same footing. Tho vexed question.of "What is a ricochet?" has now beon settled by, applying tho liisley rule. At the South' Island meeting, held at Redcliffs Range, Christchurch, recently, some of the competitors argued that, at long ranges, a bullet might turn over in its flight and register a ragged cut on tho : target, instead of a clean hole, thus resulting in a ricochet—which counts nothing, except in service matches, when it counts as one point—being signalled. Of course, as everyone who knows anything about the science of musketry will agree, nothing >vill causo a bullet to turn over and so rip tho taiaot instead of outting it, unless it encouih

ters, during its flight, grass, sand, gravel, wire, etc.

A single act of carelessness on tho part of a marksman will often ruin his chances in a prize-match. It -\ery nearly ruined Rifleman W. La very's in tho rifle club match yesterday. The Christchurch man went down on the 200 yards mound and fired his sighting shot with back-sight at 300 yards. Result, a miss. Fortunately for him, he oxamined his sight before firing his'first business shot, saw what ivas wrong, and readjusted the sight. Result, six consecutive bulls and an inner—3l. A marksman will often fire at tho wrong tarprofc in the excitement of the moment; it is no benefit to him if he sends a bullet through his neighbour's bull's-eye.

An interesting sido issue to the championship series of matches is the privately arranged contest by teams representing Nelson and Marlborough for "Pclorus Jack"— a silver trophy having for its central figure a model of the celebrated habitno of French Pass, Marlborough Sounds. Tho results will be computed on the aggregate scores in the championship matches. The Auckland team is very keen to capture the .fish. The arrangements are in tho hands of Lieut. Edgecumbe fWaikato Mounted Rifles'), and President Masefield. (Sounds Rifle Club). Communication between the mounds and tho trenches has been -very much simplified and facilitated by the institution of a system of codo numbers. When the range-officer desires to inform the trench-officer that firing is about to comui"nce. 110 simply calls up on tho telephono "Number One!" If 110 spotting disc is visible, "Number Two!" is given; "Three" signifies "spotting-disc disagrees with value signalled; examine target, and r»signal correct value of shot last signalled"; 'Tour" intimates "Competitor has challenged, and claims a hit, althongh none has been signalled"; "Five"— "Competitor has challenged, and claims a different, value for h ; s shot thay that which has b°en signalled"; "Six"—"Repeat last signal."

Colonel A. W. Robin. C.8., Chief of the General Staff, accori nanied hv his father. Mr. •Tames Robin, and Dr. -T. M. Mason, Chief Health Officer, visited tho ■ range yesterday ■morning.