ON THE MOUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1065, 2 March 1911, Page 8

ON THE MOUNDS.

AT PAPAWAI, WAIRARAPA RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY TROOPER MARENZI. (From Our Special Repohor.)' The annual competition for tho Wairarnpa district ride championship was concluded at Papawai liango, Greytown, yesterday, in perfect weather. Firing commenced at 7 a.m., at which hour the light was very strong and bright, and a rear left breeze, varying from 3 to 5 degrees in strength, .was blowing. The Greytown match, which was in progress when the targets were turned down at tho conclusion of the shooting yesterday, was concluded about 9 o'clock, winning honours being carried off by Rifleman W. N. Masefield, President of tho Sounds Rifle Club, who aggregated 06 for both ranges 500 and 700 yards. Eeiual points were scored by Rifleman A. VP*.. Soper, of Tua Marina, who had to tako second place on the "count back." The shooting at the 500 yards stage of the match, as will be noted in the appended prize-list, was very good indeed. Possibles were scored by Sergeant Plimmer, of D Battery, Rifleman A. Beetham, of Opaki, and Rifleman O. Hyde, Okawa Rifle Club. Hyde collapsed badly at. tho 700 yards distance, scoring 24 only, just missing the prize-list by one point. With the conclusion of the Greytown match, M'lntosh, of Opaki, unproved his lead for championship honours, drawing another point ahead of the next man. Oldfield, second in the leading aggregates for the first two championship matches, dropped down considerably, giving place to Frank, of Nelson. With 20 shots to be fired, the finish of the "Greytown" saw the following eight in the lead:— Pts. I). M'lntosh, (Opaki) ; 193 Sergt. Frank (Nelson) ...; 191 W. N. Masefield (Sounds) 190 Sergt. Plimmer (D Battery) 18!) LKHit. Irvino (Nelson) 189 W. J. Feast (Opaki) ]gj H. Marshall (Karori) 188 Sergt. Wickens (D Battery) IS3 A ten-shot possible secured to Trooper Marenzi. Eketahuna, the first place in t e r,nrt eLoDe , uiatch, a single range contest at 800 yards, which was completed after mid-day in a dazzling "mirage" light and a fitful right wind. The runner-up was 1 rivate Rountree, of Ashburton, who was one point behind. Tho finish of this match produced a material change in the position of the leading men for championship honours, tho first seven now being :- Pts Sergt. Frank (Nelson) 237 H. Marshall (Karori) 236 Trooper Marenzi (Eketahuna) " 935 W. J. Feast (Opaki) 234 If. Stowart (Weber) 233 W. Oldfield (Bulls) Z'Z'Z 233 Sergt. Wickens (D Battery) 232 THE "OPTIONAL AGGREGATE," With the conclusion of tho Petone match the way was clear for the announcement of the prb.e winners in the Optional Aggregate," a sweepstako competition, judged upon all scores over 500 ■600,- and 700 yards, in the first four matches of the championship series. As tilt? irine prizes for Ibis contest upon a very liberal scale—tho first. and second prizes were .£lO and .£5 respectively—there were numerous entries. The results were:—

1. Trooper Marenzi (Eketahuna), XIO 183 2. President 11. Marshall (Karori ' R.C.), £5 iso 3. Rflmn. I?. Stewart (Weber), .£2 10s. 178 i. Rflmn. W. H. Kummcr (To Wharau), 4!2 10s ; 178 5. Sergt. Frank (Nelson), .£1 177 6. Rflmn. W. J. Feast' (Opaki), .£1 ... 176 7. Sergt. AVickeus (D Battery), .fl ... 17.1 8. Bugler M'Kenzie (Ashburton), ,£1 174 Six men tied for the ninth place (.£1 prize), with a score of 172 points—G. Hyde and A. J. Cameron (Opaki), W. Oldfield (Bulls), T. Benton and W.Wakelin (Featherston), and W. N, Masefield (Sounds). THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY TROOPER MARENZI. The final match of tho championship series, the "Featherston," was won by Lieutenant Ayson, of Waimea, with a score of 17, the runner-up, Rifleman G. W. Vonnell, of Te-Wliarau (47) being beaten on the "count back." It was generally argued (hat when Marenzi, of Eketahuna, won the previous match with a ten-shot possible, he practically had the championship in his pocket, and subsequent events proved that to be the case. He made -14 only in the final match, but his previous success had given him too strong a lead to bo'displaced at tho fiuish. The championship aggregate list is as follows:— Trooper Marenzi (Eketahuna) 270 Rflmn. W. J. Feast (Opaki) ... 278 Rflmn. A. J. Cuthbertson (TuaMarina) 278 Rflmn. A. J. Cameron (Opaki)' 275 Sergt. James (Napier) 275 Rflmn. Marshall 'Karori) 275 Rflmn. D. M. M'Jntosh (Opaki) 271 Rflmn. G. Ilyde (Opaki) 274 Rflmn. Loveda.v (Woodville) 274 Rflmn. Minefield (Sounds) 274 Bugler M'Kenzie (Ashburton) 274 The winner of tho championship holds the challenge shield, presented by Mr. J. O. Bidwill, for one year, and receives Mr. Bidwill's gold medal and also a cash prize of r£2 10s. , Following are the results of the various matches GREYTOWN MATCH. 500 and 700- yards, seven shots at each • range. Possible score, 35 points. 500 700 . yds. yds. T'l. d£3, W. N. Masefield (Sounds) 34 32 GG ,£2, A. W. Soper (Tua Marina) 34 32 GG XI 10s., W. Hodges (Opaki) 32 33 Go Prizes of <£1 each:— Lieut. F. Bolton (Pahiatua), 33—32— 65; Sergt. Frank (Nelson), 33—32—65; Lieut. Irvine (Nelson), 31—31—65; Sergt. H. Plitumer (Wellington), 35 —30—65; A. Beetham (Opaki), 35—30—G5; W. J. Feast (Opaki), 34—30—64. Prizes of 15s. each: — D. M'lntosh (Opaki), 34—30—64; J. Frederick (Marton), 31—32—G3. Prizes of 10s. each:— Sergt.-Major Maingay (Piako), 34—29— G3; G. A. lies (Dannovirke),. 31—31—62; Ser<*t. F. James (Napier), 31—31—G2; H. Marshall (Karori), 32—30—62; W. Husband (Temuka), 32-30-62; Bombr. Focko .Wellington), 32—30—62; Sergt. Wickens (Wellington), 33—29-62 ;M. P. Chapman (To Ivapu), 33—20—62; F. , Sunnex (Sounds), 33-29-62; H. H. Mawley Opaki), 34-2S-G2: Nat. Milloughby (Gladstone), 34-28-62; Ci. Ilyde (Opaki), 34—25—62. Tyro prizes of 10s. each were awarded to ' Sergt.-Major Morton (Mastertoii), 61; W. Oldfield (Bulls) and Pto. Eountrce (Wiburton), 59 each; and prizes of ss. each were won by N. Wood (Christchurch), C J. Franklin (Weber),-W. A. .Mason (Featherston), and Pte. F. Murray (Gore), who each scored 5!) points.: PETONE MATCH. SOO vards, len shots. Possible score, 50. Results ,£3 Trooper Marenzi, Eketahuna 50 S:i Pte. llountroe,. Ashburton ID ,£1 10s. W. 11. Kummer, To Wharau... 40 Prizes'of .£1 each were awarded lo:— 11. Marshall. Karori, Bugler M'Kenzie, Ashburton, J. D. Rivers, Okawa, each 48; R. J. King, Opaki, L. Loveday, Woodville. I). R. Bunny, each 47. Prizes of 15s. each :— Neville Willo'ughby, Gladstone, and H. Williams. Featherston,'each 47. Prizes of 10s. each:— Nat. Willoughby, Gladstone, Corp. F. Smith, Temuka. Sergt Morrison. Thames', It. Stewart, Weber. Sergt. Frank. Nelson. W. J. Feast, Opaki. T. Evans, Opaki. C. Engstrom, Opaki, W. Wakolin, Featherston, W. Oldfield, Bulls, A. ,T. Canieron, Opaki, and A. Henderson, Sounds, each 46. Tyro prizes of ]os. each were awarded to' V. Swainson. Opaki, W. Hodges, Opaki, each 45; T. C. Irving, Opaki, 41. Tyro prizes of ss. each:— T. H. Boardinan, l'ongaroa. W.-A. Mason, Featherston, each 44; Sergt-Major Morton, Masterton, Sergt. Bickuell, Greytown, each 13...

FEATI-lERSTON MATCH. 000 yard?. Ton shots. Possible score,' 50. Kcsillio: — rts. -S3, Lieut. (Wnimea) -17 £2, 0. A. Yonnoll (To Wharnu) 17 -SI His.. L. Lovcday (Woodville) 47 Prizes of Jjl Copt. Potior, (Auckland), 1G; Rifleman Rivers (Okawe). IS; Rifleman W. O. Franklin (WYber), 46; Rifleman Engstrom (Opaki), 40: Pto. Kylos (Dannevirko). 46; Xovilln Willoughby (Te Wharau), 46. Prizes. of 15s. each :— H. "Williams (Foathirslon), '15; G. Hyde (Opaki), 45. Prizes of Ifls.. each :— Lieut. Bolton (Pahiatua), 45; Rifleman Cuthbortson (Tua Marina), 15; Rifleman Nat. Willoughby (To Wharau), 45; Sergt. Morrison (Auckland), 15; Rifleman Cameron (Opaki), 15; Senrt. James (Napier), ,15; Trooper Marenzi (Eketahuna), 44; Rifleman King (Opaki). 44; Rifleman Masefieltl (Sounds), 11; Rifleman Perston (Akarana), -14; Rifleman Henderson (Sounds), 41. GOVERNMENT PRIZE MATCH. Seven shots, rapid-fire. Results:— .£1 15s. D. M'Leay, Opaki 7 bits. .£1 15s W. A. Mason, Featherston... 7 hits. B. R. Bunnv (Gladstone), C. Eiystrom and G. Hyde (Opaki), who each sfored 6 hits, win prizes of .£1 Is. Bd. Prizes of 12s. each were awarded to Sergi:. Bicknell (Greytown), J. M'Kenzie and J. Bairstow (Opaki), H. Walden (Reserve), and Trooper Marenzi (Eketahuna), who scored 5 hits Prizes of Bs. 4d. each (4 hits):—Lieut. Ividson (Greytown), D. M'lntosh, and A. J. Cameron (Opaki). Other prizes:—J. Parker, Featherston, 7s. 6d. (3 hits). Nat. Willoughby, Gladstone, R. Vennell, Te Wharau, ss. each -(2 hits). R. J. Dag.?, Alfredtoh, Is. (1 hit). V. Swainso.n, Opaki, A. B. Balfour, Grevtoren, Lieut. Bolton, Pahiatua, A. Lewln, Opaki, 3s. Sd. (one hit). TEAMS' MATCH, The following teems'- match was won l\v the Opaki Rifle Club's No. 1 team', the winning aggregate being 1366. Individual scores: — W. J. Feast, 278; A. J. Cameron. 275; G. Hyde, 271; R. J. King, 272; H. Mawley, 267. The Sounds Rifle Club came second with 1331 points. Individual scores:— W. N. Masefield. 271; A. W. Soper, 272; H. Cuthbertson, 270; A. Henderson, 23"; W. P. Henderson, 251. Third on the list came the Opaki No. 2 team, with • 1322 points. Individual scores:—D. M'lntosh. 274; C. Engstrom, 270; J. .M'Kenzie, 266; H. C. Jones, 263; A. Beetham, 249. SPECIAL TROPHIES, In connection with the various competitions, special trophies were awarded as follow:— Levin Cup, presented by Messrs. Levin and Co., and. awarded to the winner of tho Masterton Match.—Sergt. 11. Pliinraer, I) Battery, 65 points. This trophy becomes the property of the competitor who wins it twice in succession or three times at intervals. "Sunlight" Cup, presented by Messrs. Lever Brus., and awarded to the winner of the Greytown Match.—Rifleman W. N. Masefield, president of the Sounds Rifle Club, 66 points. Two wins in succession or three at intervals entitled the successful competitor to retain tho trophy in his permanent possession.

Tho Buchanan Challenge Cur was won by Sergeant Plimmer, Wellington, with a score of 172.

Competitors speak very highly of tho arrangements and of the general conduct of the meeting. The catering on the range was' excellent, while the work of the statistical staff, nnde? Mr.. A. L. Webster, a veteran in secretarial duties, was admirable. Under his capable management the difficult business of working out the aggregate results becamo a comparatively simple matter, a circumstance very highly apprceia'cil by the press representatives. The accommodation for thosec T retarial staff is, however, Quito inadequate, and should be improved before the next meeting. To an association with a very substantial bank balance, as' is the Wairarapn Association, the provision of a commodious and convenient office for the secretariat should- not be a very embarrassing undertaking.' This matter is being kept "steadily in view." This visionary reform should,, however, bccome a material fact before another year passes. Another matter which should, and no doubt will, be taken in hand is the improvement of the target accommodation on tho range. Tho targets at present in use for long-range shooting are rather large and unwieldy, and stationed so near to each other as to hamper the markers in tho trenches. A good deal of time is wasted in the process of examining the target' and signalling the hits. It is niore than orobable that the Executive Council will take into . consideration in tho near future the question of installing new targets of the "shutter" typo. This will be a wise step, for the Papawai meeting grows more important every year. • ,