THE RIFLE CARNIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1068, 6 March 1911, Page 6

THE RIFLE CARNIVAL.

TRENTHAM IN A SQU'-EASTER.

SATURDAY'S SHOOTING.

WIND-CRAFT ON THE MOUNDS.

(From Our Special Eoportor.)

Saturday, the second day of tho NewZealand Kifle Championship meeting at Trentham, -witnessed tlio finish of tho ■ second match of the championship series —the "Auckland"—the first stage of tho "Kelson" (fourth of the series), and tho Snap-shooting Match, and the announcemont of tho "Tronthani" aggregate, results. It was also the brainy marksman's day out; a day for wind-craft, for subtle manoeuvre with the regiments and battalions of "fish-tails" and "corkscrews," ■which came skirmishing up from tho south-east, ambushing tho bullets of tho unwary, and making occasional raids on the flanks of tho Old Guard. Trentham in a sou'-oastcr is just as bad for shoot-ing-men as any rifle rango could possibly be, and the marksmen' at tho big carnival have had two days of it, The 'iveather prophet, whom certain disappointed marksmen would cheerfully scalp on general principles, says that storm signals for south-easterly gales have been exhibited. Tho outlook for to-day's battlo js therefore not very promising. SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS, Opening Match and Carbine Cup (105 points)— Won by Rifleman R. Stewart, Weber, 100 points; runner-up, Corporal F. A. Wagner, Popotunoa, 99 points, , Wellington Match (50 points)— Won by Lance-Corporal. J. Hunt, Wellington Post and Telegraph Rifles, 50 points; runnerup, Rifleman C. J. Franklin, Weber, 50 points (second place on the "countback.") .

Auckland Match (100 points)— Won by Rifleman W, S. Penny, Sandon-Ohakea, 97 points; runner-up, Rifloman F. C. Hay, Karori, 94 points.

Trentharh Aggregate (highest aggregate score in all championship matches at 500 and 600 yards)—

Leading for the Championship—Rifleman W. S. Penny, Sandon, 186; Rifleman F. Needham, Linton, 185. Snap-Shooting Match "(35 paints)— Won by Gunner G. Keenan, Wellington, 35. ON THE MOUNDS. Firing commenced at 8 o'clock in the morning, and with the usual break tor lunch, was continued up till about 5 p.m. The wind was exceptionally tricky, and grewworse in. its behaviour as the day went on. In th'e 1 early part of the day, tho variation was from about two to three degrees left to four degrees right, but later on as much as 12 degrees, and on certain "bad patches" on the mounds— there aro good and bad patches at Trentham in all weathers—even moro had to be allowed for the strength of the wind. The shooting in..tho Auckland Match, i; a,; ton-shot contest at 500 and 600 yards, is fully set out in the detailed results in tho prize-list below. Shooting generally was very good on tho 500 yards mound, but many a prospective prize-winner had h,is fond expectations'wrecked when he lay down to finish his ten shots at COO yards. Rifleman C. Whiteinan, of Upper Hutt, an experienced marksman, started off with a possible at 500 yards, hut the tricks of the sou'-easter wcro too much for him on the GOO yards range, and ho retired discomfited with a score of 30. Lieutenant Shanks, all tho way from Gore, rattled on 49 at the first range, but had to bo satislied .with 35 at 600 yards. J. Lunn, of Dunedin, was another man who went down on the 600 yards mound full of optimism' in knowledge that ho had made 49 at tho first range. Alas, for vain hopes! He, too, was stricken by tho enemy, and retired from the battle with 30. Eifleman H. - C. Jones, one of the Opaki men, and formerly one of tho doughty shots of tho Wellington Post nnd 'Telegraph Eifles, was unable to add more than a humble 3C to his 500 yards 6Core of 48; with a similar auspicious beginning, Cooinbes.' of the. Akaroa. Club, made 33; Sergt. Steenson, Queen's Eifles, 31; Kummer, president of the Mauriceville Eiflo Club, 37: Corporal Wagner, of Popotunoa, 30. Commencing with a proraising score of 47 at-500 yards, the present champion of New Zealand (Rifleman G. Hallidayj of Karori) struo"Tled through his battle with 38; Nat. Willoughby, of Gladstone, another good stayer, only made ( 35; Webster, of.Denniston, 30; Col.-Sergt. Kingi of 'Auckland, 31; Frazor, Kaitangata, 35; Forrest, Alexandra, 33; M'Cartney,' Riversdale, 33; Col.-Sergt. Grindell, Napier, 34; Clark, Rangitikei R.C., 30; Corporal Swinard, Queen's Rifles, 37; Serg_t. Alborough, Nelson, 2G; Bugler M'Konzic, Ashburton, 31; Dewar, Tarata E.G., 38; Humphries, Taranaki, 37. The 6cores of the survivors will'be'found in tho prize-list.

A tyro,. Sergeant Nicholls, Milton, was treated to a bard-luck shoot at the GOO yards range on Saturday morning. The first eight of his, ten shots were centrals, but the, ninth went oft the target altogether, a challenge foiling to locate the shot.- Tho man then went down again'for has last 'shot, and for the ninth timo found tho centre. « FISH-TAILS"— ILLUSTRATED. THE TALE OP A TARGET. Here is tho talo of a 600 yards target as punctured by eleven bullets belonging to a Karori rilleman—President Harry Marshall, crack shot of a crack club. It gives a very good idea of the fearful strugglo which took place between tho marksmen and thefish-tnils on the 000 yards mound.

A Disastrous Shoot,

Just as Marshall loaded the wind lulled, and ho fired elcad-in for his sighter— a magpie, high up on the outer ring. He had judged the wind correctly, for . the magpie was perched in a lino with the bull's-eye, but his elevation was too high. So he reduced it, fired his first counting shot dead-in, and scored a bull's-eye. Then the fish-tails having rested sufficiejitly, advanced to tho attack from the right. To avoid tho enemy Marshall shifted over two degrees, and tired shot number two, but the bullet fell into an ambuscade, was promptly gaoled right over in the extreme left of the outer, and branded as a magpie. Had he allowed five degrees lie would havo reached the haven of tho black disc. So just to be safe ho came over six degrees to tho right, and behold bullet number three was captured by tho enemy's reinforcements and placed beside its predecessor, similarly brandedj -Tho fourth] bullet jr.aa

given eight degrees, and met. with a bettor fate, flying into tho innor about "9 o'clock"—the watch-face is a very good method of indicating the position of the shots. Another degree would have made all the difference. The wind was now steadily increasing in force, so bullet number five went whistling off with an allowance of ten degrees right—a bull. Science had triumphed this time. The wind, discomfited, lulled about two degrees in strength, and tricked the marksman who gave his sixth bullet the same allowance as the fifth, and "fell in"—an inner, at >"3 o'clock." In the hopo that the rifleman might be "blown-out" altogether, tho wind now began to "pipe," but the subterfuge was detected just in time, and the seventh bullet, with twelve degrees allowance, went flying through the black disc—another one for science. The crafty fo,o now changed his tactics, and lulled two degrees. Marshall thought ho had lulled' more than that, and fired eight degrees to "the right—a magpie, at "9 o'clock," .near .the . other . two "birds." The wind once more "piped" up, and the ninth bullet went away 12 degrees to tho right, and reached ..tho bull's-eye by a circuitous once more. Another lull, four degrees this time, was estimated at two degrees only. Tho marksman gave his tenth and last shot ten degrees, where he should havo given eight, scored another "3 o'clock" inner, and retired—enchred. He didn't get into the prize-list, but by all the fishtails and corkscrews of Trentham, ho deserved it.

NELSON.MATCH.'. In the Nelson Match, 500-yards stage, the best scores were:— "■:■• '."*.' Eflmn. B. J. King (Opnki) .:.: 50 Sergt.-Major Drummond (Weitport) ... 50 Eflmn. H. Williams (Featherston) ... 49 Sergt. Patrick (Auckland) 49 Scrgt. J. H. Purnell (Wanganui) 49 Bandsmar. Swainson (Kuahine Battn.) 48 Rflmn. A. Caldwell (Karori):' 48 Sgt. Watson (Canterbury Highland's) 48 .Sergt. W.. Byder, Hastings ...'.,..., 48 Pte. A. L. Humphries (Taranaki) ... 48 Capt. W. S. King (Limvood) 48 Eflmn. J. M'Keriiie (Opaki) ............... 48 Sergt. H. C.'Evans (Taranaki) 48 Pte. Logan (Blohheira).'.';'..'....' 48 Corpl. Fisher (Stoke) ......;;:..;., 48 H. Pear'ce (Sandon-Ohakea).. 48 Scores of 47 were registered by:— Pte.. }?. R. Coombcs, • Auckland; Sergt. Wickens, Wellington; Lieut. C. J. Hallard, Hutt;-Eflmn. A. Hyde, Okawa; Pte. M'Lean, Thames; Eflmn. A. Lang, Waimangaroa;' Pte. L. Bennington, Geraldine; Pte. W. Cox, Geraldine'; Pte. J. O'sborn, Feilding; Eflmu.'B:,•J...Stubbings, Ngatiawa; Sergt. Kennedy, Napier; Lieut. Ongley, .Qamaru; Pte. Glen, Timaru; Eflmn. B. Stewart, Weber; Sergt. Yates, Napier; Eflmn. B. Sandford, Christ,chiirch; and Lieut. Duncan, Millerton. The Nelson Match will be completed today.

LEADING FOR THE BELT. ; THE TEENTHAM AGGEEGATE. The results of the Trentham Aggregate, a special competition in which prizes totalling ,£SO are awarded to tho 30 best aggregate scores in all championship ranges at 500 and GOO yards, and the prize-list of which also indicates to date the 30 men who are in the lead for championship honours, were available at the conclusion of the 500 yards stage of the Nelson ' Match., The list is as follows:— »£5, Eflmn. W. S. Penny, Sandon, ._ 18G £i, Eflmn. F. Neeilham, Linton 185 £i, Sergt. H. L. Frank, Nelson 183 <£3,. Rflmn. F.' C. Hay, Karori _ 183 £3, Eflmn. G. Craw, Linton :.. 182 .£3, Pte. L. loveday, Woodvillo 180 £2, Eflmn. E. J. Sutton, Shannon ... ISO £2, Eflmn. J. Bradlev, Dunedin 180 £2, Bomb. Ching, Lvttelton 180 £2, Sergt.. J. C.. Nicholls, Otago 179 £1, Q.M.S. W. Facer, Wellington ... 179 £1, Rflmn. H. C. Jones, Op'aki 178 £\, Eflmn. S. Clarke, Ohincmuri 178 £1, Gunner L. Watt, Westport ...... 178 .£l, Eflmn. G. G. Grover, Okato 178 £1, Eflmn. A. Lang, Waimangaroa... 177 .£l, Pte. A. Govenlock, Woodvillo ... 177 £1, Q.M.S. W. J. Morgan; Auckland 177 £1, Eflmn. A. Honderson, Sounds ... 177 £1 Eflmn: D. M'Loav, Opaki 177 £1, Eflmn. E, Cresswcll, Tua Marina 178 £1, Pte. G. Farley, Auckland 176 £1, Pte. G. A. Evles, Dannevirke ... 17G •El, Eflmn. H. Cutbbertson, Tua Marina 176 •CI, Col.-Sergt. II H. Moss, Bluff ...',176 £1, Sergt. S. Head, Napier 176 £1, Col.-Sergt. Smaill, Kaitangata ... 176 .£l, Lieut. E. Eeardon, Auckland ... 176 £1, Col.-Sergt. J. Harrison, Wanganui ■ 176 £1, Pte. H. Allen, Wanganui 175 Counted out:—Lance-Corpl. M'Kay, Lance-Corpl. J. E. Hunt, Sergt. S. Preece, Captain Skinner, Corpl. Bryden, Eflmn. W. H. Moselem, Rflmn. J. R. Cheeseman, Pte. E. W. Storkey, Eflmn. W. K. Williams.

THE PRIZE LISTS. AUCKLAND MATCH. 500 and 600 yds., ten shots at each range; possible aggregate, 100.' 5(10 600 yds. yds. Tl. A Rflmn. W. S. Penny (Sandon) 48 49 97 .£•1, Bflmn. F. C. Hay (Karori) 50 4-4 91 £i, Pte. L. Loveday(Woodville) 46 47 93 JC3, Col.-Sergt. H.- H. Moss (Bluff) ' 47 46\ 93 A Pte. Manley (Oamaru) 49 14 93 £3, Rflmn. R. Crcsswell (Tau Marina) 42 50 92 £2, Sergt. Frank (Nelson) 45 47-92 £2, Gunr. Watt (Westport) 4S 41 92 .E2, Pte. Allen (Wanganui) 43 ' 43 91 £2. Rflmn. Noedha'm (Linton) 16 45 91 The following took £1 prizes:—Rflmn. G. Hyde, Opaki, 49—12-91; Bombr. Ching, Lyttelton, 47—11-91; Q.M.S. Morgan, Auckland, 47-14—91; Rflmn. Grover, Okalo, 19-12-91; Rllmn. Sutton, Shannon, 15-15-90; Rflmn. 11. E. Harrison,Rahotu, 45—15-30; Pte. W. Brownlee,'Auckland, IB—l4-90; Rflmn. W. S. Moore, Akarana, 47—13—90; Corp. W. Perston. Dunedin, 47 —13-90;' Pte. A. Governlock, Woodville, 47—13-90; Rllmn. A. J. Cameron, Opaki, 18-42-90; Rflmn. A. J. Lcthani, Akarana, 15—42—90; Rflmn. T. Bradley, Dunedin, 19—11—90; Gunr. P. Keenan, ; Dunedin,' 15-11-89; Capt. J. n. Ross, Wellington, 15—11—39; Sergt. O. A. Law, Danncvirke, 16-13-89; Rflmn. C. G. Engstrom, Opaki, ■10—I3-S9; Pte.-n. R. King, Masterton, 18-41-S9; Rllmn. V. A. Fenwick, Dunedin. 48-11-89; Rflmn. A. Henderson, Sounds. JG—l3—B9; Lieut. C. ,7. Itoilard. Hutt, 18—11-89; Corp. W. Bradshaw, Ashburton, 18—11—89; Corp. Bryden, Kaiapoi, ■18-11-89; Sergt. A. J. Green, Westport, .19-10-89; Lieut. AV. Duncan, Millcrton, 19—10-89; Sergt... J. Hopewell, Eltham, 10-18-S8; Pte. H. V. Thompson. Napier, 41-47-83; Sergt. J. C. Nicholls, Dunedin 13—15—53; Lieut. Ongley, Oamaru, 11—14 —88; Rflmn. W. J. Worthington, Kio Kio 41—11-8S; Rflmn. A. A. Oliver. Auckland' 41-11-38; P!c. W. J. Senior, Coromandel 44—H—88; Pte. F. .Tames, Napier, 45—1,18S; Rflmn. J. Bums, Karori, .45—13—53; Sergt. .T. Dunill. Timaru, 45—13— aS; Rflmn. 11. Cuth'bcrtson, Tau Marina. 45— 43-83; Rflmn. W. K. Williams, Oliurn, 4G—42-88; Lieut. E. Reunion, Auckland 40—12-SS; Sergt. W. A. Mitcliener, Nelson, 16-42-88; Rflmn. S. Palmer, Weber 47—11-88; Pic. S. Clarke, Auckland, 4741—68; Col.-Sergt. .T. Harrison, Wanganui 48-10-88; Rflmu. T. Alexander, Akarana, IS-IQ.-.BBJ. Pte, JU G. Mackay, D.imedin,

43-44-87; l'te. P. C Russell, Hutt, 44-43-87; Corp. H. J. Smith, Hastings, 44-43-S7; Itflmn. D. M'Leay, Opiiki, 45-42-S7; Scrgt. J. Mae.MoiTaii, Wellington, 45— 42-87; Sergt. S. Head, Napier, 45—12-87; .Kflinn. S. Hurst, Waihao Downs, 45-42-87;_Bombr. A. Holmshaw, Dunedin, IG—ll —ST; Itflmn. A. Lang, Waimangaroa, 4G— 41—87; Sergt. ,T. AV. Nixon, Dunedin, 46— 41-87; Rflmn. AV. T. Head, Akarnna, 46-41-87; liflnm. AV. H. Moselem, Kaco, 4G--41—87; Sergt. S. Preece, Gore, 46—41—87; Sergt. A. Joplin, AVellinglon, 46-41-87; Kflinn. C. Williams, Okuia, 47—10-87; Rflmn. D. Roots, Kapouga, 47—40—87; Sergt. Harlnell. Taranaki, 48-39-87; Kflinn. AV. N. Masofield, Sounds. 48-39-87; Rllnin. 0. Craw, Linton, 49-.IS-87; l'te; P. A. B. Ingpen. Ripotunoa, 41—15— 86;Pte. A. Godfrey, Wauganui, 41—15-86; l'te. J. AVintcrbottom, llcnniston, 41—45— 8G; Sergt. P. Kennedy. Napier, 41—15—86; Rflmn. P. England,' Karori. 12-44-SG; Sergt. A. J. Melville, AVaikato, 4!l—W-S6; Corp. J. Drennan, Oamaru, 44—42—86; Sergt. Melhnish, Kaikoiira, 44—42—SG; Rflmn. .T. AV. Gardner, TCakahi, 41—42—50; Kflinn. K. Stewart, 'Weber, 44—12—86; Rflmn. G. Howe, Ngatiawa, 45—41—Su; l'te. M'Pherson, Tapamti, 45—41—86; Capt. Skinner (unattached), 46—40—SG; Eleven men were counted out.

The following tyros received each:— Pte. AV. Gane, Marlborough Mounted Rifles; Sergt. R. ll.Daldy. Hauralcißifles; Sergt. H. Simmonds, AVaitohi Rifles; Rflmn. T. J. Chapman, Eastbourne, each 85; Bombr. G. Kennie, AVestport G.A., Corp. P. Richards, Kaiapoi Rifle?, Pte. 1). Parsons, Dunedin Guards, Rflmn. A. M'Laron. Flag Swamp Rifle Club, Rflmn. N. AYood. Christchureh R.C:., Corp. AA'. Clinton. Denniston Rifles, each SI.

The following received 10s. each:—Corn. C. M. Wilson, AVestport G.A.. Corp. H. Hughes, AVanganui, Rifles, Pte. Logan, Blenheim Rifles. Pte. M'Donald. Temiika, Rifles, Kflinn. H. E. Hill. Wnihmo R.C, Sergt. AV. J. Jones, Fcildine. each 84; Rflmn. H. Loveday, Ohura R.C, Col.Sergt. Doran. Queen's Rifles. Rflmn. K. Pinch, Flag Swamo R.C. Rflmn. AA r . Oldfield. Rangitikei R.C, Corp. I). Rankin, Wellington City Rifles, Tte. F. Maiden. Nanier Guards, Rflmn. A. Lcwin. Opaki R.C, Pte. Fletcher. AVaimarino Mounted Rifles, Rflmn. AV. A. Mason. Foathorston R.C. Pte. T. Cusack, Denniston, Rflmn. F. Stanton, Tua Marunni R.C. each S3; Kflmn. D. Inman-Tod, Upper Hutt R.C, Rflmn. P. J. H. Carrington, Akarana R.C, Pte. K. Thyne, Timnrii Guards, each 82. Eleven others were counted out.

'. SNAP-SHOOTING MATCH. 300 yds., target head and shoulders, 4-in. bull's-eyo invisible to firer; each hit on figure to count five points (hit on bull'seye only to count for ties); target exposed seven times for four seconds each. Besults :— £o, Gunner G. Keenan, Wellington, 35* (six bulls). M, Sergt. S. P. Nelson, Canterburv, 35 (five bulls). Prizes of £2 13s. 4tl. each:— Eflmn. P. Wilkie, Upper Hutt, 35 (4 bulls); Pte. Wcoley, Auckland, 35 (4 bulls); Bugler E. P. Moss, Greymouth, 35 (4 bulls). Prizes of ,£1 12s. each:— Eflmn. G. G. Grover. Okato, 35 (3 bulls); Pto. E. Smith; Geraldine, 35 (3 bulls); Lieut. H. M'lntosh, Waitohi, 35 (3 bulls); Sergt. Broad, Geraldine, 35 (3 bulls); Eflmn. C. Thompson, Sounds, 35 (3 bulls). Prize of £1 each:— Eflmn. G. Leitch. Mnraekakaho, 35 (2 bulls); Eflmn. W. N. Masefield, Sounds, 35 (2 bulls); Pte. J. Winterbottom. Denniston, 35 (2 bulls); Col.-Sergt. Robertson, Timaru, 35 (2 bulls); Bombr. A. Ilolmshaw, Dunedin, 35 (2 bulls); Eflmn. H. Bulford, Karori, 35 (2 bulls); Eflmn. Tokely, Okawa, 35 (2 bulls); Eflmn. Williams, Ohura, 35 (2 bulls); Eflmn. D. M'Donald, Flag Swamp, 35 (2 bulls); Corp. J. Beattie, Tapanui, 35 (2 bulls); Rflmn. E. ,T. King, Opaki, 35 (one bull); Lieut. A. T. Johnston. Nelson 35 (1 bull); Pte. E. C. Russell, Hutt Valley, 35 (1 bull)-, Corp. C. Ogden. Limvood, 35 (1 bull); Trooper H. Tripe, Marlborough, 35 (1 bull); Rflmn. W. A. Lumsdcn, Sandon, 35 (1 bull); Pte. Laking, Blenheim, 35 (1 bull); Rflmn. Sandford, Christchurch, 35 (1 bull); Scrgt. F. Morgan, Carterton, 35 (1 bull); Corp. C. Swiuard, Auckland, 35 (l bull); Sapper Eodgers, Wellington, 35; Eflmn. H. Loveday, Ohura, 35; Eflmn. E, Duthie, Christchurch, 35; Scrgt. H. Plimmer, Wellington, 35; Sergt. Dunill, Timaru, 35; Corp. Given, Wellington, 35; Eflmn. T. Daysh, Taranaki, 30 (4 bulls); Trooper S. Maronzi, Eketahuna, 30 (4 bulls). Prizes of 15s. Gd.:— Sergt. C. J. Fisher, Wellington,' 30 (3 bulls); Lieut. C. Gnsf|iioino, Wellington, 30 (3 bulls); Lieut. H. Duncan, Millerton, 30 (3 bulls); Eflmn. P. C. Jenkins, Okato, 30 (3 bulls); Eflmn. P. Thomson. Upner Hutt, 30 (3 bulls); Rflmn. A. Guise. Karori. 30 (3 bulls); Eflmn. M. P. Chapman, Te Kapau. 30 (3 bulls); Pte. H. Warnock, Stoke, 30 (3 bulls). A KNOTTY POINT. HOW SHOULD TIES BE DECIDED? [By Echelon.] A mighty controversy is being fought out among the argumentative ones on the range on the subject of "centrals" and tio decisions, and though the immediate question at issue—the winning place in the Wellington Match—has been decided in terms of tbo official result of that particular match as published in The Dominion on Saturday morning, the argument is by no means finished on the range. Should Lance-Corporal J. Hunt, of the Wellington Post and Telegraph Rifles, who was announced the winner of the Wellington Match, with a ten-shot possible of 50, or Rifleman C. J. Franklin, of the Weber Eiflo Club, who was awarded the second place, and who also scored a ten-shot possible, have taken first place in the prize list? That is the immediate question. The official fiat has declared Hunt to bo the winner, but not before an amended prize list reversing the positions of the two men hail been made out and held in abeyance pending an appeal to the Chief Executive Officer (Colonel R. J. Collins), who was then in Wellington, and who declared in favour of the original list. Even now, the general question covering the decision of ties is still being keenly debated, the whole of the argument turning upon the interpretation of the following definition and rulo governing the decision of ties:—

"A tie occurs when the score made by two or more competitors in one and the same competition make up the same aggregate number of marks. Unless otherwise provided, ties shall be decided as followsi —

"In individual competition: (1) If at more than one distance, by the range totals in order of distances, commencing with the longest.

"(2) If still a lie, or if at ono distance only, by the value of each shot in inverse order, such value being in the case of centrals 6 marks; and in the case of tho inclusion of moro than one score at any one distance, the. aggregato value o£ the last and each other shot successively in inverse- order in the several scores at such distance, the distances being taken in order commencing with the longest.

"(.1) If still a tic, as follows:-(a) If for prize? all of which are money only, by division; (b) if for prizes all of which are not money only, by shooting off."

The above clauses have been incorporated in the rules of the D.Ii.A. since the last Jtarch meeting, and it is .significant that, on tho firs': occasion upon which it has been brought into operation, tho result should have evoked such a mighty controversy. The general feeling on the range is decidedly in favour of Franklin's claims to the first place on the list, but it seems to me, apart altogether from the general merits of the case, that this feeling is based upon an erroneous interpretation of the rule. If broadly speaking, the Tide has operated unfairly against Franklin, the suggestion of faulty construction at once arises, but certain points require to be carefully considered before ono may, with every justification, condemn it. This year the system of scoring has keen extended by the addition of what is called the "central," an invisible circle in the centre of the bull's-eye. The size of the "central" varies with the range; at 200 yards it is i inches in diameter in a G-ineli bull, and at. 500 and 000 yards, 12 inches in diameter in a 20-inch bull. Each shot in tho bull's-eye disc—anywhere within the disc —counts . r > in the marksman's aggregate score; ten bull'seyes count 50. But in registering (lie score thoso shots which hit the "central" are indicated by a "V." and those on anv other part of the bull, by a "5." This system of registering the hits makes no difference to the aggregate result so far as match score is concerned, but when a tig results, kits on the "central" count

six in order to decide the tie. Hunt and Franklin finished thus ("centrals" indicated by "c"):11 it nt — csj.'>s 355 3c—.10. Franklin—cccccsccss—3o. Each scored a ten-shot possible—a fine piece of work—and tied for the winning honours in the Wellington Match. Hunt scored eight bulls and two "centrals." Franklin' scored three bulls and seven "centrals." Franklin's was clearly the better performance, for in "centrals" and bulls, adding the extra mark for cadi "central," he held 57 marks as against Hunt's 52. On general merit, therefore, Franklin beat Hunt, yet had to take second place. Why? This is where the rule eotnes in. According to Clause 2 of the rule, a tie for one distance—as in the Wellington Match—is decided "by the value of Each Shot in Inverse Order, such value being in the case of 'centrals' six marks." This is what is known on the range as the "count-back," the underlying principle of which is that the man who finishes best is the better of tho two. Franklin finished with a bull, but Hunt's last shot found the central, and he therefore won on tho "countback." Take it this way: Suppose that tho two men had tied with 42. Thus:— Hunt—5455c25533—42. Frank1in—355551c235—42. Franklin, on the "count-back," would have won, notwithstanding the fact that each had scored five bulls and a "central," because his last shot beat Hunt's. Tho trouble on the range is that marksmen read the rule as to ties to the effect that the total value of the "centrals" sco.rcd by each man should be compared —that Franklin's seven "centrals" should have beaten Hunt's two "centrals." With all duo respect to thoso who agree with that reading of the rule, there is no getting away from tho strict letter of the rule, in my opinion, and that is, that tho "count-back" is tho deciding factor. AVhen two men finish with bull's-eyes, the last shot of one of them being a "central," the "count-back" is the essential determining factor in the situation. Though the system of "centrals" is new, the principle of the "count-back" has not been departed from. Any variation of this interpretation would involve the sacrifice of the "count-back." Franklin's case is a special one, and possesses intrinsic merit, for his no doubt was the belter performance, but there appears to be no help for him under the rule.