TRENTHAM--1912.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 2

TRENTHAM--1912.

FOURTH DAY. SHOOTING IN THE RAIN, service hatches, championship isattm; bkoi.ns TO-DAY. Saturday w.is a wet and dismal d;W, and everybody was heartily si ad when the targets were turned down. Rain began to fall almut 7 o'clock in the morning, and tho general appearance of the sky promised nothing better as the day wore on. However, what. was to be had to be, and umbrellas, leggings oilskins, gum-boots, and goloshes were fished nut mid donned according to the particular habit of the individual. At S o'clock the compelitors marched off through the wet grass to the mounds, aud, spreading their waterproof sheets thereon, began.the business of the morning—snap-shouting at 300 yards. From that they went en with the "Moving Target" match, during the firing of which an accident, happily not: a serious one, befell one of the markers in the. trench at the Collins Range. The circumstances connected with this mishap arc reported elsewhere. Despite the down-1 pour, the dripping sliootists hud enthusiasm to spare for some practice at 1000 yards, an ext'ra match being put on>for them, for.sweepstake prizes. This and the "Attack .Match," with occasional visits to tho "Running Man," kept ;hem going during the afternoon. The targets were turned down about I o'clock, and, with tho exception of a mere handful of men who had decided to rest quietly in camp, everybody changed into their city clothes aud made a bee-line for the rail'way station for the 4.15 p.m. train to town. Attack and Observation of Fire. Saturday saw tha practical completion of the individual service matches. In the snap-shooting event: the competitors were required to load, and remain in the loading position, with the forearm and ritle resting on the ground, until the appearance of the target, which was exposed for -1 seconds. During that space the fiver had to aim and fire, at ;)00 yards range. The "Moving Target".match was something more difficult. The range and time-exposure were the same as in the snap-shouting event, but (he target was exposed at various points at irregular intervals varying from 4 to 10 seconds. In the "Attack" match there were three ranges—lol), 1)00, and 200 yards-with three sjinls at each, in any military position. The competitors were paraded behind the 500 yards mound, when their arms were inspected, triggers tested, and ammunition issued. They were then marched to the 500 yards mound, from where their firing positions, indicated by pegs, were (Kiinleif out to them. On the sound of the whistle, they advanced to their first position—at -100 yards—and were given 45 seconds to get off three rounds. A whistle 15 seconds later gave them the order to advance to the ."00 yards pegs, where the. same process was repealed. Then followed an advance to the 2CO yards pegs, and three more rounds were fired, after which rifles were unloaded, and the competitors doubled back to the starting point. This match on the official programme is described as a practice in "attack and observation of fire." The procedure resembled the advance in attack, but it was difficult lo see where tho 'Vbservation of fire , ' came in. In active service, the oflicer in charge gives the range, and observes the result of the firing, altering the range ami. the target according to the dictates of his judgment. There are no wooden pegs showing the exact ranges on the field of battle. Championship Matches To-day. This morning a start will be made with the championship matches. Firing in the Auckland Match will epen at 8 o'clock, at 300 and 500 yards. The Wellington Match—a ten-shot event at 500 and 000 yards—will bs taken in the afternoon. On Tuesday three of the big matches will 1)0 disposed . of—the Canterbury Match (ten sliots at GOO yards) and Otago 'Match (ten shots at SCO yards), in the forenoon; and the Nelson Match (ten shots at SOO and 900 yards), in the afternoon. Wednesday will be devoted lo two more big matches—the Hawke's Bay (ten shots at 900 yards) and Taranaki' (ten shots -at 1000 yards)—which events it is hoped to get clear of by mid-day, and the Ohanu pionship Teams' Match and United .Service Match, which will be commenced at 1 p.m. The United Service Mutch, in former years, was an interesting duel between men of the military forces and the rifle clubmen, for the Dawson Shield and a cash prize of .E2O. This year, however, it has boe-ii decided to make the contest an inter-district one. This new arrangement should promote a healthy rivalry, and furnish a keen competition. By Wednesday evening, the fate of everybody will be decided, except those who have to fire in the Service Championship Match, aud tho King's Match for the Bnllinsrer Belt, and many are expected to leave camp for home then. Rifle Club Men Meet To-night. This evening has been fixed for the meeting of rifle club men to appoint delegates to meet General Godley in conference on the subject of the reorganisation of rifle clubs and Ihe amendment of the Dominion Rifle. Association's constitution with respect to the executive council.