TRENTHAM-1913

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1686, 28 February 1913, Page 6

TRENTHAM-1913

THE OPENING DAY. " LOW ENTRIES & WHY ? COLONEL COLLINS'S ADDRESS. SERVICE MATCHES BEGUN.

1 : .Fine weather, .with man oi» .' the mourida would call a 'left-front wind" , / Mowing across,,the,range;favoured the • opening day.o£..tlio;t>velfth annual.priza . meeting of the Dominion Eiflo Associalion.at.Troutham yesterday. The list of entries,. though not as large as in the /palmy days,of the bull's-eye carnivals, is , still materially larger than the depressing » total : of Insit year (2!)(i), and by. Monday next, when the eyents commence,- should pass the,3oo mark; •This is a hopeful sign, and furnishes a rather effective reply:, to tliose who have ■. prophesied .that ,the new military, regime in Now iJealand iwould ' kill" rifle 6hoot- • iug." It certainlyarrested -the .-.-record-. . making' progress of .the old D,E.A. pro-' ;. ' granimiis—the meeting of 1911 produced , ' an entry list of about COO—but the drop ' :;in the figures 'is accounted for by the fact o¥^fe'fe^^®..'T®rritprial;,ATOyJ',l^ow/^Mrttited , :yfrdm':raw youths; ;is not Eo /ivell; repre- , . ; seated jM/.was the c pld;yolunteer army, the . • xanis; of .which ,! -were;-very largely .made Aip.'of-ineii -whose chief'-interest ■■in- tile defence , system- was !thejr'week-end shoot- - ing;, ' " ! J;'y;; :v; ; ' Judging T>y the which is being .v made with the musketry .training of the ; Territorials,; it,, is doubtful— 7if .the; Fifth .; Eegiment -of New. Zealand Infantry (AVel- >' lington)..Vis'..,.'ariy,:criterion—'whether the. ' iiew.. defence system will ever : succeed in fostering; ; erithusinsm : in marksmanship, , for the enthusiasm of the old bull's-eye: 'shot' ia a.sporting enthusiasm, fostered' / week-end > competitions for trophies. ' , The. science of musketry, so . far as the ,'Ktlieory' of it ; matters, has no place -in the ;■ thoughts? of .the, average rifle club. shot. . His .school is a school of experience,, on *':;;theLnio l unds.'facingi..the'" targets, -.wrestling: ; With; first-hand pi'obleins oflight.' ivind, inhd elevation.. The musketry courso of tho New Zealand /Territorial 'soldier ,is regarded witK ,a not very : respectlul eye, and .his' phrases '"silly ' matches", and ''ium])ing jinnies," pic" . : 'turesquely present - his . opinion 'of rifle * . matches. ;fired under . "service, ' conditions. However, all-.this by the way, and a little . ■ noro anon. . Colonel'Collins not "Downhearted." At 8.30 a.m. sharp the competitors were ■■ summoned to the /'squadding points," and tho,Camp Commandant (Colonel E, Ji Collins, C.M.G.), the Chief Executive Officer of;tho,D.B.A., delivered his annual address to the men. :• -■ • -v ; " 'r'! ''We aro openin/ this meeting , to-day .' under.. very good auspices," he said, ,f but .: our. city-.is not what I expected. I':am Eomewha-ti disappointed at that. ' In 1911 : .inhere wasl jUnmistakable evidence, that tho -popularity of rifle Shooting "'was1. thore wero close on'BOO .entries—and I ; wa9 . 'justified' in anticipating ' that the ; -1000 :. ! mark would ' bo' Teached beforo long." : However, lio . added, ho. had| hot'lost hope'. :. Of the 353 _ entries received this year, 74; :.-;::.wero: described, os "territorials," ' bnt :: to . ' judge from the old-time uniforms, whichJlO. saw;.. ho'judged that' they -'wero soiue, ' . •> of.'hiS bid friends from- the Eeservei ' The 1 rifle clubs were' represented" by 279 eri- : tries, whilo 09 tyro 'shots, had Ventriml liither to try their luck. In tho. old . ;■ (lays,- hq 'had- seen two:, or,;threß hundred tyro's parade. • Ho was very glad, to: see , ~ tjiem, h'owevbr. . They'. had, special. prizes', , —30 in each match—and would /there-"' fore have "a picnio on ; their own." (LaughWr.) ) Why this Decline? "There are many . reasons,- no 'doubti ' --'or 'this • decline in. .our entries," said - .; ;he, speaker,; 'rbnt - the; principal ' reas'on, . ■'.'f! niy.mind, is the lack of encouragement given , to rifle-shooting.;/: -: As :to> who is f : responsible, that^is 1 .not:for;,n;e' / v No .matter, what' 1 pur scheme/of /defene? : ' may; be—and >it is : one .of .-nriiicli'l -en-' -tirdy. ',bo/en"-'.. ; eonraffcd. A inari'may: be , welldrilled --■una disciplined, but he very little use .as a : isnldier ' if. he could '.hot hit his, enemy., (Hear, hear.) Cl -'think' it ;. Eoberts ,-who-said. that . 80,.per c f ','. snldier's ..training: was : rifle-The.-speaker .addecli.a? hope ■ that regimental and company commanders do all in their power ■to foster He was i aware that Geneaal Godley . was in- favour of rifle-shoot- ' ■ 2 n .?>.. pht'.eyerythihg- hlust "hot: be! left to ' , tol .- carr y- buth'lt' was'for the .terri- / ; tpr!al commanders and ■ officers .•/jto-carry,,out the spirit of„ his intention,' : «nd foster 0 love-of-rifle-shcoting. . >■ Some Veterans Specially Mentioned. Continuing, Colonel Collins-said he was ' -ffT .' -note"that". 1 -the.--rifle > club -raen //Had,_entered:*numerotisly 'for 'the 'service 1 • events, which were regarded bv: the De■;fence authorities.as investing':tlie D.B.A a military.value/ Hei'looked !fOl«bs-.*ft6, support 'these /.iiatches.; .. He, wag pleased to see many .1)1(1. . veterans ;:,of .thia ' mounds' pressnt-i-' Kineinan Fraser, of Kaitangatai';' Captain t'a'mongstJ/.athers. . ■ - " ; or 01 ? . :<Ta3 ', 0 Rifleman : Harding, -of iJtenheim, whose exDerience went back 'Al® ® 'seventies./ ', Death,, ho regretted ' nA.fp i ' 1 amoved'; from-' the- ranks , Liejit.-Colonel Beokmgliam, of Tiinaru. z .lun-ally, ho wished• ' the' oornDDtitoiig , overy ,access, .arid,,hoped...that,, the .pro- - ;-:^imrp;r ting j OTld^ The Day.'s Shooting and Official Results/ ■, The day^wa9 devoted to individual ser- : yice matches, and from the competitofs'jpoint of-view, was practically an off-day' on the range.. Three of the events werecompleted before daylight faded. . These' ■ were the. loophole-cover matcK and" the' ' /rapid-shooting and'snapshooting events. : ■ hernce matches will be dontinued for tie remainder, of tho week,- but Monday will- '■ i -ff 0 §e. of the' battle - for ' Detailed'results of ,»the day s,shooting are shown on tho prize . Jists appended ; j RAPID-SHOOTING MATCH.' fieyeh rounds lit; 500 yds.;' firstxslass figure - . / /target. . seconds for the-first ' shot, which was "spotted": and sig- , nailed, and forty-five' seconds - for--the i .• remaining six shots,in l which time competitors had; to'."spot"- their j 'sighters" and git oil their six shots., •-C5—J. Yeo, Auckland E.C. i.,... 34 j Ji3 10s. Lieut. A; 'J.' AVestport : 30 ' U. 3 10s.—\V. N. Jloslem, Kaeo R.C. ... 30 './Prizes of .£1 lis. 6d. were awarded to: bergeaut-ilajor Montgomery (N;Z. Staff, Dunedin), V. Swanson- (Opaki 8.C.), F. Eowe (Blenheim E.C.), Pte. R. AV. 'Bolk (JV'oodviUe), AV. A. Snelling (Suburbs E.C.), J. Drennan (AVanganui R.C'.); AVj - Is.. AVilliams (Ohura 8.C.), 29 each. Prizes of JJl.each: ■!, :N. Carrington (Akarana 8.C.), 29; Lieut. J. JI; Shanks 1 (Gore), Lieut. H. H. M'lntosh (Seddon), ' L. AV. Jlonzies (Christchurch 8.C.), Lieut. 1 J. Hubbart (Hauraki/Regt.), Capt. A. J. ' jVlcrrielees (Tauranga), Pte. F. 3layhew ! (7th Eegt.), each 28. 1 ' j Prizes of 19s. each: Lieut.iA. S. T. But- ! ler (East Coast Eegt.), AV. Eandell (Lin- * ton 8.C.), K F. Sandford (Christchurch : 8.C.), G. Hyde (Opaki), E. C. AV. M'Cal- < mailt (Opaki R.C.), J. Given (Suburbs ' 8.C.), Sergt. A. G. Defore' fAVaikato),-Sergt.-Instructor H. J. King (Auckland), ' • Armourer-C'orp. Saunders (6tn Begt.), W. 3l'lvor (To Awamutu R.C.), J. C'. Turner ' (Suburbs 8.C.), each 27. 1 t Prizes of lOs. -each: B, Smith (Opaki 1 , iE.C.), 11. R. King (Masterton' 8.C.), AV. , .J, Honry (Christchurch • 8.C.), A. P. An(Wanganui E.C.), AV. N. Masefield ] J i/Sounds 8.C.), 11. E. Hunt (Suburbs 8.C.), A. J. Lctham (Akarana 8.C.), Corp. Mace 1 (11th Eegt.), each.26. -' v-"... ' Prizes of 7s. each: — Brownlees (Auckland E.C.), Capt. J. Potter (Auckland), AV. Powell (Akarana,R.C.), A. Hamshaw 1 (Veterans' E.C.), 'AV. Oliver . (New -Plymonth R.C.) ( ,D. Armstrong (AVhangamomona)! Lieut. AV.'Duncan (Hokitika), 1 Pte; C. Leitcl' (8 f h Rest.). D.'L. M'Alist"r: (Junoe E.C.), AV; 11. Thomas (Pct(mo 1i.C.l P. Kuowles Welson 8.C.), Sergt. F.

Sharland (Nelson), AV. Chirnsido"(Karori K.C.), J. C., Low (Karori E.C.), B. C. Cooke (Blenheim 8.C.), H. C. Evans (New Plymouth E.C.), each 25. LOOPHOLE COVER MATCH. 500 yards. Seven shots. First-class figure target. Prone position, firing through loopholes. Magazino fire.' First shot 30 seconds; remainder, 0 seconds, the iirst shot being "spotted" and signalled, : .Es—Rifleman D. Eoots, Patea 33 ,£•l—Eifloman AV. Cox, Auckland City 32 .E3-rLiciit. AT. F. Narbey, 11th >Eegt. 31 >03—Eifloman Cnssells, Karori 31 Prizes of " JJI, cach .with 30 points.— Rifleman A r . Swhnson (Opaki); liifleinaii E. P.- Sandford (Christchurch); Eifleman AV. 11. TJiomas (Petono); Sergt. T. AV. Narbey (11th Regiment);. Rifleman ,E. AV. Wilson (AVhanganiomona) ; Eifloman B. Cooko' (Blenheim); President N.' 'Mase,field (Sounds 8.C.); Eifleman N. F. AVilloughby (Karori); Sergt. J. AV. Nixon (Lyttelton G.A.); Eifleman N. Halmshaw (Veterans E.G.)., . Prizes of. *61, each with' 20 points.— Eifleman E. Smith (Opaki); Cant; AV. C. Drummond (Senior Cadets, AA'estport); Capt. Mace (11th Regiment); Eifleman T. Goodall (Suburbs 8.C.); Rifleman B. C. Barkle (Suburbs 8.C.); Eifleman J. N. Purnell (AVanganui)., . .Prizes of 15s. 9d., oaoh with 28 points.— Eifleman C. B. Speck (Stratford); Lieut. A. J. Green (AVestport G.A.)'; Bitten,an J.: E. Cahlwoll (Opaki); Sergt.-31ajor Montgomery (Staff. Dimedin); Eifleman' AV. Sutherland (Goodwood); Q.-M.-S. P. J. Denton (Staff. Blenheim); Eifleman J. Anstico (Nelson); Lieut. AV. Duncan (13th Eegiment); Sergt. H. Simmonds (Railway Corps); Ex-President G. Loveday (Ohnra);' -Gunner F. W. Ching (R.N.Z.A.); .Rifleman F. Rowo (Blenheim). Prize of ss. 9d„ each with .27 points.— Rifleman H. Sneddon (Highland Rifles); Eifleman T. J. Chapman.(Suburbs 8.C.); Eifleman AV. E. Keatin? (New Plvmouth); Eifleman T. Knowles (Nelson); Corp. D. Scannell Jl2th : Eegiment); Eifleman Steenson (Glenavy); President C. E; Bacon (Auckland City); Rifleman L. J. Comrie (Akarana): Eifleman H.-Loveday (Ohnra); Rifleman H. Mawley (Opaki); Rifleman C. .1. .Fisher (Suburbs 8.C.); .Rifleman J. Too: (Auckland City); Eifleman S. M'Nab (Buaroa);. Corp. F. J: Weir > (3rd: Auckland M.8., A'Squad); Eifleman E. Wells (Sounds 8.C.); Lieut. H. H. M'lntosh (P. and T. Rifles, Seddon): Biflonmn AV. Elvidge (Ujfppr Hutt); Eifleman A. Batt (Lincoln): E.ifleman A. Patrick (Auckland' City): Rifleman J. G. Wilson (Chri=tcliurcM: Rifleman H. G. Hunt Suburbs 8.C.); Rifleman AV. ,A. Kenning (Nelson); President -Rummer (Mauricevillel; Pte. B. Ingley.. (Ca<l<>ts,'\ Grevtownl; Eifleman 'Jr, 1 ® n ' a 'ell (Linton); Pte. I']. Ballinger (G.A., Pekme).

SNAP-SHOOTING MATCH." i : 300 yards. Five rounds. Second /class ■ figure target. - Exposure of 1 seconds. ■ ■•Magazino fire.: ' ''. Eflmn. W. Cox, Auckland City ■ ■ ■ B.C. 21 Lieut'. A. J. Green. • Wcstport . G.A. 21 <68—Sergt. J. Bryden, Kaiapoi 20 <£2 10s.—W. J, Hendry, Christchurch . R.C. .19 £2 10s.—President Maingay, ' .Christchurch B.C. <19 £2—Bflran. 'J. Stevenson, Gleniivy ... 19 Prizes of each.-Eflmri. AV. 'AVest (Blenheim 8.C.); Efinin. A. Levin (Opaki 8.C.), each 19. . Bflmn. AV." M'lvor (Te Awamutu 8.C.); Lieut. H./H. M'lntosh (P. and T. Bides,' Seddon); Eflmn. • O. Cume; (Ohura 8.C.); Sergt.-Major Frank (Canterbury); Staff-Sergt. F. W: Sharland (A Company, ;Nelson) j .Sergt.-Major Montgomery (Staff, Dunedin); Col.-Sergt, ,0. H. Doran (10th ; - Regiment, Oamaru); Sergt. N. C. Swiniird . (10th Eegiment); Eflmn. M'Calmont (Opaki 8.C.), each 18. Lieut.' L..Hugo (No. 3 Company,! Senior Cadets, AVellington); Eflmn. AV. Randell (Linton 8.C.); Corp; D. Scanell (12th .Regiment); : Eflmn.. .W. Botham (Tua. Marina); Rflmn. J. Yeo (Auckland City' 8.C.); -Pte. F. AV. / Chin? (E.N.Z.A.); Eflmn. A. P. Anderson (AVanganui B;C.); Eflmn. J. R. Given (Suburbs : 8.C.) ; Bflmn.'-W. Oliver '(New ■Plymouth'R.C.);. Capt. A; G. Devore (B Company, 3rd .Begiihent), each 17. ! : - ■ . (Kiwi, 8.C.); Sergt. G. Guthrie (Havelock North); .Eflmn.-:-H. C. Jones (Opaki), Bflmn, -L.'. F. Grimstone (Karori 8.C.); Bflmn.v S.* Elliott' (Akarana- 8.C.); Eflmn. T. AV; Warbnrton B.C.V; Corp. Mace (11th Regiment); Pte. L. Lovedav (AVoodville Rifles); Eflmn. A. Sawood (Apiti 8.C.); Eflmn. H. G. : Hunt (Suburbs 8.C.); Capt. J. E. Barltrop (D Company, 7th v Eegiment); Lieut. W. Duncan "(J Company, 13th Eegiment) ; Pte. E. Ballinger (N0.,9, G.A., Pel'one); W;-AValden (Dep.-Pres. Kaituwa 8.C.); Eflmni F. (Linton ; B.C.)Bflmn. K'foils (AVaimangaroa).; Capt; N. F. 'Hastings (M.E.); Eflmn. W. Mooro (Thames E.C.), each 16.- Pte. W. E. Hudson (P. and T. Eifles, Palmeiston . North); Eflmn..; A.' Henderson (Sounds R.C.), each 151, /Twenty were counted out. / ; .' "/