ON THE MOUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1691, 6 March 1913, Page 6

ON THE MOUNDS.

NOTES ON THE SHOOTING. From the point of view of picnic parties, the weather at Trentham .yesteulay was perfect. A simmering hot day, languorous zephyrs which ro=c and fell, and a blue sky, streaked with long diaphanous streamers that festooned the dome above. But these languorous zephyrs brought no solace to tli'e men on the mounds. They vexed their soul.s. For sheer trickiuess, the weather y;as in quite the worst mood so far experienced. The partly-completed Nelson Match, a ten-shot contest, at 800 and 900 yards, was concluded early in the forenoon and provided a close finish, Cheesman, of Tna 31nriua (the winner), Bruce, of New Plymouth (the runner-up), and 3t'3lurrny, of To Awamutu (third man), all finishing with an aggregate of 93, and taking precedence on the "count-back." Carter, of Nelson, who made a poor showing, with 38 points at 800 yards, the previous afternoon. made a brilliant "possible" on going down for his shoot on the 91)0 yards range. The Otiigo Match, at 800 and 1000 yards, provided a field of Amageddon for marksmen elated by their earlier successes.' The wind in its trickiest-mood, changing .lights and puzzling mirages, all combined to pervert the straight and narrow way o'f righteous-mind;d bullets, sent forth on their errand with a pious liope\for the best. It was a disastrous match for the "big suns," while the many of the "little - guns" presented score cards bearing, disconsolate rows of noughts. of Taradale. made a good start with 45 at 800 yards, but was unable to go better than 34 at the longer—and deadlier—range, wiiere the sportive fish-tails and corkscrews lay in wait for his bullets. A remnrkoble good recovery was made by G. R. Smith, of Kaponga, who. after a modestly jjood start 0f.43 at 800 yards, came back to the 1000 yards range aud rattled on 47. Thq worthy president of the Ruanehu Club. Rifleman 3lnr;ridse. went back to the 1000 'yards • range, full of hope after making 42.at 800 yards, and made 9! 3Tt>lvillo, of. Akarana, who made a - brilliant possible. (59) nt 800 yards, collapsed at the looser range, and rose up a disappointed and chagrined sport, with a score of 30. Another man. Griffiths, of the AVanganui Club, dropped to 31 at 1000 yards- after making an excellent score of 48 at 800 yards. M'Calmont. of Opaki, fared as badl.v with 49—36 at the respective ranges, 800 and 1000 yards. Bolt-in, his club mate, ma«c 48—26, while I>'vimr. of Grevtown. made 49—28. Sergt. Mavhew, of the 7tli Regiment. after making 47 at 800 yards, was completely baffled by the zephyrs at 1009 vards, and-could get no higher than 17. The winner of the inateh. Shannon of the recently-formed Wellington Highland Eifle Club.' deserved his win. for his 4G was a pluckv effort at the limit ranre. Harding, of Blenheim- who has attended more rifle meetings here and elsewhere than any otW competitor on the raiirje. with 45' at 800 yards and 42 at. 1000 yards, furnished to the yonncer- fry an example of veteran caution' and cool-head-cdness. ' ... „ . • The "sunportinq items, as they sa\ in the picture show programmes, were two extra p>atchr«— eypntn the continuation of the. Jwjsw/Wa""* comnpHtioti, mid sundry pots o. the "running-man" target.