BACK FROM BISLEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1873, 6 October 1913, Page 3

BACK FROM BISLEY.

CUTLER'S IMPRESSIONS. Six members of the Australian- rifle team which engaged, in the Bisley competitions returned.by.the R.M.S. -Marmora, which arrived at Fremantlo Ijisfc week. They are:. Cutler and Harrison (N.S.W.) ; Halliday and Armstrong (Q.), Cross (Vic.), and Humphries (Tas.). Cutler, acting as. spokesman, said that although the Australian team did well, winning tho Mackinnon Cup and boing second for the Kolapore Cup and tho Empire match, the weather conditions prevented them being more successful. A statement which, on the (surface, appears paradoxical, was put forward by Cutler as an explanation why the Australians were not more successful. The weather was fairly tricky all through, but not tricky enough for them. When it came to uncertain light and variable wind, tho Australians could beat all opponents out of sight. Cutler is of opinion that if tho Empire trophy is regained at any future date by Australians it is liable to remain in tho Commonwealth for an indefinite period. Ho was convinced that the standard of riflo shots was higher in Australia than in England, and that were in th© Commonwealth "a greater number of good average men. The Englishman of tho wealthier classes found his pleasure on the ranges. The trouble, however, seemed to bo to raise men for tho sport. Clubs "did not receive any measure of support from tho Government, and very little encouragement from the newspapers. "Would you bellieve it," said Cutler, "the papfrs made no end of a row about golf and other thingß of 110 earthly use; but when it | comes to rifle shooting, which is of some practical benefit to the (jountry, they have no time for it." According to Cutler, a British team of riflo shots will in all probability accept tlio invitation of Colonel Dean, commander of tho Australian team, to visit the Commonwealth next year.