RIFLE SHOOTING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 18 October 1913, Page 12

RIFLE SHOOTING.

[Br APEMuas.]

NEWS & NOTES OF THE WEEK

Last Saturday at Trentham.

The keenness of rifle Bhots in general was evidenced by the fairly large "turnout" of enthusiasts at Trentham on Saturday last. The attendance was not bo big as on tho opening dny, but oonsidering tho Btato of tne weather, it« speaks volumes for. the enthusiasm 01 riflemen in general that bo many should havo made tho journey. Weather conditions were not at all favourable, but, nevertheless, the skill of some of those who made the journey enabled them to cope with tho. elements, and register really good scores. Tho Karori Club had some of Its best men out, and they acquitted themselves with 110 little credit. Last year s champion, J. 0. Low, who waß making his first appearance for tho season, registered a very fine 88 at 800 and 600 yards. His range scores wore 43 and 45. The veteran shot —I suppose, one may call him a votoran, although ho is still a young man —was at tho top of tho club list with 89—45 and 44. President Marshall has struok form early, which was by no means the caßb last year. Ho is easily ono of the most popular shots on the range, and gonoral pleasure was expressed at his fine performance. Karori hope for great things from their preßldont this year. _ -

ltifloman H. V. Croxton, e young shot, who has already made a name for himself at Trentham, tied with Rifleman Low, with a total of 88, but was "counted out." He was top-scorer at the shorter range, but goth only 42 at 500 yards. His card at the longer rango showed Bomewhat orratio snooting. He got an outer in the mjddlo of a "good run," a faulty shot which robbed lilm of premier honours. Croxton is a cool and scientific ■ shofcj and promise of gaining honours for his club. Fourth on tho list was Rifleman O. Bird, who is shooting with, the Karons for tho first time. < He shows considerable promise. His total off the nlfo was 77. • ' ■ Tho best .score registered by other olubs was tho 85 of Rifleman Gallien, or the Highlanders. The Suburbs Club fired a seven-shot match at Miramar, and Rifleman H. Boon put together a nice 65, out of the possible 70. The best score of the day, however, was tho 91, out of a possible 100, compiled by Rifleman P. Gennie, of the Petones. . Drainage System Needed. Tho comfort of riflemen visited Trentham last week was considerably allocted by the really bad state of the range. Heavy rain had fallen for some davs, and_great pools lay all over tho ground. The mounds, too, were very wet. - It is,. that puch low-lying land must be difficult to drain, but there is really no excuse for such a state of things on what is essentially the Dominion's national rango. Such drains as there are do not seem to fulfil their purpose. The authorities should see that something is done to romcdv Buch a glaring dcfect. _ Tho big Dominion meeting has occasionally been held in fairly bad weather but should the association bo unfortunate enough to strike a weok of • rain, the state of the ground, with Boveral hundred men coming and going on it all tho time, would be too unpleasant to contemplate. Shooting by Territorial. As I remarked last week, the enthusiasm for riflo Bhooting ■ amongst members of tho Territorial Force compares anything but favourably with that which used to characterise all ranks of tho old volunteer force. It seems as if most of tho present-day wearers of His Majesty's uniform are content to carry out their annual musketry course, and no moro. To tlioso who have seen a company carrying out its coujse, it is quite apparent, that tho training giveh is not such that will develop expert marksmen.

It has been pointed out to tho writer thnt more Territorials would be regular attendants at Trentham if they know that they could make the journoy to tho rango free of charge every Saturday. Thero seems to bo an impression that free carriage is given only wlion a company is going through its compulsory course. This is riot tho case. There are many calls on a Territorial soldier's time, but thero must surely be many of them who are keen enough to take part in such ail excellent sporty I shall havo moro to say on this subject later. The Old Navala. The newly-formed Old Naval a Club is giving promise pf being a very strong combination, and many well-known old hands are rallying under its banner. Many ex-naval men, who havo been shooting for other clubs during the past fuw years, havo rejoined their old comrades. Karori Club alono havo lost moro than half-a-dozen prominent membors, including such well-known shots as Rabe, Harris, Standidgo. Franco, Pringle, and Hodder. All riflemen welcome tho • advent of tho Old Navals Club, and thero ib no club which would begrudge to tho newcomers a few good men. There are enough to go round. Tho Parliamentary Matoh. The match between North and South Island members of Parliament, which waß to have been firod at Trentham on Saturday last, under tho auspices pf the Karori Club, will tako place to-day. Tho train leaves Lambton Station at 1.40 p.m. The teams will bo as follow: —North Island: Messrß. W. H. D. Bell (Wellington Suburbs), .T. H. Bradney (Auckland West), J. S. Coatos (Kaipara), A. E. Glover (Auckland Central), W. I). S. Mac Donald (Bay of Plenty), V. H. Peed (Bay of Islands), G. R. Svkes (Masterton), and A.. J. Young (Waikato). "South Island : Tlie Hon. Colonel .Tames Allen (Bruco), the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel R. Heaton Rhodes (Ellesmero), Messrs. G. J. Anderson (Mat-aura), E. H. Clarko (Chalmers), W. J. Dickio (Selwyn), L. M. Isitt (Christchureh). C. E. Statham (Duiiedin Central), G. M. Thomson (Dunedin North), A. S. Malcolm (Clutlia), and F. H. Smith (Waitaki). ' Tlio first shot wil'i be fired by Colonel Allen. Club members will fire a practico match at 300 and 600 yards. _ Tho club programme for tho season will be published in a few days. Handicap men have been specially provided for, and an interesting season seems assured. Auckland Exhibition Meeting, The long-looked-for programme of tho Auckland Rifle Association's Exhibition meeting is to hand. The money prizes aggregate £633, and there eleven trophies. In each match ten prizes arc allotted to t-vros. Tho dates of tho meeting aro January 1, 2 ; and! 8. Tho matches are:—The Citizens', soven shots at 300 and COO yards; tlio President's, seven shots at GOO and 700 yards; tho Auckland, ton shots at 500 yards; tho Avondale, ten shots at 600 yards; tho Onohunga, ten, shots at 700 yards; tho Ponsonby, ten shots at 800 yards; the Grey Lynn, ten shots at 1000 yards; the Penrose, ten Bhots at 1000 yards. The King's, which is really tho championship, is ten shots at 1000 yards. It is open to tho thirty highest aggregates in previous matches. Already somo-of Wellington's moat prominent shots havo expressed their intention to be present at the meeting.