CHAMPION RIFLE SHOT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 142, 11 March 1920, Page 6

CHAMPION RIFLE SHOT

11. V. CROXTON, OF KARORI

THE KING'S PRIZE MATCH

END OF D.R.A. MEETING

Rifleman n. V. Croxton, of the Karoii , Club, was acclaimed the 1920 winner of , the "Ballingcr" Champion ltiilc Belt at ( Trentliam yesterday afternoon "hen he annual prizo meeting of the Dominion Eifie Association came to a close, lhe King's Prize Match was witnessed by a. large crowd of riflemen and visitors from town, and the contest was highly interesting. Among the visitors were the t Acting-Minister of Defcnco (the Hon J. G. Coates). Major-General Sir Edward I Chaytor (General Odlccr Commandins i New Zealand Military Forces), B"-sradier- , General G. S. Richardson (General Onieer , in Charge of Administration) and Colonel , J. L. Sleeman (Director of Military Train- , As far as the spectators were concerned, the wenthor was beautifully lino, but for the "King's Fifty, co."'^ 10 ™. , were anything but good. The wind was full of vagaries, and blew at times from dead in to the targets to 14 degrees right. Occasionally the light was somewhat bright, and the marksmen had. difficulty in keening a correct eleva! ion on their' sights. *A mlrace across the butts was also a source of trouble, and was . occasionally so bad that the big numbers below the targets wore not easily discern- , ible. The match, which consisted of ten shots, was fired at the 1000 yards distance on tho Seddon Range, and too* about an hour to complete. When the flrlmr onened a few minutes after 2.30 o'clock, "Rifleman Croxton, with an aggregate of 522, had a lead of 12 points from Rifleman W. H. West, lhe noted Marlborough "crack." Ho finished up finally with a total Fcoro of 555, West still being in second place, but 15 points behind. West was also runner-up last year. Croxton's sighting shot was a "magpie," which he throw out. His next two shots were 4's. but another 3 crept in. Two "outers" followed, one being quite close to the odgo of tho larget. With his eighth counting round ho found the "bull"—the only occasion during his shoot for tho two final shots were is. Croxton's score for the range was 31, which, added to his aggregate of 522, compiled in the orevious eight matches of the Belt scries, made a grand total of 556. Although he commenced in better fashion, Rifleman West's shoot, was not so strong as that of the champion, and twico in succession he went oil the target altogether.' His range score of 31 was mado up of a couolo of "bull's-eyes, four 4's, a 3, and a 2, nnfl his B"lt aggregate was 541. Two points behijid enme Rifleman R. C. Bntkle (Wellington Suburbs), who put on 31. Croxton, Vest and Barkle at tho end of the match had maintained Uie fame positions as they wero in when they took their places on the mound. Rifleman W. J. Feast, of Opaki, whose grand total was 536, dropped back from fourth on the list to fifth nlaco, giving way to Rifleman D. .T. Gulney (Petone), who rose from tenth position and compiled a grand aggregate. of 538 (range score, 39). Top Rango Score. Tho most notable jump in the list wa» achieved bv Rifleman A. J. Henderson (Sounds) who advanced from seventeenth to sixth place. Rffloman Henderson made top score in the match itself, 42, and Urns secured the Rifle Challenge Cup. The next best range score was that oT Rifleman W. P. tone CAkarana), who made 40. Captain W. N. Masclleld (Nelson), who won the Championship in 1914, gave promise of making a very fine score, but he finished with only 32. Starting with three "bull's-eyes." his fourth shot wa.'i a ', and then ho put on two moro "bulls." After this, however, he went to pieces, missing the target three, times, and winding up with a "magpie.", Captain Maseflold's complete aggregate was 531, and he fired Into tenth plp.ee-. Another ex-champion, Rifleman D. Roots (Hnwcra). also ended the contest with Ml,- but did not change from his position as seventh man. Rifleman G. Hnllidny (Karorl) who was the champion in 1910, went down from twentyfourth to thirty-first placo. his range sooro bcinir 25, and his -rand aggregate SIS Tmß-nst. s'-nri' in th" match was made by Rifleman 11. 0. Uovoflay (fliwera), who only bit tho target three times, and mado 11. At the conclusion of tho shoot. Colonel R. J. Collin3, Chief Executive Officer of tho D.R.A., proclaimed Rifleman Croxton ti, b« tin champion rifle shot of New Zealand, and cheers were given for the ' winner, who was "chnircd" and carried shoulder high to the dais, where the presentation of prizes took place. Details of tho Kings Prizo Match and other contests follow:— THE KING'S PRIZE. (1000 yards; ten shots.) o . • ?, ti Ballinger Champion Rifle Belt, Gold Medul presented by Minister of Defence. Gold Badge of thoAasu., and £35, 11. Y. Croxton (Karori E.C.), 3s-4«4422533 .....' 34 556 Silver Star, D.R.A. Badge and £20, W. 11. West (Blenheim R.C.), 4400545234 31 541 Silver Star, D.R.A. Badge and £15, R. C. Barkle (Suburbs R. 0.) 2s--0303355453 31 539 Silver Star, D.R.A. Badge, and £12, D: J. Guiney (Petono R. 0.), 4525 455333 39 638 £5 and D.R.A. Badge, W. J. Feast (Opaki R.C.), 35—0442534304 29 536 £5 and D.R.A. Badge, A. J. Header- - son (Sounds E.G.), 5454454443 42 534 £5 and D.R.A. Badge, D. liootß ' (Hawera E.G.), 0b—4532224045 31 531 £5 and D.R.A. Badge, L. 0. Pimm (Christchurcli B.O.), os-3205345254 33 531 £5 and D.R.A. Badge, F. J. M'Donald (Wellington Suburbs) Os-332 5535403 33 531 £5 and D.R.A. Badgo. Cap. W. N. Masefleld (Nelson), 5554550003 ..... 32 531 .£5 and D.R.A. Badge, 11. Harris (Christchurcli 11.0.), 05—0045503335 28 530 £5 and D.R.A. Badge, A. Goveulock (Linton), 3b—4003334335 28 526 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, 11. H. Donald (Opaki R.C.), 442443535 39 625 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, W. Winslado Opaki R.C., 5523544020 30 524 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, G. A Gyles (Dnnnevirke), Os-2335424433 33 522 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, H. 11. Mawley (Opnki). 2a—2243044553 32 522 £2 aiid D.R.A. Badge, H. 0. Evans (Te Kuiti), 4233020220 18 521 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, P. Foden (Timaru), 25—3400405535 29 520 £2 and D.R.A. Badge F. G. Gledhill (Nelson), 4555324225 37 619 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, A. Patrick (Auckland), 33-4505524233 33 519. £2 and D.R.A. Badge, L. Barrell (Petone), 3s-0453355445 ....:...... 38 518 , £2 and D.R.A. Badge, S. J.Mayhew (Linton), 5324354233 ...................... 34 518 £2 and D.U.A. Badge. E.. J. 0. Reston (Akaraua), 5433243433 ..,. 34 518 ■ f 1 and D R A. Badge, P. 0. Haunl- ■ ton (Wanganui), 2s-3535044000 ,24 517 £2 and D.R.A. Badge, W. P. Lane . (Akarana), 5352435553 40 516 The following take £1 coch:E Radd (Blenheim), 4450542353 35 516 ' V V Do laid (Opaki), os-0055455002 26 6!6 C J mx (Fclitnerston), 4000222025 17 516 ' W K Williamß (Ohura). 5045335.554 39 515 I 'C Carter (Petone), 5302054045 28 514 G Hallidoy (Karori), os-4243244002 25 61 ■ V BuUon (Opaki). Os-3222050350 22 515 a Duu°tan (V-ihi), VfMtt« ... ® W. Hudson (Wauganui). 28-3054030- & m < 6. 25 508 1 A. P. M'Murray (Franklin), Os-220-0. i 9 508 E. F.Sandford (Christchurcli) n r WW FnisLo'm'''(6paklT' : 's2l3S2'o 24 507 §" C' LovxiUy (ilawera , 5303000000 li W D 1 APLood (Okawa), Os-0253333325 29 506 : Lieut. W. Duncan (Westport), 0sI 0234453332 ■■■■■■■■■•■■ r"T"nVm ; E. A. Ballinger (Petone), 05—2350211. R W Boon''.(Weiii'nKton''suburDs), 05—3004554005 26 501 F. Fryer (Waipukurau), 0b—04230330« •; - Z2 bm T. W. Warburton (Petone), 2s--0K14322C0 " *" P Palmer (Patea), os-0050223333 21 499 , Gunner C. Milroy (Wellington), I 05—3032035302 , ••» •• 21 W • Major A. J. Merrielecs (Tauranga), ! 05—0002250433 " W SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIP. : , £15, Kynoch Cup, and gold medal--0 M. Moss (Dunedin) m ' £6 and silwr medal-Lieut. A. J. Green (Weatporl) ........................... 2«J f £5 and bronze mcdal-A. G. Devore ' £4-L?Cpf'"j. HT'-Baird (Hamilton

Tralty-thrcc'iSs of £1 each went to -scores ranging I'™ lll mto ul

quick MAKOii wrggnta man) com-

(200 yards: seven shots; possible 35.) £4-Major J. A. Wallingford (Aucklanril l» £3-S. OW (Trcnthnm) 22 .C3-S.S.-M. Beaumont Trentham) & 335. <ld.-.T. Te Whalti (Tuhiraii ß i)- 20 335. 4d.-rS.S,M. J. 11. I>vy (Trentham) 20 M.-A. G.. Dcvore (Akarana) ......... 20 The -following take .€1 each :-S.S-M. Bales (Trentham) and p.-M- J-. Ilesi) (Treuth'-tni) 15; J. Brydcn (balanoi), 0. D. France (Kivcradaic), Sergt. J. 8. Mackor (Hamilton), e.nd E. A. Ballinger (Petonc). .18;. D. Hoots (Tlawera), 0. E. Bluett (Opaki), P. Bolton (.Opaki), R. J. King

(Opaki, D. M. M'Tntosh (Christchurcli), D. Catloy (Wellington), J. 11.I 1 . White (Auckland), and J. Harrison (Taliora), 17; S.S.-M. Domney (Trentliam), 16; F. J. Causley (Thames), W. J. Henry (Christehurch), Lieut. A. M, Maunsell (Opaki), If. N. Taylor (Napier) and T. W. Warburton (Petone), 15; It. 11.. Hunt (Suburbs), and C. M. Moss (Dunedin), 14.

A gold medal for the highest aggregate score in all matches in the Bell, and service series of matches was awarded to Rifleman W. 11. West, of Blenheim, who made 644. Rifleman 11. V. Croxton (Karon), with 643. was runner-up, PRIZES PRESENTED. The presentation of prizes took' place immediately after the Championship had I)-i'ii tired. Among those on tho platfur.u were the lion. J. G. Coates, Major-Gencral Oimytor, Brigadier-General Kiehardson, Colonel Sleeman, and Colonel Collins Colonel Collins, in calling upon Mrs. Coates to perform the ceremony, said that the meeting altogether had proved a decided success, lie referred to the question of the Sonuiicrville 1000 yards range. When that range was llrst laid down he had been assured that it. would not De interfered with, but the Defence Department had come along and erected buildings on it. He appealed to Mr. Coates to nave these buildings removed to enable long-distance matches lo be Area moro satisfactorily. Mr. Coates. said that it gave him great "laasum to be present at such a function. In connection with the 1000 yards range, ho was not going to make' any rash promises, but, any promises that, hud boon made bv Sir James Allen with re- • rd to the formation of rifle range? would ho carried out. After Mrs. Coates had presented the nrizes, tho meeting concluded with cheers for Ifr. and Mrs. Coates also for Colonel Collins, and the prize-wlnnern. \ THE NEW CHAMPION. Rifleman Herbert Talentine Croxton wa» born in Hawke's Bav 34 years ago. lio ""■rd. his first shot when a member of the Wellington Navols in 1909. At that time he was classified as a C Class shot. but. on his first appearance on the rifle rango he annexed a 10s. prize. The following rear he came third in the Navals' Championship, and in 1911 he became the. chamnion shot- of the Wellington Naval Artillerv Volunteers. He .joined the Karorl j Rifle Club in 1911, and two years latei' I won the club championship. Rifleman

-oxton haa always been regarded as a consistent shot, and with the exception of the 1919 Catherine, he haß been competing at Dominion championship meetings since 1910. In 1913 and 1914 ha fired in the King's Fifty, and in 1915 ho won tho championship at the Kawke's Bay meeting. Rifleman Croxton is a member of the head office staff of tho Education Department at Wellington. BRITISH TEAM FM AUSTRALIA DIFFICULT TASK TO ARRANGE. (Rec. March 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 8. Tho National Rifle Association says it is a difficult task to arrange for a team to visit Australia, especially in regard to finances. It is estimated'that the expenses would at least lie ,£4OOO, compared with .£ISOO before the war. It is also a difficult matter to select a team. Tho association wishes to send young njen. as the heat seriously affected the veterans on tho last visit, but few young shots can afford to leave their businesses for five months. The response to the anneal so far is very poor. The. association is dome its utmost to stir the public, and if the response, is satisfactory it will send a team, even if composed of veterans, but at present the prospect is not honefiil.—Aus.-N.Z. Cnblo Assn.