RIFLE-SHOOTING AT PAPAWAI

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 12

RIFLE-SHOOTING AT PAPAWAI

WAIRARAPA MEETING CONCLUDED EXCELLENT SCORES IN VICTORIA MATCH CHAMPIONSHIP AGGREGATE won by McKenzie (By Telegraph—Special Reporter.) Greytown, February 21. Long range matches were decided at Papawai to-day, when the Wairarapa Rifle Association concluded its thirty-third annual meeting. A puffy wind of the fish-tail type, blowing first from one direction, and then from another, then rising and falling with disconcerting suddenness, upset the calculations of many marksmen when shooting operations commenced this morning at 800 yards. As the day advanced, the wind increased in intensity, making scoring more difficult. With the completion of the Wairarapa meeting, most of those taking part will proceed to Trentham to-morrow morning in readiness for the Rille Association’s meeting on Thursday. The wind was the chief hazard for the concluding day on the range at Papawai, the light being good, while a slight mirage did not cause a great deal of trouble. . , A notable feature of the Australians shooting has been the brief time they take to fire their matches, in comparison with the time spent on the mounds by the New Zealand competitors. Time and time again the visiting marksmen had got their ten shots away, while their Dominion rivals still had another seven rounds in the magazine. Although twenty minutes is allowed in which to fire ten rounds, a New South Wales representative, A. K. Johnstone, who is a member of the Queenbeyan Rifle Club, near Canberra, put on a 48 in four and a half minutes in one of the matches, and in another instance he registered, a 46 in four minutes. Although there are a few slow rifle shots among the Australians, the rapidity of Johnston’s rifle fire is typical of that of the great majoritv of the Commonwealth marksmen. This is no doubt explained by the fact that in Australia there is a shorter time limit, while the quicklychanging mirage experienced there spells disaster for those who dwell at. tho mounds, and marksmen like to dispose of their rounds as fast as possible so as to have advantage of the one condition as near as possible. A theory held by several of the Australians is that the heating of the cartrige, in tne event of it remaining in the chamber for an undue length of time, affects the flight of the bullet, and that therefore the rapid dispatch of the rounds is conducive to moj'e accurate shooting Possibles were registered by Rifleman L. C. Sigvertsen (Tararua),' C. J- Nix (Featherston), and G. Forge (New South Wales), in the Victoria match of ten shots at 800 yards. In fact, excellent scorinir was a feature of this _ match, which”was tho first fired off this morning. In addition to the three possibles, there were four 49’s and five IS I s. In the tyro section C. E. Sigvertsen (lararua), who returned the highest score with a 45, was extremely unlucky, lor after* securing nine consecutive bulls, lie missed tho target altogether with Jus last shot. , , , The problem of windage was reflected in the Dominion match nt 900 vards—the second contest decided this morning —a 48 giving the honour of first place to D. McKenzie, of Opaki. A 48 was also secured by J. C. Feast, of Greytown, out he lost on the "count, back.” A very fine performance was put up bv a voting member of the MastertonOpaki ’Rifle Club, D. McKenzie, who won the championship aggregate with a score of 364. The championship is awarded for the liest aggregate in the Bidwill, New South Wales, Wellington, Buchanan, Victorian, Dominion, and Wairarapa matches. He is 22 years of age, and had an average of 451 for each range. The winner of the championship aggregate takes the Bidwill Memorial Cliallenge Cup. and the Bidwill MemorialChallenge Shield. Besides winning these two trophies, McKenzie also won the AlaunseH Challenge Cup, for the highest obtained in. Wellington, Buchanan, Victoria, Dominion, and Wairarapa matches. . . McKenzie’s father, J. McKenzie, who is a member of the same club as his son, was also a competitor at tho meeting, and in the 800 yards’.section of the Wairarapa match fie registered a possible, 50. . Second place in the championsnip aggregate went to a New South tVal.es Ynarksman, A. K. Johnston, who registered a score of 360. B. L. Freak (New South Wales), and A. V. Swanson (karori), tied for third place, each recording 360. . , The Rivers Challenge Cup, given lor the best long range aggregate, was won bv F. S. Sharland. Renwick, while the Tvro Cup. awarded for the highest aggregate obtained by any Tvro on both short and long range matches, went to L. J. Sigversten, Tararua. Some idea of the shooting of the Australians can bo gathered from the fact that prior to the firing of the Wairarapa match, there were only four New Zealanders in the first ten then heading tlie aggregate list. . , , , The match for Indies, five shots at 600 vards, was won by Mrs. R. J.! 1 , ? (Grevtown) with a possible. Mrs. Nicliolson (Eketahuna). and Miss O. Nix (leatlierston) tied for second place with ’.3. “We have just had one of the most successful meetings in the association’s existence,” said the president (Mr J F. Thompson), prior, to asking his wife to present the trophies to the successful competitors at the conclusion n ihe meeting. “Its success lias been largely due to tlie presence of the Australians. Wo owe them a debt ot grat; hide. for they have shown us how to shoot accuratelv and rapidly, and thereby tliev have ’expedited the meeting. 'Details of the various matches are as follow:- VICTORIA MATCH. 800 Yards, Ten Shots. £4_L. C. Sigvertsen (Tararua) 50 £4—C J. Nix (Featherston) 50 £4—o Forge (New South Wales) 50 £2—ll. Boon (Karori) 49 £2-L. Hare (Suburbs) 49 Each £l—H. C. Trotman (Oreytownh 49; 11. Simmonds (Paeroa), 49; A. K. Johnstone (New South Wales), 43; 1. Orr (Grevtown). 48: 11. Barries (Christchurch). '4B; G. Te Whaiti (Greytown), 48- J. Patterson (Wanganui). 46; S. McKav (Alfredton), 47; F. Sharisnd (Renwick) 47- L. A. Caldwell (Karori). 47: H. Gregor (Victoria), 47; F. C. Hogg (New Plymouth'. 47; B. Holmes (Wanganui). 47: T. Morrett (New Plymouth). 47- tS. J. Taylor (New South Wales). 47; I, ' o Benton (Featherston). 47; It. Vennell (Te Wharau), 46; O. Henderson (Victoria) 46; A. V. Swanson (Karori). 46; E. E.’ Vennell (Opaki). 46; E. W. Wilesmith (New South Wales). 46: W. J. Green (Okawa). 46; B. L. Freak (New South Wales'. 46; It. W. H. Ramsay (binton), 46; W. J. F'ulton (New South Wales), 46. Counted out—D. McKenzie, J. F. Thompson, J. C. Carter. A. W. Latimer, F. R. Jamieson. Tyros. Each 10s.—C. E. Sigvertsen (Tararua). 4o- A. T. Minchin (Vnutoke). 44: A. McGregor (Te Wharau). 44; P. Bouzaid (Greytown), 45; E. Evans (Te Wharau), I 43; Q. Donald (Featherston), 43: G. J. Patterson (Giiumerburn). 43: A. W. Leach I (Alfredton). 42; G. H. Murdoch (Opaki), 42. Counted out. —It. Benton. J. P. Sigverteen. DOMINION MATCH. 900 Yards. Ten Shots. £5-D. McKenzie (Opaki) 48 £4—J. C. Feast (Greytown) *8 £3—A. C. Crossan (Akarana) :. 47 £2-W. W. Harris (Victoria) 47 £2—W. J. Feast (Victoria) 46 Each £l—A. T. Graham (Dunedin). 46; H C. Trotnian (Greytown). 45; U. Vennell (Te Wharau). 45; A. v. Swanson (Karori), 45; C. Wliiienian (Upper Hutu, 45: 11. Hawthorn (Karori). 45; E. W. Wilesniith (New South Wales). 45; A.

K. Johnstone (New South Wales), 45; H. Hancock (Victoria), 45; H. Feast (Greytown), 45; B. Dunn (Upper Hutt), 45; L. J. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 45; F. Clarke (Ashburton), 44; L. G. Benton (Featherston), 44; F. Sharland Renwick), 44; B. Bouzaid (Greytown), 44; W. J. Mcßain (Old Navals). 44; W. J. Heney (Rangiora), 44; F. McDonald (Tuhirangi), 44; A. W. Latimer (New South Wales), 44; H. Simmonds (Paeroa). 44: W. H. West (Renwick), 44; P. Berry (Tararua), 44; J. C. Carter (Linton), 44; G. Te Whaiti (Greytown), 43. Counted out.—J. C. Armstrong. J. G. Turnbull. W. W. Harris, It. J. King, R. Donald, T. Orr. Tyros. Eact 10s.—H. A. Minchin (Unutoke), 43; A. W. Leach (Alfredton). 43; M. Gray (Rata), 43; J. F. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 41; E Evans (Te Wharau), 38; G. Joyce (Greymouth). 37; J. Donald (Opaki), 36; R. Hare (Suburbs). 36; C. E. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 36; W. M. Luxford (Wanganui), 36. WAIRARAPA MATCH. 800 and 900 Yards. Ten Shots at Each. £5-G. H. Gower (Rata). 49. 47 96 £4—F. Sharland (Renwick), 48, 47 95 £3—R. H. Nichol (Petone). 48, 47 95 £2—J. McKenzie (Opaki), 50, 45 95 £2—H. Hawthorn (Karori), 46, 47 93 Each £l.—T. Orr (Greytown), 48, 45: 93. G. A. Eyles (Napier), 48, 45; 93. C. J. Nix (Featherston). 49, 43 ; 92. W. J. Fulton (New South Wales), 47. 44 ; 91. B. Freak (New South Wales), 46, 45; 91. O. Henderson (Victoria), 46, 45 ; 91. W. J. Harris (Victoria), 44, 47 ; 91. A. 0. Crossan (Akarana), 48, 43 ; 91. It. W. Reseigh (Victoria). 45, 45 : 90. A. K. Johnstone (New South Wales), 44, 46 ; 90. W. N. Masefield (Blenheim). 48, 42; 90. L. Benton (Featherston), 43, 46; 89. G. Whiteman (Upper Hutt), 45. 44; 89. D. McKenzie (Opaki), 46. 43 ; 89. J. P. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 47, 42; 89. W. K. Barrett (Sydenham), 47, 42; 89. J. 0. Carter (Linton). 48. 41; 89. J. C. Feast (Greytown), 49. 40; 89. 6. Higgs (New Plymouth), 42. 46; 83. S. J. Taylor (NewSouth Wales). 44 . 44 ; 88. H. C. Tayjttr (New South Wales). 44. 44: 88. A. V. Swanson (Karori), 42, 46; 83. H. Feast (Greytown), 48, 40; 88. 11. Simmonds (Paeroa), 44, 43 : 87. J. O. Armstrong (New South Wales), 45, 42; 87. Counted out.—lt. Ramsay. H. Hancock, W. W: Harris. TYROS. Each 10s.-S. P. Perry (Tararua), 41, 42; 83. G. H. Murdoch (Opaki). 43, 39; 82. A. T. Minchin (Unutoke), 40, 41; 81. L. J. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 42. 38; 80. W. M. Luxford (Wanganui). 41, 37; 78. P. Bonzaid (Greytown), 37, 40 ; 77. 0. B. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 36, 41; 77. A. McGregor (Te Wharau). 37. 39; 76. Q. Donald (Featherston), 43, 33 ; 76. M. Gray (Rata), 42. 32 ; 74. CHAMPIONSHIP AGGREGATE. £lO—D. McKenzie (Opaki) 364 £B—A. K. Johnstone (N.S.W) 362 £5 10s.—B. L. Freak (N.S.W.) 360 £5 10s.—A. V. Swanson (Karori) 360 £4—J. C. Feast (Greytown) 359 £3—H. Hancock (Victoria) - 307 £2—C. Carter (Linton) 356 A2—II. Barries (Christchurch) 356 Each £l.—T. Orr (Greytown), 355; W. K. Barrett (Sydenham), 355; L. O. Armstrong (New South Wales), 355; E. W. Wilesmith (New South Wales), 355: C. J. Nix (Featherston), 354; S. Higgs New Plymouth). 354 A. W. Latimer (New South Wales). 354; F. Sharland (Renwick), 333; W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), 351: H. Simmonds (Wanganui). 351; H. Hawthorn (Karori). 350; G. A. Eyles (Napier). 350; A. C. Crossan (Akarana), 350; IT. Feast (Greytown), 350; W. W. Harris (Victoria). 350; R. H. Nichol (Petone), 349; ,T. W. Fulton (New South Wales), 349; H. C. Taylor (New South Wales). 349- R. W. Reseigli (Victoria), 349; R. J. King (Opaki). 349; F. Clark (Ashburton). 548: W. J. Green (Okawa), 348; E. M. Wrighley (Opaki). 348; F. C. Hogg (New Plymouth). 347: W. J. Harris (Victoria). 346; L. G. Benton (Featherston), 345; F. Bolton (Opaki). 345: L. Hare (Suburbs), 345; G. Bryce (ictona), 345: 11. Donald (Featherston). 345; H. Boon (Karori), 344 Each 4s.—O. Whiteman (Upper Hutt), 343; R. W. H. Ramsay (Linton), 343; J G. Turnbull (New Plymouth). 343; \\. 11. West. (Blenheim), 343; L. J. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 343. NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION THE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. To-morrow the National Tlifle Association’s meeting will open at Trentham. Much interest attaches to the contest, as both New South Wales and Victoria are well represented. These teams will meet New Zealand in a triangular match for the famous Gordon Highlanders’ trophy, fired under service conditions. They will also meet in a contest over the ordinary ranges, probably under Empire match conditions. The programme is a fine one. being the same as that of last year, which was much appreciated. This 'will be the first occasion on which the Mark VII ammunition will bo used in all matches. . . The entries are coming in freely., including quite a number of ex-champions. Amongst the veterans are Captain J. Boss (Wellington), who won the Carbine Belt first in ISS-t. winning it outright in ISBS, and presenting it to the association, and Colonel E. B. Smith (Otago), who won tlie Bifle Belt in 189 L Colonel B. Hughes, Wanganui, is the president of tho association. The executive is ns follows; Deputy president, IT. T. Marshall. M.C. (Wellington), chairman; Colonel B. B. Cresswell, V.D. (Canterbury), Colonel B. Hughes, V.D. (Wnninnui). Major V. Dunne (Auckland). Captain B. Davis. N.Z.S.C. (Trentham). Captain 11. Simmonds. M.C. (Paeroa), Captain W. Masefield (Marlborough). President F. J. Silvins (Otago). President S. Elliott (Auckland). DepntvProsidcnt W. Mcßain (Wellington); secretary. Deputy President W. Fillingham (Wellington): statistical officer. Captain G. Felton. D.. N.Z.P.C. The executive officer in charge of tho meeting is Colonel F. B. Cresswell.