PETONE MARKSMEN TO THE FORE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 127, 27 February 1928, Page 10

PETONE MARKSMEN TO THE FORE

THREE BELT MATCHES COMPLETED

RIFLEMAN W. MdVER TOPS LIST FOR KING’S PRIZE

With the completion of the Marlborough, Auckland, and Canterbury matches at the Trentham rifle range on Saturday, the contest for the King’s Prize—the blue ribbon event for all riflemen — has commenced in earnest. Several stages yet remain to be fired for the King’s Prize, but with three matches already decided the Petone marksman, Rifleman W. Mclver, is top of the list with an aggregate of 231- Another member of the Petone Club, Rifleman A. H. O’Donnell, takes second place in the leading fifty with an aggregate of 229. Difficult shooting conditions, more so in the afternoon than earlier, were experienced on the range on Saturday. A frontal “fish-tail” wind, passing clouds affecting the light, and quickly-changing sunshine and shadow causing elevation troubles, and a slight mirage shimmering in front of the targets, all exercised the utmost skill of marksmen taking part in the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting.

A feature of the shooting at Trentham on Saturday was the double success of ,W. Mclver, who won both the Marlborough and Auckland matches, and with the aggregate for these two, together with his score in the Canterbury, he is at present leading for the King’s Prize, .which carries the coveted Ballinger Belt. His aggregate of 231 gives him two points to spare over his club rival, A. H. O’Donnell, who is in second place. The King’s Prize is really an aggregate of a number of matches. It/, was formerly known as the Queen’s, but with the change of Sovereigns was given its present title. It is impossible to predict what the final result may be, for reputations in marksmanship are quickly lost and quickly gained on the Trentham range. Saturday was a strenuous day for competitors. The first stage of the Marlborough was completed on Friday, but the second stage on Saturday morning called for ten rounds at 300 yards. In the Auckland Match, ten rounds were required at both the 300 and GOO yards ranges, and in the Canterbury match riflemen had to fire ten rounds at 1600 yards. These three matches count for the belt. On the whole, the Australian marksmen made a poor showing. Other competitors from whom better'performances were expected shaped badly. Shooting brilliantly in the Marlborough match, Bflron. Mclver registered eight "bulls" and two "inners" at each range, while in the Auckland he was equally consistent, two 47’s, comprising seven "bulls" and three “inners" at both 300 yards and 600 yards distance, winning him the match. It is somewhat of a coincidence that a 96 won the Marlborough twelve months ago and that 91’s were counted out, and that these figures were repeated on Saturday. In 1925, however, the match was won with. 99’s. Mclver's 91 in the Auckland represented a higher standard of shooting than last j ear’s meeting. when the winner vva-s E.. S. King with 91.

Five short of the possible were obtained by E. S. King (Wanganui), C. J. Nix (Featherston) and A. F. Patrick in the Marlborough match, each scoring 95. B. Holmes, who was in fourth place, had a possible at 500 yards, but at the short range he dropped six points. The best Australian cards were a 93 by H. Hancock, of Victoria, and 92’s by the two New South Wales representatives, O. E. Boyd and H. C. Taylor. The B grade section of the match was topped by H. Hughes (Wanganui) with a score of 94, and F. Porter (Ashburton) led the tyros with 03.

The runnor-up to Mclver in ths Auckland match was the Featherston marksman, R. Donald, who returned a 93. His 45 at 300 yards comprised six "bulls,” three "inners,” and a "magpie” for his tenth shot, while at the 600 yards range he was two short of the possible. At each range E. M. Wrigley ('Opaki) and T. Kidd (Suburbs) scored id’s. The B grade of the Auckland was won by C. P. Hill, also of the Suburbs Club, with 91, 88 being sufficient to win the match last year, w r hile it required a 94 in 1926 and a 93 in 1925. With a score of 89, R. H. Hammond (Nelson) led the tyro grade. Late in the afternoon the Canterbury Match, ten rounds at 600 yards, was completed, the winner of this being J. Bryden (Kaiapoi) with 47. He scored "bulls” with his two sighters, his next was a "magpie,” his fourth a "bull,” and his fifth, an "inner." while lie finished up with five “bulls-eyes."’ Sec end place was taken by A. J. Jtinchin (Unutoke), who, incidentally, is a tyro. He missed the target altogether with his sighters, but followed with four "bulls.” then came three "inners.” and with the remain rounds ho notched 5 s. Similar figures were also obtained by J. Sproat (Victoria), N. Mac Kay (Alfredton) and A. H. O Donnell (Petone) also registered 47’s. . Last year the Canterbury was won with 46 by D. J. Anderson, who also won the match in 1926 with 49. G. H. Taylor (New Plymouth) topped the B grade list on Saturday with 46, while a New Plymouth rifleman, S. Hartnell, won the tyro section with the same figures.

LEADING FIFTY MARKSMEN The leading fifty for the King’s Prize, after the completion of the Marlborough. Auckland, and Canterbury matches, are as follow:— W. Mclver (Petone) 231 A. .11. O’Donnell (Petone) -29 IL W. Feast (Greytown) -4' L. G. Benton (Featherston J. A. Munro (Mataura) F. W. Clung (Karon) - “j? F. 11. .Tames (Napier) E. S. King (Wanganui) —J C. J. Nix (Featherston) £•» W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) V. Tims (Christchurch) fa' J. c. Carter 'Linton) W. 11. West (Rgnwick) .••••••••••:• id R. E. Hester (Suburbs Wgtn.) ... 223 11. Harries (Christchurch) “2 B. Dunn (Upper Hutt) fa* B. Holmes (Wanganui) K. n. Nicholl (Petone) 223 J. W. Thompson (Wuirakci) fa# J. Bryden (Kaiapoi) fall. Sproat. (Victoria) fa£ J. J{. Kearney (Palmerston North) 2--H. Hancock (Victoria) -fa N. Harris (Christchurch) ““ .L Paterson ( Wa "= an . u ! ) K "’;;i,'; om P S. Robertson (Christchurch) ... 444 E. A. Ballinger (Pctone) 2A G. E. Pearson (New; Plymouth) ... 221 B. Hartnell (New Plymouth) . 2D. E. Braithwaite (Wanganui) 221 O. E. Boyd (New South Wales) ... 221 H. Reynolds (Christchurch) “1 H. Hughes (Wanganui) Li H. H. Mawlev (Opaki) ■■■■■■ H. R. Hunt (Suburbs, Wellington) 2-1 H. V. Croxton (Karon) LU V. Jones (Kimbolton) “W H. T. Boon (Karon) ■— It. Piper (Christchurch) 219 W. Johnson (Featherston) ■ ‘D F. Stockbridge (New South Wales) 219 W. H. Ballinger (Petone) 219 H. Cronie (Ashburton) “17 H. Simmonds (Paeroa) 219 H. C. Taylor (New South Wales) ... 218 A. Tombs (Blenheim) 218 E. Ashby (Victoria) ; C. P. Hill (Suburbs. Wellington) ... 218 W. Mcßain (Old Navals, Wellington) 218 F. S. Hood (Featherston) 218 S. Duxford (Wanganui) 218 H. J. Potter (Dunedin) 218 J. P. Petersen (Tararna) Owing to tho number of 218’s, four names over the fifty appear in the above det.

Details of Saturday's shooting arc as follow:— MARLBOROUGH MATCH TEN ROUNDS AT M 0 YARDS AND 500 YARDS. A GRADE. £5—W. Mclver (Petone) 96 £4 each—E. S. King (Wanganui), 95; 0. J. Nix (Featherston). 95. £3 each—A. F. Patrick (City and Suburbs), 95; B. Holmes (Wanganui), 94. £2 each—F. Ching (Karori), 94; H. Barlow (Linton), 94; 11. W. Feast (Greytown), 94; J. A. Munro (Mataura), 94; J. C. Carter (Linton), .94. £1 each—H.’ V. Croxton (Karori). 93; J. P. Petersen (Tararua), 93; H. T. Boon (Karori), 93; 11. Hancock (Victoria), 93; A. H. O’Donnell (Petone,, 93; A. Tombs (Blenheim), 93; W. R. Barrett (Sydenham), 93; O. E. Boyd (New South Wales), 92; J. Bry-ler: (ICaiapoi), 92; A. 8. Ferguson (New South Wales), 92; V. Tims (Christchurch), 92; R. Nicholson (Napier), 92; 11. It. Hunt (Suburbs. Wellington), 92; H. C. Taylor (New South Wales), 92; B. Dunn (Upper Hutt), 92; F. T. Freeman (Karori), 92; V. Jones (Kimbolton). 92; W. Wood (Christchurch), 92; S. McNabb (Dannevirke), 92; L. G. Benton (Featherston), 92; A. G. Robertson (Hawera), 92; H. J. Potter (Dunedin), 92; A. J. Green (Westport), 92; J. A. Chambers (Waipukurau), 91; P. 8. Robertson (Christchurch). 91; C. 11. Gower (Rata), 91; C. Lovell (Northbank), 91; S. F. McLean (Suburbs. Wellington), 91; H. H. Mawley (Opaki), 91; IV. J. Green (Okawa), 91; F. H. James (Napier), 91; C. P. Hill (Suburbs, Wellington), 91; S. Hartnell (New Plymouth). 91; G. A. Kyles (Napier), 91: R. Caughley (Karori), 91; H. T. Marshall (Karori), 91. Counted out —J. Paterson, H. Rej-nolds, H. Harris. W. Righetti. E. Vennell, W. J. Fulton. R. Piper, W. N Masefield. B GRADE. £3—H. Hughes (Wanganui), 94. £3—L. E. Braithwaite (Napier), 35. £1 each—H. King (Opaki), 91; C. Richardson (Greymouth), 91; G. H Doran (Oamaru), 91; G. J. Goldfinch 'Alfredton), 90; G. Waddington (Ashburton), 90; W. J. A. Haace (Suburbs, Wellington). 90. 10s. each—A. G. Taylor (Featherston). 90C. R. Bramley (Ashburton'. 90; L J. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 90; T. R. Ingley (Greytown), 89; L. H. Proffitt (Napier), 89; F. R. Lewis (Linton). 89; H. C. Percy (Alfrcdton), 89; F. W. Mc.Viear (Waipukurau). 89; W. M. Gaith (Greymouth), 89; J. S. Thomson (Wanganui). 89: J. 11. Frazer ,'Kaitapgata). 89; J. H. Ross (Old Navals, Wellington). 89; R. W. H. Ramsay (Linton), 89; J. H. Keainey (Palmerston North). 89. Counted out—F. L. Evans (Westport), J. H. MacDonald (Alfredton): R. Benton (Featherston) A. Govcnlock (Turakina), E. J. Booth (Hawera). TYROS. £2—l’. Porter (Ashburton!, 93. £1 each—R. Potts (Karori), 90; A. T. Mehenzio (Opaki), 90; S. M. Stent (Karewarewa). 90; A. It. Elgar ’(Hawera) 90; F. Grave (Dunedin), 90; G. R. Bellamey (Kaitangata), 90; R. Farrow (Hawera), 89: D. I G Quarrie (Akarana), 89; C. M. Palmer (Petone). 89.

IDs. each—J. R. Draffin (Akarana), 89: A. J. Minchni (Unutoke). 89: A. C. J. Kobin son (Up.pcr Waitaki), 88; E. L. Beard (Kimbolton), 88; K. .1. .'Henson (Kaiparoro), 88: G. W. Gillies (Oamaru). 87; J. Howling (Wairoa), 87; C. 11. McKeich (Kiwi), 87; M. ■l. Lister (Dunedin). 37; G. Luxford (WaI 15 a ’l, l !jb 87: J. B. Eves (Renwick). 87; A. H. Willis (Featherston). 87. Counted out —R. A. B. Kingsburv (Gulverden), W. Clout (Old Navals, Wellington). L. m. Hush (Wanganui).

AUCKLAND MATCH TEN ROUNDS AT 500 YARDS AND 600 YARDS. A GRADE. , £5—W. Mclver (Petone) 94 £A each—lt. Donald (Featherston), 93; E. M. Wrigley (Opaki), 92. £3 each—T. Kidd (Suburbs. Wellington), 92; W. 11. West (Renwick), 91. £2 each—F. Ching (Karori), 91; F. Bolton (Opaki), 91; P. B. Goldfinch (Old Navals Wellington), 91; 11. E. Hester (Suburbs, Wellington), 91; If. W. Feast (Greytov/n), 91. £1 each—ll. Reynolds (Christchurch), 91; E. A. Ballinger (Petone) 91; F. J. Jeune (Gisborne), 91; G. E. Pearson (New Plymouth), 90; L. G. Benton (Featherston), 90; A. W. Powell (Akayana), 90; F. 11. James (Napier). 90; T. Whiteman (Upper Hutt), 90: J. A. Munro (M;:taura), 90; B. Dunn Cupper Hutt). 89; 11. Harries (Christchurch), 89; J. 11. Frazer (Kaitangata), 89; E. W. Beard (Kimbolton), 89; S. J. Taylor NewAoutn Wales), 89, 11. Hancock (Victoria), 89; A. 11. O’Donnell (Petone). 69; Q. Donald (Featherston), 89; W. Mcßain (Old Navals, Wellington), 89; A. J. Preece (Victoria), 88: G. Te Whaiti (Qfeytown), 88; W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), 88; S. A. S. Elliott (Akarana). 88; W. 11. Thomas (Linton), 83; J. 11. Thompsoi (Wairakei). 88; P. S. Robertson (Ohrktchurjh), 83; V. Tims (Clfristchurch). £8; C. Whiteman (Upper Hutt), 88; G. P. Crimp (Christchurch). 88; W. Johnson (Featherston), 88; J. Bills /Christchurch), 88; S. Luxford (Wanganui), 88: J- 11. Kearney 'Palmerston North), 88; R. 11. Nicholls (Petone), 88: H. Cronie (Ashburton), 88; J. O. Carter (Linton), 88; It. A. Jones (Linton), 88; W. 11. Ballinger (Pctone), 88.

B GRADE. £3-0. P. Hill (Suburbs. Wellington) ... 91 £2—R. Nicholson (Napier) 90 £1 each—J. B. Bairstow (Greytown). 87; P. Munro (Utiku), 87; D. Banks (Kimbolton), 87; O. H. Speck (Kaponga). 86; J. Bellamey (Kaitangataj. 86; W. Hutchins (Wanganui), 86. 10s. each—L. H. Proffitt (Napier), 86; C. R. Bramley (Ashburton). £6; A. Tombs (Blenheim). 86; H. C. Evans (To Kuitl). 85; W. J. Johnston (Petone), 85; J. Scott (Petone). 85; J. P. Sigvertsen (Tararua). 85; A. Govcnlock (Turakina). 85; W. Gillies (Oamaru), 85; L. E. Braithwaite (Na- | pier). 85; It. W- H. Ramsay (Linton). 85; ' J. N. Hansen (Kaiparoro) 85; H. _C. Percy (Alfredton), 84; W. McChesney (invercargill), 84; T. R. Ingley (Greytown), 84; W. Colquhoun (Akarana). 84; W. J. A. Haase (Suburbs, Wellington), 84; H. J. Russell (Karori), 84; G. A. Eyles (Napier). 84. TYROS. £2—ll. H. Hammond (Nelson) 4s £1 each—E. R. Truman (Ashburton). 87: A. T. McKenzie 'Opaki), 87; J. Huston (Patea). 87; R. Mottram (Old Navals, Wellington), 86: S. A. Meads (Wairakci). 86: R. Potts (Karori). 84: 8. Hartnell (New Plymouth), 84: J. Ure (Invercargill), 84; A. IT. Willis (Featherston). 84. 10s. each—R. P. Walsh (Petone). 84; A. L. Andrews (Wanganui). 83: W. Hyde (Wairakei), 83; A. B. Kearnick (Waimate.', 83; A. C. J. Robinson (Upper Waitaki). 83; H. J. Potter (Dunedin). 83; W. Clout (Old Navalt. Wellington), 82; 8. M. Stent (Karewarewa), 82; F. Porte-' (Ashburton), 82- J. A. Chambers (Wainukurau), 82; <l. If. McKeich (Kiwi). 82 ; F Grave (Kiwi). Ki.

CANTERBURY MATCH TEN ROUNDsT AT 600 YARDS. A GRADE. £5—J. Bryden (Kaiapoi) 47 £4 each—A. J. Minchin (Unutoke), 47; W. Sproat (Victoria), 47. £3 each—N. McKay (Alfredton), 47; A. H. O’Donnell (Petone), 47. £2 each—J. H. Thompson IWairakei), 47: R. H. Nicholl ’Petone). 46; A. W. Powell (Almrana), 46; W. N. Masefield (Blenheim). 46; J. Donald (Opaki), 46. £1 each—J. Hart (Havelock), 46: W. flarris (Christchurch' 46: L. G. Hare (Suburbs, Wellington). 46; F. S. Hood (Featherston), 45; H. Simmons (Paeroa), 45; J. H. Kearney (Palmerston North), 45; O. J. Nix (Featherston!, 45; J. E. Kearney (Gimmerbnrn), 45; 11. G. Gregor (Victoria), 45: A. V. Swanson (Karori), 45: W. Hudson (Wanganui), 45; H. R. Hunt (Suburbs. Wellington), 45; F. E. Humhpreys (OKawa), 45: G. Te Whaiti (Greytown). 45; 11. McIntosh (Blenheim). 44; S. O. Hay (Sydenham). 44; T. 11. Ingley (Grevtown), 44; E. S. King (Wanganui), 44; J. Paterson (Wanganui), 44; 0. H. McKeich (Kiwi), 44; 11. Fraukland (Karori). 44; H. King 'Opaki), 44; J. G. Turnbull (New Plymouth), 44; W. H. West (Renwick). 44; G. Lovell (Northbank). 44; B. 11. Wrigley (Opaki), 44; H. V. .Croxton (Karori), 44: b. G. Benton Featherston), 44; H. H. Hawley (Opaki), 44; H. Piper (Christchurch), 44; F. H. James (Napier). 44; A. J. Green (Westport). 44; V. Tims (Christchurch), 44; F. L. Evans (Westport). 44; J. A Bellamey (Kaitang-ata). 43; F. Kersha v (Petone). 43. Counted out—ll.- Harris. M. P. Chapman. D. F. Keir. J. C. Armstrong. T. Orr. D. J. Guiney, A. S. T. Butler, A. J. King. C. E. Boyd, R. E. Hester, H. C. Taylor. F. Stockbridge. P. S. Robertson. A. O. Crossan. V. Jones.— B GRADE. £3—G. H. Taylor (New Plymouth), 46. £2 —IL Hughes (Wanganui). 45. £1 each-T. F. Mitehell (Blenheim), 43; G. E. Pearson (New Plymouth), 43; D. E. Braithwaite (Napier). 43: G. E. Came (Wanganui). 43; W. G. Bryce (Waipukurau), 43; G. F. Gardiner (Havelock). 43. 10s. each—W. Johnson (Featherston). 43; G. P. Crimp (Christchurch). J. Bills (Christchurch). 43; F. T. Freeman 'Karori). 43; A. Govenlock (Turnkina). 43; L. Ohl (Karori), 42; D. Banks (Kimbolton), 42; ft*. D. Crossan (Goodwood), 42; A. T. Taylor (Featherston), 42: W. Colquhoun <Akarana), 42; W. lililley 'lnvercargill). 42; J. A. Munro (Mataura), 42; H. T. Peat fSuburbs, Wellington), 42; C. E. Sigvertsen (Tararua), 42. Counted out—K. Lovell. R. W. H. Ramsay, IV. J. A. Haase. TYROS. £2—S. Hartnell (New Plymouth), 46. £1 each—fi. Luxford (Wanganui), 43; H. J. Potter (Dunedin), Scott (Upper Hutt), 43; R. n. Hammond (Nelson). 42; C. F. Wear (Christchurch), 42; A. C. J. Robinson (Upper Wnituki), 42: F. Porter (Ashburton). 42; G. L. Coker (Upncr Hutt), 42: A. H. Willis (Featherston). 42. 10s. ench-F. Grave (Dunedin). 42; J. Huston (Paten). 41; Q. Donal! (Featherston), 41; W. Clout (Old Navals. Wellington). 41: L. W. Rush (Wanganui). 41; J. R. Draffin (Akarnna), 41; A. L. Andrews (Wanganui), 41; D. G, Quarrie (Akarana), 41: R. McPherson 'Opaki), 41; J n. Griffiths (Linton), 41; A. B. Kearnick (Walmnte), 41; R. Farrow (Tnrnrun), 41. Counted out—ll. P. Welch.

Yesterday the visiting riflemen were taken for a run around the district as guests of the National Rifle Association. From Trenthnm the party proceeded through tho Akatarawa Gorge to Wnikanne. where they lunched. The homeward journey was made via Paekakariki and Wellington