TRYING CONDITIONS ON RANGE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 128, 28 February 1928, Page 10

TRYING CONDITIONS ON RANGE

LEADING MARKSMEN FOR KING’S FIFTY

A. H. O’DONNELL MOVES UP TO FIRST PLACE

The shooting at Trentham yesterday over the 500 yards and 600 yards ranges in the Wellington Match —the fourth of the Belt series decided—caused a general re-shuffling in the positions of marksmen in the lead for the King’s Fifty. The Petone rifleman, A. H. O’Donnell, who was in second place after the Marlborough, Auckland, and Canterbury Matches, now tops the leading fifty with an aggregate of 319 after the completion of the Wellington Match. His club rival, W- Mclver, who was in the lead after Saturday’s shooting, drops back to fourth place, while there has been a general movement up and down the aggregate list. Progress with yesterday’s programme was somewhat hampered by the squally weather, and after one stage of the Otago Match had been fired in the afternoon it was decided to postpone shooting for the day. Exceedingly cheerless conditions prevailed, and with frequent showers of driving rain and the nip of winter in the atmosphere, those at the mounds had a trying time.

Steady rain was falling when a start, somewhat later than usual, was made with tho Wellington Match yesterday morning. When marksmen returned from the range for their mid-day luncheon after ten rounds at 500 and GOO yards, most of them were feeling the effects of several hours on the range out in the cold With tlie mounds in a sodden state from the previous evening’s downpour, and rain still falling intermittently, conditions were decidedly cheerless. Drying rooms, however, were brought into operation, and provision made for those who had been on the range to dry their* saturated clothing. It had been intended to fire one of tho two-range matches in the afternoon, but as rain was still falling, though not so heavily as during tho morning, it was decided to proceed with the Otago Match, which called for ten shots at 800 and 900 yards. As the afternoon advanced, the rain cased off, but conditions generally were about as unpleasant as they could be. Shortly after 3 p.m., after one range had been disposed of, it was decided to postpone completion of the match until this morning. Tho winner of the Wellington Match was the Blenheim marksman, D. E. Wilton, with a score of 94. His -17 at both 500 and 600 yards represented seven "bulls-eyes," and three "inners” at each range. Second place was taken by A. T. Graham, of Dunedin, who was one short of the possible at 500 yards. With 45 points at the longer distance, ho also had a total score of 94, but lost to Wilton on the count-back. A. V. Swanson, of Karori, who was third, returned a 93. which included a 49, one minus a possible, at 6(X) yards. The best Australian performance in the match was by the two New South Wales representatives, A. R. McLeod and J O. Armstrong, each having a 92. Rifleman McLeod is captain of the. New South Wales section of the Australian marksmen. A. F. Patrick, Auckland, won the B grade division with 91, while 84’s were counted out, these figures being the same that got into the prize money in this grade last year. F. Grave, of Dunedin, won the tyro section. The following team will represent New Zealand in the contest for the Gordon Highlanders’ Trophy .-—Captain IT. Simmonds, Lieutenant F. Soler, Riflemen F. J. Jeune, F. H. James, R. E. Hester, E. A. Ballinger, F. S. Hood, and H. E. Hunt. Captain H. T. Marhall, who does not shoot, will command the team. The emergencies are Captain W. N. Masefield and Rifleman C. Nix. It had originally been, intended to fire for the.trophy yesterday afternoon, but in view of the bad weather, the match was postponed.

An extra match, known as the Australian Optional Aggregate, was arranged after tho start of the meeting. Tim match is awarded for tho highest aggregate in the Dominion Match and Belt series. Those leading for tho aggregate are as follows: W. H. "West (Renwick), 524; H. W. Feast (Greytown), 524; E. S, King (Wanganui), 522; F. 11. James (Napier), 519: J. Paterso* (Wanganui), 519; C. J. Nix (Featherston), 519; 11. It. Hunt (Suburbs, Wellington), 518; A. H. O’Donnell (Petone), 518; F. W. Ching (Karori), 518: J. B. Goldfinch (Old Navals. Wellington), 516.

The Trentham Aggregate, awarded for the highest aggregate in the Opening, Marlborough, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury matches, was won by H. AV. Feast, of Greytown, with 41S out of a possible of 455. At the 1927 meeting the aggregate went to W. H. AVest (Renwick) with a score of 409. Last year's King’s Prizeman, D. Roots, of Patea, won the aggregate in 1926 with the very fine score of 432. The runner-up to Kflmn. Feast was F. 11. James, Napior, with 414. THE LEADING FIFTY The leading marksmen for the King's Fifty, after the completion of the AVellington Match yesterday, are as follow:— A. IT. O’Donnell (Petone) 319 TT. W. Feast (Greytown) 319 E. 8. King (Wanganui) 318 W. Mclver (Petone) 316 W. TI. West (Renwick) 316 F. 11. James (Napier) 316 O. J. Nix (Featherston) 315 J. 0. Carter (Linton) 313 F. W. Ching (Karori) 312 B. Dunn (Upper Hutt) 311 8. Hartnell (New Plymouth) 311 JI. Reynolds (Christchurch) 310 J. A. Munro (Wanganui) 310 .1. Paterson (Wanganui) 310 W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) 309 It. Piper (Christchurch) 309 A. F. Patrick (City and Suburbs) 3tß JI. T. Boon (Karori) 3CB 11. H. Nicholl Petone) 308 JI. E. Hester (Suburbs, Wgtn.) ... 308 G. E. Pearson '"New Plymouth) 308 J. Thompson (Wairakel) 308 V. Tims (Christchurch) 308 J. Bryden (Kaiapoi) 307 JI. Hancock (Victoria) 307 P. B. Goldfinch (Old Navals. Wgtn.) 307 E. A. Ballinger (Petone) 307 V. Jones (Kimbolton) 307 J. II Kearnev (Napier) 307 W. Mcßain (Old Navals. AVgtn.) ... 307 11. Harris (Christchurch) 307 W. J. Green (Okawa) 307 A. W. Powell (Akarana) 307 F. 8. Hood (Featherston) 3C6 F. J. Jeune (Gisborne: 306 It. W. 11. Ramsay (Linton) 306 8. O. Hay (fiydenhnm) 306 It. Nicholson (Napier) 306 L. O. Benton (Featherston) 305 F. Porter (Ashburton) 305 JI. R. Hunt (Suburbs, Wellington) 305 W. H. Ballinger (Petone) - 304 8. Luxford (Wanganui) 304 W. Sproat (Victoria) 304 A. Tombs (Blenheim) 304 F. Grave (Dunedin) 304 H. Simmonds (Paeroa) 304 B. Holmes (Wanganui) 304 W. Johnson (Featherston) 3*'3 F. AV. Cox (Linton) 303 N. Harris (Christchurch) 303 A. It. Ba.rker (Linkwater) 303 O. Lovell (Northbank) 303 IT. V. Croxton (Karori) 303 F. Storkbridge (N.B.AV.) 303 P. 8. Robertson (Christchurch) ... 303 A. 8. T. Butler (Karori) 303 D. J. Guiney (Petone) 303 Owing to the number of 303’s. fifty-nine names appear in the above list. These aggregates do not include the 800 yards of'the Otago Match, fired during the afternoon, th which several changes took place. I’flmn. O'Donnell, however, with 48. held bis position at the top of the list. The second stage of the Otago, ten rounds at 900, will be fired this morning. Detailed results of yesterday’s shooting are as follow: — WELLINGTON MATCH TEN ROUNDS AT .W YARDS AND 600 YARDS. zl Grade. £5—D. E. Wilton (Blenheim) 94 £4 each—A. T. Graham (Dunedin), 94: A. V. Swanson (Karori), 93. .£3 each—A. 11. Harker (Linkwater), 93; E. 8. King (Wanganui). £2 each—A. It. McLeod (New South Wales). 92; S. O Hay (Sydenham). 92; AV. IL West (Renwick), 92; J. O. Armstrong (New South Wales). 92; 11. W. Feast (Greytown), 92. £1 each—F. 11. James (Napier), 91; W. M. Jackson (Petone). 90: 11. Koppert (Oamaru). 90; H. A. Atkinson (Auckland), "0; A H. O’Donnell (Petone:. 90; R. A). 11. Ramsay (Linton). 90; C. J. Nix (Featherston). 90: A. J. Green (AVestport), 90; K. McKenzie (Featherston). 90; A. W. Powell (Akarana), 90: R. Piper (Christchurch). 90; S. Hartnell (New Plymouth), 90; L.

Righet‘/i (Victoria), 90; W. Mcßain (Old Navals. Wellington), 89; F. W. Cox (Linton), 69; T. Orr (Greytown), 89; A. S. T. Butler (Karori), 89; J. G. Turnbull (New Plymouth), 89; J. Hunter (Petone), 89; B. L. Freak (New South Wales), 89; F. J. Jeune (Gisborne), 89; W. J. Green (Okawa), 89; K. Lovell (Northbank), 89; H. Mclntosh (Blenheim), 89; P. B. Goldfinch (Old Navals, Wellington), 89; D. J. Guiney (Petone), 69; A. L. Andrews (Wanganui), 89: 11. Reynolds (Christchurch), 89: 11. T. Boon (Karori), 89; C. Kibblewhite (Waimate). 89; W. J. Harris (Victoria), 89; L. S. Ila re (Suburbs, Wellington). 89; J. O. Carter (Linton), 89; T. Kidd Wellington), 89; J. Paterson 'Wanganui), 88; N. McKay (Alfrcdton). 88. Counted out —W. 11. Kenning (Nelson). B. Dunn (Upper Hutt), T. A. Marett 'New Plymouth). A. G. Devore (Akarana). V. Jones (Kifnbolton), G. J. Channon (Aew South Wales), H. Hawthorne (Karori), K. W. Wilesmith (New Goutli Wales), F. S. Hood (Featherston). B Grade.

£3—A. F. Patrick (City and Suburbs, Auckland) 91 £2—F. O. Hodge (Christchurch) 91 £1 each—W. Hudson (Wanganui). 88: F. Kershaw (Petone), 88; W. E. Aston (Suburbs, Wellington), 88; J. Bills (Christchurch). 87; H. C. Percy (Alfrcdton), 87; W. J. Johnston (Petone), 87.

10s. each—G. J. Godinagh (Alfrcdton). 87: G. E. Pearson (New Plymouth), 87; A. Schumacher (Kaponga), 86; R. Nicholson (Napier), 86; W. Ogg (Kiwi), 86; J. N. Hands (Kaiparoro), 86: H. Frankland (Karori). 86; A Tombs (Blenheim), 86; G. Waddington (Ashburton), 86; P. J. Pring (Sitv and Suburbs. Auckland), 86; W. J. 11. Haase (Suburbs. Wellington), 86; A. R. Wills (Invercargill). 86; J. 8. Thompson (Wanganui), 85; T. F. Mitchell (Blenheim).

Counted out—J. 11. Kearney (Palmerston North), 8. Marenzi (Eketahuna) . J. If. Frazer (Kaitangata), W. F. Facer (Dunedin). F. J. Chapman (Petone), J. B. Bairstow (Grevtown). H. King (Opaki), W. Johnson (Featherston). G. N. Atkins (.Uiutokc).

Tyros. £2—F. Grave (Dunedin) 90 £1 each—F. Porter (Ashburton), 83; E. W. Beard (Kimbolton), 87; P. Berry (Tararua), 87; T. McGill (Old Navals, Wellington). 87; S. Luxford (Wanganui). 86; J. B. Eves (Renwick). 86: R Thompson iTakapua), 86: G. W. Gillies (Oamaru), 85; L. M. Rush (Wanganui), 84. _ ~ 10s. each—J. Donald (Opaki), 84; R. Ure (Invercargill), 84; E. R. Truman (Ashburton). 83: J. 11. Shepherd (Old Navals, Wellington), 83; 6. M. Stent (Karewarewah 83: R. McPherson (Opaki), 83; 11. Hodder (Featherston), 83; J. Rowling (Wairoa). 83: J. Pearson (Renwick). 82: R. J. Vvells (Paeroa). 82: A. IL Willis (Featherston), 62: D. G. Quarrie (Akarana). 82. Counted out—G. L. Cocker (Upper Jlr.tt). J. Austin (Nuhaka), R. Farrow (Tararua). G. R. Bciiancy (Kaitangata).

TRENTHAM AGGREGATE Awarded to competitors whose respective scores at 300. 500. and 600 yards, in the Opening, Marlborough. Auckland, Canterbury, and Wellington matches make no the highest, aggregate. £5 and B.S.A. gold medal and shield

—W. N. Feast (Grey town) ‘lit £4—F. JI. James (Napier) 4F £3 each—W. 11. West (Renwick), 413; E. S. Kiner (Wancauiri). 413.

£2 each—A. 11. b'bonuell (Petone). 412; C. J. Nix (Featherston). 412; B. Duiin (Upper Hutt), 409; F. AV. Ching (Karori), 409: A. W. Powell (Akarana), 408; J. Paterson (Wanganui), 407. £1 each—S. Hartnell (New Plymjuth), 406: W. Mclver (Pttone), 406; F. S. Hood (Featherston), 405; V. Tims (Christchurch), 405: V. Jones (Kimbolton). 404; AV. Johnson (Featherston), 404; J. O. Carter (Linton). 404; B. E. Hester (Suburbs. Wellington). 403; 11. T. Boon (Karori), 403; 11. Simmonds (Paeroa'. 402: R. Piner (Christchurch), 402; E. A. Ballinger IPetoae), 402: U. Hancock (Victoria'. 402; J. Bryden (Kaiapoi). 401: AV. N. Masefield (Blenheim). 401: A. F. Patrick (City and Suburbs. Auckland). 401; P. B. Goldfinch 'Old Navals. Wellington). 401: J. 11. Thompson (Wairakei), 400; D. J. Guiney (Petone), 400: W. J. Green (Okawa). 460; J. N. Munro (Mataura). 400: F. J. Jeune (Gisborne). 400; J. 11. Frazer (Kaitangata), 400: A. B. Barker (Linkwater). 400; E. J. Channon (New South Wales). 400: N. 1 arris (Christchurch) 399: 8. <>. Hay aSydenluim). 399: H. Holmes (Wanganui), 359: 11. Barlow (Linton). 399: F. W. Cox (Linton). 399: 11. 11. Nicholl (Petone), 393; J. 11. Kearney (Palmerston North). 398: 11. It. Hunt (Suburbs. Wellington). 391’: A. J. Green (Westport), 398; 11. V. Croxton (Karori). 398: 8. Luxford (Wanganui), 398: F Porter (Ashburton). 398: W. McBain (Old Navals. Wellington), 397; 11. 0. Tavlor (New South AVales), 394: AV. Hudb<m (Wanganui), 397. Counted out—O. E. Boyd (New South Wales) W. 11. Ballinger (Petone). T. Kidd (Suburbs. Wellington), IV. J. 11. Haase (Suburbs. Wellington), H. Reynolds (Christchurch). C. Lovell (Northhank). T>s following is the position of the bn leading teams in the Rifle Clubs’ Champion Teams Match (teams of five men. aggregate scores in belt matches, except the final ten shots to count):— Petone No. 1 1538 Wanganui No. 1 1530 Featherston 1528 Karori No. 1 1517 (suburbs No. 1 1516 Linton No. 1 1514 Grevtown 1513 Cl'r'stehurch No. 1 1511 Blenheim 1488 Petone No. 2 1487 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION QUESTION OF AMMUNITION The annual meeting of Hie National Rifle Association was held at Trentham last night, the president (Colonel R. Hughes) presiding over a large attendance. In his report, the chairman of the executive committee (Deputy-President T. 11. Marshall) stated that the executive recorded its deep appreciation of the splendid treatment accorded to the New Zealanders, Loth by tl'.e Ne.v South Wales Association and Australia generally, when I hey were recently competing in the Commonwealth. It was felt that a frequent interchange of visits would help rille shooting appreciably, and that the visit of the nineteen New Zealanders to Sydney was responsible for the appearance of tile /Australians now at Trentham. Considerable prominence was given in the report to the question of ammunition, lliis matter having given rise to a good deal of discussion among riflemen of late. “Tho supply of Mark six ammunition being exhausted,” stated I he report, “the executive has gone thoroughly into the question. A furl her supply of Mark six was asked for but it was found impossible to get this, none having been manufactured since the war. It is understood Australia is working on accumulated stocks. It was pointed out to General Headquarters that Mark seven could not give uniformly good results at short ranges when used in the long rille. The Defence Department, helping us in every way, carried out tests in Auckland, which boro this out. No Mark seven is now being filled with nitro-cellulose, this having been discarded, and nothing but cordite tilled Mark seven is now being made. A special lot of this was provided by the Defence Department for testing at Trentham, tho Wellington Rille 'Association providing a representative team for the purpose. The new ammunition proved better than previous issues, there being fewer wide shots. As it wan found impossible to get uni-

formly good results with the Mark seven in tho long rifles at the short ranges, it was thought possible to make the rille suit the ammunition. From information brought back from Australia by Captain AV. N. Masefield and others, it was found that the M.L.E. long rifle, with the barrels shortened to the length of the barrel in tho S.M.L.E., had given excellent results with tho Mark seven ammunition in Australia.

"General Young had kindly had five rifles shortened for testing purposes, and these were tested by some of the best shots in AVellington, with excellent results. A 7 arions members of AVellington rille clubs have used the shortened ride with good results at short ranges, and the New Zealand rifle clubs’ executive Ims fully considered this matter in carrying out the tests, and has recommended toThe National Ride Association that in future lhe use of this ride bo allowed.”

The report also referred to the deaths of Canton G. Hood and Rifleman J. Te Whaili. and the executive extended its sympathy to their relatives. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit of £202 12s sd.