RIFLEMEN IN ACTION

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 14

RIFLEMEN IN ACTION

QUEST FOR SUPREMACY AUSTRALIA V. NEW ZEALAND MEMORIES OF GREAT MATCHES [Written by Captain AV. S. King, Christchurch, for the ‘Evening Star.’] [All Eights Reserved.] Bullets are again speeding over the Trentham rifle range, finding their billets; in this instance the distant military or bull’s eye target. The finest marksmen of the dominion are pitted at this year’s gathering in friendly rivalry for the coveted Ballinger Belt, and other time-honored trophies for individual merit, not only against riflemen of their own country, but against .the very elite of Australian rifle experts. The New Zealand marksman’s Mecca has this year assumed an importance much above that of the ordinary annua! gathering. Our friends of the Commonwealth have sent across two teams of the highest calibre to engage in a test. of skill with New Zealand riflemen. One team is from New South Wales, and the other is from Victoria. Two Victorian teams have previously visited the dominion. The pioneer combination crossed the Tasman Sea in 1890 to take part in the intercolonial meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, held in that year on the Wingatni rifle range (Dunedin) in connection with the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. The second Victorian team to visit these parts came over in 1896 to compete at the Federal meeting of the N.Z.R.A., held at Oamarn. Victoria won the first match, but was fourth only in tho second, Queensland winning with New Zealand second and New South Wales third. It is therefore thirty-eight years since the first team from any Australian State paid a visit to this country. New South Wales sent teams on two occasions, in 1896 and 1910. On each occasion Now Zealand defeated the riflemen of the parent State, while honors are easy between Victoria and ourselves—that is, so far as matches hold in the dominion are concerned. THE STANDARD OF MERIT. It is an indication of the skill and competence of our dominion marksmen that on no occasion on which Australian riflemen have come across to take part in the New Zealand Bisley—and individual marksmen of the highest repute have visited our annual gatherings often—has a Commonwealth expert succeeded in annexing the dominion rifle championship. Nor, on the other hand, despite many attempts, has a New Zealand rifleman, on crossing the Tasman Sea, succeeded in gaining a State championship. This all points to the standard of merit in marksmanship being fairly equal between the dominion and Commonwealth. This equality is emphasised, too, when it is borne in mind that each country has to its credit the gaining of the highest marksmanship honors in the British Empire—namely, the King’s Prize (for individual effort) and the Kolapore Cup (teams event) at the famous national meeting at Bisley. We grant Australia supremacy in cricket, but not in Rugby football; while in rifle shooting superiority rests with neither country. A meeting such as the present Trentham one is, therefore, a real test of skill with the issue quite open. No doubt our Australian friends are keyed up for the occasion, and, to use a sporting term, are uni “short of a gallop”; for they have just come through a searching test for places in the team to represent the Commonwealth at the Bisley meeting next Juno. A DOMINION BISLEY TEAM? It is to be hoped that our own riflemen will prevail in the big teams event at Trentham, following which it is further to be hoped that steps will bo taken to have Now Zealand represented at this year’s Bisley. Quite an appreciable period has elapsed since a dominion team took part in the big national meeting of the Mother Country, and as this cmmtry’s outlook and prospects have improved considerably of late, tho Government may view snch a proposal favorably. TRENTHAM AS TESTING GROUND, There can bo no doubt as to the Trentham rifle range being an ideal testing ground for marksmanship. During the years since 1892, when the Trentham range was first opened, riflemen from every district from tho North Cape to the Bluff have taken part in the popular gatherings there, with more or less success. Many have no doubt found Jibe conditions very hard, but failure has never yet interfered with the aim of a true marksman—the dominion championship and Ballinger Belt. At times Miss Trentham can be in very fickle mood and trifle with her admirers, almost to the point of desperation for them; but, as is invariably the case with the fair ones, she has the happy knack of quickly turning her fickleness to sincerity and encouragement. Then all is radiant, and happiness reigns in the domain of the mythical little muse who presides over the destinies of riflemen, and choice delectables, in the shape of big scores, are served out to her suitors. Yet what ■marksman is there who has not at times been sorely puzzled by the fickle conditions experienced at Trentham? Watch the men’s faces as they return from the firing mounds, some with the dreaded cipher all too prominent in their score, and no reasonable explanation to account for it._ This man, with the far-away look on his face, is perhaps thinking of the lines of a well-known verse, slightly altered: I shot a bullet through the air, It came to earth I know not where 1 That man, with the sparkling eye and merry expression, has obviously flirted successfully with Miss Trentham, who has bedecked him with the crown of victory. And all New Zealand soon learns of this, for the active and alert pressmen immediately despatch the news to all parts of Now Zealand that Rifleman So-and-so has won a match or gained a coveted trophy. POPULAR PASTIME AND RECREATION. Despite the npa and downs of a marksman’s career ? rifle shooting is a very popular pastime and recreation. An afternoon spent on the range, endeavoring to “hit the mark” and scon 'possible,” is a most healthy and exhilarating experience; therefore marksmanship should be encouraged to tho utmost. It is a branch of field sports in which New_ Zealanders have been able to bold their own against all competitors from or in other parts. The dominion marksmen, however, have never specialised in target shooting to tho extent that is evidenced in the finished work of riflemen of many overseas countries. In the United States, for instance, marksmanship is developed on scientific lines, and for the periodical national tests the preparation is ae searching in its way as is that of a Dempsey and a Tunney for the world’s boxing championship. Nevertheless, New Zealanders possess the natural ability and stamina required, and successes have been gained as a result of determined effort, the capacity to excel, and the will to win. While the Australians have combined scientific methods with a natural aptitude among their men for rifle shooting, there is little doubt the friendly rivalry between the Commonwealth and dominion has helped materially to raise the standard of marksmanship both countries.

THE PIONEER TEAMS. It is just forty years since a New Zealand team of marksmen went oyer tho water to take' part in the Victorian Rifle Association’s meeting hold on the .Williamstown range, Melbourne. _ Those were the days ot the Snider rifle in this country, of which wc had _ many doughty exponents. Victory 'in f thc teams’ event rested with the New Zealanders, and thereafter the Victorians sot to work to regain their lost laurels. Tho opportunity came in 1890, when the N.Z.R.A. meeting was held at Wingatni. The Australians were armed with the Martini-Henry—a weapon infinitely superior to the old Snider. Through the persistent effort of tho late Colonel R. J. Sommcrvillo, Wanganui, then chairman of the N.Z.R.A., u number of Martini-Henry rifles were procured for our own marksmen, who, however, had to contribute towards the cost of the now am. The last meeting at which the Snider was used was at Blenheim, in 1889, when the champion belt was won by the late Sergeant J. Parslow, of Auckland. Parslow was earlier a renowned shot with the short rifle, known as the carbine. Ho won the Carbine Belt during the eighties, and was the only marksman in the history of rifle shooting in New Zealand to win both championships, rifle and carbine. Ross, of Napier, won the Carbine Belt outright in 1888, and in 1907 Arthur Ballinger, of Wellington, won the Rifle Belt for tho third time, tho trophy becoming his own property. Ballinger, admittedly New Zealand’s most noted marksman, very generously handed the historic belt back to the N.Z R.A. to be competed for as a challenge trophy at the annual gatherings. This belt has been competed for since 1873, and is smothered with silver plates, on which are engraved the names of tho champions. Its historical value will therefore be realised. Ross has also redonated his belt. A VICTORIAN SUCCESS. The Victorian team that came across in 1890 was under the command of Captain Hanby, C Battery, Geelorm Artillery, a superb rifleman, who gained many successes at the Wingatni meeting. Captain Hauby’s orders prior to leaving Melbourne for New Zealand were to “ bring back the laurels to Australia,” and he carried them out to the letter. The Victorians sent over their best team, and won the match by 37 points. New Zealand led by 8 with two of the three distances completed, but collapsed at the last range, and lost. T!.c weather was very had, heavy rain falling, accompanied by a boisterous wind. Superior coaching won the clay for Australia. Tho conditions of the match were ton men a side, ten shots eacli at 200yds, 500ycls, and 600yds. Captain Hanby was the hero of tho day, heading tho list and putting on 45 out of 50 at 600yds—a remarkable performance considering the conditions. Following are details of the score sheet of this pioneer match: — VICTORIA.

QUEENSLAND WINS. It was in 1896 that the second invasion took place, teams representing Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria coming from Australia take part in the Federal meeting of the N.Z.R.A., held at Oamaru. The star teams event was the Federal Cup match, a magnificent trophy valued at 500 guineas. Rifle club members were not then recognised by the New Zealand Defence authorities, though Australian rifle clubs were, as they formed part of the Australian Defence Force. Consequently the visiting teams, being at full State strength, had an advantage over New Zealand, which could not call on its leading rifle dub marksmen. The conditions were ten a-side, ten shots each at 300, 500, 600, and 700yds. The rifle used was the Martini-Henry, and the competition was tired in fine weather, with a variable wind. Queensland were the trophyholders, and the State’s great team proved unbeatable, winning easily. The result was as follows; 300 500 600 700 vds. yds. yds. yds. Tl. Queensland ... 412 428 378 336 - 1,554 New Zealand 391 430 589 309 N.S. Wales ... 411 413 398 290 Victoria ... 405 434 372 279 - 1,490 Sloane and White were the only two members of the 1890 Victorian team to again represent their State; while Williams and Ross were again chosen to shoot for New Zealand. Bradley, of Queensland, who fired from the left shoulder, amassed the big total of 179, 16 points ahead of the next highest scorer. Lieut.-commander Kirk (N.Z.). Bradley made 43 at 300yds, 47 at 500yds, 45 at 600yds, and 44 at 700yds. Kirk (N.Z.) and Young (Vic.) each scored 48 at 500yds, while Lieutenant Dodds (Port Chalmers) led all the teamsmen at 600yds with 47, and Bradley’s 44 was the highest tally at 700yds. The details of the match are too extensive to be given, but the scores of the New Zealanders follow, for record purposes;— 300 500 600 700

NEW ZEALAND TO THE FORE. The third match between dominion and Australian teams took place in 1910 at Trentham. when New Zealand won the Empire Match, the conditions of which "were eight men a-side, ten shots each at 200, 500, 600, 800, 900, and I,oooyds. New South Wales was the only Australian State to oppose the dominion representatives, who led at each range and won easily. The firing occupied two days, three distances each day. Rain fell throughout, but the scoring was high, except at I,oooyds, where the light was bad and the wind unsteady. The rifle then in use was the Lee-Bnfield (long rifle). The last, meeting at which the Martini-Henry was used was at Wanganui in 1899, when W. S. King, then of Oamaru, won the belt. Many notable performances were registered in the 1910 match. New Zealand was represented by the following:—Captain W. S. King (Christchurch), Captain J. H. Ross (active list), Sergeant H. Frank (Nelson), Corporal A. Patrick (Auckland), Trooper S. Marenzi (Eketahuna Mounted Rifles), President W. N. Masefield (Sounds Rifle Club),-Rifleman G. Halliday (Karori R.C.), and Rifleman E. F, Sandford (Christchurch R.C.). The Australian team included the famous

Totals 357 353 319 316 307 290 —1932 To-day New Zealand is represented by a newer generation, of marksmen who will, no doubt, worthily uphold the dr/fiiinion’s traditions in rifle shooting.

200 500 600 yds. yds. yds. Tl. Captain Hanby 42 40 45 — 127 Lieutenant White ... 43 42 35 — 120 Private Dq Grandi ... 42 37 39 - 119 Private Mitchell 39 40 35 - 114 Rifleman W. Sloano 48 35 31 — 114 Bomb’dier Grummett 42 38 31 — 111 Lieutenant Bales 44 35 26 - 105 Corporal Kirk 42 27 35 — 104 Private Chapman ... 40. 25 55 — 100 Captain Draper 41 29 26 — 98 Totals 423 348 338 — 1110 NEW ZEALAND. . 200 yds. 500 yds. 600 yds. Tl. Lt. White (Auck.) ... 47 36 33 - 116 Smn. Franco (Wei.) 35 43 37 — 115 Sgt. Jones (Dun.) ... Sgt. Parslow (Auck.) 44 45 38 58 32 — 114 29 - 112 Lt. Okey (Tara.) ... 42 41 27 — 110 P.O. Williams (W.) Major Purnell (Wan.) 40 41 28 — 109 42 39 22 — 103 Lt. Ross (Napier) ... 33 29 39 — 101 Gr. Taylor (Auck.) 38 55 28 — 101 Sgt. M‘Carfchy (Dim.) ,41 32 19 — 92 Totals 407 372 294-1073

vds. yds. yds. vds. Tl. Kirk, Petono ... 39 48 43 ‘33 - 165 Jack, Dunedin 41 41 43 33 - 158 Williams, Wei. 43 43 44 28 - 158 Dodds, Port Ch . 39 42 47 29 - 157 Howe, Wei. ... 40 47 34 3*4 - 155 Doughty, Auck. 40 43 38 27 - 148 Simpson, Kaiapoi 41 39 33 33 — 146 Wakclm, Christchurch 33 44 29 39 - 145 Ross, Napier ... 39 43 44 19 — 145 A. Ballinger, Wellington 36 40 34 34144 Totals 391 430 389 309-1,519

Cutlers, two verv noted marksmen in tlicir day. Following were the scores 200 500 600 800 900 1,000 Tl. vds. vds . vds. yds. yds. vds. Masefield 47 45 41 48 40 46 ~ 267 Patrick . 43 49 40 47 46 40 - 265 Halliday 48 46 45 34 42 41 — 256 Pass 43 46 41 43 47 36 - 256 King 47 46 39 45 48 31 - 256 Sandford 46 45 37 45 44 36 - 253 Frank ... 45 42 42 42 47 35 - 253 Marenai 48 44 35 22 46 42 - 237 Totals 367 363 320 326 360 307 — 2043 NEW SOUTH WALES. 200 500 600 550 900 1,000 Tl. vds. vds. vds. yds. yds. yds. W. Cutler 49 48 40 44 46 41 — 268 A, Cutler 48 46 43 44 45 30 - 256 Boyd 41 45 42 36 37 46 - 247 Piggott 47 44 43 46 32 32 - 234 Kefford 46 46 40 42 32 28 — 234 Fisher ... 40 45 37 33 44 31 — 230 Porritt 43 36 44 33 36 36 — 228 Harrison 43 43 30 38 35 35 - 224