RIFLE SHOOTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1926, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING.

[by tei.eguapji —run ri’.ESS association.] TKKNTHAM, Mar.-h 17. To-dav wa> memorable for wondert'uly fine vvather in which to make a start with the solid competition for the belt. Officials of the Association took fullest advantage of the favourable conditions, and pushed through three matches, the Marlborough (ten shots at 300 and 300 yards). Canterbury (ten at (iOOyds). and Auckland (ten 111. 300 and OOO.vds). This prngrj.'iniue mu- a heavy strain on the nutrkers, who found the long spell of watching the targets, which the greater part of the time were subjected to glaring sunshine, very trying. The forcing tactics were resented by a section of the markers, who, to emphasise their protest, indulged in a lightning strike, which held up work on a number of targets till conciliatory intlnonces bridged the difficulty. It was n. struggle to complet? the Auckland match, as the sun had sunk behind the hills before the last men fired. The semi-final details had a line soft light, lmt those who drew last positions in the squads found the du.sl; creeping so close as to render speed equally as urgent a necessity as acctira: v. The shooting throughout was of a high standard, the wind being practically harmless all day, though some found the drift just a little troublesome at times.

Alarlhorough Afat-eh, jrlnelpnl results. A. Grade—£s, Roots (Patea) 99; £-1 Jen tie (Gisborne) 98; CM Hogg (New Plymouth) 97; £3 H Donald (Opaki) 9fi; £fi Benton (Featherstone) 90; £2 ftimmonds (AVanganui) 9(>. B. GrittV.*—Brighton (Wanganui) UU; £Silvios (Dunedin) DC; Tyros : £2 White (Okawa) 9.5.

Canterbury .Match, principal results: A Grade: Co Anderson (Kttituiui) 49; £4 .Jeiitie (Gisborne) 48; £4 McKenzie (Featherst-ono) 48; £fi Palmer (I’atea) 48; £fi Pott<?r (Auckland) 48. B. Grade: £fi Barrett (Christehiircli) L ; £2 Kenning (Nelson) 47. 'lyres: £2. 11. W. Citing (Waimea)

Auckland Afat-cb. principal results: A. Grade: £.5 Tilson (Grovtown) 97: £1 Smart (Wellington) 97; £4 Cald"ell (Karori) So ; £fi Swanson (Karoi'i) 90 i £ Hogg (New Plymouth) 90. 11. Grade: £;l Dudgeon (Nelson) 9 1 C2. G. Tewhaii 93. Tyros: AfcGoveru (Alfredton) £fi. Present leaders for tho belt are: Caldwell 238. Roots 238. Broughton 230. Hogg 230. A. Harris 23-5, I). J. Anderson 235.