RIFLE SHOOTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1926, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING.

[iiv TF.r.KCß.M’ir—run. press association.] TRENTHAM, March IS. The weather is holding gloriously fine. This morning shooting began at eight o'clock at 900 yards, to complete the Dominion match. Shaded targets and sunbathed mounds with a mirage in front of the targets aborted some men and misses were dotted about freely. About nine o’clock the first really threatening fmlF.s of wind came along and though not yet serious are gii ing tho marksmen something to think about. Later on the Hawke’s Bill match, ten shots at 900 yards, will be fired and in the afternoon the Otago match <it 800 and 900 will keep tho men occupied. Those last thirty shells will complete the 110 fired to determine finally who shall fire in the King’s Fifty to-morrow. The general opinion is that unless Roots breaks down badly nobody can stop him putting his name for the third time on the Belt.

At the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association Inst night, Colonel Hughes was re-elected president, Fellingham, secretary; Colonel Crosswell, Major Dunn and Captain Sinimniids, executive. The latest positions of the leaders in the Rifle Club Champion teams match are Wellington Suburbs No. 1 1888, Fenthorston 1815, Wanganui No. 1 1815, Knrori No. 1 1801, Akarnna 1792. TRENTHAM, May 19. As the hours passed, clouds blotted out the glaring sun leaving the. light soft and clear, but one of Trentham’s trickiest “fish-tails” developed with disastrous results to the scores at 900 yards range of the Dominion match. Many cards disclosed misses and the man who got every shot iu the target counted himself lucky. Rhodes put all ten shots into the bull, but as he only oame hack with 55 on for 15 shots at 600 yards, the possible, the only one registered thus far, did not bring him much grist. H. Donald 71—4 G—ll 7 and Caughley 70—45 —lls at tine end of the match headed the list.

Among the tragedies of' the morning was Masefield’s shoot. Starting with a miss and 3 for sigbter.s, lie got another 8 and then four misses, a 2, three misses and 2, a total of 7. He had come hack with a useful 65 so the “crash” brought him condolences from all sides. Even the official flag at the headquarters’ office was overcome and fell mysterious]v to halfmast. The match was won by Donald (Opaki) 117 followed by Caughley (Karon") 115. R, J. King (Oonki). Henry (Kniapoi), JeiFson (Taihorn), G. Whiteman (Upper Hutt), Holland (Opotiki) each 111. Moßain (Wellington), O’Donnell (Petone), Roots (Patoa). Ganney (Petone), Trying (Nelson) each 113.

This match dies not count for the Belt.

The tricky conditions continued for the >tcu shots of the Hawke match, 900 yards, belonging to the Belt series. Caldwell notched the possible, while Roots came a mucker with only 29.