TRENTHAM SHOOTING

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1931, Page 6

TRENTHAM SHOOTING

McIVER CHAMPION. TR ENT HAM FINALS. (By T clcyraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 24. Billcmaii W. Mclver, of Potion- Rifle Club, was “chaired” at Trent bam today as champion marksman of the Dominion. and tlir winner of 'the King’s Prize of £25, the Ballinger Rifle Champion Hell', and the gold medal and gold badge of the National Rille As-socia-

lion. Spooling wdf.h a superb consistency tlial Inis elmraclerised bis marksmans|ii|i throughout ,-flic meeting, il seemcil almost a foregone conclusion before Mefvcr went down at the mounds for the final fen rounds at the POO yards that lie would win the King's. Rcniaining cool and collected in spite ol a large crowd being grouped around him, .Melver linisbed with Hi. which brougbit liis aggregate up to 423 out ol’ a. possible 450. Tile well known Wairnrapa marksman C. .). Nix, of Kea tilers ton, was the runner-up with a score two points less than .flic King's prizeman. When the competitors went to Hie firing points for the King’s Prize "match, .Me|ver bad a four point lead with 477, his Club mate, K. A. Ballinger, being in second place with 371. Me]ver wan one of the first ito complete the final ten rounds, and, with a 4.6 for the match,-was able to win hi* first King’s. Melver is a prominent' Wellington marksman and shoots with the Potone Club. Last, year lie finished in third position for the King’s Prize. He was a member oi the New Zealand team that visited Australia about two years ago. and on .that occasion won the Argus and Australasian aggregate. Twelve months ago last October, lie attended l.be New South Wales meeting, where be competed with marked success. He was also a member of the New Zealand team which met the Australian team at Trentham at the National Rifle Championships in 1929. For tlie highest score in the King’s Prize match, the Rifle Challenge Chip is awarded, and as Nix and If. Simmomls (Auckland) each made 49, a shoot off was necessary to determine tlic winner. Five shots, the recognised tie shoot, were fired, with the result that Kimonds takes the trophy. The grand aggregate for the highest score in all mutches at the meeting went to W. X. Masefield (Marlborough). In the shoot, off between Mel ver and H. V. Ciox.ton (Karori) to decide first place ill. the Australian aggregate McIvor was sucCeS-sl ul. Karori and Petoiie won the several teams matches. Tlic winner of the Service Championship was 11. .Judkins (Auckland), with 170 out of a possible 250. The championship carries with it. the Ross Carbine Belt and the gold medal of the X.R.A.. and is awarded for the highest aggregate score in the service series. Masefield was second with 173. and K. 0. Hay (Sydenham) third with 172. Details of the results of the match for the King’s Prize are:— L‘2s. Ballinger Belt, gold medal and gold badge—W. Melwr 423 (Potone). £1.2, silver star and badge—C. 4. Nix (Fcatliorstnii) 421. L'B,. silver star and badge—H. A. Ballinger (Pet,me) 418. L‘3, and badge— H. V. Croxton (Ka- ! rori) 113. £3-11. Simmid.s (Aiiekhuul) 112. | £3—K.' Donald (Opaki) 100. L3--R. 11. Nicholl (Petoiie) Hist. C3—II. W. Feast (Grey town) 1 ()7. ; 03—If. I. Wells (PaeroiD 107. j The renminiiig twenty scores. Irum fOS to 305. take 01 each. i