RIFLE SHOOTING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5207, 23 November 1927, Page 2

RIFLE SHOOTING.

HISTORY OF BRADFORD BELT-

INTERESTING PAEROA RELIC.

With the recent formation of the Paeroa Defence Rifle Club, history is about to repeat itself. Although since the war rifle-shooting activities have practically ceased, it may not be generally know'n that Paeroa and district was prominently known throughout New Zealand for its good marksmen and the interest taken in rifle shooting. Several men who later became crovk shots in the Dominion fired a rifle for the first time on the Paeroa range.

Anyone interested in rifle shooting would be repaid for. a visit to the local Defence Office by inspecting there the Bradford Belt. This trophy was presented to the No. 1 Company, Ohinemuri Rifle Volunteers, Paeroa, in 1900 by Mrs E. W. Porritt, in memory of Sergeant-Major G. R. Bradford, who left Paeroa as a member of, the First New Zealand Contingent for South Africa in 1899, and who died of wounds received at Jasfontein in December, 1899. Sergeant-Major Bradford, who formerly belonged to the Coldstream Guards, was the first New Zealander and the first member of any of, the Colonial Contingents to give his life for the Empire in the war. WINNERS OF THE BELT. The Bradford Belt was first competed for in 1900, and thereafter every year until 1912. The winner each year had his name inscribed on a silver plate, which was placed on the belt, and the last name to be put, on, in 1912, filled the space available on the belt for inscription plates. The late Sergeant E. Shaw (Paeroa) was the only competitor to win the belt, on three occasions at intervals. The following are the particulars of, the winners :—

On June 16, 190'0, won by Sergt.Major W. H. Jenkins, 69 points ; on June 29, 1901, won by Private J. F. McArthur, 65 points; on. June 7, 1902, won by Private J. Roach, 92 points ; on June 13, 1903, won by Sergt. E. Shaw, 89 points; on June 11, 1904, won by Sergt. E. Shaw', 79 points ; on August 12, 1905, won by Corpl. Ogden, 83 points ; on June 24, 1906, won by Sergt. E. Shaw, 95 points; pn July 26, 1907, won by Sergt. P. R. Hubbard, 83 points; on June 26, 1908, won by Colour-sergt. E. H. Andrews, 88 points ; on June, 12, 1909, won by Sergt. W. Moore, 86 points; on June 11, 1910, won by Sergt J. Redpath, 87 points; on June 17, 1911, won by Sergt. J. Redpath, 96 points; on October 23, 1912, won by Sergt H. Bray, 81 points.

The belt is of leather, with a heavy, chased silver buckle, and ornamented right round with the inscription plates. On the back of the belt, is a. small pouch, the edges of which are bound with silver, and in th© centre are two crossed rifles. This interesting relic, which has been stowed away and almost forgotten, has recently been unearthed, and is now being carefully preserved with other regimental property at Paeroa. EXIT OF VOLUNTEERS. On the coming into operation of the Defence Act, 1909, the volunteer force became merged into the territorial force, the volunteer battalions becoming the nucleus of, territorial regiments. The No. 1 Company, Ohinemuri Rifle Volunteers, which was formed at Paeroa on June 16, 189 i, afterwards betcame B Company, of the 6th Hauraki Regiment.

In 1907 honours, “South Africa, 1900-2,” were conferred by His Majesty King Edward VII. for services rendered in South Africa. The King s Colours, presented by the N.Z. Government, were, consecrated by the RtRev. Dr. O’Callaghan, D.D., Battalion Chaplain, at a parade held at Thames on September 26, 1907, His Worship the Mayor of Thames (Mr A. Burns) making the presentation on-behalf of th & New Zealand Government. New Colours were presented to the Regiment in 1918 by the officers and men of the late volunteer battalion.

In February, 1913, His Majesty til?, King was graciously pleased to approve of the Hauraki Regiment being allied to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

OPPORTUNITY FOR TROPHY.

In view of the worthy records held in rifle shooting matters in the past, and as an added stimulant to the newly formed rifle club at Paema, a splendid opportunity is afforded for some of the old-time marksmen or other public-spirited persons to present a belt or some suitable trophy for annual competition. Of all forms of sport, probably rifle shooting is one of the cleanest, fairest and most manly, and the experience gained in the efficient use of a rifle and control and conservation of ammunition lias proved invaluable in the past in times of national crises.