MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5433, 7 June 1929, Page 2

MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB

AUSPICIOUS OPENING. SOME GOOD SHOOTING. On Wednesday evening members of the Paeroa Defence Miniature Rifle Club gathered at the Drill Hall for the official opening and initial shoot of the newly formed organisation. One side of the hall had been fitted up as a range, the targets being iluminated while the comfortable mattresses, which materially aided good shooting, were in darkness. Thus the marksmen were enabled to take excellent sight, despite the fact of it being night. Mr F. C. Hubbard, a vice-president of the club, in his opening remarks said that those participating in the activities would find shooting entertaining and of benefit to them. Those who were beginners would receive every assistance. In the past Paeroa had had some particularly good riflemen, and still possessed a few. With those assembled was one who had represented New Zealand. The club was fortunate in, numbering him among its members, and it would be wise for marksmen to watch him and listen to him. What was needed in rifle-shoQt-ing was patience, training, and care of the weapon. Mr Hubbard then called upon Captain G. D. Dittmer, M.C., N.Z.S.C., to officially open the club and fire the first shot. Captain Dittmer, in the course of a short speech, wished the club every success. He said the idea behind it was a very good one. Later on members could assist the Rifle Club itself. The 222 rifles that the miniature club was using were just as good as the 303 for learning purposes—in fact, better for younger people. He advised that Mr Hubbard’s remarks with reference to Captain Simmonds should be borne in mind; the club was indeed fortunate in having him associated with it. Captain Dittmer then fired the first shot, scoring a buli—a most auspicious omen for the future success of the embryo club. ’ Some excellent shooting followed, with Mr A. Steward as spotter and Mr A. A. Jenkinson, the secretary, as scorer. Following are the outstanding results out of a possible 100 :— F. C. Hubbard, 98; E. Mead, 98; Captain H. Simmonds, 98; R. Wells, 98 ; Lieutenant Heal, 91; A. Steward, 90 and 73 ; M. - Simmonds, 87 ; A. Simmonds, 83; E. Turton, 77; J. Rooney, 73 ; L. Morriss, 70 ; A. Keighley,’ 68 ; R. W. Roberts, 61; A. Pellow, 59 ; A. A. Jenkinson, 57 ; J. W. Black, 54 ; D. Currie, 46. Five scored under 45.