RIFLE SHOOTING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5492, 25 October 1929, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING.

PAEROA MINIATURE CLUB.

FINAL NIGHT’S COMPETITION.

Although the clerk of the weather was not at all kind to the Paeroa Defence Miniature Rifle Club, on the occasion of its final shoot for the 1929 season, still there was a very good attendance of members at the range in the local drill hall on Wednesday evening to fire the second and concluding shoot of the two-night handicap competition that had been arranged to wind up the season. Although no possibles were registered a high standard of the shooting was maintained. The conditions for each night were 10 shots and one sighter, with a handicap, the limit for the two nights being 200. Three members reached the limit in the first shoot, and shot off with the usual reduction in their handicaps to decide the final places. In the first shoot-off E. Mead was eliminated with a total of 97, leaving M. Charlesworth and R. W. Roberts, who both reached the 100, to decide first and second places in another shoot-off. The result was a deserving win for M. Charlesworth, with R. W. Roberts second, and E. Mead obtaining third prize. The scores were as follows : — E. Mead, score 99, handicap 3, total 100, first night 100—-grand total' 200 ; M. Charlesworth, 98, 2, 100, 100 —200; R. W. Roberts, 98, 3, 100, 100—200 ; Capt. H. Simmonds, 99, scratch, 99, 100—199 ; A. A. Jenkinson, 97, 2, 99, 100—199 ; T. McCormick, 97, 2, 99, 100—199; President F. C. Hubbard, 98, scratch, 98, 99—197 ; E. Turton, senr., 99, 2, 100, 97—197 ; C. Millar, 89, 8, 97, 100—197; M. Simmonds, 98, 1, 99, 97—196; A. Simmonds, 95, i; 96, 98—194 ; F. Patterson, 95, 2, 97, 94 —191 ; R. I- Roberts, 95, 2, 97, 90—187; H. A. Morrison, 96, 3, 99, 87—186; E. Turton, junr., 77, 10, 87, o—B7 ;N. J. Latimer, 93, 3, 96, 0— 96. In the first shoot-off the scores were :■ — R. W. Roberts, score 98, handicap 2, total 100 ; M. Charlesworth, 98, 2— 100 ; E. Mead, 96, 1—97. The final shoot-off resulted :— M. Charlesworth, score 99, handicap 2, total 100; R. W. Roberts, 97, 2—99.

At the conclusion of the night’s shooting the president, Mr F. C. Hubbard, thanked the members present for turning out on such a boisterous night, which went to prove the interest taken in the shooting, and in a few words presented the three prizes to the.respective winners. He congratulated them on their excellent performances, and. added that this was the final shoot for the season of the miniature club. He explained that the club was formed with the idea of providing shooting for those who were not able to join in the shooting of the .303 club on the big range, and also to keep the members of that club in form for the coming season. The success achieved has been far beyond all expectations, as all would agree. Many of the miniature club members had already joined the .303 club, and there were hopes of still more. Interesting shooting had always been witnessed, and good attendances of members had been the order throughout the season, and in all sorts of weather, which is indeed very pleasing and fully explained itself. He went on to say that the executive committee was out to do all it could to help and cater for the members, and * hoped by the time next season started to have a third good rifle on the mound. For next season the club would have to fall in line with the other miniature clubs in the Dominion and use the smaller three-eighths inch bull. As regards the shooting, the president added, a great improvement had been shown all along from the beginning, and more especially in the junior members, some of whom had shot exceptionally well and won trophies. A certain amount of the success attained was to be attributed to the donors of the various gifts, and the club’s best thanks were due to them.

In conclusion the president hoped all the members would look forward to the opening of the season next year and bring others along also. With these few words he declared the 1929 and initial season of the Paeroa Defence Miniature Rifle Club closed.