SHOOTING NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8779, 5 April 1907, Page 3

SHOOTING NOTES.

(BY SPOTTER.)

The North Rangitikei Rifio Association had a most successful meeting during the Easter holidays. The growing popularity of the meeting was shown by the presence of competitors from Hawkc's Bay, Wairarapa, Wanganui, and Pabncrstou districts in addition to well -known local men.

The fact that riflemen travel such long distances to indulge in their favourite pastime, proves them to be enthusiasts and entirely controverts the theory that they are "pot hunters," when it is considered that the only privilege extended them by Government is a free railway pass.

The published scores scarcely indicated the quality of the men engaged, no less than twelve out of the first fifty men in the final aggregate at Trontham being present. On Good Friday the weather was against good shooting, especially at the longer ranges; a drizzling rain making large scores a difficult matter. Only one possible was recorded ou the first day's shooting. This was made by Rifleman A. Turner at 500 yards. Several competitors made 81 at the short ranges. The train arrangements prevented the Opaki and Dannevirke riflemen from remaining all day on Saturday, S 3, in order to reach their homos that evening, they had to leave after firing at the first two ranges. The railway authorities considerately stopped the train at the range for their convenience.

Two possibles and several 34's were registered at the 500 yards on Saturday, Riflemen W. Banks and A. Fowler placing all their shots inside the black. The most successful performer throughout the meeting was Rifleman A. Turner, of the Linton Rifle Club, who won £G ss, in addition to Mr Bonnor'ssilver cup and medal (for best score including handicap) and Mr Georgetti's gold medal (for best S )re at 500 and GOO yards.) ■'■ Rifleman Banks. Kimbolton, has :,eeu a very ebiisistent" performer for fiie ehampiouhhip at Mangaweka during its three year's existence. He has won once, been runner up on another occasion and was within four points of the winner, Rifleman A. J. Cameron of Opaki, this year.

I one feature of the mating was the excellent management on the part of the local executive. Each officer carried out his Apportioned work in a lip.siness.Jike irianner and Captains j\ Q. Collins, $ Pukeokajra,- find W. 'Fergnsgou., of Hunterville, established a reputation as efficient and courteous range offi-

cers, •' Tlui success of iljp meeting was jii'-'-ito Siiiall measure ■ duo to the buorgy of "the Secretary Dr. R. Turnbull who. with the assistance of Mr prvant, chocked the scores and paid our tiie stakes at tho conclusion of f : ;ych match;

l ' -flie range is equipped with a stationary telephone, the installation having oecn made by a working committee under tho guidance of Mr Ingram, telegraphic linesman/ As the fosui't of gcod : marking 'the Association'will benefit to the extent of £1 from challenge shots, only six challenges being against tl>e men in the

Jrehch. ' : Jit a meeting of tho delegates of affiliated' clubs, held ou the evening pf-'rhe first day's shooting, the following officers were appointed for the ensuing year:—Patron, Mr R. Robb; President. Mr .T, Georgefti; VicerPresidents, Messrs B. S. Batley, J. Irvine, F. Hockley, W. A. O'lflcer, G. F. Bonnor, M. Tausoy rtUd IX Mnnro; auditors, Messrs D. Munro and W. E. Bryant j secretary - -■■ *~ amr *v. Dr. R, B. Turnbull. ann n- . Acting on the suggestion of the visiting riflemen seven haudicappers, keli representing a different centre, Were "appointed. It was considered that by doing so a better knowledge of competitors would be obtained. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr R, Cobb for the use of his property for tho range, also to Mr Officer for his donation of one guinea and to Messrs Officer and Irvine and Mr J. Georgetti for trophies and donations. The question of extending the range was discussed at considerable length as the increased attendance at the competitions renders five targets quite inadequate for requirements. As the erection of new targets would necessitate a considerable cash p-iitlay several gentlemen present generously 'promised to guarantee tho necessary expenditure. In order further to assist the finances of the Association a number of visitors prevailed upon the committee to include a compulsory benefit match on next year's programme, 50 per cent to the funds and the remainder to be made a sweepstake for competitors, A special vote of thanks] was carried unanimously to Dr. Turnbull for tiie invaluable services that he had rendered tho Association during its existence.

Two more matches remain to be decided in the southern division in tlie Newman Cup competition, Himatangi having to meet the Fox ton Club on Wednesday and Sandon on Saturday week. So far the Himatangi team remains unbeaten and their match with Sandon is being looked forward to with considerable interest in shooting circles. Both clubs are liide to put strong teams on the range and some first-class shooting should result. In the meantime it behoves the Jlartou men to keep in practice, as they will find a difficult problem in either of these teams when it. comes to the final shoot-off between the two divisions. At the Mangaweka Rifle Club meeting on Monday J. Carr nearly "scooped the pool" against 35 competitors, and tiie fire-off between W. Green and Capt. Humphrey resulted in Capt. Humphrey winning the oak salad bowl and Mr Green the silver match box.

The final match for Mr Pussell's trophy was fired by the Cheltenham Rifle Club and resulted in a win for Rifleman Woodman. The following are the leading aggregates .■—Rifleman Woodman, handicap 30, 235; Rifleman Taylor, handicap 3, 228; Capt. Barrow, handicap 25, 227. The Club will fire for the McCorkiudale (top cm Saturday, April Gth, at one o'clock.

Speaking at the banquet tendered j hhn in Wellington, Mr W. Balliuger discoursed in an interesting manner on his shooting career, which began with the Te Aro School Cadets, shooting with the okl'meditmi-niuzzle loader, arid went on to the Terry, the Snider, the Martini, the MartiniEufield,'and' lastly to the .303. '' In fine weather,'! he remarked, "the. ."303 can hardly be beaten ; in rough weather I still think the Martini could hold its own." Also he added that he and his brother had "made a hole in a hundred thousand rounds of ammunition since thoy started to shoot." The quality of the shooting at the match between Mastorton Rifles and Wellington Post and Telegraph Rifles pa Easter Monday was exceptionally good. Lieut. Brighting put on the fine score of 95 (32, 31, 33), and Bugler Harding 93 (28, 31, 34), for the .winners, and Private Williamson 94 (32," 83, *29') for the Wellington men. The grand totals -were: Mastorton, 497; Welington-, 485.