PEACE VALUE OF MARKSMANSHIP

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 217, 7 May 1932, Page 4

PEACE VALUE OF MARKSMANSHIP

The members of the Rotorua cadet rifle team which has won the Jellicoe Trophy deserve the congratulations and the thanks of the people of Rotorua. To have proved themselves the best cadet riflemen in New Zealand is in itself no mean feat, but to have in addition secured an honoured place amo'ng the best 100 teams in the Empire marks their achievement as one of definite value to their town because thus they Have helped in a new way to "put Rotorua on the map." The 1887 teams which competed were drawn from Great Britain and all the great Dominions. The success of the Rotorua team, therefore, has brought the name of their town before the people of the whole Empire in an entirely new connection, and one, moreover, which emphasises the quality of its citizens, for only the physically first grade man or boy can hope to succeed with the rifle, which demands a clear eye and a steady Hand in its masters. But riflemen are made and not born and so, behind the team's success and chiefly responsible for it, is the instructor. The imp.ortanee of the part played by him is recognised by the National- Rifle Association, which awards a bronze medal to the instruc'tors of successful teams. Rotorua is fortunate in having not only a competent instructor in Staff-Sergeant Major W. Bates, but also a real enthusiast and a very fine shot. By his example he obviously has aroused sohie of his own enthusiasm in the breasts of his team, as well as by precept implanted some of his knowledge. Indeed this also may be said of the High School team which holds the Weekly Press Challenge Shield and of the recently formed miniature rifle club, which, for a towp of Rotorua's size has a remarkably large and enthusiastic membership of both ladies and meri and is rapidly developing . some really first-class shots among them. It is, therefore, evi-