STRATFORD GUN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 28, 31 August 1916, Page 7

STRATFORD GUN CLUB.

THE £IOO SHOOT, i A S.UCCE33FUL GATHERING. The Stratford Gun Club were fortunate in the weather conditions iliafc p. availed lor their first big venture, when they substituted live birds for the ordinaiy ciay.s and a ,ceiilury in money for the mode*! sweep. The furious gale tnat raged in the early Louis ci the morning blew itscll out at daybreak, and although anxious fears were not dispelled at the time oi starting the match, the atmospherical conditions improved hourly, and at the end of the snooting at -1..J0 it was agreed that the uaj liau boon ideal for tiie purpose. The Club were also fortunate in having obtained the permission of the Stratford A. and P. Association to hold the match on the Association's grounds, and many complimentary remarks were heard from visitors as to the site for the match and the convenient surroundings, the view from the grandstand over the green sward of the oval and tiie .site generally being equal to anything of the kind in the Dominion. The arrangements for the day were well carried out by the executive, all oi' whom were unremitting in their attentions hroughout the day. Mention must be made oi the valuable assistance and advice given to the Club by several members, of the Wanganui, j Gun Club, especially Mr. W. Duncan, ! wiio represented the -New Zealand Gun Club Association; -Mr T. H. j James, who handicapped the maTTT;, and also provided mi indispensible I adjunct to a shoot in his dog., to i\~ 1 trieve the birds: and Mr. W. Wdolve:i

who was welcomed by the secretary as a walking encyclopedia of information on all matters relating to such a gathering. Thirty-six competitors stood on their marks, and some excellent shooting was recorded during the day. 'i ho President (.Mr A. Stewart) in a short speech at the opening of proceedings welcomed the visitors and extended the hospitality of the club to all. The big money was productive of keen shooting. Three of the competitors;, Messrs Jock Allen (Tnringainutu) J. Wheeler jun., (Eltham) and Alt'. Lineham (East Road, Stratford), bagged all their birds and divided the first, second and third money (£92;, while seven others with thirteen birds each, divided the fourth money (£8) Tlie following show s the list of competitors and their scores: First prize, £6O; 2nd, £2O; 3rd, £l2; 4th, £B. Hep. Birds. J. Allen 22 14 A. Lineham ... 21 II J. Wheeler ... 21 14 F, Whittle ... 28 13 J. Wildman ... 27 13 T. Hedley ... 22 13 H. Quarterman ... 21 13 A. Nelson ... 21 13 H. Campbell ... 21 13 G. Harris ... 21 13 H Harrison ... 23 12 R. Knuckey ... 22 12 A. J. Smith ... 21 12 R. Gibson ... 21 12 T. A. Nicholson ... 21 12 H. Marsh ... 21 12 W. R. Free ... 21 12 F. Jones ... 21 12 A. M. Fowler ... 21 12 J. Mills 23 11 W. McNally ... 22 0 Wire Tokena ".".. 24 8 W. Woolven ... 31 7 J. Jackson ... 21 7 C. F. Tuck ... 21 7 Baker Green ... 21 7 F. O'Connor ... 21 6 W. R. Brown ... 21 o F. Collins ... 21 5 R. J. Linn ... 22 4 A. C. Bublitz ... 21 4 S. Coleman ... 21 4 A. E. Brown ... 21 3 I). R. Savage ... 21 3 E. Whittle ... 23 2 J. ll* Bond ... 21 2

A .sweepstake (.first miss out) was fired aftar the big .shout. Thirty-six competed, but after a lengthy contest, the supply of birds gave out, and ten competitors '..Messrs Knuckey, Harrison, Hedley, McXally, Tuck, Mills, Fowler, Marsh, Lineham, and Coleman), divided the money. Before dispersing, Mr. Herb. Harrison, on behalf of (he (Jim Club, presented Mr. James within travelling rug as a mark of appreciation for his work of handicapping and for his assistance generally, specially mentioning the work of hi.; dogs. Mr. -James briefly replied. Cheers for the visitor..; (replied to by Mr .7. R. Bond) and for the Gun Club concluded the proceedings. The attendance of the public from a Club point of view was very satisfactory.