Rifle Shooting

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 540, 18 December 1928, Page 11

Rifle Shooting

The quality of local shooting is sieadily improving as the season advances, although it cannot be said that any scores of outstanding merit have been registered. It is difficult to compare local results with those of other centres for the reason that conditions differ so widely. The Penrose range, although it looks easy, is really quite hard, owing not only to the gusty and shifty winds, but to the lack of target background and shimmering light making bad sighting conditions. The sighting conditions at Trenchant on the other hand are particularly good, but of course the winds there are generally more treacherous. Comparison with Trentham results so far this season shows that whereas our top men each Saturday register about 92 in a two-range shoot, the top of the Wellington clubs are usually a point or two ahead, and some of their top men are very consistent.

1 tan go conditions may account for tlie difference, but it would be more encouraging to see a little more consistency among our men. Too often is it seen that one Saturday’s spoon winner is down in the list the next week, there to remain for several Saturdays. It is consequently difficult to single out anyone as being outstanding locally.

In the City and Suburbs Club the veteran, -Andy” Patrick, is usually somewhere handy, and Perrall, semis promising well. In Akarana Devore shows decided signs of regaining his old brilliant form; Crossan, the president, who has had much Bisley experience, is shooting well, and Draffln is almost brilliant at times. Information from the Ohinemuri and Bay of Plenty districts shows that the newly-formed clubs there are practising steadily and showing corresponding improvement. It is anticipated that before long these districts will turn out some finished marksmen. THE AKARANA CLUB There was a large attendance of members at Penrose Rifle Range on Saturday, when the club fired the third round of its second trophy series for trophies presented by Sir Frederic Lang, Mr. A. E. Hughes and Mr. A. G. Devore, over the ranges of 500 and 600 yards. At 600 yards the light was very trying and made sighting difficult. The three top men in each section take 3,2 and 1 points. Silve.r spoons were won by A. G. Devore, E. Starkey and A. Walker. Details of the shooting arc as follow: A Section.—Sir F. Lang’s trophy: J. R. Draffin, 47 at 500 yards and 45 at 600 yards; total, 92; A. G. Devore, 48, 44—92; D. Calder, 45, 43—88; T. Wlliott, junr., 45, 42—57; A. W. Powell, 47, 40— $7; S. Elliott, 47, 40—87; 11. Dickey, 48, 39—87; A. C. Crossan, 45, 41—86; G. G. Ashley, 46, 40—86; J. F. Atkinson 42, 43—85; A. H. Dixon, 44, 40—84; W. Powell. 41, 42—53; A. Shove, 44, 3ft—S3; C. Ashley, 45, 3S—S3; A. E. Hughes, 42, 39 SI; F. Wakefield, 43, 36—79; E. White 40 (retired).

B section. —Mr. A. E. Hughes’s trophy: E. Starkey, 42, 42—84; A. Elliott, 41, 40— SI; T. Elliott, 38, 41 —7ft; F. Ellett, 34, 44—78; S. Scarborough, 42, 37—79; A. O. Smith, 39, 37—76; C. Marett, 39, 33 72; D. Ashley, 27, 35—62; T. Bevan, 27, 31—58.

C Section. —Mr. A. G. Devore’s trophy: A. Walker. 37, 35—72; A. Sampson, 37, 34—71; I. Hammond. 38, S3—7l; W. Richie 35. 30 —65; T. Rashleigh, 9, 34—43; G. Elliott, 3, 31—34; J. Sampson 11 (retired).