Dominion Riflemen Meet at Trentham

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 582, 7 February 1929, Page 1

Dominion Riflemen Meet at Trentham

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

TEAM SELECTION DISCUSSED Press Association TRENTHAM, To-day. Riflemen from all parts of the Dominion have made Trentham their Mecca, there being a muster of 300 at the National Rifle Association meeting. Last year there were 351 competitors. The marksmen assembled at eight o’clock this morning, and were addressed by Colonel F. B. Cresweli, who expressed sympathy with the King in his illness, and hoped for his speedy and complete recovery. Colonel Creswell paid a tribute to the past president, Colonel Collins, whom he described as an outstanding president. The number of entries. Colonel Creswell said, was disappointing, the failing off being due. no doubt, to the meeting being held a month earlier, so as not to interfere with trainees coming to camp. Harvesting in Canterbury had also prevented men from attending. Colonel Cresweli said that a team might be sent to Melbourne. The selection committee had been criticised, but it had done its best. The best shots probably had not been selected, stamina and acquaintance with the Australian climate and conditions being taken into consideration, in addition to shooting ability. The executive had decided that £3O should be allowed to the belt winner to go to Sydney for the meeting in October. MARKSMEN’S ATTIRE

Attention was drawn to the nondescript attire of marksmen by the general staff, and the men are to appear either in uniform or mufti in future. An innovation in respect to marking was also being introduced, red spotters being used at the 300, 500 and GOO yards’ ranges, and black -and white at the longer ones.

An experiment is to be made in the Dominion match with time limit targets to rise and fall together. Judging from adverse comment, this will not be carried out in tho belt series. STRONG COMPETITION ASSURED

Many veterans are present, including last year’s belt '.Vinner, E. King tWanganui), who fought the final stages with F. James (isapier), tile latter of whom is again a competitor. Colonel E. Smith, who secured the belt in 1594, is present, also J. Fraser CKaitangata), who has not missed a meeting since the inauguration. Other notable marksmen are Captain W. Masefield (Blenheim), R. King (Opakij. H. Croxton (Karori), H. Shnmonds (Paejja), A. Caldwell (Karori) and D. Roots (Patea), alt of whom have won championship honours; T. Orr, who won tho Wairarapa championship; W. McIver (Petune); Captain Ross, the donor of the Carbine Belt, after winning it outright; M. Marshall (Karori), who will lead the New Zealand team in Australia; 11. Hunt (Suburbs) and F Hood (Grey town).

Ihe weather is ideal, but shooting conditions are baffling, on account of cross winds. The service series matches are now in progress.

The prize list is as follows; SERVICE SERIES

Rapid, 300 yards, 10 shots, exposure 35 seconds—£4, T. H. Boone (Karori) 43£3, C. Melton Clar« (City and Suburbs)! 42; £2, F. McVicar (Waipukurau), 32. Forty-eight divide £4O.

Snapshooting, 300 yards, 10 rounds—£4, G. Devore (Akarana), So; £3, F. Soler (Wanganui), 82; £2, F. Clark (Ashburton). The event was won last year by E. Ballinger (Petone) with a score of 73.