AT THE BUTTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 13

AT THE BUTTS

RIFLE MEETING AT TRENTHAM DOMINION TO BLACKBURN Press Association TRENTHAM, Friday. Competitors at the' National Rifle Association meeting at Trentham agree that such good shooting conditions as prevailed to-day have not obtained for many years. Old marksmen refer to the range as tricky Trentham, but of late years it has improved, due in some measure to trio clearing of bush off the lower hillii. The men are settling down to the more serious phase of the shooting, and interest is becoming keener.

The atmospheric conditions changed appreciably during the day. A dull, almost windless, morning affected visibility when shooting commenced in the opening match at 300yds. range, but an hour later the light was almost perfect. A varying wind, veering quickly from left to right, proved trying.

Some excellent cards were returned, possibles being numerous. Cadet Whiteman (Upper Mutt), aged 15 years, registered the possible at 500yds., and there was an outstanding squad board, the scores on which were a record for Trenthani. The squad, composed of six men, registered seven possibles over three ranges. E. Haldane (Waipukurau) scored 102 out of a possible 105. J. Hunter (Petone), 100 with 30 at 500yds.. Richardson 100, W. Duncan (Timaru) 96, R. Breingan (Gisborne) 88, and C. Watts (Rotorua) 87. With the exception of Breingan all are in B grade. General Young, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, was an interested visitor to-day. The A grade opening match was won by Captain Neilson (Napier), with a score of 102. The winner at the previous meeting was A. Powell (Akarana), 101. Grade B was won by E. Haldane (Waipukurau), with 102, two points better than Johnston (Featherston), last year’s winner. G. Patchett won the tyros’ grade, with 100. Last year A. Elgar (Hawera), was successful with 98.

The Dominion match, was completed this evening, the winner being J. Blackburn (Te Kuiti), who scored 116. He made 66 with 15 shots at 600yds., and the possible with 10 shots at 900yds. B. Holmes (Wanganui), 116, was second. He made 72 at the shorter range. M. Hunt (Suburbs) was successful last year with 120. P. Goldfinch (Old Navals), who was second last year with 115, was again among the leaders with 114. The longer range found out the less experienced shots, and a number of the old hands went to pieces, misses being plentiful. The prize list is as follows:

Opening Match, seven rounds at 300yds., 500yds., and 600yds.—A Grade: A. Neilson (Napier) ,102, £4; H. Croxton (Karori), 98, £3; T. Warburton (Petone), 97, £2; J. Petersen (Tararua), 97, £2: W. West (Blenheim), 97, £2. The following take £1 each: M. Harris, 97; F. White, Captain Masefield, C. Gower, G. Harrison, F. Soler, P. Hamilton, J. Bryden, A. O’Donnell, 96; K. McKenzie, R. Donald, W. Mclvor, E. S. King, F. Bolton, D. McKenzie, R. Nicholl, G. Tewhite, F. Hood, J. Bitters, 95; W. Thomas, T. Orr, F. Clark, W. Hudson, G. Cromble, D. Roots, E. Budgeon N Harris, 94. Opening Match. B Grade.—E. Haldane (Waipukurau), 102, £2. The following take £1 each: C. Carey, J. Hunter, C. Richardson, E. Russell, J. Buschl, R. Wilton, C. Pearson, O. Petersen, E. Beard. Fourteen divide £7. Tyros: G. Patchett (Blenheim), 100, £2. The following take £1 each: J. McAvinue, M. Dore, J. Spry, C. Benton, H. McGahey, Berry, Cadet Whiteman. Fourteen divide £7. Dominion Match, 600yds. and 900yds , 25 shots.—T. Blackburn, 116. £8; Holmes, 116, £6; Goldfinch, 114, £5; R. Benton (Featherston), 114, £4; W. Green (Okawa), 113, £3. The following take £2 each: J. Feast (Greytown), H. Seymour and F. Franklyn, 113. Fifty-two with scores from 113 down to 107 took £1 each. TO-DAY’S SHOOTING CONDITIONS VARIABLE Press Association TRENTHAM, To-day. The vagaries of Trentham were apparent this morning when the first stage of the Auckland match, 300yds, counting for the King’s Prize was commenced. The weather was dull, and the light erratic, and there was a cool atmosphere. The marksmen are at a greater advantage than in previous years, as considerably more flags have been erected denoting a change of wind much earlier. Shootists had a trying experience gauging the strength and quarter of the wind and visibility, but clearer conditions prevailed later. During a good patch men registered bulls in quick succession, but could not hold the target, shots being often blown out. In ten-shot matches 11 minutes are being allowed at 300, 13 at 500 and 600, 15 at 800 and 900, and 16 at 1,000. In seven-shot matches nine minutes are allowed at 300, and 11 at 500 and 600. Cards, with an allowance for challenges, for the first possible in the belt series recorded A. Andrews, Wanganui. In the Marlborough match, the outside interest is already noticeable, many visitors, including women, being present. The Auckland match, 300vds and 60.0yds, is in progress. Mark seven ammunition is giving satisfaction, and no misfires are reported. Marking and general supervision is eulogised by competitors. Results of to-day's matches are as follow: — Marlborough Match, 300 and 500yds, 10 shots (possible 100). —-100 s, H._V. Croxton (Karori), 95; SOs, F. Hogg <V\ anganui), 95; 60s, A. Andrews (Wanganui), -H, 40s, CS. Patchet (Blenheim), 94; 40s, W. Ballinß‘’(trade'—6os, jiV Busc-Uel (Sydenham), Up 40s E. Truman (Ashburton), 94; 40s, if’ ATVGnvev (New Plymouth), 93. The match waswon last War by TT. Mclver (Petone). 95. and TT. Hughes (Wanganui) the B grade by W. Porter (Ashburton), o-V: Tvros possible was secured by I. Old (Karori) at 500, but he had a poor score at 300yds.