Pilling Shield Competition.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4446, 7 August 1909, Page 3

Pilling Shield Competition.

ANNUAL P.M.R. SOCIAL.

On Thursday afternoon keen competition took place at the local rifle range in connection with the hand--oime shield, presented to the Piako M mnted Rifles by Mr 0. F. Pilling. Toe competition was a good all tiund test of the merits of the contest* ants as regards shooting, smartness, judging distance, etc., most essential accomplishments for a good all-round Volunteer. The weather was favourable, although it looked threatening in the forenoon.

Staff Sergeant-Major Coleman and -Captain Tattersall superintended the competition. The following are the conditions in connection with the Shield and Cup: 1. The Cup or Shield, as the case may be, shall be fired for annually at such time, date, and place as the Officer Commanding may decide. 2. The Cup or Shield shall be the property of the Corps and can* not be won outright but will be held by the winner for a year who will be personally responsible for it, and shall be returned to the Officer commanding the Squadron Seven Days previous to the next annual Competition. In the event of the disbandment of the Corps the Cup or Shield to be returned to the Donor.

3. All Competitors for the Cup or Shield shall be efficient volunteers, and the Competition shall not take place before the Annual Training Camp. Recruits who have put in at least twenty hours drill shall be ©legible, and trained men must have been in the Annual Camp to be eligible to compete. The Competition will be as follows : 25 Points will be awarded to the man doing the fastest time. For every 60 seconds or fraction of 60 seconds over the fastest time 1 point will be deducted.

25 Points will be awarded for dress, cleanliness of arms, horse, etc.

25 points will be awarded for the correct distance for every 50 yards. Over or under the correct distance 2 points will be deducted. The target will be : a 6 x 8 with the figure of a man 'on horseback painted on it. For every hit on the man 5 points will be given. For every hit on the horse 2 points will be given and for every hit on the rest of the target 1 point will be given. The winner of the Cup or Shield will be the Competitor who has the highest total aggregate of the points. Competitors will form up for inpection and draw for positions. On the command “ Go ” from the umpire at the starting point the Competitor will gallop to the first point, give the distance to the umpire and fire three rounds in any position will then gallop to the second filing point, give the distance to the umpire and fire three rounds in any position. He will then gallop to the third firing point, give the distance to the umpire and fire four rounds and will then return to the starting point. The Course will be flagged and every competitor must keep to it or he will be disqualified. Magazines must not be charged and any Competitor infringing this rule will be disqualified. From the word “Go ” at the starting point and return the time will be laken. Dress : Marching Order*

The result proved that Sergt. W. Maingay had the honour of being the first winner of the Shield. The following were the individual points awarded ;

P.M.R. ANNUAL SOCIAL.

On Thursday evening last about fifty couples attended the annual Piako Mounted Rifles Social in the Public Hall. The Hall was > decorated with the flags of all nations, conspicuous amongst which we noticed the Union Jack. The floor was in

first-class condition, which coupled with the excellent music provided the Te Aroha Trio, made dancing ■ pleasure. Several extras were played by Miss Alma Taylor and Miss Teague. Lieut.-Colonel Bell, 0.C., 2nd Regiment A.M.R., presented Sergt. Maingay with his trophy ; and the winners of Mr Starkey’s Cup, Sergt. Cooper, Tr. Horne, Corp. Bellamy, and Bug. Marychurcb, with the Cup. In making the presentations the Colonel urged upon all present the claims of compulsory universal military training. He referred to the improvement of late in volunteer matters, but added that it was far from what it should bt.. In referring to the very

handsome shield presented to the

corps by Mr 0. F, Pilling, he said the Piako Rifles were fortunafe in

having a man of Mr Pilling’s calibre amongst them* He called for three cheers for Mr Pilling whioh were heartily given. Mr Pilling acknowledged the compliment. After the presentations dancing was continued. About 11 o’clock, Mr P. Dierck, in whose hands the catering had been

entrusted, served up a very tasty supper, which was freely partaken of by all present, and left nothing to be desired. After supper dancing was i esumed and continued with spirit till long after midnight. The duties of M C. was efficiently carried out by Qm.-Sergt. Devey and Sergt. Maingay.

® a 8 <D 3 H S § £ Sergt. Maingay 19 24 17 21 81 Tr. Horne 19 22 15 14 70 Sergt. Taylor 25 24 15 6 70 Tr. Scherer ... 23 23 19 5 70 Corp. Bellamy 21 22 15 7 65 Tr. Maunder 19 22 17 6 64 Sergt. Cooper 23 22 13 6 64 Tr. Davies ... 21 24 13 2 60 Tr. Scott 21 21 13 1 56