REWA REWA RIFLE RANGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 22, 19 February 1909, Page 4

REWA REWA RIFLE RANGE.

CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENTS. In vidw of the Taranaki Rifle Association's forthcoming meeting, the rillc range at Kewa Kewa has latterly had some attention. For some time the appointments there were not of such a character as to reflect any credit upon tho authorities. It wa,s not even sale for the lnai'kei-s, and ninny narrow escapes have Jjccn reported from time to time. Up till about a year ago the fault lay in the insulliciency of the earthwork protection and head-shelter, the cuttle spoiling the work that had been done. Latterly the danger arose from the fad that the targets would not work without the application! of considerable physical force, and markers sometimes so far forgot as to expose themselves to rille-lire whilst endeavoring to coax the refractory mechanism to do as it was bid. The ignoring of the markers' dan-ger-flag was not, of course, the fault of the trustees. Markers who have thus endangered their lives and the peace A mind of their comrades are jio longer required in that capacity. Now the range is thoroughly up-to-date. Riflemen who have fired on most ot the principal ranges in the Dominion say that there is none so complete as this. A News reporter visited the range yesterday afternoon, and wa9 gratified to notice the improvements effected, since au inspection of two years ago. The wreck and ruin and air of desolation had gone. The high-flowering furze which at that time Ihrea'teued to blot out from the vision, all signs of targets had gone. The rickety cross-over planks iu the swamp near the butts had gone, and in their place was now a decently firm bridge. The rotting staff for hoisting the danger-Hug on the hill had gone, and a spar and cross-trees, well stayed by wires, had taken, its place. The cattle were no longer allowed to roam at t'heir own sweet will about the trenches and embankment.

The range is excellently situated and most suitable for its purpose. Unfortunately it is slowly becoming gradually less, owing to the encroachment of the. Waiwakaiho stream. A Government grant placed upon the Estimates for the construction of protective works has gone to swell the surplus. It has not been spent. 'The improvements at the range other than those just dealt with include new tiring-mounds at S00» 1)00, and 1000 yards, and'the extension, of several of the others to accommodate more riflemen. Windage flags are more liberally supplied. The telephone .system lias been improved, and an up-to-date field instrument is being obtained. The fine wide marking-trench has been lengthened to about forty-two yards. It is nine feet wide, audi thus readers the work of the markers easier than on some other ranges, the whole of the target .being comfortably visible from the markers' scats. There are nine shutter targets, and 'the arrangements made for raising ami lowering them ( relied, the greatest credit on Lieutenant ! -1. Boon, who was entrusted with the work. Eveji the heaviest of the targets is so evenly hung tltat it can be placed ' in position! with a minimum of effort. .The targets are readily detachable, yet •firmly lixed. The markers are protected •by air embankment of from twelve feet diiick at the narrowest part to over forty at its widest. The soil there is ••very sandy, which makes the trench -dry in all weathers, in marked contrast •toTrentham and Redcliffs.

The range is to be open for practice from Saturday morning till Wednesday.