RIFLE SHOOTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 41, 13 March 1909, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING.

f * t THE IRENTiIAM MEETIXC-. { THE CHAMPIONSHIP. {' WON BY DCXCAN. SPLENDID MARKSMANSHIP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Trenthaiu, East Night. At n little after 3.30 to-day tile liglit was all over. Save the shooting in connection with the eighth annual meeting of the New Zealand liislcy, the shooting throughout at Trenthaiu has never reached so high a stage of perfection as at the meeting now closed. The breezes, at times somewhat baffling, were gentle and refreshing in the midday Maze of the *un. The competitors, by their splendid marksmanship, taking tne shooting in globo, demonstrated what they can do under favourable conditions from the mounds. The service matches showed also that the riflemen of the Dominion are rapidly fitting themselves to be ready to meet the foe, if foe should ever challenge. In every department ot the meeting the affairs of the Association were a thorough and most' gratify -

ing success. i'o-day's shooting commenced in a thin drizzle, the first raiufall of the meeting; but there was dead i»un, aim the light was soft and clear. The match taken was the United Service match, volunteers v. rifle clubs, 20 men a-side, 200, 300 and 000 yards, seven shots at each range. This competition was looked upon as the test of supremacy between the clubs and volunteers in marksmanship, and the clubs, through their representatives, carried off the honours of the day. The shooting was even more brilliant than in the teams champion

match the previous day. There were eight possibles at 200 yards, nine at 500 yards, and four at 600 yards. The match was won by the rifle clubs with a margin of 81 points. W. N. Masctteid, president of the Sounds Kifle Cluo, got on 104 out of a possible 103, establishing a record for New Zealand, if not for any other country. At the first two ranges he registered possibles, and at the final iSuge was credited with an "all but." There were no fewer than three individual totals of 103, flVe of 102, three of 101, and two of 100 each. Riflemen averaged over 07 points, while the volunteers averaged just under 00. lield (Sounds), Henry and King (Opaki), ilellor (Petone), King (Lrrwool), and Druininond (Denniston) put on a possible each at two ranges. The United Service match was the last on a long and important programme, save the most interesting of all, the final fo r the championship belt. This was fixed to start at 3 p.m., aud shortly before that hour visitors flocked to the ground. Lord Plunket, Sir Joseph Ward and Miss Eileen Ward, aud Dr. Findlay were present and witnessed the match with keen interest.

KING'S CHAMPIONSHIP. The championship shooting started for the King's match at 3 o'clock. The weather was all that could be desired, and the scoring was very close on the fart of the leaders for the first five shots, when they ran: Duncan 474, King, Shaw and Patrick 407, Guy and McConnell 4lio. High scoring was the order of the day after this, a great: percentage of the hits being bulls. With two juorc shots gone King had pulled up level with Duncan, who had a miss with the sixth shot, while McConnell, Shaw, and Patrick were only two points. be hind, and Guy four points. Duncan was first to finish with 491, Patrick and Shaw being next with. 490 and 489. McConnell and Guy each finished with 488. j\VitU Ma last shot King had to make a ibutl's eye to win. Just as he was going to aim, a bull's eye was rung upon his target, evidently put in by another competitor. He did not claim it, and witn his shot missed the target, which left the victory with Duncan, and placed King in sixth place. James (Napier) Won the cup for the highest score in the King's match.

Lt. Duncan (Millcrton), £SO, belt, medal, and gold badge, 5,5,4,4,3, 0,3,5,5,4—40 .. .. ..491 Corporal Patrick (Auckland), £25, silver star and badge, 2,4,3,4,3, 4,4,5,5,5—39 490 Quartermaster-sergt. Shaw (Auckland), £2O, silver star and badge, 4,5,4,5,5,4,4,5.5,4—45 .. 489 Rifleman A. 11. Guy (Kaponga), .£l2 .. 488 Corporal McConnell (Canterbury), h 488 Captain W. S. King (Linwood), £5 487 Rifleman G. Loveday (Ohura), £5 485 Gunner Ching (Wellington), £5 484 Rifleman Soper (Taumaranui), £5 483 Private Murphy (Newtown), £5 481 Colour-sergeant Ching, Waimea Rifles), £3 481 The remainder take £2 each. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

Subsequent to the champion match lieing fired, the spectators gathered , around the stand for the presentation of prizes. His Excellency the (Governor, • Sir Joseph Ward and Miss Eileen Ward, ■ Dr. Findlay, and others were present. \ Colonel Collins extended his thanks to His Excellency and the l'remicr for ] ithcir presence, and expressed regret at ithe absence of Lady l'lunket and Lady , itVard. The colonel eulogised the success that had attended the meeting', which was a record for the Dominion, Mention was made of the number of possibles, but the Association did not object to paying for excellent shooting. " Commenting on the use of fixed targets, the colonel said that in spite of the opinions of the Home authorities regarding the .utility of fixed targets, he still held a warm regard for them. He reminded rifle clubs of the duty they owed, and they would recognise this, as "they had been allowed to shoot side toy side with volunteers, and that they would assemble in strong force at the Easter encampment. The Governor expressed great pleasure at attending the final stage of the meeting. He was agreeably surprised at jthe excellent report of the success. He regretted Lady l'lunket was not present, as she was actively interested in the welfare"of the New Zealand volunteers. Personally, he was a ride shot before a 'good many present could carry a rifle, (having competed against one of the best teams of England. Since that day he liaJl not indulged in much shooting. He was in favour of fixed targets for their preliminary value. THE PREMIER'S ANNOUNCEMENT. Sir Joseph Ward also expressed his pleasure at being present, and dwelt upon the success of the gathering. He made special mention of-the shooting abilities of Lieutenant Duncan, and also 'of Captain King, who accepted his defeat iu such a manly way; also to the marksmanship of Captain Masefield, who made 104 out of a possible 10.1. It Would be an agreeable surprise to marksmen to note that the Government were providing £350 in order to send New Zealand marksmen to compete at the Australian championship meeting in October next—(applause)—as New Zealand ■ should be represented as well as a Home team. And probably when the nonic authorities saw that New Zealand was ito be represented, they would again bo induced to send a team. He expressed Jiis wannest thanks to Colonel Collins for the enthusiasm shown in the welfare of the Rifle Association. In future they Vould require to follow lwth the system of Hxed and moving targets, in order to produce efficient niarksmankship. Lieutenant Duncan was then, amidst • great applause, presented by the Governor with the belt and gold medal. The other successful marksmen also received their prizes at the hands of his ExceleCoione! Collin.? met the Press representatives to tender thanks for their support during the meeting, and promised them belter facilities for next vcar. While addressing them he regretted that he overlooked to publicly mention the long and valuable service rendered by the late representative of the United Press Association, the late Mr. George Humphreys. On ™"" nc r„ nblc occasions he had assisted the stall 5n many ways, and none felt his loss keener than the colonel himself.

- SYNOPSIS OF RESULT**. First Day. Volunteer Match. - Won Jiv Sorpt.Major A. Hyde, Hawkc's, Pay Mounted ly'fles: assrega'tc score. !K) points Kifle & Ma.toli.-Won 1)V- Bifleman C H Specie, Stratford; aggregate score, I %te'Cup.-Won l,y BiN-n C. TT 'SnecK, Stratford, whose score VU noirits, ww the lis*»t compiled m matches 1!) and 20 (volunteers and riflemflm MWA (No- 1)--W«n 1..v Kiflj; mail .T A. Franklin, Wel»ev; score. 3a vate Drummond.Denniston Eifles; score. 34 points. Second Day. Kel*orr Mafch.-.AVon l.v Private Tf Rifles; aggregate score. |j . Private J. A. Di*v,

Hoys, Tiuiaru; score. 33. Runner-up: (i. Howe, Xgatiawa. 33. Extra Match (Xd. 41.--Ki-rgt. Soimtag. Dunediu, 34; Rifleman W. J. llciirr, Opaki. 34. Third Oiiv. Rapid-airing match.—Won by Rifleman .1. 1,. Turner, l'etone; wore, 40 quints. Attack Match. Won hv Sergt. J. Peck, Waikato Mounted Riilfs; score, !) points. Cover Match.—Twenty-live "possible" scorers awarded prizes of 8.- eacli.

Kynock Cup, awarded to highest aggregate scorer in the "Miap-shoottag" and "cov<r" matches. Thirteen competitors tied with aggregate "possibles" —7O points. Fourth Dav. Wellington Match. Won by Col.Scrgt. C. Critidell, Napier; aggregate score, 05 points. Extra Match (No. s).—Won by Hilleintin Mcintosh, Opnki; score, 34 points. Extra .Match (No. o).—Won by C'orpl. J. B. Fisher, Stoke; score, 34 points.

Fifth Day. Union Cup.—Won by Killeinan A. 11. (iuv. Kaponga: score, 2(io points. Auckland Match.—Won by Sergt. F. James, of Napier; score. !)S points. Otago Match.—Wo-.i by Pte. Storkcy, of Na|)ier; score, !Mi points. Scttional Firing. Won by Tiuiaru Guards: score. 100 points. Rapid Firing—Won by Victoria Rifles, A team. Extra Match (Xo. 7).—Won by Sur-geon-Captain McKnight; score, 33 points. Sixth Dav. Loophole Cover Match.—Won by Rillcman McLeay. Opaki; score, 30 points. Colonial Ammunition Company's Cup. -JWon by the Linton Rifle Club; total hits, 18. Cover Firing Match.—'Won bv Opaki Eille Club (1? team); total hits, 22. Surprise Service Match. Won by Opaki Rifle Club (B team); number of hits, 11. Seventh Day. Canterbury Match.—Won by Pt«. Murphy, Auckland; aggregate score, 93 points.

Kynoeh Cup.—Won by Rifleman Moselen, Kaeo. '• Pelorus .Tack."—Won by the NelsonMarlborough Provincial Districts. Service Aggregate Competition.—Won by Rifleman McLeay, Opaki; aggregate score, 108 points. Champion Team.—Opaki Rillc Club; aggregate score, 002 points. Running-Man Competition.—Won by Pte. J. G. Black. Orepuki; score, 7 hits. 1 bull. Last Day. The Championship.—Won by Lieut. .Duncan (Millerton). United Service Match.—Won by Rifle Clubs.