THE RIFLE SUPREMACY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 258, 10 March 1911, Page 8

THE RIFLE SUPREMACY.

WON BY RIFLEMAN ROOTS, OF KAPONGA. SOME REMARKABLE SHOOTING. By Telegraph.—-Preas Association. Trentham, Last Night. To-day's work was very heavy, and did not*clos,e until dusk. The whole of the washing-up was completed, and the camp practically deserted. The United Service Match, 20 men a side, rille clubs v. Territorials, was started about 5 o'clock. It was decided to make the miitch ten shots at 500 yds and 000 yds, instead of seven shots at 200 yds, 500 yds, and 000 yds. The match produced the most remarkable shooting even seen in Australasia, and possibly in the world. Of forty men taking part there were eight all-buts; eight made possibles at 500 yds, and three at 600 yds. On the whole, the shooting throughout the meeting has rarely been excelled. THE KING'S PRIZE, AT 1000 YARDS. Rillrman Krjots (Kaponga), Ballinger Champion Belt, gold medal prestiKcd by the Defence Minister, the gold badge of the Asso-. ciatioii, and £SO, 448—38 480 Rifleman Henderson (Sounds), silver star, D.R.A. badge, and £2O, 440—39 485 Sergt. Frunk (Nelson), silver star, . D.R.A. badge, and £2O, 446—39. 485 Sharland (Stoke), silver badge and £l2, 441: —43 484 The following take £5 each and D.R.A. 'badge:— . Cuthbertson (Tuamarina), 439—40.. 479 Facer (Dunedin), 439—37 470 Barltrop (Fcilding), 430—37 407 Chirig (Lyttelton), 432—35 467 Morgan (Auckland), 434—33 467 Williams (Ohura), 430—31 407 Needham (Linton), 439—28 467 There were thirteen prizes of £2 each, carrving the D.R.A. badge, and twentyfire of £2.

The championship match was never fired in better weather than to-day, and there never was a more brilliant assemblage to witness the struggle for %\e rifle supremacy of the Dominion.

The Governor and Lady Islington, Major-General Godley and Mrs. Godley, and their Excellencies' and the General's staffs were present, and there was a large gathering of visitors of both sexes. When the firing opened, Roots was leader, and by a brilliant display of marksmanship he carried off the championship with its glory and emoluments. The fight was a keen one between some of the leaders, and was watched with more than ordinary interest. Henderson won the Rifle Cup for highest score in the King's Match.

COLONIAL AMMUNITION' COMPANY'S MATCH (field firing), 800 yds to 000 yds, disappearing targets.—Wellington" City Rifles, £5; Okawa Rifle Club, £•2; Victoria Rifles (Auckland), £2; each 18 hits. On the first shoot the teams tied, and on shooting-off the Wellington Rifles won. The winners take the Company's silver cup.•SECTIONAL FIRING MATCH, 450 yds to 600 yds, five shots—2nd Battalion (Auckland), £5, 32 hits; Linton Rifle Club, £3, 27 hits; Akarana Rifle Club, £2, 26 hits, / COVER MATCH, 200 yds, ten shots.-: Napier Guards, £5. 42 hits; Wellington City Rifles. £3, 38 hits; Opaki Rifle Club (two teams), £1 each, 33 hits each. SURPRISE SERVICE TARGET MATCH—Wnnganui Rifles, £5, 13 hits; Sounds Rifles, £3, 12 hits: Opaki Kiile Club, No. 2, £2, 11 hits. CHATTIE MATCH, 200 yds. - Napier Guards, £5; Opaki Rifle Club, No. 1, £3; Cbristchurch Rifle Club, £l. UNITED SERVICE MATCH, 20 men a side, 500 yds arid 600 yds, ten shots; Dawson Shield and cash prize of £2O to winning team. The scores were: Rifle clubs, 1889; Territorials, 1886.

The following is the prize-list of the champion teams match:—First, £2O and District Challenge Shield, Ohura Rifle Club, 47a; second, £lO, Blenheim Rifles, 400; third prize, £7, Napier Guards, 406; fourth, £5, Taradale Rifle Club, 406; fifth, £5, Karori Rifle Club, 465; sixth, £5, Turakina Rifle Club, 4(15. ! Frank wins the Lee-Enfield rifle as the l highest scorer in the match. I Prize-winners in the Service aggregate match for the highest aggregate in to six service matches: Given (Wellington City Rifles), £5, 100; Maseficld (Sounds It.C), £4, 100; Smith (Geraldine Rifles), £3, 9!); Laking (Blenheim Rifles), £2, 95; Melhuish (Kaikoura Mounted Rifles), £2, 02; Woollv (Auckland Highland Rifles). £2, 91; Williams (Ohura R.C.). £l, 90; and 10s each to Eden (Waimca R.C.), and Plimmer (D Battery), 87 each. . TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP. - The following prizes were awarded to teams making the highest aggregate scores in the, various teams matches: Napier Guards, £lO, 544; Opaki R.C., No. 2, £5, 540; Opaki R.C., No. 1. £4, 534; Wellington City Rifles, £3, 532; and Victoria Rifles, 530. The winning club secures the' Coffee Club Cup.

KAP'OXGA'S CHAMPION. Rifleman Roots is a youth, probably under twenty years of ago, but he has for some time been amongst the best shots in his club, and very consistent in matches. Captain A. H. Guy, of the Kaponga Rifle Club, ran the winner of the aggregate very close two years ago, occupying fourth plitee, and scoring only three points short of the champion, Lieut. Duncan, of Millerton. A telegraphic message received last night was to the ellect that the members of the Tnranaki Guards had won £3a at the meeting. THE HISTORY OF TRENTHAM. ADDRESS TO THE RIFLEMEN. Wellington, Last Night. Colonel Collins, addressing the gather- , ing, detaih'd the growth of the meeting . from 1800 to J 878. It was run by the Government, who then relinquished it,I but it was run by the Rifle Association till 1891, when it was handed over to the : Government, since which date the suc-J cess had been most marked. This meet-] ing was a record, there being no fewer than 595 competitors, while the scores! put up sppke for themselves. In 1891 the Dominion Rifle Associatien purchased (.he Trenthnm property, the only out-

aide assistance towards the purchase be- j ing by the Wellington citizens, who subscribed between a; 300 and £4OO. Later, the Government took the matter up, and since 11)03 had spent £SOOO on the range, which was now the best south of the line. They had moved with the times, and new competitions had been inaugurated. The advent of the new system must affect the meeting, but not so much as if they liad stuck entirely to fixed bulls-eye targets. He introduced Lord Islington, referring to the deep interest the Governor was showing in all matters to the benefit of the Empire.

Lord Islington congratulated the as-| soeiation and the officials on the success of the meeting. Colonel Collins had taken over control of the range in 1903, and could pride himself on the advance and development since. There were now 75 targets, instead of 25 as then, and there was accommodation for 600 marks-! men, as against 250. The range pre-1 sented an example of what could andi should be done in all large towns as' their share towards military effective-! ness and national defence. He spoke of the desirability of carrying on the range on military school lines, and hoped that old hands would help, llifle-shooting was now becoming a military practice instead of, as previously, a civilian recreation. He spoke of certain respects in which Trentham was in advance of Bisley, especially as to the use of uniform rifles. He thought the competitors did most in time of peace so as to be ready and capable to undertake the citizens' highest duty, and defend their country. After the Governor had presented the prizes, the Hon. James. Carroil, ActingPremier, thanked him on behalf of all present. He spoke eulogistieallv of the keen interest displayed by Lord Islington in all matters leading to the benefit of the Empire. Cheers were given for Lord Islington, for Oeneral and Mrs. Cfodley, Hon. .Tas. Carroll, and Colonels Hughes and Collins.