RIFLE SHOOTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 195, 15 February 1912, Page 8

RIFLE SHOOTING.

PROPOSED ENGLISH TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA.

By Cable—Press Association-—Copyright. London, February 13. At the National Rifle Association meeting, Lord Cheylesmore said he feared there would be difficulty in accepting Australia's invitation dunn? 1912.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION MEETING.

FEW ENTRIES RECEIVED.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, East Night. The entries received to date for the New Zealand. Rifle Association meeting, to take place at Trentham on the 28th inst, number 225, but it is anticipated that they will reach about 250. The entries this year compared with last year are very small. Last year there were 580 competitors, and the officers controlling the meeting expected that a very large entry would be secured this year, as the programme drawn up is one of the best- that has been issued so far, and had been so compiled as to meet i the approval, not only of the military authorities, but also of those to whom bullß-eye shooting is very attractive. Several causes are assigned for the reduced number of entries. One reasom given is that the defence system is in a state of transition. Members of the Territorial Force have not yet had'a chance of obtaining target practice, whereas in previous years about 350 men in Wellington indulged in rifle shooting every Saturday. During the present aoa--1 son the number has hardly exceeded 30. These consist chiefly of rifle club men. Then, also, rifles have been placed in rittfre for examination and have only recently been re-issued. Another factor sis the difficulty the men experience in i getting leave in addition to the week's compulsory camp training. In previous oyears various corps took an interest in rifle shooting, and, as a rule, sent representative teams, the expenses being borne by the company's funds. No such [ assistance is being given this year. There was some talk of cancelling' the meeting this year, but the executive officer is prepared to go on with the reduced number, and is confident of making the meeting a success from a shooting point •f view.

Amongst the many trophies is a hand-' some silver cup presented by the Governor.