MARKING AT THE RIFLE MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 3

MARKING AT THE RIFLE MEETING.

To the Editor,

Sir, —I cannot allow Mr. Armitage's virions attack on tlio members of the Stratford Rifle Club to pass unnoticed, although this is what it really deserves. I have to thank him for reminding us that "as a man speaks so is lie," and those who know most about the rifle meeting will be quite content to judge Mr. Armitage by what he says. The (| not at ion is most unfortunate for him. To eome to the point at issue. No one ha c said the markers were dishonest. Not one of the Stratford riflemen has since his return home complained in my bearing about, the markers. Their only complaint is about the officer in charge of ihc trenches, and f have been asked by quite a number of competitors to use my influence as a member of (he executive in having some change made in this direction before next meeting. T would remind "Mr, Armitage, trenvh otiicer to the Taranaki Rifle Association." that lie is not the only pebble on the beach. The Stratford riflemen know there were mistakes in the marking, but they accepted the decisions like the sports they are—sports who sacrificed a good deal in some cases to attend the meeting, and who entered the teams match well knowing (hey eoidd never lie in the hunt; sports who have taken a very active part in supporting the Association; and sports who resent, and feel disgusted with. the cfj'u-ion from "Iv Armitage, trench officer to the Taranaki Rifle Association*' at present. I agree with Air. Armitage that a challenged target should be examined by the trench officer, and I must congratulate him on having left his seat ai the telephone, examined the fourth target from him, and telephoned his

an-wer nil within (wo seconds. I know (lie work was done in that time on the lir-l day. and Mr. Armitage says he himself did it. At the annual meeting of the Association on the night of the first day's shooiing I spoke in defence of the markers, and said T did not blame them at all, but laid the blame at the door of the trench officer. There it lies. Despite the tirade from Mr. Armitage. the Stratford Rifle Club will be found fully represented at the next meeting. Out of 22 memhers we scut eleven competitors io this meeting, and we feel sure that we will send even more next year. Thanking Mr. Armitage f[or his kind remarks concerning ns (we still live).—] am. etc., : J ACKSON', i Stratford, February IS.