TARANAKI'S BISLEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 5 February 1915, Page 7

TARANAKI'S BISLEY.

THE RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING. SOME GREAT SHOOTING. The eleventh annual shoot under the auspices of the Taranaki Rille Association, which was commenced yesterday at the Rcwa Rtwa rifle range, promises to be a very notable one, both as regards the number of the entries—which easily constitute a record—and as regards the quality of the shooting itself, as will be seen by a glance at the scores. The record entry is due in part to the fact that the Trenthani meeting has been abandoned this year, and partly to the increased interest taken in the rifle owing to the present war, the latter causing the marked improvement of the shooting and the presence at the meeting of several young shots. Of the 101 entrants, 94 competitors have put in an appearance. (Among the defections are to be noticed the names of Riflemen Boon and J. Smart, of Suburbs (Wei- p liugton), and L. Loveday, of Ohura. The last-named, who was runner-up for the championship last year, has volunteered for the front, and had to go to Trenthani. One or two of the Whangamomona men are absent, through missing their train, the time having been altered owing to the Hawera races. The contestants included leading New Zealand riflemen, some of whom have represented the Dominion afield —such as G. Loveday and D. Roots (ex-champions oX the Dominion, and the latter also an ex-champion of Taranaki). Rifleman H. H. Gilshnan (last year's Taranaki champion), A. H. Guy, T. Marett, H. Hunt, and M. Carey (champion at the recent Palmerston North meeting). The weather, which looked threatening early in the day, remained fine, save for a shower during the morning, and the light on the whole was good. The wind at times was gusty and choppy. At the 800 yards range it was blowing right across, and it was necessary to allow from 23 to 28 degrees windage. Challenges were numerous, but very, few 'wer c sustained. Colonel Okey, V.D., had charge of the range, assisted by Major 'Sandford, V.D, Captain Mills, and Lieutenant Humphrey, and they kept the squads down to business so well that three matches were got through up to time, despite the large entry. Sergt.i Major Armitage had charge of the trenches, and the marking was capital. President F. J. Hill, as secretary, had the numerous details of his department well in hand, and matters worked smoothly. The prize-lists were got out promptly, and in this Captain C. T. Mills (a former secretary) gave valuable assistance. The commissariat was in the hands of Rifleman Bruce, and no fault could be found with this department. Mesdamrs F. J. Hill, Carey (Patea), Bruce anil Oliver voluntarily assisted in dispensing the eatables. That some good shooting was to be n-corded was indicated when the cards for the Kaponga Match, the opening match, were returned. Last year three Kaponga men filled the top places, with scoreg of 65, 65, and 63. This year the winner proved to be Rifleman W. K. Williams, of Ohura, who got one off the possible at each range, his second shot at 300 yards and the fourth at 500 yards ' failing to register "bulls." Rifleman H. Hunt, of Suburbs, with a possible at the 300 yards, the only possible in the match, was second with 68, No fewer than twelve riflemen got 63 or over. At 500 yards there were two all-buts. The Inglewood Match produced some fine shooting. Last year three men tied, with 65, and secured the first three prizes. This year three men did likewise, but had to be content with tenth, eleventh, and twelfth prizes. Hunt (Suburbs), Roots and Palmer (Patea) each tied with one off the possible, and in the count-back the first-named gained the verdict. Their performances were splendid. Each scored possibles at 500 yards, and their cards at 600 yards read as follows:—Hunt, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5—34; Roots, 5, 5, 5, 4, 6, 5, 5—34; and Palmer, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5—34. Tiiere were six possibles registered at the 500 yards range, and two at 600 yards, whilst three all-buts were put on at each range. Last year 61 got into the prize-list, as against 63 this year. The Patea Match, seven shots at 600 and 800 yards, was substituted for a three-range match at 300, 500, and COO yards, and in this I). Roots put up the fine score of 68, viz., 33 at 600, and the possible at 800. O. Currie, who came second, also put up a possible at this range, making twelve possibles for the day. The special prize for the Tyro Aggregate was won by Sergt. Voyle, of Stratford, with the score of 65 out of a posBible 70, F. Ralfe, of Rangitikei, being runner-up. Detailed scores are as follows: KAPONGA MATCH. 300 yards and 600 yards; seven shots at each range. 32 prizes, of which. 10 are for tyros. Yards. 300 600 Tl. Rflmn. W. K. (Williams (Ohura), £4 34 34 63 'Mmn. H. Hunt (Suburbs) £3 35 33 6S Pres. T. King (Inglewood), £2 33 33 66 Rflmn. E. Thompson (Patea), £1 32 33 65 Rflmn. L. Blanchett (New Plymouth), £1 .. ~ 30 34 64 Pres. G. Loveday (Ohura), 15s 32 32 64 Rflmn. F. Bolton (Opaki), 15b 33 31 M Rflmn. H. Loveday (Ohura), 15s 83 81 64 Rflmn. F. Ralfe (Rangitikei), 15s 33 31 64 Rflmn. T. Robinson (Mangorei), 15s 31 32 63 Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), 16s 31 32 63 Rflmn. A. P. Anderson (Wanganui) 32 31 63

Rllmn. C. Speck (Stratford), 29, 33 62; Sergt. H. J. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets), 30, 32—62; Rflmn. H. H. Gilshnan (Patea), 30, 32—62; Rflmn. B. Wickham (Stratford), 30, 32—62; 'Rflmn. A. J. Jackson (Suburbs), 31. 31 —O2; Rflmn. H. 0. Evans (New Plymouth), 32, 30-62; Sergt. M. Voyle (D Company, XI. Regiment) 29, 32—61; Rflmn. C. King (Kaponga), 30, 31—61; Rflmn. J. Shepherd (Opunake), 30, 31— 61; Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea), 30, 31—61 v each 10s. *

Counted Out: Mmn. T. Baxter (Eltham), 30, 31—61; and Rflmn. W. Healy (Ohura), 31, 30—61.

Tyros: Rflmn. H. E. Hill (_\cw Plymouth), 31, 30—61; 0. Shipman (Waverlcy), 31, 30—61; Rflmn. S. G. Stockley '. (Tahora), 27, 33—60; Rflmn. A. Townley (Stratford), 29, 31—60; Rflmn. Buckeridge (Eltham), 27, 30—57; Rflmn. J. fiilmer (Rahotu), 29, 28-57, each 10s. Rflmn. H. Wickham (Kaponga), 27, 29 —56; Rflmn. Winthrop (Tahora), 23, 31 Rflmn. T>. McLean (Wavcrley), ZS, 26—54; Rflmn. C. Kelland (Eltham), £6, 27—53; and Rflmn. W. Martin (Inglewood), 27, 26—53, each ss. Rifleman Short's consolation, prize of 10s for the lowest score was won bv President Watkins (Wavcrley), 23, 37; Rifleman P. White (Xew Plymouth) was runner-up, with 20, 19—39.' INGTJ2WOOn .MATCH. ■SOO and 600 yards ranges; seven shots at caeli; 32 prizes, of which 10 are for tyros.

Yards. 500 600 Tl. Rllmn. 11. Hunt (Suburbs), £4 35 31 69 Rllmn. D. Roots (Patea), £3 35 34 CO Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), £2 35 34 '!!' Rflmn. A. J. Jackson (Suburbs), £1 .. 32 m v.. Rflmn. R. Barkle (Suburbs), £1 34 33 0? Rflmn. W. Monks (Rangitikei), 15s 35 32 67 Rflmn. G. J. Knaufl (Mangorei), las 33 33 66 Rflmn. Ml Carey (Patea), 15s .. .. .* 33 33 6C Rflmn. S. J. Mayhew (Feilding), 15s ..' 35 31 6(1 Sergt.-Major D. Voyle (D Co., XI. Regiment), 15s 33 32 Co Rflmn. O. Arnold (New Plymouth). 15s 33 j2 65 Rflmn. T. H. Robinson (Mangorei), 15s 33 32 65

Rflmn. F. C. Booth (Patea), 29, 3564; Rflmn. M. Marsh (Mangorei), 32, 34 —64; Rflmn. T. Marett (New Plymouth), 33,31-64; Rflman. W. R. Williams (Ihu'ra), 34, 30—64; Rflman. O. Currie (Ohura), 34, 30—64; Rflmn. W. Healy, 35, 29—64; Rflmn. C. Speck (Stratford), 30, 33-63; Rflmn. S. O. Spurdle (Inglewood), 32, 31—63; Rflmn. H. Loveday (Ohura), 32, 31—63; Sergt.-Major Hesp (Inglewood), 33, 30—63, each lbs. Tyros: Rflmn. H. Coppen (New Plymouth), 32, 29—61; Sergt. H. J. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets), 29, 31—60; Rflmn. F. Balfe (Rangitikei), 32 28— 60; Rflmn. Tosland (Opunake), 29, 30— 59; Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea), 30, 29—59. each 10s. Rflmn. D. R. Hight (Tahora) 31, 27—58; Rflmn. C. Moore (New Plymouth), 31, 27—58; Rflmn. A. Townley (Stratford), 29, 28-57; Rflmn. A. P Burkhardt (Inglewood), 26, 31—<57; Rflmn. A. H. Palmer (New Plymouth), 27. 30-57, each ss. Counted Out: Rflmn. G. Shipman (Wavcrley), 31, 26—57. PATEA MATCH. 600 and 800 yards; seven shots at each range; 32 prizes, of which 10 are for tyros. I RflmJn. D. Roots (Patea), £4 33 35 68 Rflmn. O. Currie (Ohura), £3 29 35 64 Rflmn. H. H. Gilshnan, £2 34 30 64 Sergt.-Major Hesp (Staff), £1 31 32 63 Rflmn. M. Marsh (Man gorei), £1 29 33 62 •■Rflman. D. McWthirter (New Plymouth), 15s 30 32 62 Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea), 155.. 30 32 62 Rflmn. J. Shepherd (Opunake), 15s 31 31 62 Rflmn. W. Bruce (New Plymouth), 15s 31 31 62 Rflmn. W. K. Williams (Ohura), 15s 27 34 61 Rflmn. H. C. Evans (New Plymouth), 15s 28 33 61 Rflmn. F. J. Knauff (Mangorei), 15s 28 33 61

Rflmn. D. Armstrong (Tahora), 29, 32 —6l; Rflmn. Molloy (Mangorei), 30, 31 —6l; Rflmn. C. Speck (Stratford), 31, 30—61; Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), 34, 27 Rflmn. C. J. Hollard (Kaponga), 28, 32—60; Sergt. H. Lucena (New Plymouth H.S. Cadets), 28, 32—60; Pres. A. H. Guy (Kaponga), 26, 33—59; Rflmn. H. Hunt (Suburbs), 27, 32—59; Rflmn. B. Wickham (Stratford), 28, 31—59; Rflmn. G. R. Smith (Kaponga), 28, 31— f.). each 10s.

Counted Out: Rflmn. A. J. Jackson (Suburbs), 28, 31—59; Rflmn. A. B. Harrison (Kaponga), 29, 30—59; and Rflmn. W. Healy (Ohura), 31. 28—5». Tyros: Rflmn. C. Moore (New. Plymouth), 30, 29—59; Sergt. H. J. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets), 32, 26—58; Rflmn. H. Wickham (Kaponga), 27, 30— 57; Rflmn. Hurley (Patea), 27, 30—57; Pres. Watkins (Waverley), 28, 29—57, 'each 10s. Rflman. D. R. Hight (Tahora), '29. 23-5»: Rflmn. G. Shipman (Waverley), 28, 26—54'; Rflmn. F. C. Booth (Patea), 28, 26—54; Rflmn. H. E. Hill (New Plymouth), 24, 29—53; Rflmn. B. O'Brien (Waverlev), 25, 28—53, each ss. Counted Out: Rflmn. Gilmer (Rahotu), 27, 26—53; Rflmn. A. B Palmer (New Plymouth), 30, 23—53. TYRO (AGGREGATE. 500 yards. Prize, Silver Medal, presented by Major Sandford. Sergt. Voyle (D Company, XI. Regiment) 65 Rflmn. F. Ralfe (Rangitikei) .. .. 63 Rflmn. G. Shipman (Waverley).. .. 61 Sergt.-Major Hesp (Staff) 61 •fc'ergt. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets) 61 Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea) 61 Rflmn. Townley (Stratford) 60 SHORT RANGE AGGREGATES. Scores up to and including 600 yards ' rangs to count. Seven priezs. Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), £3 .. .. 166 Rflmn. H. Hunt (Suburbs), £2.... 164 Rflmn. D. Roots (Patea), £1 .. .. 160 Rflmn. W. K. Williams (Ohura), 10s 159 Rflmn. E. Thompson (Patea), 6s 8d 1'57 Rflmn. L. Blanchett (New Plymouth), 6s 8d 157 Rflmn. A. J. Jackson (Suburbs), 6s 8d 157 Rflmn. S. J. Mayhew (Feilding) .. 156 Rflmn. W. Healy (Ohura) 156 Rflmn. W. Monks (Rangitikei) .. 156 Rflmn. C. Speck (Stratford) .... 156 Sergt. H. J. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets) 154 Corporal G. Higgs (A Company, XI. Regiment) i. . 154 Rflmn. C. Arnold (New Plymouth) 153 Rflmn. O. Currie (Ohura) 153 Rflmn. J. Shepherd (Opunake).. .. 153 Rflmn. G. Loveday (Ohura) .... 152 Kflmn. H. Loveday (Ohura) .... 152 Rflmn. C. Jackson (Stratford) .. 151 GRAND AGGREGATE. With the Stratford Match, seven shots at 900 and 1000 yards, and the •New Plymouth Match, seven shots at 800 and 1000 yards, to be fired yet, the following are the leading aggregates:— Rflmn. H. Hunt (Suburbs) 196 Rflmn. D. Roots (Patea) 195 Rflmn. P. Palmer (Patea) 193 'Rflmn W. K. Williams (Ohura) .. 193 Rflmn. A. J. Jackson (Suburbs) .. 188 Rflmn. O. Currie (Ohura) 188 Rllmn. C. Speck (Stratford) .... 186 Rflmn. W. Monks (Rangitikei) .. 184 Rflmn. J. Shepherd (Opunake) .. 184 Rflmn. W. Healy (Ohura) 184 'Rflmn. M. Marsh (Inglewood) .... 184 Rflmn. H. C. Evans (New Plymouth) 182 Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea) 182 Rflmn. D. McWhirter (New Plymouth) 181 Sergt. IT. J. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets) 180 Rflmn. L. Blanchett (New Plymouth) 180 Rflmn. G. Loveday (Ohura) .. .. 180 Rifleman H. H. Gilshnan (last year's champion) stands a few lower down, with 178.