RIFLE SHOOTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 6 February 1915, Page 7

RIFLE SHOOTING.

HUNT WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP. TEAMS MATCH GOES TO OHURA. The Taranaki . Rille (Association's. • elevontk annual tournamcif, was brought to a successful conclu ,ion yesterday in fine weather, though a strong left wind right across tin; ran;;.' played havoc with some of the scores, especially at the long ranges, where the wind varied considerably, so that experienced shots had to vary as much as 14 degrees in windage. Challenges as a result were numerous, and the Association's finances should considerably benefit thereby. The shooting at the long ranges was, on the whole, very creditable. Two possibles ■were obtained at SOO yards by Rifleman Marett (New Plymouth) and Rifleman F. Bolton (Opaki i. Both these riflemen failed badly at the 1000 yards. At 900 yards Barkle (Suburbs), Mayhew (Feilding), and Hamblyn (New Plymouth High School) put on top scores with 33, whilst at 1000 yards 32 was the best obtained in the two matches by Williams and Healy, both of Olmra.

The arrangements were again good, Colonel Okey, Major Sandford, ancT Lieutenant Humphrey having charge of the range. Lieutenant Messenger and Sergeant-Major Armitage at the trenches, whilst President F. J. Hill eontrolled the secretarial department. Visiors were unanimous in their praise of the range appointments and the management of the meeting, and it is certain that there will be a large influx of visitors next year. The luncheon, in charge of Mr. Bruce and a volunteering committee of ladies, was again a very satisfactory feature.

Shooting opened promptly with the Stratford Match, 800 and 1000 yards. It could early he seen that this would tell a tale, and that the championship would be fought out between Hunt (Suburbs) and Roots (Kaponga), the former starting with a lead of one. The match was won by Roots, with the score of 01, three others scoring 60. Hunt was 1 down on the 900 yards, and 4 down on the 1090 yards, so that he started the final irateh 4 points behind the Patea man The final contest was in the New Plymouth Match, seven shots at 800 and 1000 yards. Hunt scored 34 and Roots 33 at the first range. With only one range to fire, and Roots 3 in the lead, he looked like annexing the championship again. Hunt got two shots away before Roots went down. The Surbnrbs man's sighters produced 3, 4, and he cut both out. His first business shot was a 5, followed by 4. 5, 3, 3, 5, 5, making a total of 30. Roots, who had got 2, 3, for bis sighter. had three shots to go when Hunt finished. His four shots had produced 10, so that he had to average 4's to win. His next shot only produced 2, and he now required two "bull's" if he was to be champion. But he pot a 3, and his chance went, for though he found the "bull" with his last shot he finished one point short of Hunt's total. His card read 4, 4, 3, 5, 2. 3, 5—20. Hunt also won the match, with his score of 04. The Teams Match produced ten entries, and the winners turned up in Ohura, who had shot consistently all through the piece. Suburbs were well in the race, Hunt and Barkle scoring three figures. Slaughter, however, let tnem down, and they had to be content with second place. There were four range possibles in the Teams Match. STRATFORD MATCH. 900 yards and 1000 yards; seven shots at each range; 32 prizes, 10 of which are for tyros. Yards. 900 1000 Tl. Rflmn. 1). Roots (Patea), ■ £4 30 31 61 ! Pres. G. Loveday (Ohura), £3 ' 30 30 GO Rflmn. G. R. Smith (Kaponga!. £2 31 29 fiu Rflmn. G. 11. Tavlor (lnglewood), £1 31 29 00 Rflmn. J. F. Shepherd (Opunakc), £1 31 28 59 Rflmn. F. Bolton (Opaki), 15s 31 28 59 Rflmn. C. King (Kaponga), 15s ' ..' .. 32 26 5S Sergt. Hamblvn (New Plymouth H.S.I, 15s .... 33 25 58 Rflmn. IT. C. Evans (New Plymouth), lSn 31 20 57 Rflmn.'R. Barkle (Suburbs), 15s 33 24 57 Rflmn. S. .T. Mayhew (Feild-

ing), 15s 33 24 57 Rflmn. W. K. Williams (Olmra), 15s 24 32 56

Pres. O. Bacon ( Whangamomona), 27, 29—50; Rflmn. If. Hunt (Suburbs), 30, 26—50; Rflmn. F. Ralfe (Rangitikei), 31. 25—56; Rflmn. R. J. Jackson (Suburbs), 32, 24—56; Rflmn. B. Wickham (Stratford), 28, 27—55: Rflmn. O. Currie (Ohura), 29, 26—55; Rflmn. W. Healy (Ohura)! 31. 24—55; Rflmn. H. Loveday (Ohura), 26, 27—53; Rflmn. W. Bruce (New Plymouth), 28, 35—53; Rflmn. W. Martin (lnglewood). 29. 24—53, each 108.

Tyros: Rflmn. H. Coppcn (New Plymouth), 27, 25—52; Rflinn. S. 0. Spurdlc (Tnglewood). 23, 2S—sl: Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea), 23, 22-45: Rflmn. B. O'Brien (Waverley), 22, 22—44; Rflmn. G. Willis (Patea), 25, 19—14, each 10s. Rflmn. A. Pennington (Eltham), 20, 22 42; Sergt. M. Vovle (Stratford), 23, 19 —42; Rflmn. C. Holland (Eltham), 20, 14—40; Rflmn. C. Moore (New Plymouth), 27, 10—37, each ss. NEW PLYMOUTH MATCH. 800 yards and 1000 yards; seven shots at each range; 32 prizes, of which 10 are for tyros. Yards. 800 1000 TI. Rflmn. H. Hunt (Suburbs), £4 34 30 84 Eflmn. W. Healy (Ohura), £3 30 32 62 Rflmn. H. Lovedav {Ohura), £2 '. 20 33 1)2 Sergt.-Major Hesp (Inglewood),. £1 33 29 62 Rflmn. C. Speck (Stratford), £1 33 29 62 Rflmn. McWhirter (New Plymouth), 15s 31 30 61 Sergt. Lucena (N.PH.S.), 15s 32 29 61 Rflmn. M. Marsh (Inglewood), 15s 28 32 60 Rflmn. W. K. Williams (Ohura), 15s 31 29 60 Rflmn. H. H. Gilshnan (Patea). 15s 31 29 60 Rflmn. R. Barklc (Suburbs), 15s 31 28 59 Rflmn. S. R. (Tahora), 15s 31 28 59 Pros. (',. Loveday (Dhura), 15s ' 32 27 59 Rflmn. C. Arnold (Xew Plymouth), 32, 27—59; Rflmn. D. Roots (Patea), 33, 26—59; Kllmn. F. Bolton (Opaki), 35, 24—59; Kllmn. T. Marett (New Plymouth), 35, 24—59: Rflmn. Ralfe (Rangitikei), 29, 29—58; Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea), 29, 29—58: Rflmn. C. Jackson (Stratford), 34, 24—58; Sergt. H. J. Atkinson (Wanganui Cadets), 30, 27—57; Rflmn. S. J. Mayhcw (Frild'mg), 30, 27 57, each 10s. Tyros: Sergt. C. J. Bamblyn (New Plymouth H.S.), 28. 27—55; Rflmn. W. Martin (Injrlowjoii). :ti. 22— '/.',; i'.ftain. Seaton (Waverley), 28. 24—52; Rflmn. Toslaii'l lOminake). 27. 23—50; Rflmn. G. Shimuan (Waverlev), 22, 2]— 4J,

each 10s. Rflnin. H. Wick'uam (Kaponga), 2(i, 21—47; Itflmn. S. 0. Spurdle (lnglewood), 18, 2S-40; Bflmn. F. C. IJooth (Patea), 25, 20—45; Klimn. B. O'Brien (Waverley), 20, 24—11; Kflnin. H. Coppen (New Plymouth), 27, 17—±4, each as. GRAND AGGREGATE j Highest scorers in Kaponga. Inulcwood, Patea, Stratford, and New Plymouth .Matches. Possible points, 350. Rllmn. H. Hunt (Suburbs), champion belt, presented by Rllmn. T. King, gold medal value £3 3s, and £4 310 Rflmn. I). Roots (Patea), silver medal, presented by J\ Bennett, and £3 315 Rflmn. W. K. Williams (Olmra), £2 309 Rflmn. W. ITealv (Olmra), £1 .... 301 Pres. G. Loveday (Olmra), 155.. .. 29!) Rllmn. C. Speck' (Stratford), 15s .. 298 Rflmn. lA. J. Jackson (Suburbs), 10s. 297 Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), 10s .. .. 290 Rflmn. F. J. Shepherd (Opunakc), 10s 295 Rflmn. R. Barkle (Suburbs), 5s .. .. 293 Rflmn. S. J. Mayhew (Feilding), ss. 293 Rflmn. G. R. Smith (Kaponga).. .. 292 Rflmn. H. LovedaV (Olmra) 291 Rflmn. F. Bolton' (Opaki) 291 Rflmn. C. Arnold (New Plymouth .. 289 Rflmn. M. Marsh (lnglewood) .... 289 Rflmn. T. Marett (New Plymouth).. 288 Rflmn. D. McWhirter (New Plymouth) 287 Rflmn. O. Currio (Olmra) 280 Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea) 285 Rflmn. H. C. Evans (New Plymouth) 254 Rflmn. H. H. Gilshnan (Patea) .. .. 284 Rflmn. W. Monks (Rangitikei).. .. 284 Rflmn. W. Bruce (New Plymouth..) 282 Pres. C. E. Bacon (Whangamomona) 280 Rflmn. L. Blanchett (New Plymouth) '..280 Rflmn. T. King (lnglewood) 280 Rflmn. C. King (Kaponga) 280 Rflmn. T. Robinson (lnglewood) .. 280 Winners. The Cup was presented in 1909 by Rifleman T. King, of lnglewood. It cannot be won outright, but after ten years the winner must present it again, when it becomes known as his belt. It cannot be taken out of Taranaki, but the winner is entitled to have his name inscribed thereon. 1909—Cant. J. Potter (Auckland). 1910—Lieut. A. R. Marett (New Plymouth). 1911—Sergt. H. Frank (Nelson). 1912—Rflmn. D. Roots (Kaponga). 1913—Rflmn. W. Winslade (New Plymouth). 1914—Rflmn. H. H. Gilshnan (Patea). 1915—Rflmn. H. Hunt (Wellington Suburbs). I LONG-RANGE AGGREGATES. Possible points, 175.

Rflmn. D. Roots (Patea), £3 .... 155 Rflmn H. Hunt (Suburbs), £2 .. 152 Rflmn. W. K. Williams (Ohura), £1 150 Rflmn. G. Lovedav (Ohura), 10s .. 147 'Rflmn. R. Barkle' (Suburbs), 10s .. 147 •Sergt. H. Lucena (N.P.H.S.), as .. 145 Rflmn. W. Healy (Ohura), 5s .. .. WS Rflmn. G. R. Smith (Kaponga).. .. 143 Rflmn. F. Bolton (Opaki) 143 Rflmn. F. J. Shepherd (Opunake) .. 142 Rflmn. C. Speck (Stratford) 142 Rflmn. A. J. Jackson (Suburbs) .. 140 Rflmn. T. Marett (New Plymouth).. 140 TYRO AGGREGATE. Prize, Medal, presented by Mr. W. Slaughter. Rflmn. Gibbs (Patea) 28a Rflmn. F. Ralfe (Rangitikei) 277 Sergt.-Major Hesp (Inglewood) .. 272 Rflmn. G. Shipman (Waverley).. .. 204 Rflmn. S. Q. Spurdle (Inglewood) .. 200 Sergt.-Major Vovle (Stratford) .. 257 Sergt. Hamblyn*(N.P.H.S.) 257 Rflmn. W. Monks (Rangitikei) .. .. 255 Winners. 1913—Sergt.-Major O. Bond (Staff). 1914—Rflmn. W. Slaughter (New Plymouth). 1915—Rflmn. A. Gibbs (Patea). TEAMS MATCH. I Open to teams of five men from any Territorial Company or Defence Rifle Club. Seven shots at each of the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges. First prize £5, and Tisch Memorial Cup, to be held for one year; second £3, third £1 ss. OHURA. Yards. 300 500 600 Tl. Rflmn. W. Healy .. .. 34 32 32 98 Rflmn. H. Loveday .. 32 30 35 07 Rflmn. O. Currie.. .. 35 31 29 95 Pres. G. Lovedav .... 33 33 29 95 Rflmn. W. K. Williams 30 29 34 93 Total 478 (WELLINGTON SUBURBS. Rflmn. H. Hunt .. .. 33 35 33 101 Rflmn. R. Barkle .... 33 34 33 100 Rflmn. Snelling 32 35 29 96 Rflmn. A. 1. Jackson .. 33 31 31 95 Rflmn. Slaughter .. .. 28 26 26 80 Total 472 PATEA. Rflmn. D. Roots 32 31 32 95 Rflmn. H. H. Gilshnan.. 31 33 31 95 Rflmn. E. Thompson .. 31 32 30 93 Pres. P. Palmer .. .. 31 29 32 92 Rflmn. M. Carey .... 30 27 32 89 Total 464 NEW PLYMOUTH. Rflmn. H. C. Evans .. 33-33 31 97 Rflmn. W. Bruce .... 31 32 29 92 Rflmn. S. Higgs 29 34 26 89 Rflmn. O. Arnold .... 27 31 27 85 Rflmn. L. Blanchett .. 27 31 25 83 Total 446 INGLEWOOD. Pres. T. King 33 32 33 98 'Kflmn. G. 11. Taylor .. 33 30 28 91 Rflmn. M. Marsh .... 28 29 31 88 Sergt.-Major Hesp .... 31 27 29 87 Rflmn. S. 0. Spurdle .. 30 25 22 77 Total 441 KAPONGA. Rflmn. C. King 28 Si 31 91 Rflmn. A. B. Harrison.. 30 30 31 91 Rflmn. G. R. Smith .. 29 26 32 87 Rflmn. A. H. Guy .... 28 30 2S 80 Rflmn. S. J. Hollard .. 29 25 26 80 Total 435 NEW PLYMOUTH No. 2. Rflmn. F. Nichols.. .. 31 27 28 86 Rflmn. D. McWhirter .. 25 30 30 85 Rflmn. T. Marett .... 29 26 27 82 Rflmn. W. Oliver .... 26 25 29 SO Rflmn. W. IT. Wood .. 27 29 24 80 Total 413 PATEA B. Rflmn. A. Gibbs .. .. 29 29 30 88 Rflmn. F. C. Booth .. 30 28 26 84 Rflmn. E. Willis .... 26 23 32 81 Rflmn. P. Hurley .. .. 24 28 2 , \ Rflmn. G. Willis .... 27 24 z, Total

ST RAT FOUL.'. Rflmn. C. Speck .. ..' 29 29 30 88 Rllmn. C. Jackson .... 2S 2S 28 84 Rllmn. lA. Wickham.. .'. 29 20 29 84 Rllmn. J. Voyle .. .. 27 20 28 81 Rllmn. E. Brocklebank 20 20 24 7G Total 413 TAHORA. .1 I'ilimn. O. R. Flight .. 32 27 2S 87 Rllmn. D. Armstrong. '. 25 lii) lij 84 Rllmn. S. G. Stockier .. 31 27 24 82 Rllmn. Winthrop .... 28 25 24 77 filiiim. Coxhead 22 20 2o 74 Total 404 Winners to Date. 1911—Taranaki Rifles 494 1912—New Plymouth Rille Club. 479 1913—Kaponga Rille Club .... 482 1914 Whangamomona Rille Club 400 1915—Ohura Rille Club 478 THE CHAMPION. The champion, H. Hunt, is in his twenty-fourth year. He is an electrical engineer, and has been shooting during the past five years. He commenced his shooting career with the Zealandia Rifles, a prominent Wellington club, where he shot with considerable success. Since joining the Suburbs Club he has been a very consistent performance. Two years ago he won the club championship, and this year looks like repeating the performance, as he has already notched three-figure scores on three occasions. He has competed in big company many times, and has twice annexed the North Island Championship at the Wanganui meeting, also acting as runner-up to T. King, of Wanganui, in another year. He has competed at the Dominion meeting at Trentham on three ii four occasions, his best performance being last year's, when he got twentyeighth position in the final fifty. This year he has already annexed two championships, having, at New Year, gained tin: championship ol Wellington on the Trentham range, where he averaged 47 out of a possible 50 right through. THE KUNNER-LT. D. Roots, the runner-up, is one of the best-known shots in the Dominion, having been champion of New Zealand in 1911, and of Taranaki in 1912. He is a farmer, and is 20 years of 'age. He has now been shooting eight years. He commenced his shooting at Hurleyville, afterwards joining the Kaponga Rifle Club, and it was as a member of that club that heannexed his championships. Two years ago he joined his .present club, Patea. He has competed at Now | Plymouth on three occasions, being \ champion in 1912, fourth in 1913. Audi runner-up in 1915. At the Dominion meeting he was champion iu 1911, fourth in 1912, and seventh in 1913. Last year he failed to get into the final fifty. He has represented the Dominion both at Bisley and in Australia. PRESENTATION OF PRICES. Before dispersing, the championship belt and vhe cup won in the Teams Match were presented by Colonel Okey. who congratulated the winners. He ex (pressed regret that the winner was unable, according to the conditions, to take the belt out of Tar,anaki. He congratulated Ohura on the success that had attended their first visit, and expressed the hope that tihey might be as successful again. The other aggregate prizes were also presented.