WITH THE RIFLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1916, Page 3

WITH THE RIFLE.

| TARANAKI'S BISLEY. SOME FINE SHOOTING. Since the outbreak of the war, considerable attention has been devoted by rifle club men and others to the use of the rifle, and this was reflected in the general all-round improvement in the shooting at the twelfth annual meeting •under the auspices of the Taranaki Rifle Association, which opened at (he Reiva Rewa rifle range yesterday. Numerically, the entries were not as strong as on some previous occasions. This, however, may be accounted for by the fact that a considerable number of prominent rifle shooters have volunteered and gone to the front to give their country the the benefit of their prowess. Still,'there is an entry of over 70, only two of whom are territorials. Practically every rifle club in Taranaki is represented, anil in addition there are representatives fom Wanganui, Linton, Kimbolton, Wellington, Ohura, and Auckland. The shooters include D. Roots, and A. Ballinger, ex-N.Z. champions. W. K. Williams, H. Hunt, A. H. Guy, S. Mayhew, Lieut, Atkinson, and other prominent prize winners. Absentees are the ,'Lovedays, and the veteran Mat Carey, of Patea, away favewelling some of hiS sons who are leaving for the front. Whilst it is pleasing to welcome the veterans, a feature of the meeting is the number of tyros that have entered and the good performances they have put up, many of them being placed in the main prize list. Seven possibles were notched during the day, and "all buts" were numerous. The possibles were, one at 500, two at 600, and four at 800 yards. The short and long range possible were notched by Campbell Jackson, the prominent Stratford shot, who, however, struck a bad patch at 600 yards. The light throughout the day was good, but at times tlie wind proved' tricky, causing some of the marksmen considerable. trouble. Later in the day wind conditions improved, and this was reflected in the shooting Rt the SOO yards range. Here, in the seven shots of the Patea match, four possibles were put on, whilst tire "all buts" were common. In the New Plymouth match, 10 shots at 800 yards, some great shooting was witnessed, and though no one touched the possible several 4's were registered. The organisation of the meeting was good, so that firing was carried on without a hitch, and' the programme iras so much advanced that an early finish should result to-day. Lieut-Colonel Okey, President of the Association, had charge. He may be truly termed "a veteran," having been associated with rifle-shooting for 45 year?, champion of the colonv, as it then wa~, in ISSO. In opening the meeting. ';e tendered a welcome to new competitors and al-'o expressed pleasure at seeing so many veterans. He regretted that many young competitors of previous years were absent, but was glad to know' that they were engaged in the task of assisting Britain in . the bijr European ■struggle now raging. He trusted (hat the meeting would be successful and enjoyable to all. Major Sandford and Lieut. Crutch completed a busines-like trio, who kept the mounds working at steady pressure. Lieut. Messenger was trench officer. Here, too,' Sergt.-Major Armitage lent his valuable aid in controlling the marking, and this important feature gave general satisfaction to competitors. Mr. F. J. Hill, as secretary,, was again irreproachable. Methodically, he got his results out to the moment and gave courte6us and prompt attention to any inquiries. The catering was again a feature. This was in tiie hands of the ladies, Mesdames F. J. Hill, W. Oliver, and J. Bennett, having charge, assisted by Rfm. F. Nieholls. The Kaponga match, seven shots at 300 and 500 yards was the first to be completed. This again fell to W. K. Williams, of Ohura, who put up 67 as against 68 last year. In the tyros, 55 was counted out, whilst 53 got in .the prize list last vear.

In the Inglewood match, the shooting was not quite up to lasb year's standard. Hunt, who won last year, iwith 09 could only get second with 60, despite a possible at 000 yards. Eflm. Christian, of Wanganni, and formerly of Opunako, topped the score list with 08, including a possible at 600 yards. Campbell Jackson, of Stratford, obtained the only possible at 500 yards, but performed moderately at 000, and just managed to touch prize-money. last year 02 did not count.

The match, 7 shots at 000 and ROO yards, produced some hot shooting. At SOO yards there were no less than four possibles, and "all buts" 'were numerous. 68 won this match (the same as last year), Rflm. H. Hunt being successful, but whereas there were only three over 04 last year, there were fourteen this time. 02 was counted out, being three points above, last year.

The first range of the Yew Plymouth match, 10 shots at 800 yards, saw A. Harris (Suburbs'), .T. Smart (Suburbs), G. H. Taylor (Inglewoo'd), H. H. Gilshnan (Patea), J. D. Christian (Wangalmi), each put on 4!), and J. Puree]! (Wanganui), S. J. Jlathow (Linton), A. B. Harrison (Kaponga)', K. C. Barklc (Suburbs), and A. R. Rimidish (New Plymouth), each put on 4S. Early in the day it was apparent that tlie championship was likely to be a duel between Williams (Ohura), and Hunt (Suburbs). The short range aggregate saw the former leading by two points with the latter four points ahead of the field. At the SOO yards range (seven shots), Hunt put on 34, 'whilst Williams only notched 31, and Hunt gained the lead by a point. At the same range, ten shots, Hunt put up 41, including a miss, and dropped to fourth place, Williams with 40 jusft holding the lead from Christian and Barklc, who scored 40 a;sl 4S, respectively. The short range aggregate was annered by Eflm. W. K. Williams (Ohura), with the fine score of 107; last year he was fourth with 150. the winner being President P. Palmer (Patea), 100. Eflm. H. Hunt (Suburbs), was again second with 165, one point better than last year. The tyro aggresate at 500 yards, fell to Rflin. A. Harris (of Suburbs', Wellington), with 07, two points better tlnin last year's score. ,

KAPONGA MATCH. 300 and 500 yards; seven shots at each range, 300 500 Tl. W. K. Williams (Ohura),'£3 33 34 67 J. Purnell (Wanganui), £2 33 33 06 A. Guy (Kaponga), £1 34 32 G6 J. Shepherd (Opunake), 15s 31' 34 65 A. B. Harrison (Kaponga), 15s 32 33 65 R. C. Barkle (Wellington Suburbs), 15s 32 33 65 H. Hurst (Wellington Suburb), 15s ~ 33 32 65 H. Hall (Inglewood), 15s ... 33 32 65 1). Roots (Patea), 15a ....• 33 32 65 C. Rumball (Urenui)-, 15s ..' 34; 31 65 J. Smart Wellington Suburbs), 15s, 64; J. J. Atkinson (Auckland), 10s, 64; A. Harris (Wellington Suburbs), 10s, 64; T. King (Inglewood), l«s, 64; N. Isaacs (Wellington Suburbs), 10s, 64; H. H. Gilshnan (Patea), l«s, 63; F. Soler (Wanganui), 10s, S3; W. Oliver (New Plymouth), 10s, 63; A. J. Gibbs (Patea), 10s, 03; A. E. Watson (Akaroa, 10s, 63; Captain P. Hartnell (New Plymouth), 10s, 03. Tyros.—D. Hurley (Patea), 10s, 62; E. Olds (Wanganui), 10, 62; E. J. Williams (Wanganui), 10s. 62: G. H. Bnckeridgo (Eltham), 10s, 595; W. Tate (Wanganui). ss, 58; W. Seaton (Waverley), fls, 58; A. Standish (New Plymouth), ss, 57; T. Geary (Meremere), ss, 57; N. A. Ching (Opunake), ss, 56.'

INGLEWOOD MATCH; 500 and 600 yards, seven shots at each range. Rflra. J. D Christian (Wanganui), £3 33 35 68 Efl'm. H. Hunt (Ohura), £2 31 35 6S Kflm. W. K. Williams (Ohura), £1 34 32 66 Rflm. S: ,T. Mayhew (Linton), £1 33 32 Ga Capt. F. Hartnell (N.P.), 15s 33 32 65 Rflm. J. Pivnioll (Wanganui), 15s 31 33 61 Rflm. R. C. Barkle (Suburbs) ,15s 31 33 04 Rflm. G. R. Smith (Kaponga), 15,s 32 32 84 Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), 15s 32 32 CI Rflm. F. J. Soler (Wanganui) ,15s 32 32 64 Rflm. W. H. Martin (Inglewood), 15s 32 32 61 Rflm. T. King (Eltham), 30, 33, 63; J. McCarthy (Kaponga), 30, 33, 63; Pres. A. H.'Guy (Kaponga), 32, 31, 03; .Pres. C. Rumball (Urenui), 33, 30, 63; Rflm. W. Isaac (Suburbs), 33, 30, 63; Lieut. J. F. Atkinson (Auckland), 31, 31, 62; Rflm. A. Stakhouse (Kimbolton), 31, 31, 02: A. B. Harrison (Kaponga), 32, 30, 02; W. Heafy (Ohura), 34, 28, 02; C. Jackson (Stratford), 35, 27, 62, each, 10s. Tyros: A. Standish (New Plymouth), 32, 30, 02; A. Harris (Suburbs'), 34, 28, 62; H. Cochrane (Mere Mere), 29, 31, 60; N. A. Ching (Opunake), 33, 26, 59; H. T. Hall (Inglewood). 33, 26, 59, each 10s; D. Hurley (Patea), 28, 30, 58; E. J. Williams (Wanganui), 30, 28, 58; W. G. Robinson (Inglewood). 33, 25, 58; W. Tate (Wanganui), 30, 27, 57; F. Booth (Kaponga), 31, 20, 57, each ss. Counted out: R. H. Skelton (Auckland), 33, 24,

PATEA MATCH, ' COO and SOO yards, seven shots at each range. Mm. H. Hunt (Suburbs), . £3 34 34 6S .Rflm. A. C. Watson (Akarana), £2 33 34 G7 Eflm. 8. J. Mayhew (Linton), £1 32 34 06 Prcs. Ci. H. Taylor (Inglewood) £1 32 34 6G Eflm. D. Boots (Patea), 15s 32 34 60 Eflm. W. Robinson (Inglewood), 15s 32 34 60 Eflm. H. M. Shrimpton (Mere Mere), 15s 34 32 0G Eflm. E. 0. Barkle (Suburbs), 15s 32 33 Gu Rflm. W. K. Williams (Ohura), 15s 34 31 05 Eflm. C. Jackson (Stratford) 15s 29 35 64 Eflm. J. Christian (Wanganui), 15s 30 34 64 Eflm. A. J. Gibbs (Patea), 32, 32, 64; A. B. Harrison (Kaponga). 33, 31, 64; W. Tato (Wanganui), 32, 32, 64; Lieut. J. F. Atkinson (Auckland), 29, 34, 63; Rflm. J. Shepherd (OpunaV«l 30, 33, 63; A. C. Wickham (Stratford), 30, 33, 63; H. -H. Gilchnan (Patea), 30, 33, 03; W. Isaacs (Suburbs), 27, 35, 02; Pres. A. H. Guy (Kaponga), 27, 35, 62; Rflm. W. Oliver (N.P.), 29, 33, 02; each, 10s. Counted out: Rflm. M. J. Marsh (Liglewood), and C. H. Moore (New Plymouth). Tyros: Rflm. W. Seatown (Waverley), 32, 30, 02; C. Rumball (Urenui), 33, 20. 62; S. H. Wickstecd (Stratford), 30, 30, 60; A. Standisli (N.P.), 30, 30, 60: A. Harris (Suburbs), 30, 30, CO, each 10s; R. J. Williams (Wanganui). 32, 28, GO; 11. T. Hall (Inglewood), 26, S3, 59; H. Cochrane (Mere Mere), 27, 32, 50; A. Mackav (Stratford), 20, 30, 59; D. Hurley (Patea), 29, 30, 50.

TYRO 500 YARDS AGGREGATE. Silver Medal, presented by Major Sandford. Possible 70. Eflm. A. Harris (Suburbs) ........ 67 Rflm. H. T. Hall (Inglewood) 65 Rflin. K. J. Williams (Wanganui) 64 Rflin. N. A. Clung (Opunake) .... 64 Rflm. C. Rumball (Urenui) 04 SHORT RANGE AGGREGATE. Aggregate scores at five short ranges. Possible 175. W. K. Williams (Ohura), £3 ..-.-=■ 107 IT. Hunt (Suburbs), £2 .......... 105 C. Rumball (Urenui), 15s 161 R. C. Barkle (Suburbs), 15s ..... 161 A. B. Harrison (Kaponga),. 10s ... 100 J. D. Christian (Wanganui), 10s .. 160 THE GRAND AGGREGATES. With ten shots ab 1000 yards to complete the New Plymouth match, and seven shots at 000 and 1000 yards in the Stratford match, the leading aggregates, so far as could be obtained last night, show that there will be keen' competition for the championship. The position was as follows (possible, 260): — W. K. AVilliams (Ohura) .... 244 J, D. Christian (Wanganui) .. 243 R. C. Barkle (Suburbs) ....... 242 H.Hunt (Suburbs) 241 S. J. Mayhew (Lintftn) 240 A. B. Harrison (Kaponga) .. 230 J. Purnell (Wanganui) 230 C. Rumball (Urenui) 237 Pres. A. H. Guy (Kaponga) .. 237 Lieut. Atkinson (Auckland) .. 236 H. H. Gilshnan (Patea) 230 D. Roots (Patea) 236 W. Isaac (Suburbs) 235 A. Harris (Suburbs) • 235 W. Oliver (N.P.) 233 A. C. Watson (Auckland) .... 233 G. H. Taylor (Inglewood) .... 232 J. Smart (Suburbs) 232 Pres. Palmer (Patea) 232 H. M. Shrimpton (Mere Mere) 232 A. J. Gibbs (Patea) ■*...„..,. 232 TYROS. C. Rumball (Urenui) nrrv-.Tvvv 237 A. Harris (Suburbs) 235 A. Standish (N.P.) w. ."-....W 227 D. Hurley (Patea) H. Cochrane (Mere Mere) •.,■..- 223 W. Tate (Wanganui) »..',.... 221