RIFLE SHOOTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1919, Page 3

RIFLE SHOOTING.

SRENTHAM TOURNAMENT. KING WINS THE BEL®. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Trentham, March 15. The King's Prize was fired tins afternoon. The weather was fine hut dull, with smoke, haze and shifting clouds, while a choppy rear breeze played down tho range and cut some of the men's scores about. Franklin, of Napier, was the first to get a shot away, registering s bull. Crowds gathered round the leaders' targets, but interest soon began to centre in King, who got in a string of fives, and only got off the bull ou the fifth and last shots, which were 3 and 4 respectively. West, Merrilees and Hapiilton also got 4(3, and fired off with King for first place in range total, West winning by scoring 14 to King's 13. Morgan, L-ovedav and Jarvis also had to fire off for third place. The result was: Jarvis 19, I.oveday IS, Morgan 10.

The following is the result of the King's Prizd match score shown at this afternoon's shoots, being shown with the grand aggregate: Ballinger Belt, gold medal and gold badge, £23: R. J. King (Opaki); King's prize score, 40; aggregate, 445. Silver star arfd badge, £ls: W. H. West (Blenheim), 50, 431.

Silver star and badge, £ls. —N. R, Jarvis (Taradale), 45, 430. Silver star and badge, £l2: H. Loveday (Ohura), 3D, 430.

D.R.A. Badge, £s. W. J. Morgan (Akarana), 30, 430; P. C. Hamilton (Wanganui). 40, 428; Sergeant F. W. Citing (R.N.Z.A.), 43 , 427; S. Elliott (Akarana), 41, 425; Lieut. W. Hudson (Post and Telegraph), 44, 425; P. Morgan (Christchurch), 45, 425; H. 0. Day (Nelson), 43, 423; Pres. C. J. Nix; (Featherston)

D.R.A. Badge, £2.— R. H. Harris (Christchurch), 40, 423; N. A. Wilton (Mauriceville), 30, 423; G. Halliday (Karori), 32, 422; A. C. Crossan (Wanganui), 43, 410; A. Govenlock (Linton), 42, 418; Lieut. 11. IT. Donald (17th, Ruahine Regiment), 30, 418; H. N. Mawlev (Masterton), 41, 418; Pres. .1. (!. Cornes (Waihi), 37, 417; F. W. R, Kiimmer (Opaki), 45, 410; W. J. Mcllvride (I'etop.e), 43. 418; Gunner A. NT. Duthie (N.Z.CU.), 42, 416; C. Hadfield (Blenheim), 43, 416; ,T. Franklin (Petane), 37, 415.

£1: S. McNabb (Dannevtrke), 44, 414; Major A. J. Merrielecs (oth Hanviiki Regt.), 40. 414; Lieut. A. Henderson (Reserve Officers), 39, 414; D. B. Mackersev (Ist W. 1.8.), 44, 413; Pres. A. W. Cheal (Te Kuiti), 39, 413; J. Steenson (Onmnrn). 40. 413; T. H. Carter (Nelson). 42, 413; D. Roots (Patea), 41, 412; J. L. Milrov (Nelson), 41, 412; \V. J. Povntor (Blenheim), 43, 412. Counted out: Major J. Searle (North Otago Regiment). BELT WINNER'S ACHIEVEMENTS.

R. J. King, the belt winner, is a native of Wairarapa, 43 years old. He began shooting in 1900 with tlie North Waira rapa C'hib (now known as Opaki). In 1002 lie competed at Trcntharn, gaining ninth place in the King's Prize. In the following year he won Ihe btflt, and in 1004 was a member of the New Zealand team that went to liNlev and won the Kolapore Cup. He has shot at successive D.R.A. meetings since, and in 1914 was twentieth in the list for the King's Prize. He has won various district rifle championship?, and is also good with the sporting , on one occasion tying with .J. "White at Napier for the live bird championship, bnt was beaten in the shoot off.

CHAMPION TEAMS MATCH.

The champion teams match, of five men, each having- seven shots at 300, 500 and (iOO yards, was fired tliis morning. Result: Blenheim (B. J. Cooke, W. H. West. C. Hadlield, Mackay, and J. W. Pavnter), District Challenge Shield and £! .I, 437. Old Navals (Wellington), £lO, 436. Christchurch, £B, 435; Nelson, £O, 433; Karori, £5, 427; Hawera, £3, 428; Linton, £3, 425. Wanganui was counted out. AGGREGATE GOLD MEDAL. The grand aggregate gold medal was won by W, J. Morgan (5G9), R. J. King (502) being ronnfer-up. CORRECTION. Trentham, March 15. The result of the rifle club championship team match, for the Colonial Ammunition Company's silver shield, should have been: Opaki (1865) 1, Blenheim (1837) 2, Karori No. 1 (1835), 3. THE PRIZE-GIVING. There was a fair attendance of the general public at the prize-giving ceremony held immediately after the conclusion of the shooting. The champion (Rifleman King), as is customary, was "chaired"' from the 800 yards mound to the rotunda. Among those present were Sir James Allen, General Robin, Colonel Gibbon and Colonel Collins, chief executive .officer.

Colonel Collins said the success of the meeting should be attributed firstly to the good weather, secondly to the arrangements made by Major MeCristell and staff, and thirdly to the loyal cooperation of the competitors, Speaking of the national importance of rifle shooting, Colonel Collins said lie hoped arrangements would be made in the Dominion for an annual group district, and finally New Zealand championship meetings. In reference to the new service rifle used at the meeting, he said competitors had put up with it, but they hoped in future the best possible weapon might- be secured. He also drew the. attention of Sir James Allen to the need for an increase in the ammunition issue over the present 150 rounds supplied, also that an additional issue should be available at a reduced price. Sir James Allen said he believed rifle shooting should be encouraged, not only to produce good shots, but also because he observed that riflemen, to be successful, had to keep themselves fit. He was not in a position to say whether the rifle used at the meeting was the best that could be produced, but, if not, he hoped the Imperial authorities would remedy any defects. They wanted the best rifle. They did not want any enemy to have a better, and he promised to consider the request for increased ammunitin. He congratulated Colonel Collins on the success of the meeting. The Minister's grand-daughter, a little girl, invested Rifleman King with the championship belt, amid cheers. General Robin presented Rifleman King with the rifle which lie had used throughout the meeting. He intimated that the New Zealand authorities would be glad to send suggestions from any rifleman in reference to improvements to the service weapon to the responsible Imperial authorities. The other prizes were presented, and the 1919 D.R.A. meeting ended.