RIFLE SHOOTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9098, 26 May 1908, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING.

,'DAILY MAIL" CUP COMPETITION. FINE SCORE BY OPAKI.

Eighteen members of the Opaki Rifle Club journeyed to Papawai yesterday morning and shot for the London "Daily Mail" Cup. The weather was favourable for good shooting. The light was dull but even, and a light left wind was blowing. Major Tait and Captain Charters, of Greytown, acted as supervisors for the "Daily Mail." Shooting commenced at 9 o'clock, and with four targets in use, was completed by 12 o'clock. All the arrangements were complete for the shooting, and the markers carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner. The riflemen were in fine shooting form and put up a meritorious performance. The conditions attached to the competition are that the eight highest scores shall count for the Cup. The Opaki men averaged 97 out of 105 for the leading eight men.

IN OIHER PLACES. Received May 25, 10.25 a.m. SYDNEY, May .25. In the "Daily Mail" rifle competition for teams of eight, Bathurst, New South Wales, heads the list in this State with 792 points. Received May 25, 10.40 p.m. LONDON, May 25. In connection with the "Daily Mail" Cup competition the North London Rifle Club and Bathursi Civilian CltfA l are at present a tie for first place. AUCKLAND, May 25. The Auckland representatives fired for the "Daily Mail" Empire Day Cup competition to-day. The conditions were most unfavourable and the rain came across the range in squalls. Thtf men also had to contend with a fish tail wind. Their total score was 743. WELLINGTON, May 25. The Karori Rifle Club was engaged to-day in firing on the Polhill Gully Range for the "Daily Mail" Empire Challenge Cup. The light this morning was not too good, but later in the day it improved considerably, and was regarded as excellent when the 600 yards range was being fired. The leading scores were as follows: — J. Turner 97, H. Marshall 95, G. Halliday94, H. Bulford 93, C. Hodder, 93, W. Aston 93, W. E. Jackson 92. The total was 748. WANGANUI. May 25. Firing for the "Daily Mail" competition and Empire Challenge Shield, the Wanganui Rifle Association's highest eight put on a good score (766) on Saturday, gettirg within one point of the total which the winners of last year's match (Guernsey and Alderney) made. The scores were:—Captain Scott, 99; Private Head (Marton), 97; Sergeant Purnell, 96; Private Griffiths, 96; Corporal Anderson, 96; Pri.ate Smith (Palmerston), 94; Colour-Sergeant Harrison, 94; Private Handley, 94. Six of the men are members of the Wanganui Rifles. In the contest for the 100 guinea trophy the forty men averaged ever 89, which is considered an excellent shoot in face of the bad weather conditions, high gusty wind, and con-stantly-changing light. NELSON, May 25. The Nelson Rifle Association's team put up a score of 753. INVERCARGILL, May 25. The Southland Rifle Association registered 745 points for the eight men team.

The ''Mail" offered three prizes for competition by teams in all parts of the Empire. The prizes are:—A fiftjguinea cup to the rifle club which makes the best score in the United Kingdom. A fifty-guinea cup to the rifle club which makes the best score in any part of the Empire outside the United Kingdom. These cups will be won outright each year, and will remain the property of the clubs which win them. Furthermore, there is a hundred-guinea cup to go to the club making the best score in the whole Empire, this cup to be held for one year only, unless, of course, the tame club should win it two or more years running. The conditions are as follow:—Ranges—2oo, 500 and 600 yards—Rounds—One sighting shot at each range; seven scoring shots. Position—Bisley positions: standing, kneeling or prone. No I member can shoot for more than one I club.

The following are the eight highest scorers: 200 500 600 yds yds yds Tl W. J. Welch 33 32 34 99 J. Bairstow 33 34 33 99 W. J. Feist 35 32 32 99 W. J. Henry 32 32 33 97 J. Sutherland 32 34 31 97 A. J. Cameron 31 32 33 96 W. Spring °2 31 32 95 G. Hyde 34 27 33 94 776