NORTH WAIRARAPA RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3001, 25 September 1908, Page 5

NORTH WAIRARAPA RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

FIRST HANDICAP MEETING. A VERY SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. FAVOURABLE WEATHER EXPERIENCED. (Special Reporter). Officers.—Patron, Mr W. C. Buchanan; President, Mr A. W. Hogg; Vice-Presidents, Messrs H. G. Williams, W. J. Welch, J. Strang, J. O. Bidwell, A. P. Whatman, D. McGregor, G. 0. Summerell, J. D. Cruickshank, H. Holmes, R. Barrer, F. Hales, Hugh Morrison, Captain Robinson, Capt. McKillop; Executive Committee, Messrs J. McHattie, R. J. King. G. Hyde, > Hugh Perry, H. Evans, D. McCalmont, W. J. Welch, W. Winslade, W. J. Henry, F. Hood; Secretary, Mr N. Willoughby; Treasurer, Mr N. F. Willoghby; Range Officers, Messrs W. J. Welch, A. Matthews, N. F. Willoughby, J. 0. Bidwell, G. Hyde, W. Winslade; Trench officer, Mr H. Morton.

The Executive Committee and intending competitors at the inaugural meeting of the North Wairarapa Handicap Rifle Association were anxious about the weather indications on Wednesday evening. After a prolonged spell of fine weather a change came on Wednesday afternoon, a gusty southerly bringing up banks of storm jblouda, and rain squalls were frequent until late in the evening. By midnight, however, the weather had cleared, and frosty conditions prevailed until daybreak, when the sun rose in a promising sky. The gathering was eventually consummated in ideal weather from a meteorological standpoint. The heat was tempered by a mild breeze of varying direction, and not a drop of rain fell throughout the day, the clouds never even becoming threatening. The Fairview Range, on which the meeting ; was held, is situated in a very charming locality, the Tararua Ranges rising majestically in the far background, and a fine view of the northern plains 'of the valley being visible all round to rearward. The green pastures and budding crops gave the immediate surrounding an altogether bright and in-

vigorating aspect, and every competitor must have felt the steadying influence of his temporary environments. The shooting was timed to start at 7.30 a.m. sharp, and the range was early astir with officers of the Association, and punctual competitors. When the hour for shooting had arrived over sixty marksmen were gathered on the range, but it wa3 discovered that two of the marksmen engaged had failed to put in an appearance, and after a delay ol balf-an-hour two competitors generously volunteered to take their places, an offer readily accepted. The total number of competitors finally reached over seventy. The butts have been removed from the site where they were first located, and afe now more favourably situated as regards light. On the old range the setting sun glinted along the rifle barrel in a disconcerting fash- j ion, a difficulty now overcome. A feature of the range which was eminently up-to-date and satisfactory was the telephone service. The posts, for' this were erected last season by Working bees from the dubs, but It was used for the first time yesterday, and worked faultlessly. Competitors who found even the white area elusive were frequently tempted to speculate the shilling levied for challengep, and occasionally the expenditure wai |j justified. The marking was, nevertheless very efficient, and was the subject of favourable comment all hands. ; In fact the meeting went with a swing from the time the first shot was sent away, the only hitch b"ing that occasioned by the two defaulting markers. The Association entrusted the secretarial work for the day to Mr A. L Webster, of Greytown, Secretary of the Wairarapa Rifle Association, whose intimate knowledge of the conduct of meetings is well-known. Ho performed his duties admirably, and was congratulated by the Committee on the promptitude with which he had his results compiled, and the prize money distributed. Among the Committee and members themselves ,jt would be invidious to make comparisons, as one «wd all worked with enthusiasm to ensure success, which was achieved in every detail. The shooting taken right through was of a good standard, especially when the fact is taken into consideration that nearly all the competitors had not fired a shot previously this season. The onlv possible of the meeting was put on by a young Rifleman W. M. Kummer nf le Wharau Rifle Club, in • the Whaka-taki-Te Nui Match. His sighter was a four and after that he found the "bull" every time. At the 200 yards range (Gladstone Match) Rifleman Winslade (Opaki Rifle Club) i ut on the good score uf 34 off the

m ) handicap aggregate was 1 won \ "lifleman W. N. Kummer, after V -teresting shoot-off on account of m ?S -d-heat between himself and I*2r1 *2r an R. F. Wilton, of Maurice- !*#?* In the shoot-off—three shots l V srds -the winner scored 10 ' a * JJwl man Wilton 5. lantfßitti , m pionship aggregate was I Tlte eft man w . D. McCalmont, | won' by Mfc . üb| who we n deserved his !oflOpt»lHi(<ii o was roundly cheered. jwinvand.w4 din vanquishing the ,He succeed* champion by just one ' Now ffealamfl 2 1 to Rifleman Hyde's !point, scoring:; il2O- >at the redoubtablfi ) Te> Wharau> JU. , tette in the Teams' iOpaki'ttoi. HqulV nt - jMatfch, by sixcprti details of the : Following: - arse I shooting!:- H-Seven Shots IGIIADSTONES MMPJ, ~js , ! atc2oo)MtV omtnencement ; The light atUbW \ y 0 f a dull was7/ariahle,. but f imrct. -able nature, and not altogether fa Wttk ;] ec j ( niostly A 1 light'dHfty-Wind :e-'winnerd ifromthe' leiti tftw pTtti. - !were:~ , «. Hp. Tl. J:■Hi-Reid,.B*6atHi»Bt6W' 2 34 £2,' M- 4 34 Hi Kummer,.Opaki, 1 303' 30V o 34 W. Win-Blade? Opaki; £V M * 34 G. Blane,. OpakH; 3*2' 2 33 G. Hyde,.Oi)alrii.l&i 3&" 0 33 R. J. gfaft'.Opafcfy'.lWrf 3*< «0

A. Delhi, 10s 31 2 33 V. Vennell, Te Wharau, 10a 29 4 33 R. Graham, Opaki, 7s 6d 27 6 33 H. Devonport, Opaki, 7s 6d 28 5 33 F. Dorset, Gladstone, 7s 6d 30 3 33 F; Hood, Opaki, 7s 6d 31 2 33 Non-prize winners (over 30): —W. Feast, P. VTilti>n, D. Rashleigh, H. I Morlev, R. McGregor, D. McCalmont, V. Hill, 32 each; W. Tanlin, R. Vennell, D. McLeay, R. F. Wilton, Earl Vennell, 11. Perry, G. Rutherford, J. Herbert, J. McHattie, W. J. Welch, F. Wickens, 11. Evans, 31 each. WHAKATAKI-TINUI MATCH - Seven Shots at 500 Yards. The light here wa3 again in and out, and the wind tricky, necessitat- > ing frequent changes of line. Still, experienced shots were able to judge both conditions fairly comfortably, and useful scoring was not difficult. Prize-winners were: — Score. H. Tl. W. N. Kummer, Te Wharau, £2 35 0 35 S. McNabb, Opaki, £1 10s 33 1 34 A. Dahl, Dannevirke, £1 32 2 34 F. Dorset, Gladstone, 15s 31 3 34 F.Wilton, Mauriceville, 15s 32 1 33 J. McKenzie, Opaki, 10s 33 0 33 H. Williams, Featherston, 10s 32 1 33 H. Plimmer, Wellington, 10s 33 0 33 D. McCalmont, Opaki, 7s 6d " 33 0 33 G. Hyde, Opaki, 7s 6d 33 0 33 W. J. Feast, Opaki, ,' 7s 6d 33 0 33 N. F. Willoughby, Gladstone 7s 6d 32 0 32 Non-prize-winners over 30:—C. Hopkins, A. J. Cameron, R. McGregor, V. Hill, M. Mcintosh, W. Winslade, 82 each; R. Vennell, D. Mci eay, J. Dn%?„ J.\ Timer, G. Blane, 3. Evans, F. Wickens, 31 each.

A " Possible " at 500 yds.

5555555 —35. i Rifleman W. N. Hummer's Target

TE WHARAU MATCH—Siven Shots at 600 Yards,

The wind had died away when the competitors went oack to this range. The li *ht was rather dull and pat :hy.' Prize-winners - Scor*. H. Tl. C. Hopkins, Opaki, £2 27 5 32 J. Dagg, Opaki, £1 10s 28 4 32 H. Devonport, Opaki, £1 25 7 32 N. F. Willoujzhby, Gladstone, 15s 32 0 32 W. Kuramer, Te Wharau, 15s 29 2 31^ W. Bannister, Master- > ton Mounted Rifles, 10s 27 4 31 H. Perry, Masterton Rifles, 10s 28 3 31 J. Turner, Highland Rifles, 10s 31 0 31 V. Vennell, Te Wharau, 7s 6d 25 6 31 V. Hill, Opaki 7s 6d 27 4 31 R. F.'Wilton, Mauriceville, 7s 6d 29 2 31 A. M. Rose, 7s 6d 23 7 30 Counted oiit-D. McCalmont, W. J. Welch. G. Vennell, 30 each. Other high scores—R. Vennell, S. McNabb, G. Rutherford, A. Lewin, J. McHattie, F. Wickens, and H. Evans, 29 each. ALL-COMERS' HANDICAP (sweepstake.)— Highest aggregate in first three matches. Score. Hp.TI. W. Kommer, Te Wharau, £1 10s 93 3 96 F. Wilton, Mauriceveille, £1 92 3 95 V. Hill, Opaki, 15s 87 8 95 D. McCalmont, Opaki, ! 10s 94 'I H\ S. McNabb, 10s 88 5 93 F. Dorset, Gladstone, 10s 83 9 92 H. Djvonport, Opaki, 10s • . 75 17 92. H. Perry, Masterton. Rifles, i 85 7 92 R. McGregor, Opaki, 7s6d ' 87 5 92 W. J. Feast, ,Opaki, 7s 6d 92-92 Counted out—A. Deihl, 92. Non prize-winners, 90 and over.— R Vennell, Plimmer, F. Wickens. G.< Hvde, 91 each; D. Rashleigh, J. McKenzie, J. Turner, H. Morley, G. Blane, W.J. Welch, I W. Winslade, 90 each.

OPAKI MATCH—Seven Shots at 700 Yards. The wind was practically dead for the final shoot. An awkward change of light occurred towards the end of the match. Prizewinners:— Score. H. 11. F. Miller, Opaki, £2 26 4 .30 C. Bluet-, Mauricevi'.le, £llos 26 4 30 F W. H. Kummer. Mauricjville, £1 27 3 30 M. Mcintosh, Opaki, 15s 26 4 30 G. Rutherford, 15s 2G 4 30 S. McNabb, Opaki. 10a. 28 2 30 J. Rashleigh, [Eketahuna, 10s 30—30 A. Larsen, Mauriceville, 10s 26 4 30 R. F. Wilton, Mauriceville 7s 6d 27 3 30 J. McKenzic, Opaki, 7s Gd 30 H. Hodge, Gladstone, 7s 6d 23 .0 29 W. Bannister, Masterton Mounted Rifles, 7s 6d 23 6; 29 Counted out--G. Vennell, 29.

HANDICAP TEAMS MATCH—Five Men Aggregate Over the Four Matches. Prizes—£l 15s, £1 la and 14a. Te Wharau Rifle Club, First. R. Vennell 119 E. Vennell 111 vV. Kummer 125 G. Vennell 116 V. Vennell 120 Total 591

Opaki No. 1 Team, Second. G. Hyde 120 W. Winslade 119 W. J. Feast 120 ■ R. J. King 1,17 A. J. Cameron 109 Total 585 Opeki No. 2 Team, Third. W.J.Welch 113J. McKenzie 120 W. J. Henry 110 D. McCalmont 122 J. McLeay 107 Total 572 Other Scores. Opaki, No. 3 567 Mauriceville 560 Opaki, No. 4 558 Gladstone 553 HANDICAP GRAND AGGREGATE. Highest Aggregate Over Matches 1, 2, 3 and 4. First prize, gold medal; second prize, valuuble trophy; third prize, trophy. W. W. Kummer, Te Wharau (winner) 125 R. F. Wilton, Mauriceville 125 V. Hill, Eketahuna Mounted Riflss 124 S. McNabb 123 W. D. McCalmont 122 V. Vennell 120 G. Hyde 120 A. Deihl 120 J. McKenzie 120 D. Rashleigh 120 CHAMPIONSHIP AGGREGATE. Valuable trophy. To be won by competitor making highest aggregate off rifle in all matches. Entry, nil. W.D. McCalmont (winner) 121 G. Hyde 120 W.J. Feast 120 J. McKenzie 120 W. N. Kummer ' 119 R. F. Wilton 119

Mr D. McGregor, at the conclusion of the shooting, presented the medal won by Rifleman McCalmont (and donated by Mrs A. J. Cameron) to the winner. He congratulated Opaki Club on one of their members winning the championship medal. Mr McGregor said he hoped visiting A riflemen would extend continued hearty support to the young Association on account of the great assistance it would give to junior marksmen, who deserved all the encouragement that could be extended to them. (Hear! Hear!) Any suggestions made by outsiders would receive the utmost consideration, and it was far from the desire of the Opaki Club to monopolise the management. Hearty cheers were then given for the championship winner, the Opaki Rifle Club, the owners of the property on which the range is situated, and Mr D. McGregor. The shooting concluded well before the light failed, and those who expressed themselves as heartily pleased with the'smoothness of the management. A refreshment booth was erected on the range by Mr W. Wilkes, and it proved a great convenience.