MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1939, Page 8

MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING

AN INTERESTING SPORT. (Contributed). The season for indoor winter sports has again commenced, and for those who find the winter evening long and dreary, miniature rifle shooting has a genuine appeal. Miniature rifle-shoot-ing can provide a healthy form of recreation and interesting competition. Even those who previously may had never fired from a gun or rifle can under tuition quickly learn to become proficient and obtain the greatest amount of pleasure from it. That there is a distinct social side to this sport is evidenced by the large number of ladies who join up displaying enthusiasm for a clean sport, and one does not require physique or long weeks of strenuous training to obtain enjoyment from the sport. Parents can without hesitation allow their boys and girls to join the miniature rifle club for under efficient and responsible coaches the new-comers are immediately taught safety and care in the handling of firearms. It is well known that a boy from the time he has just learned to walk dearly loves to own and handle a gun, and it is far better for this lad to be given proper tuition in the early stages than for him to go out into the country with a gun without the proper knowledg of safety or care, and be a menace to himself and his comrades. Miniature rifle-shooting has no connection to military rifle shooting, and is looked upon as purely a sport for the cultivation of nerve and eyesight, and is not assisted or subsidised in any way, being solely self-supporting, and without thought of profit. There is no doubt that the miniature rifle club does provide a recruiting-ground for the bigger sphere of rifle-shooting, and many who-have met with success have claimed that the training secured on the miniature rifle range has materially assisted them in a close contest.. To the many who would like to shoot there is no reason why an early start should not be made. Everyone is made welcome and interesting competitions are run weekly and monthly with aggregates as well. Handicaps are given to the novice so that he may compete on even terms with members who have had more experience. Everything is done to’ make the new comer’s association with miniature rifle shooting a pleasant one. SEASON OPENED LAST NIGHT. > NEW MEMBERS SHOW PROMISE. The Masterton Club’-commeneed their season last evening when there was a good attendance of shooters. The first possible was scored by B. R. Jenkins, who was in good shooting form. Several new members fired and showed promise of becoming good shots. Next Thursday evening the club will continue their programme with a 10 shot practice and all interested are invited to come along. The following are the results:—B. R. Jenkins, 70; P. Russell, Hope Cross, D. P. Donald, H. Duckett, 69; H.’ K. Smith, J. W. Curtin, H. King, Mrs King, I. Sutherland, L. H. Carter, Miss E. Olliver, V. E. Donald, Miss Dixon, 68; H. V. Donald, L. Duckett., 66; Miss L. Renner, 64; R. V. Mason, 63; Miss J. Gray, Miss McPhee, 60; C. Gillon, 59; P. Martel, 56; Mrs Clayton, Mrs C. J. Curtin, 38';- Mrs Gillon, 35.