< PreviousT H E R I F L E M A N . FKBIiUAKY, 1018. (3) the aim must be taken by looking through the aper ture at the target, bringing the tip of the foresight in line with the centre of the lowest part. If recruits have had no previous instruction in aiming with the Service rifle it should not be necessary to lay any special emphasis on this particular rule, as it will be found that with practice the eye will naturally centre the foresight in the aperture ; on the other hand, if the lads have been accustomed to centre the blade of the foresight between the shoulders of the U of the S.M.I^. E. backsight, it is generally advisable to caution them that they must not endeavour to bring the blade into the centre of the aperture or the aperture into focus, as it were. It is, however, generally c o n c e d e d t h a t e v e r y i n s t r u c t o r s h o u l d c o a c h m e n assiduously until complete satisfaction is obtained, and be also guided by that principle that a fault should never be taught or demonstrated until it is apparent. It is an excellent idea to mark or chalk a diagram of the correct aim upon the ground in front of the class. The diagram should be a large one—in fact, it cannot be too large— but on no account should a representation of the aperture appear; a huge foresight blade with a monster "bull" balanced on its tip is quite sufficient. So much for the lecture side of instruction. Now for the practical portion. It is the (.ustom when teaching the regulation aim with the Service weapon to align the sights by taking an aim with the right eye about one inch behind the heel of the butt, the head being steadied by the hands, the weight of the head and shoulders being supported b\' the sandbag and tripod, thus enabling the man to focus sights and mark correctly. Now as the paramount object to be obtained when aperture-sight aiming is being taught is to place the backsight com pletely out of focus another method must be adopted. The aiming eye must be brought as close ;o the aperture as possible, consistent, of course, with the position of the head when the rifle is being aimed and the charge fired. To do this the instructor places the rifle in the spring clips of the aiming rest and adjusts the aim clamp fairly tight, and, with a full measure of support provided by sandbag and tripod, lays an aim while his cheek is resting lightly against the butt of the rifle, his right eye being about one inch behind the small of the butt, his left hand steadying his head and his right being free to adjust the rifle. The class or squad view the aim thei'- instructor has laid, comparing it with the illustration, exercising considerable care not to disturb the rifle. The men now lay an aim in turn, each being coached and corrected until complete satisfaction is obtained. It is at this point that the instructor must be untiring in his efforts to produce good results, otherwise the Standard Tests of Elementary Training which are taken later will be a series of dismal failures. .\.ll the sub-branches of aiming are taught with the P.'14 rifle, such as aiming off for wind and mo\ ement, rapidity of aim, or snap-shooting, but as the recruit has generally a fair knowledge of these various exercises be.lore his instruction with the new weapon is commenced little difficulty is experienced before a good grip of the facts are obtained, while as regards snap-shooting the advantages of the aperture sight are so pronounced that immediate success is obtained and excellent results achieved on the range later. It would not be amiss to briefly describe how the -Standard Test of ,\iming is taken. The test is known as the " Triangle of Error," by which it is possible to d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r a m a n c a n a i m c o r r e c t l y a n d a l s o consistently. To a recruit there is an element of e)-e- strain engendered, so this .Standard Test is regarded solely as a test, and not an exercise to be practised Irequently. The rifle is supported and a tripod and sandbag pro\ided, as in the first aiming lesson, but a well-lighted hall or corridor will be found to be more convenient than the barrack square or parade area, be cause it is essential that the man to be tested is undis turbed by atmospherical conditions ; moreover, the bull's- eye target is substituted by a sheet of white paper or card securely tacked to a wall at about five feet above the groundline and at 10 yards from the m'uzzle of the rifle. It is also essential that the distance of 10 yards should be kept, so that a quick calculation may be made at any range. For example, an error of one inch ;it 10 yards would represent an error of 4ft. ains. at 500 yards, due to an incorrect aim alone; thus the shot fired would miss the target. It is during this test that that useful little and simple contrivance, the aiming disc, becomes indispensable—in fact, it is a vadc mecum in evei-y respect. The disc is white and about ilsin. across, having a hole in its centre, round which is printed a black bull's-eye iin. in diameter; it has also a wire handle about Sins, long soldered to it, while the other end is bent in the form of a .square so as to enable the super numerary instructor or intelligent fatigue man to obtain a firm grip. The latter stands by and places the disc flat upon the paper, thus providing a mark for the in- stiuctor, who lays a correct aim, the position of the A Tr e m e n d o u s A d v a n c e i n Musketry Training. The Parker-Hale .303 cum .22in. Cartridge System -a ■ . H r i t i s h P a t . ^ T o . I l O r i S I .Hnt. Kegel. Design No. 658750. French Kegd. De.sign No. 0012. Other Patents pending. A means by which Target practices, botli slow and rapid can be carried out on the Miniature Range exactly as on the .303 Range. NOTHING Lacking Except the Recoil. At present particulars can only he sent to C.O's and Musketry Office rs. A . G . PA R K E R & C O . , L t d . . B i s l e y W o r k s , Whittall Street, Birmingham. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK159 •centre of the " bull " ijeing marked with a sharp pencil through the hole of the disc. The man to be tested " proves "'the :iim to be correct, whereupon the super numerary removes the disc and the ritle made securely aligned bv the clamp of the rest being tightened. The •disc is then replaced upon the paper somewhere near the •original jDosition to be mo\ ed at the direction of the man •who is aiming until he is satislied that he has obtained the correct aim. .-V mark through the centre of the bull " is then made, and the man repeats the process twice more. The three points are then joined up, a triangle being seen if the aim has been inconsistent and inaccurate. This is no doubt a very interesting exercise, and it ■c l e a r l y d e m o n s t r a t e s t h e f a u l t s o f t h e t i r e r. I f h e h a s brought the sides of the ajjerture into focus and has -endea\oured to centre the blade in the aperture, the triangle will show the longest side horizontally. If he has brought the aperture into focus and regarded it as a ring and endeavoured to place the tip of the blade midway between the top and bottom of it, the longest side of Ihe triangle will be practicallv perpendicular. A man, in his test, may, of course, combine both errors, while it must be remembered that a great proportion of errors arc generally altributcd to the fact that the man's (To be head was not stead v. To pass the test no side of the triangle must be more than one-third of an inch in length, nor should the centre of the triangle be more than one-third of an inch away from the instructor s point of aim. The simplicity of aperture-sight aiming has been demonstrated on many occasions, one incident in par ticular being brought to my notice. .-V party of 125 lads were tested, out of whom only three tailed, while in manv cases it was almost impossible to show the diagram of a triangle because the lads' three aiming points co\ ered the instructor's point of aim. LO.VDIXG .AND FIRING. Mow to charge the magazine and how to " unload " the ritle is generally taught in the subject of " Mechanism," but the methods are invariably again demonstrated when the tire positions are taught. Xo radical changes have been introduced with this exception, that the magazine platform must be depressed after the ejection of the last dummy drill cartridge, so that the bolt ma\- be pushed home. There is, however, notwith standing the wider " grip " of the ritle, a tendency to grasp the weapon with the left hand just in front of the trigger-guard and so lose that necessary balance which assists to an enormous extent the speed in rapiti fire. continued.) -o- N A T I O N A L T E A M C H A M P I O N S H I P , 1 9 1 8 . Conditions : One team of six from any Club in the United Kingdom affiliated to the S.M.R.C. Ten shots per man deliberate at 25 yards. S.M.R.C. match targets. Any rifles and sights. DRA W FOR FIRST ROUND. 1. 2. 3- -t- 5- •6. 7- 8. 9' 10. 13- 14. 15- 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. .2 1. 22. 23- .24. 25- 26. -27. 28. -29- Bolckow X'auglian &: Co. v. Heston. .Alexandra Palace v . Gar .swcod Hall Collieries. Waring (.iillow (Lancaster) v. Chesterlield. Harrodian v. C Co. 3rd Leicester. Upper 'Footing Church Institute v. Midland Railway. Derby. L.P..S. Headtitiarlers v. Clitheroe N.K. Kdnionton v. Grimsby Corporation. Mitchain V. .Sis.sons (Hull). Meigle and District v. 'Fibshelf. Perth City and County v. G.E.R. Mechanics' Institute. Brighton and Hove Imperial v. Hxdcpark (.Glasgow). P Division Melropolitan Police v. i.uton and District. Ham and Petersham v. .Shanklin. .Stourbridge v. Renlield. B u r y V . H u m b e r . .Addiscombe v. Coventry Chain Works. Ealing V. G.E.R., Liverpool Street. K Division West Ham Police v. Ellen.gowa.i. Mention \'. Chorley . Upper .Mills v. .Sundridge Park Golf Club. Wallsend and .Xeplune v. Lancasler. .Monmouth ;md District \-. Ehley .Mills. Hrmdon and Cricklewood v. (Whey. Borough of Porlsmotilh v. Erilh. P e e k E r e . i n . \ l h l e l i c v . N o r t o n . .A Co. 4th Lincolnshire v. .A|)pleton. X.E.R., A'ork v. Bicesti.'r Town and District. Nottingham Troop Boy Scouts v. t douct-ster Civil Service. Kc'iisiiigton V. R.N. Barrticks, Devon|)ort. 30. Sperryn .Athletic v. West Ham N.R. 31. Prestwich atid District v. West Hartlepool. 32. Brincliffe and I-icclesall v. Dorchester and District. 33. Finchley .Specittl Constabulary v. Hull City Police. 34. Brancepeth v. .Southg.'ite arid District. 35. Lee V. Htimnietstnilh Iron AA'orks. 3(1. Chettm V. Rotherhani's (Cov.mtry). 37- Gloticester City v. .Associated hiquiptiynt Co. 38. Garston v. Granville Cantidian. 3 0 - R u s t o t t B o i l e r Wo r k s v. D e v o n p o r t . 40. .Maidenhead and District v. Lydgate. 4 t . C i t y o f L o n d o n N . R . v. B a r r o x y. 42. No. 3 Platoon B Co. 2nd Cornxvall v. Bootlc. 43- Grreli atid District x'. Croxlev Green. 4 4 - . l - . A . P. V. C h e r x v e l l . 43- Innerleithen ttnd District v. Leistoti P.'ttriotic. 4(r. Pitsmoor x'. .Arcadia. 47. Witlthitmstoxv hinsign v. Grimsby Central. 4S. St. Faith's, Brentford v. .M.-tltoti. 4 ' J L e x - e n a t i d D i s t r i c t v. 5 t h N . R . A ' . R . .AO- Royal Marines, Chafhatn v. L'rmslon. 31- AA'ellingore v. Reading. 32. -Stoke Nexvingtoti N.R. v. Cripplegate. 3 3 H a r r i n g t o n v. B o u l t o n & P a u l ( N o r x v i c h ) . 34. Dental Mechanic.al Cetitre v. .A Co. 3th AA'arxvirk.shirc V.R. 33. AA'imble.doti Park v. .A Div. AUtro. Specittl Constabttlary. 3(>- .Metropolit.'in (Birttiinghtitii) v. .Atltts. 37. Boroitgh of AA'atitlsxvorlh v. Matichrster Mttni-dpal Cfticers. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK160 T H E R I F L E M A N . Fkeiu-AKV, 1018. ZERO. B v A k e r i m a n . " WHAT does "flip" mean? And "jump"? What does it matter, anyhow ? These and many others similar are common enough ques tions in a rifle club. The average rifleman is rather hazy about them. It is interesting, and perhaps a little useful, to know something of them. The rifle is a wonderful and mysterious instrument —the more one knows of it the more is one convinced of this. There are many questions to be taken into account in trying to decide how any particular rifle is going to shoot, and where the shot will go. To start with, everyone knows, or should know, that a cartiidge consists of three main parts—the bullet, the charge, and the detonator. The " detonator," in the case of a centre-fire cartridge, consists of a circular " cap " of copper, in the centre of the cartridge base, containing fulminate of mercury. In the rim-fire cart ridge {e.g., the .22 R.F.) the fulminate is placed inside the rim of the case. In either case this detonator is exploded by the striker, forced by the action mainspring, hitting the cap or rim and crushing the fulminate, which immediately explodes. The flash from this little ex plosion, passing forward through the flash-holes or cartridge case, causes the explosion of the main charge within. This main charge, of powder or cordite or what- j ever it may be, will only explode when flashed—not when struck. Hence the necessity for the detonator Now here we have a possible cause of variation in shooting at once. To be properly " detonated," the main charge must be reached by a flash of a certain fixed heat or intensity, according to its nature ; and to ensure this the striker must have something solid against which to crush the detonating substance. In the centre-fire (C.F.) cartridge this is provided by the " anvil," fixed in the cartridge case. In the R.F. cartridge it is pro vided by the part of the barrel-breech or extractor against which the striker comes. Any defect in cither of these " anvils " at once causes irregular combustion and erratic shooting—because the flip and jump are altered from shot to shot, as we shall see. Now when the charge explodes, the gases formed develop a very high pressure in all directions. The barrel refuses to move in the transverse plane—i.e., refuses to burst, because it is strong enough not to. Something has to go, and either the bullet might remain and the barrel be pushed back, or the barrel remain and the bullet go forward, or both. What actually happens is both. The Laws of Motion say, amongst other things, that " Action and Reaction are equal and opposite." That is to say, if you put your back against a wall and your foot against a packing case and shove, the tendency of the wall to go backward is exactlv the same as that of the box to go forward—the pressure in either direction is the same (omitting, please, oh learned mathematicians, the precise effects of friction and vector direction on the resultant), and both will move. In fact if we neglect friction and the hold of the wall on the ground—imagine both wall and box suspended in space say—the mass of the wall multiplied by its velocity will be exactly equal to the mass of the box multiplied by its velocity, in the same units of measurement. And naturally, as the wall is the greater mass—the stronger vessel, as it were—the box moves the quicker. Also—the bullet moves the quicker. But, like the wall, the barrel—and the whole rifle—moves also. So does the shoulder of the rifleman. (Oh, no, I am not talking about recoil. That comes much later.) Very well, the bullet moves forward—a light mass at a very high velocity. The rifle and man move back —a hea\y mass at a much lower velocity. This is jump. ' \ es, simply that almost imperceptible move ment backwards of the rifle—and man—at the moment ol the explosion; this is " jump." \\ hen the bullet has travelled along the barrel and left It, and the gases have escaped, the air tushes back into the bore and causes that backward kick which is pilled recoil. But this happens long after the jump has happened and done its work and been forgot ten. Recoil IS a matter ol hundredths of a second after prcs.sing the trigger, and does not do anything at all but bruise the shoulder ol the recruit, jump is a^matter of thousandths, mid governs the shooting of the rifle—a case of the lesser being the vastly more important ! I spoke ol the rifle—and the man—mo\ing " back ward." But the rifle does not move all together, or exactly backward. Unfortunately, the Laws of Motion are not so beautifully simple'tas that in their working out. I he rifle is a number of separate parts, bv no means rigidly (in the scientific sense) joined together. Also, thev are irregular in shape and weight, and most of the weight is below the eentre-line of the bore along; which the thrust takes place, d he greater part of the weight requires more moving than the lesser—that is, the lower part docs not move so quickly. In other words, the rifle tends to rotate in a backward direction about the centre of gravity of its weight, (dot that?) Also, the drop of the stock to the firer's shoulder puts the resistance ol that shoulder also beneath the line of thrust, which increases and complicates the tendency to rotme. And all this in a minute fraction of an instant— while the powder gas is forming. If the gun is to rotate, backwards, what must the muzzle do? Go upwards, of course. Does it want to? No—of course not. It requires some time for the weight at that end to gcH into motion; its " inertia " has to be o\ei come first. I he rear part of the barrel, meanwhile, can't wait. It has to get on with the job, under the urgent orders of that explosive pressure urging it back wards and the drag of the weight holding it down. So what happens is that Ihe barrel hcnd.s. \\ot one bend, but a series of bends all along—a wave of bends, like a ripple along the steel, as one gets by holding the end of a rope, or a fishing rod, and sharply jerking it upwards and back. Only, of course, in the case' of the steel barrel the wave is \-ery small and \-ery quick, and im- perceptible to the eye. Not to the camera, though, or the scientist s vibration-counter. And bv no means so to the bullet, which has to travel along the wa\ v barrel. This wave—this vibration—is " Flip."' And meanwhile, suppose the shoulder of the firer pi esses harder on the stock—or is altogether removed? But probably the reader's head is beginning to ache f Let us, b\' the kindness of our Editor, "consider that, and other things arising, " in our next." WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKFl-EIU-AllY. i'.)18. T H E R I F L E M A N . IGl B U R R O U G H E S A N D W A T T S C H A L L E N G E C U P COMPETITION. L •AST smmnci , when Messrs. Bni rou^hes ;mcl Wntts pre.sentccl tlie Society wilii ;i handsome Chailenoe Trophy lor annual competition amongst small-bore rille'men. it was decided .by the Council that the competition should be open to all its aStiialed clubs throughout the I'nited Kingdom, and that the shooting conctiliotlSj sboulo be difleient Irom those oi any ol tlie c.xisting compelitions. When drafting these conditions i t w a s c o n s i d e r e d t h a i , a s i n c o n sequence of the war a large proportion of the country clubs are temporarily disbanded, while those still in e.Nistence have had their meinl)eiship depleted to a v e r y g r e a t c . v t e n t , t h e n u m b e r o f c o n n pflitors jp. eacli team sljould be limited to {r/ur ; but that (o avoid the possibility of innumerable ties each competitor should shoot two targets. That these conditions appealed to rillemen is evident, as a most satisfactory entry of J/.s teams was received. The shooting commenced in October last year, and, in addition to a prelimin ary, extended over six rounds before the Grimsby Central and Perth City and County Kifle Clubs' teams quaiilied to s h o o t i n t h e fi n a l . A s a n a t u r a l c o n s e quence in a knock-out competition, many of the strongest and most favoured t e a m s w e r e b e a t e n i n v a r i o u s r o u n d s owing to being drawn against eacb o t h e r, b u t t h e t w o t i n a l i s t s t h o r o u g h l y justified their position by most consistent shooting throughout the whole event. Unfortunately, owing to the long distance which separated the teams, and t h e h eavy rai lw ay ra te s a t pr es ent operating, it was found impossible to arrange for a shoulder-to-sboulder final, a n d t h e t w o t e a m s t h e r e f o r e s h o t t h e i r targets on their respective home ranges in the presence of the AssistantSecretary— Grimsby Central on Thursday, February 7th, and Perth County on Saturday, February t^lh, the result being that the former secured a decisive victory by 15 points. The full scores are given below. B o t h t e a m s s h o t u n d e r e x c e l l e n t c o n ditions, and the scores returned are the usual average for a final, although one competitor in the one case and two in the o t h e r s u f f e r e d r a t h e r b a d l y f r o m n e r v e strain. In addition to the detailed scores of the final loiiud we publish below the scores of each of the finalists for each round, and it,will be apparent to all rillemen tbat Mr. B. Hardy, Grimsby Central team, lias put up throughout the competition a performance which probably constitutes a record for U consecutive match targets. His total ol 1,380 avera,ges 99.00 per target, and was made up of five scores ol " J00, five of 99, three of 98. and one of 9/, N O T I C E T O : : n CLUB SECRETARIES. The Socictij of Miniature Rifis CAubs has no local agents. All comniunications should be addressed direct to:—The Secretary, Arundel House, .irundel Street, London, W.C.2. RESUL T OF SE.Ml-FINAL Grimsby Central .\ Team 7S4 heat Shanklin 774 by 10. J. W. Grant ... 100 99 199 C. F.. Aloorm.an ... 99 99 1981 B . H a r d v t o o 0 7 1 9 7 C . R a y n e r . . . 9 7 9 7 1 9 4 - T . W . ( ' i i l l . . . 9 8 9 9 1 9 7 F . V e i f 9 ( ) 9 0 1 9 2 ' . \ . K . G r a v . . . 0 4 9 7 1 9 1 M . S i l s b i u y . . . 9 6 9 4 1 9 0 Perth City and County 777 J. Shankland ... 98 98 19O' E . M a c G r e g o r ' . . . 9 S 9 8 1 9 6 ' W. S o m m e r v i l l e . . . 9 8 9 5 1 9 3 j. Band 97 95 19c Ih'iit Brancepeth 774 by 3. G. Shaw ... ••• 99 99 198; \ V. S w a i n e . . . o S l O o i q S I P. X. Chi,sholm ... 93 9^ fpr G . . M i d d l e m i s s . . . 9 0 9 7 RESUL T OF FINAL. I. The Cup, four Silver .Medals, and US- Grim.sby Central. W. G r a n t . . . t o o 9 8 1 9 8 ' B . H a r d v . . . 0 9 9 9 ' 9 8 T. W . G i l l . . . 9 8 9 8 1 9 9 - A . E . G r . a v . . . 9 7 9 1 ' 8 8 ' Four Bronze Medals and £ Perth City and Count; Lewis MacGregor 96 100 J. Band 98 98 W. E . S o m m e r v i l l e 9 4 9 4 L S h a n k l a n d . . . 9 - 9 . 1 781. 4- ipfr 190- iS8- 185 705 Shai P T h e B f t t u o i ' t i H E s A N D W a t t s C h a i i . t t x c i u T n o i ' u v . B. Hardv T. W . G i l l . A . K . G i a v . .1. W. Graiit 11 . 0 . C o w l e \ lanklin (knocked out in senn-nnal,. a s a b o v e ) . £ ~ Brancepeth (knocked out in semi-final as above) Devonport (knocked out in fifth r o u n d ) £ ■ ' Uiv. Metro. Police (knocked out in f i f t h r o u n d ) £ T Huuibcr (knocked out in filth round) £i Lee .A Team (knocke.l out m tittlr r o u n d ) £ 1 ^ Detailed Scores of Finalists in each Round. G k i m s h v C k n t k a c - 3rd 4tb 198 198 198 19.1 196 1st 198 196 194 2nd 199 196 198 198 19.S 197 5th 198 192 183 196 '94 188 j B . i i u l L, .MacGregor 1, Shankland ... W. S o n n n e r v i l l e 7 0 J / t - " / / - / ' ; ^ Average per shoot, 781.28. P i c u T H C i t y a n d C o u n t y. 192 191 771 779 784 7_8o 71 Avera^i^e per slioot, 6th7tb 197 198 ,. . 1386' 197 196 .. • 1.370 19' 188 .. . 1 3 4 9 ' 199 198 .. . 7 8 6 . 5 7 8 784 780 .. • 5469- 102 196 .. . 1 3 7 1 196 196 .. . 1366' 106 [85 .. • 1351 193 188 .. • 13.50 777 765 . .. .5438 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N . F E i i n u A U Y , 1 9 1 8 NOTES AND COMMENTS. It has been decided to run the Queen's Cup Coinpetition .as usual this year, and full particulars of the conditions are enclosed in this issue. It is desired to emphasise the fact that 20 certificates are issued to the leading competi tors in each county in the first stage of the competilion, and It IS therefore well worth the while of every rifleman .to enter. During the past few years insufficient entries have been received in some counties even to qualify 20 competitors for the certificates. Entries close on April 2nd, but it is hoped that as m:iny as possible will be forwarded well in advance of that date, as earlv entries are a great convenience in regard to the despatch of the necessary targets. * * * With reference to the result of the Cadet Winter Com petition given on page 139 of last month's issue, it is regretted that owing to a clerical error the score of the Bisley Farm School wais given as 401 instead of the correct figure of 501, and this, of course, places the team high in the list, viz., 13th instead of 6ist. We very much regret the mistake, and tender our apologies to the team in question, whose performance is a very creditable one, J t - - x - * It is very unfortunate that the sixth round of the B.S.A. Competition should have been entirely spoilt owing to the weather conditions which prevailed throughout the country at the time the matches were shot off. Out of the eight teams competing no less than six shot on op.en- air ranges, and one of those shooting indoors suffered very badly owing to their artificial light on the day of the shoot being only at half pressure. The Stourliridge team was the only one of the eight which did iiseli ci edit, as five teams with open ranges were compelled to shoot their targets in heavy rain or snowy whilst Shankliii Platoon, C Coy., ist l.O.W. V.R. had the worst luck of any. A thick sea mist prevailed at the time of their shoot, which absolutely prevented the competitors having even a remote chance of gaining the victory over their opponents. * * * Ax extremely fine entiy has been received for this year's Mackworth Praed Competition for Volunteer Kegiments, the number being 344, well in advance of lak vear's total. Some units have byes in the first round, the draw .for which is given on page 163. A feature of the entries is the large number of units who have not previously taken part in our Volunteer comyietitions. * * * A cO-MTICTTITox has receiitlv been run open to N.C.O.'s and men of the 1st Battalion Cornwall Volunteer Regi ment, in which both Sergeant Taylor (Penzance) and •Corporal Harvey (Truro) made possibles. We ha\e had the opportunity of inspecting Sergeant Taylor's tie targets, :and only regret that we are not in a position to reproduce ihe ligure target, which was one of the most perfect wm have seen. The conditions w'ere five shots at a target wdth lin. bull and live at the ist class figure target, 23 yards = 5oo, open sights. * - X - PAK'iTCt'i,.A.RS of the Cadet Spring Competition are given on page 155 of this issue, and we are pleased to be able to augment the jirize list on this occasion. In all 4000 rounds of ammunition and 12 medals will be awarded, and the first four teams will appear in the prize list instead of the first three as formerly. Some very good shooting was put up in the last competition, and w^e anticipate that the forthcoming contest will be very keen. ■ X - - x - - x - Extries for the National Team Championship for 1918 have come up to expectations, the number being 121 against 123 last year. There are a large number of matches in the first round, which must be completed by February 17th, but 7 clubs have received byes and will pass into the second round. * * We have recently received details of the highly satis factory wmrk done during 1917 by several clubs, aiid full particulars as to these will be found in the Club Reports columns. Practically all the reports show a balance on the right side, and in the existing circumstances this re- liecls the greatest credit on the officials concerned. In addition to those clubs which have been shooting regularly during the year, the Ilford Electric Rifle Club rej-iorts that in spite of the usual activities being almost at a standstill owing to the depletion of membership, the financial position is good, and there is every prospect of excellent work being done in the future. ^ WEST LONDON LEAGUE OF RIFLE CLUBS R E S U LT S A N D P O S I T I O N O F C L U B S T O FEBRUAR Y grii, 1918. Matches.A rrtrreir'te N a m e s o f t ' l i i h s . Pilot.Wo n . Lost. Ur'tvn. pts. Scores. Av e r a g e Boro' of W andsworth ,,. f) .5 110 .1471 578,5 Kensington 75 2 ■ — 1 0 4074 582 Grosvenor 75 2 — 1 0 4070 581.4 Hammersmith IronW'ks 7.5 2 — 1 0 4064580,5 Wimbledon Park 6 4 2 — 8 3484580.6 ' " B " D i v i s i o n M e t , P o l i c e 6 42 — 8 3478 579-6 Harrodian 7 4 — 8 4017 573-8 H e n d o n & C r i c k l e w o o d f) 2 4 — 4 3371 561,8 Chiswick 6 2 4 — 4 3398566.3 " X " Div. Special Const, () 2 4—, 4 3163 527-1 L,G.O.C. "B" 7 I 6 — 2 3870 552-6 "A" h -6 .1,314552.3 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKi'ElilU'AUV, I'.Mb. X7 T H E M A C K W O R T H P R A E D C H A L L E N G E C U P FOR VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS, 1918. Conditions : Teams of eight from any Company or smaller unit of Volunteer Regiments affiliated to the Central Association of Volunteer Regiments or the S.M.R.C. Ten shots per man deliberate at 25 yards on the S.M.R.C. double target with 2in. black and 1 in. carton. Open sights, no apertures, no orthoptic spectacles, no shngs. DRA W FOR FIRST ROUND. 10. 11 . 12. 13- i.|. 15- 16. iS. ICJ. 20. 21. 22. 23- 24- 28. 21). 30. 31- 32- 33- 34- 35 36- 37- 3S. 39- 40 41- 42. 43- 44- O'o be coitipleicd .\ Co. lliinls .\ Team v. Xo. 3 flat. A Co. — Suircy. C Co. i;ist Cuinbcrlancl v. 1> Co. (Crcsuell Ciiil) 4th Derbys. D Co. (Kiiutsfoicl Ball.) 61b Cheshire .A Team v B Co. yih Keiil. U Co. 1st tJcibys V. tJ Co. 3rd Hants. Eltham Co. iitii Ivcnt v. fatron fiat, l-" Co. ist KirUctidbriaht. .A Co. (14011611121011) ii)tli I^oiidon v. C Co. iilli W'.R.A'.R. D Co. 41I1 Suriollc V. Brentwood flat. 14 Co. 1 end Essex, t) Co. (tvniilsford Batt.) 6th Cliosliire B 'J'eaiii v. No. 10 IMat. C Co. I St Ixirkciidbriglit. Navciiby S: Wellingore flat. 2nd Lanes v. No. 3 flat. B Co. 2nd Cornwall. •A Co. i^tli County of l.ondon v. No. b flat. 14 Co. 2nd N.I4. C Co. 3rd .Sorrev v. No. 12 flat. C ("o. 2rid Cornwall. A Co. 1st City of .Mierdcen v. .A Co. 2; ist LanarUs 14 Team. D Co. 171I1 t.ondon v. D Co. i/ist Cmiiberland .\ Team. B Co. 13111 Comily of l.ondon v. .A Co. i ist i.L'icesiers. No. 15 flat. I) Co. 1st I.incs v. 14 Co. 2nd Lines O Team. .A Co. 141I1 County of l.ondon v. 14 Co. 2/2116 lissex B C o . 2 n d \ A " a r w i c k s Te a m v. . A l e l k s l i a n i I . 4 e t . i s i W i l t s A 'foam. No. 1 Co. l.ondon .\rniy Troops Co. v. 14 Co. 2/titli County of London. Ilfraeonibe flat. 3rd 14evon v. B Co. 3rd Notts. E Co. 5tli Cheshire B Team v. .A Co. 1st Beds. C Co. ()tli Kent -A Team v. Workington I4ct. 2, 1st Cuniherland. C Co. 3tli Surrey v. B Co. pth .Sussex .A Team. C Co. 1 11 til County of London v. 14 Co. 4tli County of I o n d o n . 14 Co. 51I1 N.R.V.R. V. A Co. Hunts B Team. Co. (Kiiuislord Ball.) 6th Cheshire v. 14 Co. 1st Staffs. Woolwieh flat. 17th London -V Team v. Stralford-un-.Avon 14et. 2nd W arwieks. No. 2 flat. A Co. ist Lines v. 14 Co. 6th Norfolk. •A Co. (Cowcs) I.0.4\'. V. 14 Co. 4th Middlesex. R e d r u t h fl a t . 1 4 C o . 1 s t C o r n w a l l v. . A C o . ( T h i r s k ) 1 3 r d N.R.V .R. Cardiff .Se|uadron (ilaiii. Motor A'ols. v. 14 Co. inth London. A Co. nth W.R.V.R. v. C Co. 2'3rd East A'orks Team. •A Co. isi 4Aults V. .A Co. 3rd Clamorgan. C Co. 5th N.R.V.R. V. Sliotls Co. 2 1st Lanarks A Co. 1 Tith Countv of London v. 14 Co. 4th County of London. Wroxham flat. .A Co. 4th Norfolk v. Welleshouriic 14et. E Co. 2nd W arwieks. B Co. 2/1 nil County of London v. 14 Co 1st Surrey. 74 Co 4tli Countv of London v. No. 4 flat. .A Co. ist Kirk- cudhright. A Co. 2/31-6 Ifast A'orks C Team v. C Co. 13th County of London. Birchington 14et. 14 Co. 4th Kent v. Nos. 1 and 2 flats. (Castle Douglas) ist Kirkcudbright. A Co, ist Northants v. D Co. 14th Countv of London. D C o . l y i h W. R . A L R . V. B C o . i / i s t N . R . V. R . D C o . 6 t h K e n t v . A C o . i s t B e r k s C T e a m . A Co. 15th W.R.V.R. V. A Co. 3rd Lines. C Co. 9th Kent B Team v. C Co. 12th AA'.R.A'.R. FcbriKiry 241/1.) No. 9 flat. C Co. 1st Kirkeudhright v. Co. 3rd City of Glasgow. B Co. 215th Lanes B Team v. 14 Co. 13th County of London. Stourport Co. ist Worcs v. C Co. ist Suftolk. C Co. 4th Lanes v. .A Co. 5lh Devon. 1 4 C o . 2 n d L i n e s A Te a m v . . A C o . 2 1 1 6 B e d s . D Co. 3rd Gloucesters v. .A Co. 2/2116 Essex. E Co. 2/ist Cite of Ediiihurgli B Team v. H-.-adouai tors Co^ 2iid Middlesex. E Co. 1st Hants v. E Co. 5th Cheshire .A Team. E Co. 15th County of London v. 14 Co. ist North;ints. No. II flat. E Co. ist Kirkcudbright v. B Co. ist Sussex. B Co. 1 ist Leieestershire v. C Co. 2 3rd .N.R.A .R. B C o . i s t f e e h l e s h i r e v . . A C o . 2 1 s t L a n a r k s T e a m . 14 Co. 5th -Surrev v. Rhonehouse h'ectioii No. 4 flat. .\ Co. ist Kirkcudbright. No. 5 flat. B Co. 2nd N.R.A" R. v. .A Co. 2nd Durliam. -15- 46. 47 48. 49. 50- .44- 5o' 56. 5«- 59- (10 62. 63- 114. 65- ()6. 67. 68. 6i). 70. 7'- 7~- 73- 74- 75- 76. 79- 50. 51. 82. S3- 8a. S5- 86. 87. 88. No. 10 flat. 2nd Derbys A leam v. .A Co. isl .Morayshire .A Te a m . 14 Co. ()th .Sussex B Tetiiii v. No. 5 flat. B Co 1st Kirkcud bright. No. 4 flat. .A Co. 6ih Suffolk v. 14 Co. i/ist Cumberland B- Te a m . No. 2 Co. London .Army Troops Cos. v. D Co. 3rd Notts. 14 Co. 1st Denbighshire v. .A (Scottish) Co. 6th City of London .A T eam. C Co. (Knutsford Ball.) 6th Cheshire .A Team v. C Co. 2nd Beds. 1'" Co. 15th Counly of London .A Team v. C Co. 1st Derbys.- 14 Co. 3rd Hants v. .A Co. 2nd Lines B Team. C Co. 9th Sussex .A Team v. Llangollen Unit C Co. ist Den- bighshire. Erimley and Caniberley flat. 7th Surrey v. .A Co. 131!! County of London. .A Co. 4lh Lines v. 14 Co. 4th N.R.A'.R. .A Co. 2/316 East A'orks .A 'Eeaiii v. C Co. 5lh Cheshire. B Co. 3rd AA'arwicks v. 14 Co. 416 AA'.R.A'.R. .A Co. 7th Surrey v. .A Co. 3rd Norfolk. •A Co. 3rd AA'arwicks v. No. 3 Co. 3rd Bristol. . A C o . 2 n d L i n e s . A Te a m v. . A l h e r s t o n e C o . 2 n d A A ' a r w i c k s - -A Co. 17th County of London v. .A Co. 3rd Notts. .A Co. 7lh Sussex v. .Ambleside flat, ist AA'cstnioreland. C C o . i s t I . O . A A ' . V. A C o . 2 n d D e v o n s h i r e . C Co. 1st Devon v. C Co. 5lh City of London. B Co. (Knutsford Batt.) 6tii Cheshire -A Team v Bellingham Co. 4ih Northumberland. 14 Co. 5lh Derbys v. .A Co. loth County of London. D Co. 9lh Sussex A Team v. No. 5 Plat B Co. 6th Lanes. C Co. 2/1 ith County of London v. 14 Co. 2nd Lines C Team. B Co. ist Cilv of .-Aberdeen v. No. 4 Plat. D Co. ist Lines. E Co. 5th Cheshire v. B Co. 3rd' Lines. 14 Co. 20th County of London v. New Galloway flat. F Co, 1st Kirkcudbright. B Co. ist AA'ilts V. D Co. 14th AA'.R.V.R A Co. 2/316 East A'orks E 'Team v. B Co. 7th AA'.R.A'.R. . A C o . i s t B e r k s A T e a m v . A C o . i s t S u f f o l k . I f y o u h a v e a n y d i f fi c u l t y i n o b t a i n i n g T H E R I F L E M A N , A copy can be sent each month direct from the offices of the S.M.R.C. P o s t f r e e 2 s . p e r a n n u m . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N . F , : b , « A , . V , 1 9 1 S . C L U B R E P O R T S . County Palntme of Lancaster (Small Bore) Rifle Associa tion This .Association has just -completed another year of great activity, and the following are -extracts from the Report sub mitted at the annual general meeting held on January 26th at t h e To w n H a l l , M a n c h e s t e r ; — The Council regret that during the year many clubs affiliated to the .Association have had to close down owing to the calling t o t h e C o l . o u r s o f t h e i r m e m bers, who will now have an opportunity of putting to prac tical use the training they have received in miniature rifle shoot ing. .As a consequence there is a d e c r e a s e i n t h e n u m b e r o f a f fi l i a t e d c l u b s , t h e n u m b e r o n December 31st, 1917, being 61, against 86 on December 31st, 1916. The Council have met during the year on several occasions, and have dealt with malters appertaining to the welfare of the .Association and the minia ture rifle movement in general. T h e S u b - C o m m i t t e e s w h i c h h a v e been appointed for the purpose of carrying out special duties have, by their energy, largely- c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e s u c c e s s o f t h e w o r k o f t h e . A s s o c i a t i o n . O w i n g t o t h e c r i s i s i n w h i c h the Empire is now involved, the C o u n c i l d i d n o t t h i n k i t a d v i s able to hold the usual annual prize meeting, but were enabled to promote several postal com petitions, each of which were successful and competed for with much interest, despite the m a n y d i f fi c u l t i e s u n d e r w h i c h clubs are working. T h e fi r s t o f t h e s e w a s a L e a g u e C o m p e t i t i o n , f o r w h i c h 2 9 t e a m s e n t e r e d . T h e s e w e r e d i v i d e d i n t o l o u r d i v i s i o n s , a n d prizes were awarded by the As s o c i a t i o n t o t h e w i n n e r s o f e a c h D i v i s i o n . T h e r e s u l t s w e r e a s follow :— Division I. F. W . L . D . P . Garswood Hall C o l l i e r i e s . . . 6 4 1 1 g L a n c a s t e r R i fl e Club ... 6 4 I I 9 ( B e i n g a t i e , t h e s e C l u b s fi r e d o f f f o r t h e t o p p o s i t i o n , t h e f o r m e r w i n n i n g w i t h a s c o r e o f 393 against 390.) Division If. F. W. L. D. P. L . & X . W. R l y. , Lir'crpool ... 66 0012 Rochdale R.C.. 6 5 I010 Division III. F. W. L.D. P. Blackburn H o r n b y . . . 6 .3 I010 Garswood Hall . C o l l i e r i e s " . A " 6 4 II 9 Division IV F. W . L . D . P . Horwich Rly. Institute "... 7700 14 B u r n l e y C a l e d o n i a n s . . . 7 6 1 o 1 2 Prizes of 5s. each, kindly presented by .Mr. J. H. Pdmond- son. were awarded to the indi v i d u a l m e m b e r s w h o m a d e t h e highest aggregate scores in each Division, and thuse were won by the following Sergt. \V. Blen- kinsop, Southport .\ational Re serves, 595 ; Mr. J. K. Evans, L. & N.Vy. Railway, Liverpool, .3971 ^Ir-- C. Ridgway, Garswood Hall Collieries ".A" 'I'eam, 579 ; S e r g t . W . . M i l l s , O l d h a m C o . 15th I3ait. r.-ancashire V.R., 666. In the Competition for the .Shield presented by Mr. Percy J. Hibbert, and prizes presented by the -\ssociation, 16 teams t o o k p . - i r t . T h e L a n c a s t e r R . C . were die winners for die second year in succos.iion, with a score in the final tie of 394, cut of a possible 600. Garston R.C. were second, with a score of .381. .Silver .Spoons, for die highest aggregate score in each round, were won bv Mr. J. R. Evans, L. tt X.W. Railwav, Liverpool; .Mr. A. G. Dvson, Manchester .Municipal Oflicers ; and .Mr. Ii. j. Hirst Rochdale R.C. The A'olunteer Competition for the Colonel Johnson Cup and prizes presented by the Associa tion produced an entry of 14 teams. 1 he 3rd Batt. Lanca shire V.R (Prestwicli) won the Cup for the second year in suc cession, with a score of 1,157. 'I'he 7th Batt. I-ancashire V.R. (Warrington) were second, with '>Li3- Individual prizes were won by:—I, Pte. A. G. Grubb, loth Batt. Lancashire V.R., 199; 2, Lieut. R. C. Murrav, ytli Batt., 197; 3, Sergt. C. P. Sales, 5th Batt., 196. (Highest liossible score, 200.) In the Competition for the Shield presented by the Societv of .Miniature Rifle Clubs, and prizes presented by the Associa tion, 14 clubs entered. Padihaiii R.C. were the winners, with a score of 1,157; Garston were second, with 1,151. Individual prizes were won by Mrs. Barnes (Prestwicli R.C.), Messrs. A. Causey and .A. Goulding, 195 each ; Messrs. J. Carnegie (Gar ston R.C.), T . Butterwortli ( M a n c h e s t e r C i t y R . C . ) , a n d Tdeut. R. C. Murray (4111 Batt. T-ancashire V.R.), 194 each. In the Individual (Competition for the Silver Cup presented by- Mr. R. H. Edniondson, and prizes presented by the Associa t i o n , l o i m e m b e r s e n t e r e d . T h e Cup and Gold Medal were won b y A i r. J . W. S c h b fi e l d ( S o u t h - |iO'-t .\.R.J, with a score of 396, out of a po.Bsible 400. Ollier l i r i z e w i i i n e r s w e r e M r . R . . S . Close (Rochdale), 594, and Mr. H. I'.tchells (Manchester M.O.), 393- In June a match was arranged between teams representing the West London League anil the ( oiiiily League. The teams con sisted of 20 men, 15 scores to count. '1 he County team won by II points, their score being against the West London League sccre of 1,467. The Council again desire to e x p r e s s t h e i r g r i i t i t u d e t o t h e President, f-ife Vice-Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and donors who continue to support the .Associa tion in its work, and without whose aid ilie Association would be unable to carry- out its work so successfully, 'riiey are grati fied with the way the afliliated clubs have loyally supported the .yssociation. despite the difficul ties they are at present encoun tering, and trust they will con tinue to do .so. . S u g g e s t i o n s f r o i i i a f fi l i a t e d clubs that would in any way tend to 'iicrease the interest or add to the utility of the .Associa tion are always welcomed. The Council are satisfied that afliliated clubs continue to per form a useful work during the p r e s e n t w a r c r i s i s . R a n g e s a r e thrown open and instruction given in the use of the rifle wherever required. Members who are eligible for active ser vice with the Colours are giving the value of their experience as niu.sketry instructors, serving as special constables, and training with the Xkilunteer Corps. Enfield R.C. I he Report of the above Club for the period October i, 1916, to December 31, 1917, is a re cord of the continuation and amplification of the fine work w h i c h i t h a s c a r r i e d o u t e v e r since the beginning of the war, and all concerned .are to be con gratulated on the success which h a s a t t e n d e d t h e i r e f f o r t s . I t i s staled that :— .Since the outbreak of the war the Club has given a complete course of i>reliminary training in m u s k e t r y t o f o u r b a t t a l i o n s o f the \ew .Armies, one battalion of AUlunteers. the flight officers of the R.N'..A.-S., besides constant instruction and practice to some t h o u s a n d s o f r e c r u i t s a n d c i v i l i a n s , m o s t o f t h e l a t t e r o f whom are now serving in the R e g u l a r A r m y. I n a l l t h e r e have been some 37,000 attend ances at the two ranges during the war period, anti approxi m a t e l y 8 5 0 , 0 0 0 r o u n d s o f r i fl e ammunition have been fired. . \ ! 1 C l u b c o m p e t i t i o n s h a v e been suspended since the out b r e a k o f w a r, a n d , a s f a r a s c;in be ascertained by the Com m i t t e e , n o o t h e r m i n i a t u r e r i fl e did) in the kingdom is devoting itself exclusively to work of such an entirely national ch.-iracter. The most im|iortant work car- rii-d on during the period under review h.-is been the preliminary- t r a i n i n g i n m u s k e t r y o f fl i g h t o f fi c e r s o f t h e R . \ . . A . S . , w h i c h w a s c o m m e n c e d i n X o v e m b e r , 1 9 1 5 . . S h o r t a g e o f l a b o u r a n d the diminishing number of those who previously were able to help on the range have necessitated m a n y i m p r o v e m e n t s , a n d t h e provision of labour-saving de vices, which have facilitated the working of the range and added t o i t s e f fi c i e n c y i n a m a r k e d degree. The disapjiearing tar g e t s h a v e b e e n e n t i r e l y r e c o n structed on an improved prin ciple, being now easily and satis f a c t o r i l y w o r k e d b y o n e m a n . E a r l y i n 1 9 1 7 t h e E x e c u t i v e Committee decided, if possible, to add to the course of instruc tion then in vogue shooting at moving targets. The great diffi c u l t y w a s t o d e s i g n t a r g e t s which would give ticcommodation f o r a t e a m o f 1 2 t o s h o o t s i m u l taneously, this being necessary to enable the shooting to be completed each day in the limited lime at the disposal of the R.X.A.S. Experimental targets were first constructed by Air. Blatherwick, and after having been tested on several occasions were approved by- the Executive Committee and the officers in charge of the air men. Air . Rydori suggested some valuable practical irnprove- ments, and the Committee a u t h o r i s e d h i m t o c o n s t r u c t t h e s e targets on permanent lines. After considerable difficulties, owing to wind pressure and other causes. A i r . R y d o n s u c c e s s f u l l y c o m p l e t e d t h e i r c o n s t r u c t i o n , a n d t h e y h a v e s i n c e w o r k e d w e l l u n d e r a l l c o n d i t i o n s o f w i n d a n d weather . T h e s e m o v i n g t a r g e t s h a v e , since February, 1917, been in daily use, and have been of the greatest service, especiallv to the R.X..A.S. They conclusively- de- monst!-atcd that with sufficient practice men can be trained to shoot accurately at an object in m o t i o n . I n p r o o f o f t h i s a n a v e r a g e h a s b e e n t a k e n o f t h e first si;-; shoots of 50 airmen, with the following results :— On the slaliotiary targets the average score of the sixth shoot showed an improvement on that of the first shoot of 26 per cent. On the moving targets an im provement of 41 per cent. This in spite of the fact, shown by WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK]''i:HRr.\KV, 165 the MiKilvjis, th:u in the inilial shoot the score on the moving targets is 2p per cent, less than t h a t o n t h e s t a t i o n a r y t a r g e t s . T h e a n a l y s i s f u r t h e r s h o w s a progrc.ssive improvement^ the difference on the sixth shoot be tween fixed and moving targets b e i n g r e d u c e d t o o n l y l o p e r cent. A s f u r t h e r e v i d e n c e o f t h e benefit of adeciuate practice on moving targets, 55 airmen during the l.ast six months have made on these targets scores varying from So to 92 per cent, out of a possible too. The firing shelter, butts, and all plant have been maintained in a thoroughly efficient state of repair, and many improvements, in addition to those before men tioned, have been devised and carried out by Mr. Rydon. The road bridge ove'- the stream has been rebuilt. N e w r e v o l v e r b u t t s , o n i m proved lines, and a covered firing point were erected in January, 1917, with the assistance of squads kindiv sent from the local Air St.ation. These butts a r e u s e d b y R . N . A . S . fl i g h t officers under their own instruc tors. The books show that 149,200 rounds of ammunition have been fired at Slades Tdill and iS,ooo rounds at the Drill Hall during the period under review. In addition lo this, 11,040 rounds o f r e v o l v e r a m m u n i t i o n w e r e fired at Slades Hill. The bulk of rifle and all revolver ammuni tion fired by the R.N.A.S. has been supplied by the Admiralty. The Club, however, continues to supply rifles, targets, and all other accessories out of its funds. A Sne.fial Class of Instruction on military lines has been in augurated for bovs approaching militarv age, with good results. The Committee regret to record, however, that the attendances at t h i s C l a s s h a v e b e e n s m a l l e r than were anticipated, but hope in the future to see increasing numbers avail themselves of this excellent opportunity of learning to shoot. T h e D r i l l H a l l R a n g e i s n o w reserved exclusively for the use of the local Company of the 1st B a t t a l i o n M i d d l e s e x V o l u n t e e r Regiment, except on Saturday mornings, when the Enfield G r a m m a r S c h o o l C a d e t C o r p s receives shooting instruction from Sergeant - Instructor R. I^- Lodge, as previously. On this range the attendances have num bered about 790. The Committee again express their sincere appreciation of the valuable worlc done throughout the vear bv Sergeant-Instructor R. B. Lodge on both ranges. They have pleasure in recording that in March. 1917, Mr- Lodge t o o k t h e H v t h e C o u r s e o f Musketry at Bisley and passed a s a i s l C l a s s I n s t r u c t o r . T h e C l u b m u s t c o n s i d e r i t s e l f f o r t u nate in retaining the services of a n i n s t r u c t o r o f . s u c h p r o v e d ability." I ' h o a b o v e e x t r a c t s t ' r o m t h e C o m m i t t e e ' s R e p o r t w i l l e n a b l e some pstim.ate to be formed of t h e m a n i f o l d a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e Club, and it is to be hoped that f u n d s i n p l e n t y w i l l b e f o r t h c o m i n g t o e n a b l e " h e m t o c o n t i n u e t h e i r w o r k . Borough of W andsworth R.C. T h e f o l l o w i n g I s t h e R e p o r t f o r 1 9 1 7 o f t h e B o r o u g h o f Wa n d s w o r t h R . C . ; — " The Club desire to express t h e i r d e e p a p p r e c i a t i o n o f t h e facilities afforded to them by the Borough Council. Without their aid the Club could not have done t h e u s e f u l a n d p a t r i o t i c w o r k i t h a s d o n e d u r i n g t h e n a t i o n a l crisis. The Committee hope to have a flourishing Club awaiting the r e t u r n o f t h o s e m e m b e r s w h o arc serving with His Majesty's Forces ; over 250 are serving, a n d a l l o f t h e s e m e m b e r s h a d a useful knowledge of the rifle before joining up. Some of these members have put their special knowledge of the rifle at t h e c o u n t r v ' s d i s p o s a l , a n d a r e a c t i n g a s M u s k e t r v I n s t r u c t o r s ; these include Messrs. H. J. Burt, W. G . W e l l s . C . W i l t s h i r e , J . F. F l e m i n g , a n d . \ . . A . R o b i n son. The main object of the Club— to produce a skilful, patriotic, and sportsmanlike body of rifle s h o t s — h a s a g a i n b e e n r e a l i s e d during the year. .Although with so many mem b e r s s e r v i n g , t h e r e c e i p t s a r e more than in the previous year, d u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t m a n y i n fl u e n t i a l a n d p a t r i o t i c r e s i d e n t s h a v e g e n e r o u s l y c o n t r i b u t e d t o w a r d s t h e f u n d s o f t h e C l u b ; t h e t h a n k s o f t h e w h o l e m e m b e r s a r e h e r e w i t h t e n d e r e d f o r their much-esteemed patronage, which the Committee hope the Club will long continue to enjoy. T h e C l u b i s f o r t u n a t e i n h a v i n g H i s W o r s h i p t h e M a y o r of AA'andsworth (Aid. Archibald D . D a w n a y, J . P. ) a s P r e s i d e n t . T h e w h o l e m e t r o p o l i s s t a n d s under deep obligation to His AVorship for furthering so ad m i r a b l y t h e m i n i a t u r e r i fl e shooting movement, and it is felt that whilst the Mayor holds the p r e m i e r o f fi c e t h e s u c c e s s f u l f u t u r e o f t h e C l u b i s a s s u r e d . T h e C l u b b e a r s t h e B o r o u g h ' s n a m e , a n d r a n k s a m o n g s t t h e p r e m i e r i n s t i t u t i o n s o f i t s k i n d in the United Kingdom. .Some two or three years ago it was decided to erect a covering o n t h e o u t d o o r fi r i n g p o i n t , t o enable shooting to take place during inclement weather. This much-needed improvement has again had 10 be placed in abey- ] ance owing to the war. T h e b a l a n c e - s h e e t s h o w s a bank balance of ,£f3S 3s. Sd. ; this amount (.-md more) will be n e e d e d f o r t h e j m r p o s e o f r e n o v a t i n g t h e i n d o o r r a n g e , t h e roof of which is very dilapidated. The total expenditure in re- r o o fi . i g t h e i n d o o r r a n g e a n d ereclin.g a covering at the out d o o r fi r i n g p o i n t w i l l e n t a i l a n outlay something like ;£rioo. Donations towards defraying this e x p e n s e w o u l d b e g r e a t l y a p preciated. The principal prize-winners were :— " C l u b C h a m p i o n " G o l d M e d a l (kindiv presented by Mr. D. Ker- nohan, M.D.).—AAunner, Mr. H. J . M a r t i n , w h o r e c e i v e s g o l d medal ; 2nd, Mr. J. Goodall, who receives silve- medal ; 3rd, Mr. C . R . C o e n , w h o r e c e i v e s b r o n z e medal. " James Wise " Trophy (pre s e n t e d b y t h e l a t e A i d . J a m e s Wise).—AA'inner, Mr. J. Butler, w h o r e c e i v e s g o l d m e d a l a n d holds Trophy for one year ; 2nd, Mr . .A. E. Cooke, who receives s i l v e r m e d a l ; 3 r d , A i r. F. H a r - v c r s o n , w h o r e c e i v e s b r o n z e medal. " f - o r d e n " C h a l l e n g e C u p (kindly presented by .Aid. J. W. i.orden, J.P.).—AA'inner, Mr. T. .Allen, who receives gold medal (also iire.sented by .Aid. Lorden) a n d a l s o h o l d s Tr o p h y f o r o n e year ; 2nd, Mr. F. flarverson, who receives silver medal ; 3rd, Mr . J. Butler , who receives bronze medal. T h e " D a i l y Te l e g r a p h " C e r tificate was won by Mr. F. Har- verson. T h e " D a i l v M a i l " C e r t i fi c a t e was won by Mr. J. Goodall. T h e " D a i l y E x p r e s s " M e d a l was won by Mr. J. Goodall. T h e " B e l l " A l e d a l w a s w o n by Mr. J. Goodall. The " Donegal " Badge was w o n b y M r. H . J . M a r t i n . T h e " L a d i e s " M e d a l w a s won by Mrs. E. Johnson. The " Monthly Trophy " (pre s e n t e d b y t h e C l u b , t o b e c o m e the sole property of the member winning it three times) has been w o n o u t r i g h t b y M r s . E . J o h n son. Messrs. E. H. Bailey, A. AA'ells, E. G. Holmes, and F. Harverson each held two wins to their record, and Messrs. G. F. B o o t h , P. G o u l d , J . G o o d a l l , and H. Gould one each. The " Special Prize " (for w h i c h M r . H . J . R o b e r t s a n d H i s A A ' o r s h i p t h e M a y o r ( A i d . Archibald D. Dawnay , J.P ., kindiv presented the cash) was w o n b y M r. E . H . B a i l e y ; 1 , 4 other competitors each received prizes. All Cups and Trophies belong ing to the Club, or in the Club's possession, are insured by the C l u b . a g a i n s t fi r e o r b u r g l a r y through the .S.M.R.C. j T h e C o m m i t t e e s t r o n g l y a d v i s e every member to join the Society o f M i n i a t u r e R i fl e C l u b s a s a n " I n d i v i d u a l M e m b e r . " T h e o u t l a y i s o n l y i s . p e r a n n u m , and the advantages are many. T h e t h a n k s o f t h e w h o l e o f t h e m e m b e r s a r e d u e t o t h e .Secretary and .Assistant Secre tary, Captain, and A'ice-Captain (pro lem.) for the way in which they have carried out their many duties. Projectile R.C. The first half of a shoulder-to- shoulder match, consisting of S e c t i o n s . A a n d B , h a s t a k e n p l a c e w i t h t h e G r o s v e n o r R . C . on their range, resulting in two p o i n t s a g a i n s t u s , w i t h a n a v e r a g e o f 9 0 . 4 . T h i s i s v e r y good for a first attempt, and has g r e a t p r o m i s e f o r t h e f u t u r e matches, a_ series cf which will b e h e l d . T h e d e t a i l s a r e a s f o l low ;— S l t C T I O X . A . G r o s v e n o r C l u b . . . 5 4 2 Projectile Club ■... 524 Section B. G r o s v e n o r C l u b . . . 6 7 1 Projectile Club ... 651 The Rifle Club Section has proved most successful from the first general meeting at which t h e O f fi c e r s a n d C o m m i t t e e w e r e elected. Air. J. .A. Boggis being selected Captain and Mr. Ben AA'oodger A'ice-Captain. T h e C l u b h a s b e e n a b l e t o obtain the use of some excellent ranges, and having got well a w a y a n d g o o d a t t e n d a n c e s being made, a .Spoon Competi tion was arranged ; during Octo b e r a n d N o v e m b e r t h e t h r e e w i n n e r s w e r e M e s s r s . L e w i s , Good and Davis, and the Club w i l l n o w , f r o m t i m e t o t i m e , arrange matches. T h e C l u b i s a f t i l i a t e d t o t h e S.M.R.C., and a co'mpetition has b e e n a r r a n g e d f o r t h e m e d a l s and certificates ; competitors are r e m i n d e d t h a t t h e i r n a m e a n d r h e m e d a l f o r w h i c h t h e y a r e firing must be written on the card. The ladies, too have taken a keen interest, and they w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y m a k e g o o d s h o t s . S e v e r a l r i fl e s h a v e b e e n purchased, to which others have b e e n a d d e d , a n d m e m b e r s w i l l also be able to take advantage o f a n a r r a n g e m e n t b y w h i c h they will be able to obtain their o w n r i fl e s . M r . L e w i s a n d M r . G o o d h a v e k i n d l y c o n s e n t e d t o a c t a s R a n g e O f fi c e r s o n t h e opposite shifts. The Committee meet in the Canteen on Monday evenings, when the notice of same is given. The Captain is presenting a small shield lo the member making the first possible highest score in competitions. On Sunday, November 11 last, the Projectiie R.C. met on the Earlsfield Range, when two ■Spoon Competitions were held. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N . uu(j being lor lady members, an extremely pleasant and cheerful shoot ensuing in fine weather. Tw i c k e n h a m R . C r, L t d . The annual general mceling was held on January 30th, when Mr. J. H. Tyrell took the chair. The Report shows that 31,550 r o u n d s o f a m m u n i t i o n w e r e fi r e d during the year, the major por tion during the summer months, when full advantage could be taken of the outdoor range. A good reserve had been maintained. The balance in hand In cash a n d a m m u n i t i o n a m o u n t s t o ;£.76 17s. 5d., an increase of ;£,5 2S. I id. The membership of t h e C l u b h a s b e e n w e l l s u s t a i n e d in spite of the fact that a large n u m b e r h a v e j o i n e d H . . M . Forces. fi l e f o l l o w i n g i s a l i s t o f t h e certificates, medals, and prizes gained during the past year :— faj Scratch Shooting. Club Championship Gold Medal.—H. F . Pimm. B a l f o u r G o l d M e d a l . — I f . F . Pimm. Bell Medal.—H. 1'. Pimm. Donegal Badge.—H. !•'. Pimm. S . M . R . C . M e d a l . — H . F . Pimm. ■■ Daily Express " Medal.—H. I'. Pimm. ■■ D a i l v M a i l " C e r t i f i c a t e . — H. F . Pimm. " Daily Telegraph " Certifi cate.—H. F . Pimm. (.bj Handicap Shooting. " Wo o d h a m " C u p , — i , H . F " . Pimm; 2, S. J. Raggett. ■■-Messom " Isowl.—i, W". El- dridge ; 2, F\ Cook; 3, C. Haw kins. ■■ W a t k i n s " C u p . — i , F . Chambers; 2, \V. Devonshire, Senr. -,3, H. I-". Pimm. ' B u c k n i l l " C u p . — i , S . J . Raggett; 2, Miss Chambers ; 3, H. F . Pimm. " B r a n d o n " C u p . — i , J . Cooper; 2, W . Devonshire, .Senr . " . \ l e . x a n d e r " C u p . — i , H . F. Pimm ; 2, Miss Chambers. " Massd " Cup (I^adies). — i, Mrs. Freemantle ; 2, Miss Cham bers. (c) ■'ipoon Shoots Handicap. 5 0 y t u d s . — H . 1 - ' . P i m m ( 2 ) , F. BonfielJ, W. .Shephard. 25 vards.—W. Shephard (2), H . F. P i m m ( 4 J , F. \ ^ • . S a r - goant (2), I-". Isonfield, S. J. Raggett, R. P. Stoneham, J. Hall. G.E.R. (Liverpool Street) R.C. .\ very satisfactory Report for the year ended October 31st, 1 1 ) 1 7 , i s s u e d f o r c o n s i d t T. i - tion at the third annual general mceling on January 28th. The .statement of accounts s h o w s a f a i r b a l a n c e i n h a n d , a n d t h e a s s e t s i n c l u d e a g o o d reserve of ammunition. The Club has .at the pic.senl time a total mcmbershi[j of 320, I of whom yj are hon. members, 215 take an active interest in the Club (including 21 hidy niem- bersj, and 75 are at present serving with the Colours. The best' thanks of the Club a r e d u e t o t h e c h i e f o l l i c e r s o f the Company for their continued s u p p o r t ; a l s o f o r t h e m a t c h r i l l e and two pistols which they so k i n d l y p r e s e n t e d t o t h e C l u b , 'ihe use of this rille in competi tions has. greatly assisted toward the winning of matclies. .Mem bers are making satisfactory progress in pistol practice under the instrucfion of Mr . W . H. Barnes. The Club has taken [)arl in 3b team competitions against other clubs, 26 of which were won, 7 were lost, and 3 resulted in a t i e . T h e l a d y m e m b e r s h a v e also shot in four m.atches, two of which were won and two lost. The Directors' Cup has this year b e e n w o n b y a m e m b e r o f t h e C l u b , M r. H . L a w ( Tr a l T j c D e p a r t m e n t ) b e i n g t h e s u c c e s s f u l competitor. 'Fhe Vice-Captain (Mr. E. C. M i l l s ) h a s a l s o a c t e d a s H o n . Armourer, and kept the guns In perfect repair, thereby assisting the members to attain a degree of accuracy which is highly gratifying. 'i'he Committee regret the re signation of the Captain (.Mr. F. C. \V. Campbell), who has held that position since the Club's i n c e p t i o n . D u r i n g h i s t e r m o f office Mr. Campbell has wit nessed a marked improvement in the members' shooting, which must be a source of gratification t o h i m a s w e l l a s t o t h e m e m b e r s t h e m s e l v e s . T h e C l u b ' s b e s t t h a n k s a r e d u e t o h i m f o r h i s s e r v i c e s . M i c k l e h a m R . C . The Committee, on behalf of the Club, desire to ex]>ress their hearty thanks to the subscribing m e m b e r s f o r t h e i r s u p p o r t o f the Club, and to the Rector for t h e u s e o f t h e R e c t o r y P i t Ranges and for his prizes. •Some good scores have been made during the past year, and the shooting of the vounger members is hi.ghly satisfticto'ry. On the invitation of the Club, s o m e o f t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e N a t i o n a l V o l u n t e e r F o r c e h a v e been making use of the ranges, and show much progress. The N.R.A. Donegal Bronze Badge (.M;iy tzih) was won by W. H o u s d e n . The Ladies' Challenge Cup (May 26th) w;is won by W. Housden, George Coombes taking the second ])rize. The Presidi iu's Prizes (.August i i t h ) w e r e w o n b y : i , W . Hou.sden ; 2, George Kent. The I^ector's I'rizes (March 5lh) were won bv : i, W. G. C. Pullen ; 2, E. AV". Boxall. Spoons given by the President f o r m o n t h l y s i t o o i , ^ , i n d o o r r a n g e , w e r e w o n b v : M . | . Banks, .A. King, G." R. Pack, and A. .Newson ; ,-iverage num ber of competitors, lo.L T w e n t y - t h r e e m e m b e r s a r e .serving with the Forces. Lincoln Notes I hi, l;itt"r st.'iges of the Winter Postal Competition .are now being rejiched, and it is p r e t t y s t i f e t o | ) r e d i c t t h e u l t i - m . a t e w i n n e r s i n s o m i ' o f t h i : Divisions. In Division 1. Grimsby_ Centr.als h.ave main tained fine form, .and so far have been i nbeaten. Lincoln ( liurch House have given the C e n t r a l s a g o o d r u n , b u t w i t h t w o p o i n t s b e h i n d t h e r e i s n o t - much change of th.dr running out winners. In Ditlsion 1 1. Ruston Boiler WorUs hat;;^ ti good lead cf four points on their nearest opponents, Grimsby Cen t r. a l s ( B ) , w h o h a v e l o s t th r e e m.atches, ;is .ag.ainst the Boiler Wo r k s ' o n e . D i v i s i o n 111 . w i l l jtrovide .a close finish, as Wel- lingore .and Rusloii .Aircraft now stand with et|u;il points. These teams h.ave yet to meet, and the .Airrrtif-i .-I'so h.a\e to meet .A .and B Co. of the 3rd B.L.V.R. In these l.ast two matches the .Aircraft have only drojjped one point, and it remtiins to be seen if they can keep up this form. If so, they should win this Divi sion. Divisioii lA". seems prettv laa-t.aln for the Aircr.aft (C) team, who so f;n- htive been unbeaten, while in their remaining two matches they should easily'secure two more wins. .A good'run for s-econd place is taking pl.acc be tween A Co. 3rd B.L.A'.R. (B) ■•md Church House (C), who have both .an equal number of points, and in the last match t h e s e t w o t e a m s m e e t a n d it should nrove .-i battle roval. The following .-ire the latest l e s u l t s i n t h e f . . C . M . R . . \ . P o s t a l Competition :— D r v t s i o x T . Grimsbv Central 591 v. AA'el- lingore 561. Tnnroln Church House 579 v. Cleethorpes 577. Ruston Boiler AA'orks 572 v. Grimsby Corporation jl'ii." Ruston Iron AA'orlcs 573 v. Market Rtisen (scratched). D t v i s i o x I T Grimsbv Centrtil (B) 383 v. Ruston .Aircraft 561. Ruston Boiler'AVorks (B) 572 V. D Co. 4th B.T..A''.R. 490. f.imhia- 561) v. I.incoln Church Mous" (B) 2.Sr,. Grimsbv Corporation (B) 361 \-. f.outh (.scratched). D r v t s i o x T I T . Ruston .Aircrtifl (B) 3(19 v. F) Co. 4(h B.I..V.R. (B) 5"fi2. Ruston Iron AA'orks (B) 593 v. Dunholme 366. Grimsbv Cornoration (C) 592 V. AA'ellingore (B) 3S9. B Co.'3rd B.r..V.R. 391 V. Market Rtisen 36R. ' I A C,i. 3rd B.L.A'.R. 3.89 V. C Co. 3rd B.L.V.R. 372. ■ D i v i s i o . x l A ' . Ruston .Aircraft (Cj 394 v. B Co. 3rd B.L.A'.R. 380. Ouadring 343 v. 1) Co. 4th B.L.V.R. (C) 332. E Co. 3rd B.L.A'.R. 3i)f> v. Pinchlreck AA'est 543. Gosbia'ton 377 v. .Surlleet 330. Lincoln Church llou.se (C) 38S V. Louth (scratched). liclatii'c Position of Cinb.s. Divisio.x I. S.w. K. I). I\ G r i m s b y C e n t r a l I 1I a0 I2 I Lincoln C.IL ... 1191IJ9 AAh'llingore 1 1 / 40 Cleethorpes 11 6 5 012 Ruston B.AA'. ... 11 6 5 s C)12 Ruston I.AA'. ... 11 3 I 0 ft G r i m s b y C o r p n . 1110 0 2 .Alarket Rasen ... 11I10 02 D i v i s t o . x 1II. s. W. L. 0. v. Ruston B.A V. (B) 11HI I020 G r i m s b v C t l . ( B ' l 113 0 ift Lincoln C.H. (B) 11 ft 3 012 Ruston .Air-.a-aft,. 11 ft 5 0 12 L i m b e r . . . [ ( ft 5 012 G r i m s b v C o r p n . (I^) ' 115 ft f)10 I ) C o . 4 l l i B . L . V. R 1 iI100 2 I.oulh 111H)02 D t v i . s i o . x 111 . .S.W. R. D. P. W c l l i n i ^ o r r ( B ) . '1 s I0 iG Ru.ston Air. (B) ,S s 00 ift A Co. 31(1 B.L. V. R . ' 9 / 20 ( i r i m . K b v C t ) r i ) n . (C) ■ S ft 2012 B C o . 3 r d B . L . V. R . ' 8 44 0 8- Ruston B.AV. (C) >1 45 0 8- C C o . 3 r d B . L . V.R. " 8 44 0 S: Pinchbeck 734 0 ft DunholmeS 2 ft 04 D C o . 4 t h B . L . A'.R 102 8 0 4 M a r k e t R . ( B ) . s 2 ft 0 4 Ruston LAV. (C) ftT 8 0 2 D1V1.S10X lAF s.L. D. P. Ruston Air. (C) . s8 00 ift A C o . 3 r d B . L . V . R . ( B ) . . . H 7 I014 Lincoln C.H. (C) S 7 I014 Ciosbcrton ft / 2 0 14 B C o . 3 r d B . L . V.R. '(B) ... S 44 0 8 Surfleet 8 35 0 ft Ouadring 9 2 7 04 E C o . 3 r d B . L . V. Rs 2 ft a4 P i n c h b e c k A A ' e . s t . / 1 6 02 D C o 4 t h B . L . V. R S I 7 02 Louth (B) 7 I 6 02 G r i m s b v C e n t r a l s h a v e r c a c h c c f the final of the Burroughcs and AA'atts Competition by disposing of Shanklin, and they now have t o m e e t P e r t h C i t y. B y t h e time these notes appear the re sult of the final should be known. Brockenhurst M.R.C. . A v e r y s u . ' c e s s f u l a n d w e l f - •attended Open Competition was WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N . 107 iK'kl on January 24th, about bo people being present ; 45 ladies a n d g e n t l e m e n e n t e r e d f o r t h e c o m p e t i t i o n , s i x p r i z e s b e i n g a w a r d e d ( t h r e e f o r l . a d i e s a n d three for gentlemen). Twelve new m e m b e r s w e r e e n r o l l e d . I n s p i t e o f i t s m a n y m e m b e r s o n a c t i v e s e r v i c e , t h i s C l u b i s malting satisfactory progress, anjl a l a r g e n u m b e r o f l a d i e s h a v e recently joined the Club. Spoon Handicap Competitions are. held on the first Wednesday of every month. Halstead Boys' Naval Brigade. The prize meeting for 1917 was held on Wednesday, January .30th, Lieutenant E. T. .\dams, R.N.V.R., the Commander, pre s i d i n g . T h e p r i z e s w e r e d i s t r i b u t e d b v M i s s P h i l b r i c l c , I ' . R . H . S . I h e S i l v e r C h a l l e n g e ■C u p w a s a g a i n w o n f o r t h e •second time by Miss R. Morice, H o n . . S e c r e t a r y a n d Q u a r t e r master, with a' possible score of 300, the .six best scores of the year on the 600 yds. = 25 yds. ilisley bull's-eye target. J'he s e c o n d p r i z e w a s w o n b y l^eading Seaman G. .'\rnold, with 2S9 plus 10 handicap, equals 299, who iilso won the Bell Medal. The hon. members' prize (the L o r d R o b e r t s ' M e d a l ) f o r t h e four best scores of the year, was won by .Miss 1. M. .Adams, with 197 (possible 200). The junior prize wtts won by Seaman F. Norman. W a r i n g 6 " G i l l o w R . C . ( L a n - eatter). The fourth annual meeting of t h e t i b o v e w a s h e l d a t t h e M i d land Range on Saturday , De cember 29th, 1917. -Mr. A. Hope w a s e l e c t e d C h a i r m a n . I h e b a l a n c e - s h e e t , w h i c h -showed a fairlv successful year's working and' a balance of .■£'4 9^- ■" hand, was read by the Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. J. Simpson), and adopted. A re- ■cord of the events of the year w a s p r e . s e n l e d b v t h e S t a t i s t i c a l omcer (Mr. S. 'F. Suthers), the ■chii'f of which were the com petitions for the four challenge trophies, viz. ; — Waring Ciip (given by Air. F. .A. Waring), won by J. F. Fisher ; Captain Cup (given by Mr. B. Barber), w o n b y . A . H o p e ; H a l l B o w l ( g i v e n b y M r. W. H a l l ) , w o n b y A. V. Rossiter ; Cox Cup (given by Alessrs. Cox & Co.), won by W. R.aby. .A gold medal was g i v i m w i t h e a c h c u p . T h e Monthly Spoons were won by J. ■f.. F i s h e r ( t w i c e ) , J . L e v e r, A . Nicol, R. Jackson, A. Hope, J. Robinson, J. Moss, C. Briggs, W. Simp.son, ;ind A. Hope, Junr. T h e e l e c t i o n o f o i l ' i c e r s r e - s u l l e d a s f o l l o w s : — P r e s i d e n t , .Mr. S. J. Waring; Vice-Presi dents, Messrs. W. J. Jennings, H. Waring, R. D. Roddick, and 1"". .A. Waring; Captain, Mr. C. J-L Hughes; Vice-Captain, Mr. J. T. Fisher; Corri spondonce Secretary, Mr. B. Barber; Hon. •Secret.arv, Mr. W. J. Simpson; Hon. I'reasurer, .Mr. .\. Hope; Hon. .Auditor , .Mr . G. H. W ar wick ; .Statistical OlVicer, Mr. S. F. . S l i t h e r s ; C o m m i t t e e , M e s s r s . C. Briggs, 1. Doran, J. .Moss, W. P a s s m o r e , C . C u m m i n g s , T. Wilson, and W . Stoddarr . . A f t e r t h e b u s i n e s s t h e C h a i r man presented a kilbag to the Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. J. Simp s o n ) , a s a s m a l l t o k e n o f t h e esteem in which he was held by t h e m e m b e r s a n d a s a m a r k o f a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r h i s e f f o r t s o n behalf of Ihe Club during the t h r e e y e a r s h e h a d h e l d o fl i c e . Mr. .Simpson replied in a suitable speech, saying he had only done w h a t o t h e r m e m b e r s h a d d o n e — " h i s b e s t . " The Chairman observed that 4 3 m e m b e r s h a d j o i n e d H . M . F o r c e s s i n c e t h e f o r m a t i o n o f the Club, and all would regret that 14 had been wounded, whilst four had made the supreme sacri fi c e , t o t h e r e l a t i v e s o f w h o m the sympathy of all immbers was e.xtended. A vote of thanks to the Chair man terminated the meeting. 5th Battalion North Ridinjt V. R . T h e fi r s t s o c i a l u n d e r t h e auspices of the Sergeants' .As- sirciation, held at the Cleveland Hotel, Linthorpe, on .Saturday, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h , h a d a g r e a t " s e n d o f f . " T h i r t y - s i x s e r g e a n t s m e t t o g e t h e r u n d e r t h e Presidency of C.S..M. McGahey, a n d e n j o y e d t h e m s e l v e s " t o p - h o l e . " T h e P r e s i d e n t o u t l i n e d t h e o b j e c t s o f t h e . A s s o c i a t i o n , w h i c h h a d b e e n f o r m e d f o r t h e mutual improvement and in crease of acquaintance, and for promoting a more frequent ex change of opinions on questions t i r i s i n g o n m i l i i a r y m a t t e r s . .After a toast to His Majesty t h e K i n g , i t w a s u n a n i m o u s l y a g r e e d t h a t c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s b e sent to the Commanding Officer (.Major .A. C. Dorman) on the r e c e n t h o n o u r w h i c h h a d b e e n c o n f e r r e d u p o n h i s f a t h e r — K n i g h t C o m m a n d e r o f t h e B r i t i s h E m p i r e — b y H i s M a j e s t y the King. .A capital programme was t h o r o u g h l y a p p r e c i a t e d , s o n g s b e i n g c o n t r i b u t e d b v C . S . I . M . W. Holmes, C..S.M.' W. Row land, C.S.M. .Mcfiahey, Sergt. T. E . B r a n a g a n , S e r g t . R . T. Roxby , Sergt. R. Y ounger , Sergt. .A. E. .Austin, Sergt. R. Carter, Sergt. G. Dobson, Sergt. E. Branagan, and .Mr. J. Mann ; . S e r g t . J . D a c k a n d S e r g t . F. Lanjlford, i locutionists , and Sergt. .A. E. Nichols, accom panist. Broughton and District R.C. The third annual meeting of t h e C l u b w a s h e l d a t t h e I n s t i tute, Broughton, when thire were present Mr. H. F. Wilson (in the chair), the Rev. S. E. Collinson, Mr. John Miller, Mr. Robert Eccles, Mr. W. G. Wat son, .Mr. H. .Mercer, Mr. W. H. Hardman, Mr . W . Clarkson, and the Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. B. S. Smith). The Hon. Secretary , in his report, said that, despite a de creased membership through members joining the Colours, the Club had carried through all its competitions, and also had two c o n t e s t s w i t h t h e S t . . A n n e ' s R . C . L e s s a m m u n i t i o n h a d b e e n s h o t , b u t d e s p i t e t h i s a n d t h e reduction in membership, the y e a r, c o n s i d e r i n g t h e t i m e s w e w e r e p a s s i n g t h r o u g h , w a s n o t unsatisfactory. T h e T r e a s u r e r ( M r . H . F . W i l s o n ) t h e n p r e s e n t e d t h e balance-sheet, which showed that a profit of ;£r4 is. 3d. had been made on the season, reducing the balance due to the T reasurer to ^,11 8s. fid. There were, of course, assets in the Club pro p e r t y t o m o r e t h a n o f f s e t t h i s sum. The Rev. S. E. Collinson, in moving the le-election of the o f fi c i a l s a n d C o m m i t t e e , w h i c h w a s c a r r i e d , s t i i d h e c o n s i d e r e d the report very satisfactory con- •sidering the abnormal times, .'md he thought it was a great credit to the management. The Range .Superintendents now .-icting were also re-elected. The business pioceedings ter m i n a t e d w i t h a v o t e o f t h a n k s t o t h e H o n . T r e a s u r e r a n d H o n . S e c r e t a r y f o r t h e i r s e r v i c e s t o the Club, and the prizes were then distributed to the winners of competitions as follow :— " Daily Express " Medal, R. Cross. " Daily Mail " Certificate, W. G. W atson. Bell .Medal, R. Cross. " Daily Telegraph " Certifi cate, W . G. W atson, Donegal Badge, R. Cross. Ainsworth Cup, W. G. Wat son. "B" Co. 9th Battalion Surrey V. R . On Sunday, January 20th, the c u p s a n d t r o p h i e s w o n i n c o n nection with the Officei-s' tmd Wilcox Cups were presented to the successful competitors by Captain Howard Warren, the Officer Commanding " B " (iom- pttny . The following are the d e t a i l s : — AA'ii.cox Cut- (Kjiy).— I'his Cup w t i s k i n d l y p r e s e n t e d b y C t ) . O.M.S. Wilcox for a monthly h a n d i c a p s h o o f f o r m e m b e r s o f the Company who were marks m e n u n d e r t h e o l d V. ' L . C . c l t i s s i - lication. The competition r:m from .May to (October inclusive, tmd the handicap was revised e a c h m o n t h . I n o r d e r t o e n c o u r a g e m i l i t a r y s h o o t i n g , 2 n d Class figure targets were used throughout the competition, 'ihe c o n d i t i o n s w e r e a s f o l l o w : — to sighters, to be fired as de sired before the two de- libirate shoots. 1 0 r o u n d s d e l i b e r a t e o n t h e 25yds. =2ooyds. 2nd Class figure target; 10 minutes allowed. 10 rounds rapid on the 25yds. = 200yds. 2nd Class figure target; So seconds allow ed, 1 0 r o u n d . s d e l i b e r a t e o n t h e 25yds. = 300yds. 2nd Class figure target. 'J'here were 462 individual shoots, and only 11 possibles were scored. .All these were on the 25 yds. =2ooyds. 2nd Class figure target, and two were rapids. The scorers of possibles w e r e a s f o l l o w : — Del. Rapid Corpl. Widdowson ... 2 i Lce.-Corpl. Snell .3 — S e r g t . B a d d e l e v . . . i — P t - 2 . D . W a l k e r . . . i — Pte. Hevwood ... i — Pte. PhJlp I _ P t e . S c o t t — 1 The following were the -Monthly Cup winners (H.l'.S. 120) :— - A l a y. — P t e . C o n s t a n d u r o s (So% dropped points), 114.fi. June.—Pte. F. Tavlor (80%), 11 4 . 4 . July.—Corpl. Bar.-y (scr.) and Corpl. Widdowson (scr.), 115. . Au g u st . — C o r p l . Wi d d o w s o n (scr.), 115. Se-ptember. — Sergt. Baddelev (scr.), 115. October. — I-cc.-Corpl. Snell (scr.) and Pte. D. Walker (40%), 11 7 . Each of the above was prcs sented with a .silver spoon as a m e m e n t o o f h i s s u c c e s s , a n d Corpl. Widdowson received the Cup as the final winner, he having won it on two occasions. In the handictip ho was scratch f o r t h e fi r s t f o u r m o n t h s o f t h e competition and minus i for Ihe last two. His average per shoot w a s 11 4 . 3 3 t » J t o f a H . P. S . o f 120. The nearest score to the H.P.S. of 120 was 117, and this was obtained by both Corpl. Widdow.son and Lce.-Corpl. Snell in the last month of the compefition. The following were the final leading scores for the Bell and " Daily Express " Aledals given in connection with the competi t i o n s : — B e l l M e d a l ( g i v e n f o r t h e highest gun score, H.P.S. 720J : Corpl. Widdowson (winner), (i.St); Sergt. Baddeley, 669 ; Corpl. Barry, 61)5 ; Sec. Lieut. Cole, 11 5 3 ; L i e u t . C o k e , 6 1 7 ; P i e . t^onst.'induros, 561. "D.iily Express" .Medtil (given l o r h i g h e s t h a n d i c a p s c o r e ) : Corpl. Widdowson (winner), minus 1, fiMt ; .Sergt. Baddelev, minus 1, fitsS; Corpl. Barrv, scratch, tifi5 ; Pte. Consl.-mduros, 8o';,) and fio% dropped points. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >