Defence Rifle Club.

The Rifle Club has had quite a busy time during the long vacation, in spite of the reduction in the Club's free ammunition grunts and the increase in markers' wages, factors which have necessitated a 50% increase in the selling price of ammunition.

On January 23rd a team was entered for the N. Frank Albert Trophy Match, an annual competition open to teams representing the Universities and University Colleges of Australia and New Zealand. The match consisted in 10 shot application at each of the ranges 300 yards, 400 yards, 500 yards, and 600 yards, and aperture sights and slings were used. Bisley bulls'—eyes were employed (7½ in. dia. at the two shorter ranges, and 15 in. at the longer) and provided a harder test than the National Championship, in which corresponding dimensions would have been 9 in. and 18 in. We know something of previous Australian performances in this match, and realise that the standard of shooting over there is very high. Consequently, our score is unlikely to prove a winner, but in view of our rotten climate, V.U.C.'s effort was most creditable. Scores must not be made public meantime, since the match may be fired at any time up to July 31st in any year, and it doesn't pay to give away information, but the following were the team in order of performance:— T. R. C. Muir, G. T. Ryan, J. B. C. Taylor, A. A. Gawith, C. J. Gates, D. H. K. Ross, H. T. G. Olive, T. J. Mulvey.

On February 6th the Club entered a team for the Union Shield (Junior Grade) Match against teams representing other Clubs affiliated to the Wellington Rifle Association. The match consisted of 7 shots application at each of the ranges 300 yards, 500 yards, and 600 yards, and aperture sights were used. Five teams entered, with the following aggregate scores:—Petone (A) 733; Karori 707; Old Navals 706; University 700; Petone (B) 693.

V.U.C. is certainly on the upgrade in aperture-shooting, for last year year her team came seventh out of seven, while in the previous year (1935) she was unable even to scratch a team together.

The next event on the programme is the Tournament (Haslam Shield) Match, in which Y.U.C is scheduled to fire on March 13th, weather permitting. There is not a positive embarrassment of talent offering, and it is unlikely that the number of men entered will reach the full twelve permitted. It is unfortunate that last year's Club Champion, Ryan, is ineligible for Tournament this year, and nothing definite has been heard of any likely Massey candidates. However, there are one or two newcomers of promise, and V.U.C should be able to give a good account of herself in the application practices at least.