Defence Rifle Club

The College Rifle Club conducted a successful 1938-39 season. New members were inducted into the mysteries which lie between the firing mound and the target and the younger shots of the Club showed marked improvement.

The institution this year of the six-man tournament team enabled the Club to make what it is believed will be a valuable departure—the selection of junior shots and an initiation of them to the somewhat difficult business of a tournament shoot. This initiation, it is certain, will assist very greatly in making a strong combination for the Haslam Shield competition next year.

The team representing the College at Tournament this year was: D. H. K. Ross (capt.), G. T. Ryan. P. G. Pasley. R. J. Corkill, A. T. Howarth, and R. H. Johnston, with A. R. Anderson as emergency. By an unfortunate and somewhat bewildering combination of events the Club lost the Haslam Shield to Otago by a narrow margin. Tournament points were, however, gained on two of the practices. The team shot well and though there were sparkles of individual brilliance, it was well balanced. D. H. K. Ross returned highest score for V.U.C. and secured the Mills Trophy.

Club competitions were conducted throughout the season. Ross retained the Sansum Trophy for musketry and R. H. Johnston won the Club Championship and Aperture Championship Cups.

Prospects for the coming season are good. With shots of the calibre of Howarth, Anderson, Jones and Allan coming on the Haslam team augurs to be a good one.

College Blues were awarded to D. H. K. Ross, G. T. Ryan, H. T. Olive and R. H. Johnston.

During the year Club equipment has been steadily augmented and the Club now possesses facilities facilities far in advance of the other College Rifle Clubs. Membership is good but there is ample room for expansion. All students interested in the sport are invited to communicate with the Secretary and obtain full information. Others who profess to have no interest are advised to enquire so that they may be enlightened. Range rifle shooting as a sport possesses innumerable advantages. It offers portion of the week-end in the great wide open in company with fellows whose interests are yours; it affords outlet for inner communal promptings in team-work, and it will give you the advantage of cultivating individual judgment for whether in a team, or shooting as an individual, you personally control the destinies of the bullet; whether it shall be a "bull" or a "miss" depends on your ability individually to estimate and counteract wind and light factors. As a sport it yet possesses this aspect of individualism—a fact which should appear inviting and be welcomed as an appropriate form of relaxation by large numbers of the more philosophically inclined among the students of the College. But whether you are philosophically inclined or not, join the College Rifle Club—the game has a fascination.