Shooting

JUNIOR SCHOOL PATROLS

The annual collection on behalf of the British Legion of used Christmas Cards was again most successful. With the help of the Pack last year's total of about 17,000 cards was reached. At the time of going to press 'Bob-a-Job' earnings are still coming in. Receipts so far indicate a larger total than a year ago.

The number of outdoor meetings that were 'rained off' during the past term must have been a record. However, good progress has been made with training, three 2nd Class badges have been gained and three proficiency badges.

At the St. George's Day Minster Service for York Scouts and Guides this year Sec. D. J. Oldman was chosen as the representative of the Scouts to read one of the Lessons.

The Summer camp this year will be held at Low Askew, nr. Cropton, Pickering, on a site belonging to Mr. J. Cooper, District Commissioner for that area. It was last visited by the Troop three years ago.

Considering the large number of matches that have been shot inside the short space of seven weeks, this term has not been as disappointing as the match results might suggest. Most members of the 1st VIII had few or no practice shoots during this period, and the strain of shooting nothing else but matches was quite considerable. After a poor start, however, the scores on the whole compared favourably with last year, especially those against Sutton Valence (who sent us an exceptionally high score) and St. Paul's.

The filling of the last place in the 1st VIII proved to be a tricky problem and was the subject of amusement to all except those making the choice. There were three very keen competitors of exactly equal merit, and the choosing of one of them (no duels being allowed) provided headaches before every match. On one occasion the decision was made on two practice shots fired by each just before the match.

At the beginning of term we faced the prospect of several 2nd VIII fixtures with some apprehension, for we could fill only three places in this team with confidence.. For this reason the 2nd VIII was not entered for the "Country Life" Competition, a decision which was perhaps regretted later when they had returned three most satisfactory scores in spite of their inexperience.

In the "Country Life" Competition the 1st VIII made a satisfactor score, the rapids being good, though the shooting on the Landscape was disappointing, although Robinson gave excellent fire orders 47