Photograph titled 'Imperial Universities' Rifle Match 1925 won by Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z.', 1925

Text on reverse of mount reads: 'History of this photographic record.

In June 1926 Mr S. P. Andrew of Wellington made a group-photo (his reference-number either 9701F or 9781F) showing six members of the V.U.C. team which had won the Imperial Match, 1925, together with the then President of the V.U.C.D.R.C. and the trophy itself. Two of the teamsmen were missing from the group.

The photograph was published in 'Spike' (June 1926) and in "N.Z.Free Lance" (30th June 1926). 'Spike' wrongly quoted Crown Studio as the place of origin of the photo.

Also, some prints (it is not known how many) were made and attached to blank mounts which did nothing to identify the occasion or those portrayed.

One such print, greatly enlarged and framed, was hanging in the Men's Common Room at V.U.C. in the year 1932, but when sought seven years later could not be found.

In the year 1962 the undersigned decided to try to nring into existence a complete photographic record of the team, and was able to locate just one print of the 1926 photograph - in the possession of Mrs Isabel Haase, widow of Mr. W. J. H. Haase. Mrs Haase, when approached, very kindly presented the print to the V.U.W. Stud. Assn.

Enquiry at the studio of Messrs S. P. Andrew revealed that the negative of the group-photo was missing - no doubt it had been borrowed for publicity and not returned. However, r Earle Andrew made (March 1963, reference-number 59634) a fresh negative from the print which Mrs Haase had made available.

Names of teamsmen, and details of their scores, were obtained from two sources - 'Spike' of June 1926 and 'Evening Post' of 23rd. March 1926.

The two teamsmen who had been absent when the group-photo was taken were located. Most fortunately, they were able to supply negatives of photographs of themselves dating from 1826 and taken for other purposes. These negatives became the basis of small photographic insets.

Of the teamsmen, Mr. Scott had died in 1930 (probably as a result of military service in World War I) : Mr. Bollard had died in 1941 while performing military service in World War II : and in 1963 no trace could be found of Mr. O'Connor. All the others were located and were given an opportunity of purchasing a complete record.

Mr. Earle Andrew then turned out half-a dozen prints in black-and-white from the newly-made negative, affixed them to mounts bearing printed details, and affixed also insets of the missing teamsmen. But upon one of those mounts the sepia print presented by Mrs. Haase was used to cover the black and white print.

The Undersigned then presented to the V.U.W. Stud. Assn. the record incorporating the sepia print of 1926. One of the others he presented to Mrs. Haase, and still another to the Imperial Universities' Rifle Match Committee. Other Copies remain in the possession of Messrs Hislop and Yaldwyn, and of the undersigned.

H. M. Sansum

Local Hon. Secretary for NZ., Imp. Univ. Rifle Match C'tee.

May, 1963.'