RIFLE CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 252, 24 October 1893, Page 5

RIFLE CLUBS.

MAJOR SOMMERVILLE'S SCHEME.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. Major Sommerville, Chairman of the New Zealand Rifle Association, has written to the Defence Minister, submitting suggestions for putting Rifle Cluba in New Zealand on a proper footing. He proposes that all Rifle Cluba shall become affiliated with the New Zealand Rifle Association, and the Association to be the medium between them and the Defence Department; that the nominal roll of membership of each Club, with the name of the President, Vice-president?, and Captain, be filed at the defence office ; that the Department decide on some uniform to be worn by all clubs; that in the event of their services being required for the defence of the colony, two or more clubs in contiguous districts bo formed into a company, and office™ appointed either by the vote of the men or by the Commandant; that clubs be allowed to purchase MartiniHenris from the Government at cost price, and that 200 rounds be sold to each member at 5s per 100; additional ammunition ut cost price only; Rifle Clubs to be allowed in each of the four large towns, and membership not to exceed fiftyMajor Sommerville points out that if this sug&restion be adopted it will consolidate the Rifle Clubs, and form a second line of defence at an exceedingly small cost per annum, probably not 10s per man. He points out that the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria isßue MartiniHenris and 100 rounds of ammunition per man to their Rifle Clubs. He discusses the opinion held by some that the existence of Rifle Cluba has a prejudicial effect on , volunteer forces, and says, except in large centres, this is nofe so. If, however, the membership in centres is limited, no bad ellect could ensue.