RIFLE CLUBS AND VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 179, 31 July 1896, Page 2

RIFLE CLUBS AND VOLUNTEERS.

(BT SBtEGBAPH —.FREB-. ASSOCIATION,)

Wellington, this day. A deputation representing the New Zealand' Rifle Association waited on the Minister of Defence asking the Govem-ment-'e intention respecting rifle clubs. Mr McNab suggested thab the members of rifle clubs i-hould be sworn in aa in tho other colonies, thua giving them some status. Hon. Mr Thompson said his sympathies wero wibh the volunteers, bub aa to the system of rifle clubß, he did not know how far the now commandant would approve of them- Personally, ho thought they would ba jußt aa ready bo pervo when called upon aa volunteers would be. He could make no promise ab bhe presenb. The Minister explained that the £470 on the Estimates was nob for the payment of liabilities that had been incurred in connection with past rifle meetinga, but was a vote for the future.

Tho deputation referred to tho high price charged for ammunition and to its faulty quality, and stated thab nob ben per cent, of the volunteers were average marksmen. The Minister held the same view, and added that there were some of the volunteer companies he would not care to bq connected with.