FORMATION OF RIFLE CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 195, 17 August 1900, Page 4

FORMATION OF RIFLE CLUBS.

(By Telegraph;— Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday,

A deputation waited upon.the Premier yesterday in regard to the conditions for formation of rifle clubs. Resolutions passed at a meeting of Taranaki delegates' held at Stratford recently were laid before the Premier, who promised that they would receive t*he consideration of the Ministry. Mr. Sedtion »said he thought it would be reasonable to allow men over 35 years of age to form rifle clubs in districts -where there were already volunteer corps. In districts where there were •no volunteer- corps men of any age might be allowed to form rifle clubs. In .cases where there were several villages or districts in close proximity it might be arranged;to have one club, for them all, with sections, having a mihinnim membership pf 10 nien in each village or district. ": Generally his desire was to lift rifle clubs into a position which they had never had before in this country. More particularly did he want to have trained shots in sparsely-populated districts. It would be better for the Government to take half-payment for the weapon in the first year and balance in the second year, rather than rent the rifles'. His present proposal was to allow -members of rifle clubs 50 rounds of -ammunition in their first year, and 100 rounds per annum thereafter. To give them a good start he would be prepared to make the allowance for the. first year 100 rounds also. Itwas necessary that rifle clubs should not militate, against, volunteer corps, but 'at the'\ same time elderly men should have the opportunity of taking up arms hi the former associations.