RIFLEMEN FOR AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 66, 18 March 1907, Page 5

RIFLEMEN FOR AUSTRALIA.

(From Our Special Conespcffiflent) : LONDON, Feb. 8. A representative team of British Volunteer riflemen is to be sent out to Australia to compete for a trophy at the* Commonwealth meeting next October. Lord Cheylesmore made the announcement last Monday, in presiding over the winter general meeting of the National Rifle Association. The invitation has been received through Colonel Templeton, chairman of the committee of the Commonwealth Council of the Rifle Associations of Australia. Lord Cheylesmore said that £3000 would be needed to cover the cost, and their president, the Prince of Wales, had promised to support the movement and subscribe to a fund. With the sanction and approval of the Prince, Lord Cheylesmore has issued an appeal on behalf of the council of the association "to those who have at heart the consolidation of the colonies with the mother-country, and to those who are interested in the development of rifleshooting throughout his Majesty's dominions," to assist in raising the £3000. Up to the present time no team from the mother-country has visited any colony except Canada, whereas various colonial teams, whose expenses have been paid by subscriptions raised in the colonies and by the help of the different colonial Governments, have competed annually at the Bisley meeting. The NJt-A. Council has contributed £250 to the fund; Lord Cheylesmore has promised £50, and about sixty notable riflemen have expressed their willingness to go out to Australia. His lordship also announced that the next Bisley meeting will begin on July 8, and last until the 20th. The targets this year are to be painted "grey-blue" instead oi khaki, complaints having been made that the latter colour makes the targets almost indistinguishable from the berts at the back.