NEW ZEALAND RIFLE CLUBS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8622, 25 October 1893, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE CLUBS.

SUGGESTIONS BY MAJOR SOMMERVILLE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEQBAM.) WELLINGTON, October 24. Major Sommerville, Chairman of the New Zealand Rifle Association, has written to the Defence Minister submitting suggestions for putting the Rifle Clubs in the colony on a proper footing. He proposes that all Rifle Clubs shall become affiliated with the New Zealand Rifle Association, and the Association to be the medium between them and the Defence Department; that a nominal roll of membership of each Club With the name of President, Vice-Presidents, 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 tor the defence of the colony, two or more Clubs in contiguous districts be formed into a company, and officers appointed either by a vote of the men or by the Commandant; that Ciubs be allowed to purchase Martinis from the Goveiiin-.nt at cost price, and 200 rounds be sold to each member at 5s per 100, and additional ammunition at cost price ; only one Rifle Club to be allowed in each of the four large towns, and its membership nob to exceed fifty. Major Sommerville points out that if the suggestions are adopted it would 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 issue Martini-Henrys and 200 rounds per man to their Rifle Clubs. He discusses the opinion held by some that the existence of Rifle Clubs has a prejudicial effect on the Volunteer force, and says except in the large centres this is not so. If, however, the membership in the centres , is limited no bad effect could ensue.