THE RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8665, 14 December 1893, Page 2

THE RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

A meeting of citizens, convened by the Mayor-elect, was held yesterday afternoon in the City Council Chambers. Mr T. Gapes, the Mayor-elect, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. Amongst those present were LieutenantColonel Gordon, Majors Slater and Wolfe, Captain Harman, the Mayors of St. Albans and Christchurch, Crs. Cooper, E. Smith, Bonmngton, &c. The Chairman said that they had met there that afternoon to take steps towards securing the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association being held in Christchurch.. It was not a large sum which was required! and he trusted that the citizens would give Captain Harman and the local Committee, any assistance that they could to secure the Ritle Association meeting-here. He would now ask Captain Harman to address them, but before doing ao he might say he had received apologies from Cr. Gray, Messrs Lonargan and Mr J. A. Bird. Captain Harman said he had telegraphed to Major Somerville that -the amount required would be forthcoming, and he had received a telegram from the Major that day to the effect that Christchurch had been chosen as the place for the meeting of 1894, and that programmes would be issued at once. (Applause). He wished to point out that as the .okinteer system did not produce rifle marksmen, but taught men to handle their rifles properly, Rifle Clubs and Associations were a necessity. Tho Riflo Associations were, be wished to say, the best friends of the volunteer movement, inasmuch as they carried on the instruction in shooting beyond what the volunteer system did. He was not blaming the volunteer system, but be was merely calling attention to it. As an English community he thought the Rifle Association had a strong claim on the citizens of Christchurch in their effort to make themselves proficient. Taking it on another ground, the massing here of some ) 300 or 400 men could not but be productive of good. Up to the present the champion prizes had not come to Canterbury. In everything else but rifle shooting Canterbury was to the fore, and he thought it was time some steps were taken to alter this state of things. With a good meeting held here in March, there was no doubt that they would see Canterbury as well up in rifle shooting as she was in every other matter. A very good range had beeu secured and it was intended that tho meeting should be held iv 'March next, a month which was found to-be the best for the competitors and also for settled weather. Cr. Bonnincton asked Captain Harmau what were the requirements ?'* Captain Harman explained that what was wanted was a trench, targets, a shed for the targets,.and they would also have to pay the rent of the ground. To carry this out it would require about £150. It had been arrauged that lhe meeting "hould be held alternately in the North and South Island, aud once the targets, Sec, were erected very little expense would require to be gone to two years hence. He thought it was not likely to be permitted that the Volunteers should use the range.

The Mator of CHRtßTCu.ium thought they should add some of those preient to the collecting Committee already appointed He would move—"That the Maynr-EUot' Captain Harman, Crs. Cooper and E. Smith bo added to the Collecting Committee.'* Tho Mayor of St. Alhanh aaid he thought it- would bo aa woll if they could dissipato tho opinion which seemed to pre. vail araonu'st the publio that tho Volunteers were opposed to the movement to hold tha Rifle Association meeting here. Mr W. B. Scott aaid, in connection with this matter he might state that aoveral of the companies had voted sums in aid of the funds. Major Slater aaid that until the Volunteers were armed with the MartiniHenry rifle—tho Association not providing any matches for tho Snidera—they could not expect tho mon to join tlie Association or tako a large amoun. of interest in it» meetings. Captain Harman pointed out that ths Association, iv fosteiiug rifle shooting must aim at tho highest degree of perfection. Major Slater thought perhaps the difficulty could be got over by the AaaooUtloa putting some matches for Suiders ou their programme. Tho Chairman said that there was aa doubt hearty co-operation between the Volunteers and tho Association waa greatly to be desired, aud would bo productive ol a great deal of good. Perhaps before long pressure would bo brought to bear on the Government to gel out the new rifles for the Volunteoia. Thore being no other business, the meet, ing terminated with a hearty voto of thank* to tho Mayor elect far convening the meeting.