RANGIORA RIFLES' ANNUAL MEETING.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8703, 27 January 1894, Page 9

RANGIORA RIFLES' ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Company was held at the Drillshed, Rangiora, on Thursday evening, Captain Helmore presiding. Lieutenant D'Auvergne was. also present and about forty members. Captain Helmoke said that the year past had been a most satisfactory one and the statement of accounts spoke for itself. The general efficiency of the corps had been well maintained, as was evidenced by the favourable reports of Colonel Fox, and the corps had every reason to be proud of receiving such favourable reports. The officers had no cause to complain of the discipline of the men during the year, and it was hoped that strict attention to discipline Would be observed by all in the future. Financially the corps was in a very good position, there being a credit balance of over £130 for expenditure during the ensuing year. The Company's ball, held on the 27th October last, was thoroughly enjoyed by the large number of visitors present. The annual field day was.held °ul&th dune, and was a great success, the shooting on the whole being fairly good. Tbe thinks of the Corps were due to the various gentlemen who generously provided the prizes. The corps fired three foreign matches, two against Kaiapoi and one against the C.V.C., but We're unsuccessful in all. Tbe corps should make an effort to remedy this. Five men had obtained marksmen's badges for the year, and the Company received a prize of £4 5s for the annual volley firing, being placed fifth on the list of competing Companies. On the 24th May (Queen's Birthday) a team attended the military tournament; and carried off the tug of war prize of £5. Captain Eelmoeb alluded in eulogistic terms to the non-commissioned officers and the rank and file, and spoke of the great loss the Company bad sustained through Lieutenant Torlesse having to resign his commission owing to business arrangements, and in conclusion be said-abac he trusted all members would continue to take the same lively iuterest in the welfare of the Corps as in the past, and by inducing new members to join the ranks keep the Corps in the good position that it has always held. The balance-sheet_bowed—Receipts £164 19s 9d, expenditure £14116s 6d, balance in hand £23 6s 3d. The amount earned for capitation was £122 10s, for volley firing £4 ss, the total assets were £756 Is 3d, and balance of assets, over liabilities was £274 19s 3d. The balance-sheet was adopted, together with the-report-The election of officers resulted as follows : —Secretary, Private Waterstone ; Treasurer, Sergeant Gulliver, (re-elected); Auditor, Mr C. Jemmen ;" Financial Committee, ColorSergeant Jones, Sergeants B. d'Auvergne, Smith, Corporal Whitham, Corporal Jordan, Privates Hussey and Garty ; Firing Committee, Lieutenant 'd'Auvergne, Private G. Jones, Private Husaey,Color-Sergeant Jones, Sergeantß. d'Auvergne. Votes of thanks were accorded to the .retiring Secretary (Lieutenant d'Auvergne) the retiring Auditor and the Press. A donation of _-2s was voted to the orphans of the torpedo men who had lost their lives in the recent accident at Lyttelton.

The General Committee was empowered to pass a vote of money to the Firing Committee towards tbe funds for the encouragement of the shooting.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman, terminated the proceedings. The members of the Corps attended their weekly Government parade in the drillshed, under the command of Captain Helmore and Lieutenant D'Auvergne, and were put through company and manual exercises by Sergeant-Major Purvis and Colour-Sergeant Jones. Total number on parade, 33. Two new members -were elected.