The Press. MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1906. RIFLE SHOOTING.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12443, 5 March 1906, Page 6

The Press. MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1906. RIFLE SHOOTING.

The success -which attended the second gathering a* Bedcliffs of tho South Island Rifle Association proves that the institution of' the meeting was a step in the right direction. In time-worn phraee, it "filled a long-felt want," and now that it 'has secured a good footing its future should be assured. Rifle shooting, in its organised form, first started in the South Island, but, owing to a variety of causes, it gradually died out, and the centre of active interest was transferred to the North Island. For yeats little or 'nothing was done down here to promote the pursuit, and such efforts as were made to revive interest in ait did not flourish. Then at the end [ of the Trentham meeting two years ago a number of southern shooting men got together and discussed the matter, with I the result that the South Island Rifle Association was established, to cater, primarily, for men who do not wish, or cannot spare the time, to go to Trentham. The first meeting took place laat year, and the increased numbers attending the second gathering, which was held last week, encouraged the officials to give it the permanent character to which it has become entitled. Aβ time goes on the meeting will undoubtedly assume still greater importance, for, (though probably some 80 per cent, of the competitors now go on to Trentham, it will, as it becomes better known, and as interest in rifle shooting increases, ac it ie now plainly increasing, attract more and more competitor* of the dace for whose benefit it was founded. It ehould become the South Island Trentham, offering opportunities for competition to hundreds who cannot attend the larger gathering: Within reason, there cannot be too much rivalry in riflo-ehooting, for emulation is the very spirit of success, and no rivalry is so fascinating as that m which competitors meet each other on the one ground. Thanks to the public-spirited action of a Chri/stchurch citizen, the meeting affords a special in-

ducement to lade to shoot well, and we hope that before long the Association will see its way to dk> still more ia thk direction, by placing on ite schedule a competition for public school cadete, with suitable prizes. As the Association is not, we understand, overburdened with funds, friendis of the cadet force might assist it in providing 1 these prizes, and thus offer further encouragement than is already given to the "young idea" to learn to shoot straight. The public, we believe, recognises by this time that the cadet force is no toy, but that it contains the germ of the finest defence force this colony could possibly possess—a force composed of the admit manhood of New Zealand, every member of which had learned how to use a rifle to some purpose, and had acquired eorne knowledge of drill and military discipline. Before this can come to pass, however, instruction in rifle shooting and drill must be compulsory with the boys of the colony, and, as we said on a previous • occasion, we hope to ccc the Government take this step without delay. It will aleo become necessary that there should be an ample vreserve of arms and ammnni- | tion in the colony. Without this precaution the great potential defence force created by the compulsory instruction j referred to would be ueeJeae in face of J the emergency whidh should call it into ! active existence.