RIFLE CLUBS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 18 September 1930, Page 4

RIFLE CLUBS.

AMMUNITION ISSUE INCREASED. OFFICIALS GRATIFIED. The announcement by the Minister for Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, of all-round increases in the allowance of ammunition to rifle clubs has already been the means of quickening the.interest in shooting, and yesterday many enquiries were received by clubs from prospective members. When the season starts next month there will probably be a much-increased attendance at the Eedcliffs rifle range. The club officials are greatly gratified at the announcement and state that, although interest in rifle shooting is bv no means on the wane, the sport will receive a great stimulus. Mr James Clark, secretary of the Sydenham Eifle Club, stated yesterday that, as regards the Territorials, the great drawback has been that when they became good shots and were keenly interested in the sport they were told that they need not continue. Bather than cater for the production of really good shots, the aim was, naturally, of course, to produce as many average shots as possible. There would now be a greater inducement for such men to continue. There are eight rifle clubs in Canterbury—Ashburton, Eangiora, Kaiapoi, Sydenham, Christchurch, Duvauchelles Bay, Timaru, and Canterbury College — with a membership aggregating about 160. The City clubs do their Bhooting at the Eedcliffs rango when it is not required, by tho Defence Department. The formation of clubs was discussed by tho Eeturned Soldiers' Association and the Working Men's Club, but so far no definite move has been made. At present the clubs pay 5s 6d per hundred rounds to the Government for the ammunition, which is made in Auckland.