RIFLE CLUBS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 194, 11 May 1908, Page 2

RIFLE CLUBS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT.

Sir, Quite recently I read a very intorestnig account of tlio doings of Opaki Rifle 0110, given by its president, Mr. Welch, llisro can bo little doubt about that Club occupying the premier position as a body of shooting men, all honour to them. The President seems to have had a fairly long term of ofhco, but in this respect he does not stand alone. i A' 0 . Kaituna Club, Marlborough, was establishcd in 1886, by the President, who has 1 retained oinco over sinco, and was re-electcd on uaturda.y last. The writer does not claim that this is a record for Nwv Zealand; nor for that matter did Mr. Welch. But what tho lCaituna Club may fairly claim is, that miring that period not a single resignation las boon received except. from those who have left the district or'been" transferred to some other club. Nor has there during that time been anything approaching to a misunderstanding amongst the members or an ill word botweon the members and their captain. Further thaii this, whatever may have been shot'for by . way of trophies, or however closo the contest, no one, to the writer's knowledge, ever refused to afford what information ho might have gained during the contest to those who followed, even if. that should result in hife losing tho prize, Bach, seemed'.to glory, in the. success of the other, and assist each other as much as possible. ' This fine spirit of comradeship cannot be too much fostered, for those who can stand to each other through sunshine 'and storm are oxactly those could bo depended on 5?,. stand together against a common enemy. While this magnanimous spirit has had hill play, riflershooting has not been neglected; though the Club has from its inception laboured under great difficulties in the matter ofjgetting its members together, owing to their being spread over a large area, and some following occupations which led them' too far apart to obtain the benefits of regular practice or anything approaching to. it. . Still some real progress has been made even under great disadvantages. On . May 2, 1908, four of the members made 56 points moro than eight mado on October 2D,' 1837, in one of their earliest matches, and that notwithstanding the fact of a greatly reduced bull's-eye, .and proportionately of 'inner and magpie rings. These cheering features are some compensation for years of trouble and sacrifice; it is'no sniall pleasure to accept tho right hand of fellowship of .those with whom ono has been associated for so long a time. One of the oldest members of tho Club suggested that as the President had done so woll for over 21 years they should elect him for another 21 yearS| and at the expiration of that time they might - allow him a rest. Unfortunately there is the Psalmist's notice to quit at a stated period, and the President . could not se-e his way to accept for the full tenn_unless some arrangement could be made to bring his tenuro under the renewable lease system. Ponding that he simply accepted a kind of-license to. occupy.—l am, etc., May 9. vV •. ■ - RIFLEMAN. V