THE RIFLE CHAMPION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 774, 24 March 1910, Page 4

THE RIFLE CHAMPION.

FURTHER HONOURS. Further honour was done to champion Rifleman Geo. Halliday last evening, when he was entertained at a "social by the residents of Kilbirnie to mark his recent winning of the Now Zealand rifle championship at the Trentham meeting. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. P. Luke, M:P., who congratu-" lated the guest.of the evening on his fine performance in winning the belt, ft feat which wmi honoured, not only in Wellington j. but throughout the Dominion. The people of Wellington did not go into hysterics over their rifle champion, as Wangahui had done over a champion sculler, although, .the rifle championship was more important than, the rowing , championship. (Hear, hear.) However, the people of Wellington honoured their champion none the less. Mr. Halliday was not only a keen rifle shot, but he had the interests of the youths of Kilbirnie at heart,. when ho set about getting a miniature rifle, range for the local school. Referring to the' Defence Act, Mr. Luke said he thought each and every one in the Dominion should do all possiblo to bring into being and give full effect to the "Act of last session, buthe added: ;"Wo must bo careful and not Bm'rcnder our rights and privileges-as citizens to a military class in the Dominion." In replying, Rifleman Halliday remarked jocularly that when he won the belt he thought that ho was just an. ordinary sort, of shot, favoured with a certain amount of luck. After all he had heard, during the past fortnight, however, he was beginning to think a little tetter of himself, but he, was still a long way off getting "swelled head." lii conclusion, the speaker throw out a suggestion that a good deal of onjoymont could bo obtained if a miniature rifle range was formed in Kilbirnie on the lines of the rango in Christchurch. Tho cost would be trifling, and some good evenings' entertainment could lx> obtained by the ladies, as' well as the men,-- •

During the evening songs wcro given by Jlissce Ucrnardj Corrick, and Price, Mrs. Poddie, Messrs. Dennis, Houchen, A. Hill, Proctor, and Callaghan. The accompaniments were- played by Mr. F. h. Deau. The gathering concluded witli -a. danoo. ' '