MINIATURE RIFLES

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3211, 17 April 1928, Page 8

MINIATURE RIFLES

LEESTON CLUB.

OPENING NEXT MONDAY,

The annual meeting of the Leeston Miniature Rifle Club was held last evening in the National Mortgage and Agency Coy's building. Mr S. Johnston presided over an attendance of twelve.

The secretary presented a report which stated that the Club had entered two teams in last year's couipetij tions, but neither had been successful | [in winning. A large number of trophies had been competed for, several of the younger members being successful. : The annual dance had resulted ia a loss of 8/6. The finances showed a decrease as compared with the previous year. The season had commenced with a balance of £10 and finished with a credit of £2 15s lld. There were-.m.----perty assets valued at about x 15. The Club was indebted to the donors of trophies and to the owners of cars who had conveyed the teams around the district. The president moved that the.report and balance sheet should be adopted, and after discussion this was carried.. ( ! NEW OFFICERS. r- ■ ■ '.'.'■ The election of officers resulted in the return of the following:—Patron, Mr R. M. Robertson; president, Dr. W. A. Johnston; vice-president, Messrs H. G. Chamberlain, W. A. Sawyer a&T L. Prosser; club captain, Mr R. Gwatkin; vice-captain, Mr A. E. Brown; committee, Messrs D. Ridden, J. Bryce, W. M. Beynon, F. Gwatkin, E. J. Slattery, G. H. Ryde; delegates to Association, Messrs A. E. Brown, R. Gwatkin and Dr. W. A. Johnston; secretary, Mr F. Gwatkin; assistant secretary, Mr E. J. Slattery; custodian, Mr F. GwatkhL; billiards marker, Mr E. J. Slattery. The retiring president relinquished the chair in favour of his successor, and acknowledged the support accorded him. He expressed the hope that members would maintain their enthusiasm until the end of the season, and that the laxity which had overtaken the Club at the latter part of 1927 would be absent this year. It was resolved to call a worli'ug bee at the range next Saturday at 2 p.m., and to hold the opening shoot cm Monday next, April 23. TROPHY SHOOTS. A member proposed that an early move should be made to canvass for trophies for competition.

The president voiced disfavour of the custom of canvassing tradesmen for trophies. The business people of Leeston were approached now by five shooting clubs and many other bodies in addition, for gifts of trophies. He did not consider it just that they should have to encounter so many requests. Another member considered that tho Leeston tradesmen should give preference to the local Club before supporting outside bodies. The secretary stated that about 20 trophies had been given last year. On the proposal of Messrs L. Prosser and E. J. Slattery, the Club resolved to commence canvassing immediately for trophies. Messrs Prosser and Brown were appointed canvassers. It was agreed that an entry fee of 6d should be' charged for «each trophy shoot. Mr A. E. Brown suggested fixing 11 p.m. as a definite time at which shooting should cease each night. There were several shooters who refrained from joining the Club on account of its late hours. The shooting should commence earlier in the evenings. Mr L. Prosser considered that the Club shoots could be appreciably shortened by making the handicaps harder. The president and Mr H. G. Chamberlain were elected handicapper?. THE COMPETITIONS. Upon the request of one of the delegates for an expression of opinion as to how many rounds should be fired in the competitions, the meeting recorded a preference for three rounds. It was recommended to the Association that competition matches should be fired on Monday nights instead of on Tuesdays. The meeting carried a vote of thanks to the retiring secretary, Mr A. Stanley.