WELLINGTON RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 99, 23 October 1897, Page 2

WELLINGTON RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THE GRIEVANCE Of BAD AMMUNITION.

The annual meeting of the Wellington liifle Association was held last night in the Trocadero. There were 22 members present, and Major Collins was in the chair. The Secretary (Corporal Edinger) read the report and balance-sheet. The report stated that it was unfortunate for the Association that it was found necessary to change the original date of the annual shooting meeting, but from a shooting point of view the meeting was a great success, the result being that the Guards won both the Teams Cup and the Champion Belt (held by Private C. Hale). Officers, as well as private!*, were urged to take a more lively interest in the work of the Association and its competitions, as only in that way were good shots produced. Sympathetic reference was made to the death of the late Sergt. Kuchen, and thanks were returned for favours received to Captain Duncan, Messrs. H. D. Bell, A. de B. Brandon, -W. Moorhouse, and Sargood, Son & Ewen. Among the suggestions made to the new Executive Committee were these— That the conditions attached to the Sargood Cup be altered ; that the Government be urged to grant free railway passes for company competitions and to supply the best ammunition; and that the PoJhill' Gully range be pbt into first-class order. The balance-sheet showed that £27 10s was ftoid out last yfear in prize money ; the outstanding liabilities amounted to £3 18s 6d, and the assets were valued at £26 18s 7d. On the motion of Major Collins the report and balance-sheet were passed. The election of officers resulted as follows : — President, Colonel Pentott ; Vice-Presi-dents, Major Collins, Captain Duncan, Sir Robert Stout, M.H.8., Sir James Prendergast, Messre. J. Hutoheson, George Fisher, Chas. Wilson. M.H.R's., A. de B. Brandon, H. D. Bell, W. H. S. Moorhouse, and J. Duthie ; Secretary, Corporal Edinger ; Treasurer, Major Collins ; Auditors, Captain Duthie and Private Aamodt. The Auckland ammunition was felt to be a very sore point, it being thought a waste of money to fire it, and it was urged that Ihe better the firing material, the larger the list of competitors would be. Ultimately it wa3 resolved, " That it be an instruction to the incoming Executive to communicate with all corps throughout the coldny with the view of getting united action in approaching the Government to secure better ammunition." There was also a discussion upon the matter tof throwing the Association open to others thah Volunteers, so that all shootists could be included, the greatest barrier appearing to be the Government grant of 6000 rounds of ammunition. It was resolved— " That the matter be left to the Executive Committee to find out definitely whether the Government makes the grant conditional on the Association being confined solely to Volunteers." The meeting terminated with a vote of thank! to the Chairman,