NATIONAL RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 77, 29 September 1915, Page 2

NATIONAL RESERVE

♦ — — Over a score of members of the Brooklyn section of the National Reserve met last evening in the State School to hear another of Captain Steel's interesting, and instructive . chats on the mechanism and care of the rifle. The various parts of the weapon were described in detail, and much useful information imparted to those desirous of making themselves efficient marksmen. A meeting of the Miniature Rifle Club was afterwards held, the s president (Captain Steel) *in the chair. The rules of the club, after some discussion, were adopted. Practice will commence at the range at an early date, and classes are being formed by the non-coms. The report of the committee appointed to deal with the formal opening of the range- was deferred till after next week's parade. The shield presented by Mr. C. Holcroft for 'competition amongst members was on » view. It is a handsome and massive specimen of the silversmith's art. The trophy will be on exhibition in the window of one of the Brooklyn stores. - NAVY LEAGUE AND TRAFALGAR ' DAY Apropos of the opinion expressed by the Christchurch City Council that Trafalgar Day should not x be celebrated this year, the local hon. secretary of the' Navy League (Mr. Palmer) points out that the Cathedral City authorities are under a misapprehension. The anniversary is in no way a jingoistic crowing over our former adversaries. The main idea is to keep alive the memory of " the greatest sailor since the world began," to impress upon the mindssof the growing generation the "Nelson spirit" of selfdenial and devotion to duty, quite apart from the far-reaching results of -the. great naval victory which ensured safety of our nation and the peace and freedom of the seas. Britons, says Mr. Palmer, in no way resent the perpetuation of the memory of Joan of Arc by the French, nor the United Jitates celebration of Independence Day 7 and the French would be the last people to begrudge the honour annually paid to the memory of Britain's < naval hero. ' :