TO ENCOURAGE RIFLE SHOOTING

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 139, 10 December 1919, Page 14

TO ENCOURAGE RIFLE SHOOTING

GRATIFYING INTEREST.

For years prior to the Great War, and, indeed, until the day of his death, the late Lord Roberts persistently and strenuously urged, on both the authorities and his fellow countrymen, the vital necessity of teaching men to shoot. His advice was. not accepted, but the lessons of the war proved the great soldier to be absolutely correct.

In a recent speech to soldiers of the oversesa Dominions, General Sir lan Hamilton, while congratulating them on their good work done for the Empire, said : "For God's sake keep up your musketry!" Rifle shooting is a fine, clean sport, and of distinct value to the defence of the country. Quite a number of returned soldiers are taking it up, and making themselves more proficient in the use of the rifle. This means a great deal to the New Zealand Forces, should they be again required to fight in defence of their country. Particularly so, when it is remembered that in one period of stiff fighting in front of Amiens, in what was known as Britain's Black Week, orders were issued from Army Headquarters, that the men must make moro use of the rifle, and not so much use of the bomb. Men who have confidenoe in their rifle from the ability to use it, naturally would, whenever possible, use- the rifle, and the bomb (the weapon of opportunity) would be used by them only when the occasion required.

It is pleasing, therefore, to see that public opinion in New Zealand is strongly in favour of tho encouragement of rifle shooting, this being shown in a practical manner by the support now being accorded. In the Wairarapa, business firms and private individuals nave recently given most generously for this purpose.

In Wellington, the same thing is now taking place, the championship meeting being held at New Year by the Wellington Rifle Association, promising to be the most successful ever held by that body. Most encouraging support is being given by well-known business firms, and promises of assistance are still coming in. The following amounts, of £1 Is and over, have already been received : E. W. Mills and Company, Ltd., £S ss; Briscoe and Company, Ltd., £5 ss; Ballinger Brothers, £2 2s; Judd and Randall, £1 Is; John Duthie and Company, £5 ss; J. M'Parland, £2 2s; Joseph Nathan and Company, £2 2s; T. and W .Young, £1 Is; Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, £1 Is; Now Zealand Farmers' Distributing Company, £2 2s; J. Staples and Company, Ltd., £3 3s; Dalgety and Company, £1'Is; New Zealand Shipping Company, £1 Is; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Association, £1 Is; Karori Rifle Club, £2 2s; Petone Rifle Club, £2 2s; Suburbs Rifle Club, £2 2s; Old Navals' Rifle Club, £1; C. J. Stewart, £1 Is; Presidents" Marshall (Karori), Flaws (Petone), Fellingham (Suburbs), Rabe (Old Navals), £1 Is each; King and Henry, a trophy, value £1 10s.