MINIATURE RIFLES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 15

MINIATURE RIFLES

PETONE'S NEW RANGE

ANNUAL MEETING

(By "Aperture.")

The annual general meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board Miniature Rifle Club was held recently, and was well attended. The election o£ officers .resulted: Patron, Mr. J. Marchbanks; ■ president, Mr. T. Alexander; vice-presidents, Captains Bullock, Campbell, Dawson, M'Arthur, M'Leod, Macindoe, Paterson, Post, Spence, Todd, Messrs. A. A. Bnrnett, T. R. Barrer, W. T. Becker, H. D. Bennett, T. W. Boon, E. D. Caeheinaille, C. H. Chapman, F. Cornet, M. A. Elliott, W. L. Fitzherbert, A. Fletcher, J. E. Gamble, D. J. Gibbs, G. Holmes, T. Jenssen, T. W. Martin, G. Moore, C. M'Donald, J. .W. M'Ewan, D. J. M'Gowan, H. Neilson, C. J. Norwood, A. E. Rising, W. S. Tisdall, 0. M. Tun-ell; captain, Mr. R. H. Niclioll; vice-captain, Mr. T. M'Gill; hon. secretary, Mr. J. J. Nixon; hon. treasurer, Mr. L. M. Rush; selector and handieapper, Mr. W. M'Bain; hon. auditor, Mr. ■T. Russell; committee, Messrs. J. Atkins, G. Ban-, D. Emmerson, W. M'Kenzie, V. Renton, —. Rigarlsford, T. Sewell, G. Whitefield; life members, Messrs. R. J. Ellis, S. Grey, H. E. Nicholls, S. Waters. The attendance at the range last season was well maintained, and the interest and enthusiasm evinced were well sustained. Three teams took part'in the interclub contests. The B team was runner-up, but the A and C Grade teams, though scoring well on a number of occasions, were not ho fortunate. The club's outstanding performance was its success in winning the Tisdall Cup competition. Mr. R. H. Nichoil was successful in winning the Wairarapa championship, and had the distinction of scoring a double "possible" in the B.S.A. match. He also won the Whitcombe Cup competition, and his open range club championship. He thus well merits the congratulations of liis eliibmates. Another member of the club, Mr. W. M'Bain, is congratulated upon his success in winning the North Island open range championship, and his own open range club championship. The contest for the club A Grade championship resulted in a win for R. H. Nicholl (1043 points). W. M'Bain was runner-up (1032 points). Mr. 'L. Philpott (1019 points) won the B Grade championship, and Mr. G. Whitefield (1013 points) was runner-up. Mr. S. Waters, who Jins alwnys been prominently associated with the club since its inception, and has been one of its successful marksmen, was unanimously elected a life member, as a token of appreciation and of esteem. LOWER HUTT LADIES' CLUB. The annual general meeting of the Lower Hutt Ladies' Miniature Rifle Club was held on Thursday, 12th March, at the club range. The club was well represented, the captain, Mrs. Donkin, taking the chair. The secretary's report and balance-sheet showed the eiub to be in a sound financial position. The club championship was won by Mrs. Cavaye, with Mrs. Donkin runner-up. Other B Grade trophies were won by Mesdames Cavaye, Donkin, and Ching, Miss Howe and Miss Munro. The C Grade championship was won by Miss Green, with Miss R. Laurence runner-up. Other C Grade trophies were ■won by Mrs. Linefcer, Misses Green, R. Laurence, and L. Laurence. Mrs. Cavaye is to bo congratulated on winning the New Zealand Ladies' championship. .The team which competed for the New Zealand championship was runner-up, and ,was defeated by merely two points. The club was also well represented at the Wairarapa championship meeting, each .of the contestants winning prize-money. The club is greatly indebted to the following for trophies:—Mesdames F. Murray, Ohio?, Cavaye, Rtishton, Donkin, and Skipage, Miss Copeland, Messrs. Howe and Brown, and R. Hannah and Co. The annual social and presentation of prizes took place in King George Theatre on 26th November, the club, as usual, combining with the men's club for this event. The social was a success both sopially and financially. Thanks are due to the coaches, Messrs. Ching, Cook, and Hare, for their untiring services throughout the year; also to the marker, Mr. Skipage. The election of officers resulted:—Patroness, Mrs. V. Riddiford; president, Lady Roberts; captain, Mrs. Donkin; vice-cap-tain, Mrs. Cavaye; treasurer, Mrs. Haden; secretary, Mrs. Murray; delegate to W.M. R.A., Mrs. Pelham; committee, Miss Laurence, Mrs. Lineker, and officers of the club. Any lady desirous of joining the club is requested to communicate with the secretary, Mrs. B. Murray, 41), Pharazyn street, Lower Hutt. PETONE CENTRAL CLUB. At the annual meeting of the Petone Central Miniature Rifle Club the election of officers resulted:—Patrou, Mr. W. Is ash, M.P.; president, Mr. A. E. I'Trost; deputy-president, Mr. R. Piigh; captain, Mr. 15. Eaton; secretary, Mr. .IS. J. K. Greager; assistant-secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Devino; committee, Messrs. J. Ashman, A. Hobbs, H. Marsden, Ritchie, Towuseud; handicapper,, Mr. if. Marsden; delegate to W.M.R.A., Mr. R. Pugli. There was a good attendance of members and visitors at the opening of the new range, which is situated in a central position in Udy street, opposite the Recreation Ground. The day was ideal and the ladies present added much to tho gaiety and enjoyment of the occasion. Mr. A. E. Ffrost, president of the club, introduced the Mayor of Petone (Mr. D. M'Kenzie), and remarked that his members were_ naturally pleased to have sucha fine building. Mr. M'Kenzie expressed his pleasure at being present, and eaid that at a time when nearly everybody was intent on sport such a building was indeed a decided acquisition to the community. He spoke of the Borough Council's part in procuring the site for the club. Petone's activities were well known, and he hoped that the club would be a great benefit to the town. Mr. W. Nash, M.P., also spoke. He apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mrs. Nash, and thanked the club for having elected him its patrou. Mr. Nash, who promised the club any help possible, congratulated the Petone Borough Conn-, cil on its part in the selection of the site, and concurred in the view that the work of those who provided others with sport was indeed work worth while. He wished the club all success in the future. Miss Joyce Henderson presented button- ■ holes of flowers to Mr. Nash, Mr. M'Kenzie, and Mr. Ffrost, and bouquets to Mrs. Childs (president Hutt Valley Ladies' M.R.C.), Mrs. Jones (president Petono Ladies' M.R.C.), and to Mrs. Ffrost, wife o£ the president of the club. Mr. M'Kenzie then declared the building open, and he and Mr, Nash each fired a shot over the new range, and afternoon tea was handed round by the ladies of the club, who have been a tower of strength and have proved themselves indispensable. An unsightly right-of-way has been converted into a very neat and attractive building,, reflecting great credit upon tho designer and builder, Mr. Scott. The light cream paintwork and black facing are also very effective. The social hall •which measures 28ft by 19ft, is of heart matai flooring, and is suitable for any function which is made possible by the commodious kitchenette adjoining, in which are installed heating and other conveniences. In the range itself the mound is perfectly rigid, being on separate plates from the social hall. The two mattresses were supplied by Mr. C. Parsonage, of Wellington. The width of the mound will permit up to six competitors to get down at one time. At the butts the markers are well protected. Behind the targets the wall is of concrete, faced with steel "sheeting, covered wjth wood, which is extended into two side wings filled with clinkers, thus providing a maximum of safety. Two lights encased in two cylinders and suspended from the ceiling shed an even and good flood qt light across the targets. This method is a departure from the usual canopy suspended directly over the targets. Ernest Joeiis and Alfred Jones were the electricians. . • i i An interesting, device conceived aim executed by Mr. Scott is the method of ventilation, designed to abate the smoke nuisance. It consists of certain vents opposite each other at various intervals along the top of the walls. The try-out conclusively prored that #>o idea- is a success. : fy^ground floor; is perfectly, solid. The

club is greatly indebted to the Mayor, councillors, and officials and to the ladies. PETONE LADIES' CLUB. The Petone Ladies' Miniature Rifle Club held its annual general meeting recently, a largo number o£ members being present. The report and balance-sheet showed the club to be in a very satisfactory position. Tho following officers were elected for 1931:—Patron, Mr. D. M'Kenzie; vicepresidents, Mrs. Harding, Mrs. Wright, Messrs. Aldridge, Anderson, Brockelbank, Bryan, Caly, Crook, Cole, Goldfinch, E. Jones, T. A. Jones, Ffrost, Longman, Pratley, Porter, Marsden, Stewart, Scott, Thcssman, Willis, Dr. Hutchison; president, Mrs., Jones; deputy-president, Mrs. Marsden; secretary, Miss Wild; assistant secretary, Mrs. Marsden; treasurer, Miss Pratley; captain, Miss Jones; vice-cap-tain, Miss Gregory; delegate to W.M.R.A., Miss Wild; committee, Mesdames Pratley, Aldridge, Porter, Miss Freeman; auditor, Mr. E. Jones. The club has now been transferred to the Central Rifle Club's new range, Udy street, and it has been decided to open the 1031 season on Wednesday, 25th March. Two nights have been devoted to practice. On. the first occasion Miss Gregory won a trophy given by Mrs. Jones for the highest score. Mrs. Bryan's trophy for the highest score on the second night was won by Mrs. Marsden. FIXTURES. Tho Wellington Miniature Rifle Association (incorporated) executive will meet in the Harbour Board Club's range, King's Wharf, to-morrow at 7.30 p.m. Election of chairman, inter-club matches, new range, and general matters will be tho business of the evening. _ j Tho seventh annual general meeting of the Public Service Club will be held in the Railway range, at the corner of Bunny and Featherston streets, on Thursday at S p.m. AH members and intending members have been cordially invited to at- j tend. I