NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 5991, 25 May 1882, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

The desirability of holding the next annual-prize-meeting in connection with the above in or about Dunedin was discussed at a Volunteer dinner held in the Coffee Palace last evening. The matter was introduced lay Sergeant Hogg (Clntha, Rifles), wno, in proposing the health of the rifle champion, said that efforts should be made with the view of having the annual meeting held for once in Dunedin. It was unduly handicapping Southern volunteers by expecting them to visit Nelson year after year; and he thought that if prompt and decisive measures were taken and the co-operation of the country corps obtained the competition for 1883 might be held in Dunedin. The meetings could then be held alternately at Wellington and Christchurch. Major Wales expressed the opinion that it would be a most desirable thing if the suggestion could be given effect to, and he did not see that there was any difficulty m carrying it out. Two things were required —money and a good range. In the Otago Provincial District there were about 1,200 Volunteers, and the money required for the meeting at or near Dunedin would not exceed LI,OOO. This sum would not require to be raised, however, as something like L2OO would be received from members entrance fees, and Government, he understood, were willing to subsidise the Association to the extent of something like LSOO. At Wellington recently a public meeting had been convened by the Mayor with a view of holding the next competition there. In Dunedin Volunteers had hitherto been treated liberally by the public, and he thought that if an active canvass were instituted L2OO or L3OO would be readily subscribed towards holding the meeting here. He mentioned that owing to the bad weather there was a deficiency in connection with the late Easter Review. The Volunteers were contributing the loss, and the public had not been asked for assistance. Under these circumstances assistance in favor of the movement suggested might reasonably be expected. What he would propose was that a Volunteer'committee be organised, and a public meeting convened to see what support would be given to the proposal. They might reckon on 150 Otago Volunteers if a range could be provided close to town, and the holding of the meeting here would tend to revive the esprit de corps which formerly prevailed amongst snooting men in Otago. The assistance of the Mayor of Dunedin and other leading men should be sought; and if that were done there was no reason why the next meeting of the Association should not be held here. If the movement were successful, he might be tempted to have a tussle for the belt again, and to try and wrest it from Corporal Hutchinson.—(Applause). Volunteer E. R. Smith expressed the opinion that if the next meeting were held in Dunedin the number of competitors from Otago would far exceed the estimate of the last speaker. He had recently been through the Goldfields, and was surprised to find the number of really good shots there were there now. The Lakes and Goldfields would send down a very respectable contingent—say twenty-five to thirty men. Unless a move were made at once Wellington would take the wind out of our sails.

Corporal Hutchinson (rifle champion) remarked that at the last meeting of the Association at Nelson this district was only represented by three riflemen. That was simply ridiculous, as the best shots remained at home. He was sure that if the proposal were only warmly taken up it would be successful. The Northern men were anxious to come to Dunedin, and had affirmed the desirability of holding the next competition here. The Volunteers themselves were to blame in this matter, as in a single day contributions to the extent of LIOO had been collected for the Otago Rifle Association. As showing the apathy in the matter here he mentioned that it was now something like six weeks since the first circular on the matter had been received by the head of the Defence Department here, and nothing had yet been done to see if the meeting could not be held in Dunedin. As to the time for holding it here, November would be the best month, so that no time could be lost. Volunteer Smith said that if in order he would like to move "That Major Wales be requested to confer with Colonel Stavely with a view of calling a meeting of Volunteers and citizens to consider the advisability of having the next meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association in or near Dunedin." The Chairman : I shall be very glad to speak to Colonel Stavely on the matter and report to him the feeling expressed by this meeting in reference to it. I have no doubt he will respond to it and do his best to get the meeting up.—(Hear). Sub-lieutenant Scott, in seconding the motion, said that, like others from this part of the Colony, he was anxious to take part in a colonial prize meeting with older shots, but that he could not afford to go to Nelson. He thought that the meeting being held here would do an immense amount of good for shooting men in Otago. Mr Cohen said that he had received communications from a prominent member of the Council of the Rifle Association, and that a desire had been expressed that the next meeting should be held in or near Dunedin. To further the object in view, he suggested that the annual fixture of the local Rifle Association should be allowed to lapse for one year. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. We understand that Colonel Stavely has expressed his willingness to arrange for a preliminary meeting of volunteer officers being held at an early date to consider the matter.