MINIATURE RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17926, 23 March 1922, Page 10

MINIATURE RIFLE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above association was held last night, Mr W. F. Sligo (president) occupying the chair. The main features of the report were as follows:—The executive regretted having to take the step of doing away with the Normanby range. Members who wished to do outside shooting, could* however, still make use of the Woodhaugli range. With regard to the inside range, interest in the mterolub matches had been well maintained right throughout the season. Tho association sweepstake handicaps did not draw so many entries as during previous seasons, though at times there was keen competition, and the prizes wore fairly well distributed. The executive and members owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr F. Silvius for the Work he had done for the welfare of members of tho association not only as handicapper but as tho leading light of the sweepstakes. The North End Club had decided to take in hand two or three youths belonging to the Senior Cadets and'Territorials, and train them, in view of competing for tho Jellicoe Trophy. If the other clubs of the association conld see their way to do likewise there was no reason why the association should not be able to enter a team capable of lifting the trophy. It had been suggested that in all matches two targets should be used, as at present in the ten-shot matches. This matter might well be considered; also a proposal that in marking tho shot should break "the black inside the circle. In regard to finance, the report stated that the association was in a peculiar position. It had indented a lot of ammunition, and, in paying for this, practically all its money had been used. Members were not buying tho ammunition in any quantity, and in consequence the executive had no ready money. A suggestion had been made that ‘a social or art union should be hold, but tho executive did not regard with favor any appeal to the public for tho sport, considering that an endeavor should bo made to carry on without such aid. It might be necessary to raise tho affiliation fee or take some otheir action, and this was preferable, in the opinion of tho executive, to making an appeal for outside help. The balance-sheet showed that, inclusive of its assets, the association had gone back £33 17s 3d during tho year. The affiliation fee was increased, to 3s, a basis on which, from Last year’s showing, a working margin could be secured. It was made a recommendation to the executive that ten shots bo fired in'club matches and seven shots in tho five-men matches.

The exeedtive’s recommendation that in marking the shot should break the black inside the white circle was agreed to. With regard to the ammunition in' the hands of the association, it was recommended that the executive consider the question of placing it at the disposal of members on a cheaper basis, incurring a slight loss. The ■ meeting recognised the urgency under which the ammunition had been secured, and favored an immediate facing of the position rather than waiting longer. Mr Silvias suggested that instead cjf firing teams of eighteen men the matches consist of twelve, ten to count, strong clubs to bo allowed to enter more than one team if thought desirable.—On being pule to the vote the proposal was carried. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. The secretary mentioned that the City Club vvon the teams’ championship with 8i points, North End coming second with 8. In tho five-men ten-shot matches City A were first, with an aggregate of 2,408 points, North End A coming second with 2,399 points. The individual championship was secured by Mr Ogg (North End Club), 651 points; R. Gillick (North End) coming a good second with 650 points, and T. Parker (City) and N. M'Parlano (Railway) third, with 647 points. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr Sligo; vice-presi-dent, Mr Cl T. Callis; secretary, Mr P. H. Davis; treasurer, Mr C. T. Callis-; auditor, Mr E. R, Burton; handicapper, Mr E. Silvias, u ’

■ In regard to the mattresses at tho association’s indoor range, it was decided to do away with those and return to the mound) system.