OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 21965, 27 February 1935, Page 12

OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION

THE ANNUAL MEETING AMMUNITION CAUSING CONCERN Deputy President F. Clayton occupied the chair at the annual meeting of the Otago Rifle Association. . The chairman, moving the adoption of the annual report, said that it was to some extent clue to the quality of the ammunition that the scoring had been bo high at the last Raster meeting. It had possibly never previously been so high, no fewer than forty-five possibles being recorded. Riflemen. R. Gillick (Kiwi) and J. Benfell (Dunedin) were to be congratulated upon their outstanding performances. Unfortunately, he did not think that it would be possible to have ammunition of equal quality at the next meeting. The association was grateful to the Defence Department for its assistance. _ Each year it made a grant of ammunition to the Otago Association, but this did not cover the needs of the association, which was the only provincial association that had to purchase additional ammunition to cover its requirements. At the last meeting there were 151. entries, nearly as many as were received for the New Zealand championships at Trentham. When this was considered in conjunction with the fact that Otago had the only provincial association which catered for volunteers, and that it catered liberally for tyros, he thought that some special consideration was due. The Defence Department, however, refused to give any later ammunition than that.which was issued to the defence forces. This was dated 1919 and 1922. A majority ot riflemen had had a good deal of trouble with it, and it was still causing concern. If it had_ to be used again next Easter there might be some falling off of entries. The Defence Department was actuated by reasons of economy, and all the association could do wasto hope for the best. It said much for riflemen that they were prepared to give up their Saturday afternoons, and it was a pity that the department could not give them some encouragement. If it was necessary to give such ammunition to the clubs, he saw no reason why the associations could not be given a supply of the latest. Riflemen were better oft in other countries. When it was noticed in Australia that the scoring was on a lower level than previously, an inquiry was made and all old ammunition was called in, a better class being provided. General Sir Alexander Godley had recently pointed out that battles still had to be won with the rifle. In conclusion the chairman congratulated the Christchurch Club on winning the Ladies’ Challenge Shield, which had been described as the most handsome trophy in the Southern Hemisphere. The report and balance sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: — Patron, the Minister of Defence (Hon. J, G. Cobbe); vice-patron, Colonel S. C. P. Nicholls; president, Colonel E. R. Smith; vice-presidents—Sir James Allen, Sir Charles Statham, M.P., Colonels J. M. Boyne, J. H. Moir, and G. Barclay, Majors P. Mackenzie, F. Waite, M.L.C., and 0. H. Mead, Captain G, Proudfoot, Messrs W. Downie Stewart, M.P., F. Jones, M.P., J. W. Munro, M.P., A. E. Ansell, M-P.., the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), and the presidents of rifle clubs in Otago; secretary, Rifleman H. Whitehead; auditor, President W. Bannerman; executive—Deputy-presi-dent F. W. Clayton, Riflemen W. A. Graham, 6. H Smith, D. Parsons, R. K. Johnston, J. Benfell, J. Jndson, P. Honnossy, R. Leslie, and' N. Jones. A resolution expressing sympathy with President B. Bruce in his illness was carried.

A suggestion that at the Easter meeting the 300 yards shoot should be reduced to 200 yards was referred to tho executive, which was asked to consult outside clubs which send members to the meeting, asking for their opinion. The retiring secretary _ (Rifleman C. H. M'Keich) and tho retiring membere of the executive were accorded a vote of thanks for their services.