New Zealand Rifle Clubs.

Hastings Standard, Issue 80, 29 July 1896, Page 2

New Zealand Rifle Clubs.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF DEFENCE.

[By Telegraph.] (From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, this day. A deputation from the New Zealand Rifle Association, consisting of Captain Creagh (Oamaru), Major McCredie (Gisborne), Vol. A. Ballinger (ex-Rifle Champion), and Captain Lomax, was introduced to the Defence Minister by Mr McNab, with a view of ascertaining the intentions of the Government in respect to Rifle Clubs. It was suggested by Mr McNab that members of Rifle Clubs should be sworn in, as was done in other colonies, thus giving them some status. The Hon Mr Thompson said his sympathies were with Volunteers, but as to the system of Rifle Clubs, he did not know how far the new Commandant would approve of them. Personally, he thought they would be just as ready to serve when called on as Volunteers would be. He could make no promise at present with respect to the request for their status. The Minister explained that the £470 on the Estimates was not for the payment of liabilities that had been incurred in connection with the last rifle meeting, but was a vote for the future. Captain Creagh referred to the high price charged for ammunition and to its faulty quality, while another of the deputation stated that not 10 per cent, of the Volunteers were average marksmen. The Minister held the same view, and agreed that there were some of the Volunteer Companies he would not care to be connected with.