RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10220, 14 December 1893, Page 2

RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF CITIZENS. A meeting of those Interested in securing a permanent rifie range for the South Island of New Zealand was held at the City Council Chambers at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, when there were present—Mr T. Gapes (Mayor-sleet, in the choir). Colonel Gordon, Majors Slater and Wolfe, Captain Harman. Sergeant-Major Evans, DrHscon, Oouaeiilore Bonnington, E, Smith and Cooper, Messrs Eden George, W. B. Scott, H. S. Batchelor, HaverJ’. Gundersea, Waksliu, Foe, Anderson ana others, Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gray and J, 11.I 1 . Smith. Dr Irving, and Messrs 0. F. Hulbert, Alan Scott and J* Bird. The Chairman said he had convened the meeting to enable those interested in Volunteer matters to consider the question of securing a suitable range near Christchurch on which to hold the New Zealand Rifle Association's competitive meetings. He thought it was desirable that a range should be scoured so be to improve and encourage shooting in Canterbury. A permanent range was required in Christchurch, and he felt convinced that if those present took the matter heartily, in hand (here would be very little difficulty in getting a range that would meet the requiremoato of Volunteer a and Eiflo Clubs, Bills shooting should bo encouraged aa far as possible, and he thought the modesty sura required by the Bide Association for carrying out tno meeting could easily be (subscribed by the citizens of Christchurch. Captain Harman said that in consequence of the successful meeting held on Tuesday evening to consider the question of holding the next Eifle Association competitions in Christchurch, he had telegraphed to Major Sommerville and had received the following reply that afternoon“ Christchurch fixed for 1894 meeting. Programmes circulated tomorrow. 4 ' All that was now required was the support of the citizens of Christchurch. Between three hundred and four hundred men would bo competing at the meeting, and he felt sure that tho city would benefit considerably during their stay. He advocated the neceseity of getting a permanent range near Christchurch, and referred to the fact that the Championship of the Colony had never been won by Canterbury. Riflemen in the North Island had better facilities afforded them for shooting than those in tho south, but if a permanent range were secured in Christchurch a greater interest would be taken by all riflemen. He hoped that the citizens would give their support and make tho Association meeting in March next a vary successful one.

In reply to Councillor Bennington, Captain Harman said that tho eum required for carrying out the meeting would amount to between £IOO and It was the intention of the Association to hold the meetings alternately in the North and South Islands, and if a permanent range were secured, and the necessary targets and structures once erected, there would be very little expense required for carrying out future meetings. He thought volunteers generally would ho prohibited from using the range, as they would have an undue advantage over the men in other parte of the Colony. Tho Mayor, Mr Eden George, suggested that a Canvassing Committee should be appointed at once. Mr Soofct said that with Mr Batchelor he had canvassed for subscriptions, and bad received promises of sums amounting to about £io. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Smith, it was resolved that Captain Harman and Councillors E, Smith and Cooper should be appointed a Canvassing Committee, in conjunction with Messrs Scott and Batchelor. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to tho Mayor-elect.