N.Z. Rifle Association.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 169, 20 January 1888, Page 2

N.Z . Rifle Association.

Per Press Association. Wellington, 'Jan 19. Captain Somerville, Chairman of the New Zealand Rifle Association, arrived in Wellington from Wanganui last night and to-day had an interview with the Defence Minister in reference to the Mar-tini-Pleuri rifles for next meeting of the Association, at Oamaru ; and also as to the guarantee asked from the Association by the Government for a third of tho cost of obtaining 300 of such rifles. Captain Somerville explained that 300 rifles would not be sufficient, as he fully expected 350 competitors on the ground at the end of February, and at his recpiest Government have wired to Sjyflney tq'ascertain whetliep an additional ijQ can be secured. Tfle for ply is not expected before to-morrow. Unless the extra uumber is obtained Captain Somerville considers it possiblo that the Association will have to revert to Sniders and use last year’s programme. He is opposed to this course owing to the faulty manufacture of the Kynoek ammunition used for this weapon, but to-day he was assured by Ma jor-General Whitmore that in all probability a better sample of Kynock’s may be obtained than was used [at the Christchurcji meeting.' The Captain, however, expresses hope that should the New South' Wales Government not be iii a position to supply the neces: sary number of Martini-Henrjs, ho npay be able to bqrrow a sufficient number of these rifles to make up a full poipplenqenj; in order to carry opt this year’s pro? gramme. With regard to the guarantee asked for by the Government, Captain Somerville lias given his personal guarantee for .£3OO, and has promised a further guarantee of £250 after the meeting in Oamaru, and the balance to be arranged after the meeting in 1889. The Chairman is confident that he will be ablo to dispose of most of the Martini-lienris, as he■ has already had offei's from' several Volunteer corps' to take‘a certain number off hi £ hands, and those not sold the Government' will hold as seeurj ty for ’ payhjent" of balance of guarantee.’ Before assenting to the guarantee, Captain §qmeryilLs asked the Minister for Defence if it wire the inteutiun of the Government to arm volunteers with a now class of weapon, because if this was the case the Association would have Martini-Henris thrown on their hands, as it would be found necessary in all future meetings to use the new arm issued to volunteers generally. Mr Fergus replied that it wag 1 not intended 1 to get any nfew' o£ weapon for volunteers, nor did. he think if likely this would be done for. some years! Should tho Martini-Henri be usqi at next meeting the number of rounds of ammunition imported with the rifle will be 100,090, and as this costs some £5 pur thousand the Association will be at a great outlay at tho outset, but expect to bo well recouped by the sale of ammunition to competitors, and also to those who purchase tho rifles. With respect to the Remington-Lie 'rifle, Ml those' ofl issije' (320) are to be called in, and Government will probably take back the ammunition not used, at tho same price that it was issued. It is understood that Government intend to ask the manufacturers of the Remington- Lqc rifles, and #Uv ttu> of tile ammunition, fo take back tite. rifles and unused cartridges at a sm-Hi discount, as it is thought tin.y could' bo sold in'• the 'United' States! ’ Captain Somerville denies that the Rifle Association is responsible for the importation of Cue Remington-Lco rifle, ana'states that from the first he wished to obtain Martiniifeniis, but the Defence Minister in the late Government held the opinion that they were becoming absolute, and stated that his Government were importing the latest improvement, which was the Remington-Lee,