MARLBOROUGH RIFLE UNION

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 138, 9 June 1909, Page 8

MARLBOROUGH RIFLE UNION

The Marlborough Rifle Union "held their annual field firing competition at the Vernon range on Saturday, when six teams took part. The shoot- ( 1 in<* was very fair, and resulted m a win for the Blenheim Rifles, and the IMounted Rifles second. . The Blenheim Rifles and the Tua Marina Rifle ■Club each have two wins, and another win will give either of them the prize. The following are the scores: —

THE SMOKE CONCERT.

a The annual smoke concert, which -was held in the Drill Shed on Saturday night was only poorly attended by riflemen. Colonel Chaytor was Chairman, and during the evening the Shield and Cup were presented to last year's winners—the Shield going to the Blenheim Rifles and the Junior Cup to the Tua Marina Defence Rifle Club. An invitation was extended to the Garrison Band to be present, and the band enlivened proceedings by playing to most of the toasts. After the usual loyal toasts had been honoured the Chairman proposed "The winners of the Shield and Cup." He made an appeal to young men to .go in for rifle-shooting, which was a grand pastime. The Union had done a great deal for shooting in the district, and it was hoped that the coming season would be most successful. Color-Sergeant Hadfield responded in behalf of the Blenheim Rifles, and «aid he had to thank the Union for his success in shooting. Every club in the district should take an interest in the Union and help it along. In returning thanks to the Chairman for his kind remarks he hoped to see the Mounted Rifles come out on top this "V6HT ~ Mr jF. Drake responded for the Junior Cup winners, and expressed his regret at the poor interest evinced by the shootists in not, turning up to their annual re-iinio.B£ Mr Dodson proposed the health of the "President," STjctln doing so congratulated the Union on the possession of such an. energetic officer as Colonel Chaytor. Captain Watson supplemented the -toast. As Secretary of the Union he Icnew they had in Colonel Chaytor a ■ President of great tact, who at critical moments always managed to smooth things over. Mr MeKinley also spoke to the toast. , - Colonel Chaytor replied, and was loudly cheered. He said he was pleased and proud to help the Union .along, and he hoped, with the speakers, that he would long be able to so help. He hoped, however, that more interest would be taken in the future. Mr Davies in proposing "The Secretary," paid a high tribute to the ability of Captain Watson. He wasa real good fellow, and the right man in the right place. He hoped he would Tbe long spared to the Union. Mr Dodson spoke to the toast, and Captain Watson replied. He had been connected with the Union ever since" it had been formed, and he hoped to be able for many years to come to liave a hand in its management. "Color-Sergfc. ■ Hadfield" was the nest toast, proposed by Captain Wattsoh. Color-eSrgt.' Hadfield has been selected to go to Australia in the Federal team, and Captain Watson congratulated the Color-Sergt. on his success as a rifle shot. He would like to see him bring back the chief "honours to Marlborough. Colonel Chaytor also spoke to the toast and Color-Sergt. Hadfield replied, in the course of which he said that Captain Masefield would also be included in the Federal team. They ■would both do their best for Blenheim. The toast of "Mr Eyre," proposed by Color-Sergt. nadfleld and responded to by. Mr Eyre, and the singing of "Auld Lang .Syne*' brought the function to a close.

Blenheim Rifles Mounted Rifles T.M. D.R.C., No. 1 ... ... llenv/ick R.O. T.M. D.R.C., No. 2 Blenheim R.O. Scratch team of 11 men 6 J 1 o -a 39 35 45 28 37 15 33 12 29 22 31 15 45 34 I d <a O 17 9 15 12 13 11 13 0) pq & 10 301 13 275 13 224 12 210 6 20fi 8 191 10 294