THAT RIFLE TEAM.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 144, 20 June 1913, Page 5

THAT RIFLE TEAM.

~ [to the editor.] Sir, —In your issue of the 17th inst. I am accused by a. correspondent (signing himself "One of the Selectors") of writing above the nom-de-plume of "Bulls-Eye." Before going further I wish to give this an emphatic denial. I Imew nothing of the letter luntil it appeared in our local press. In shooting pan-lance, he has fired on the wrong target. Re the conversation in Picton (I do not approve of public use being made of private conversations), I can prove conclusively that Mr Simmonds was not asked to make one of the team; but why ring up Seddon to get information about the Linkwater Club— situated at the opposite end of the line? The excuse cannot bo because Mr Mclntosh is on the telephone; Mr Simmonds and our secretary are also on the telephone. Leaving the above members out of the question altogether, do you not think, Mr j "Selector," that a decent .and proper way of getting any information from our club would have been to have sent a wire (6d) to our secretary or presi- [ dent? Mr "Selector" goes on to say that two hon. members, of our club were entered by men in our team for last year's shield matches, thereby inferring that my action was questionable. No one knows better than he does that a certain number of hon. members have always been allowed to fire in any team; he also knows ,or should know, that any member of tho Territorial' forces cannot b© other than .an hon. member of any rifle club. Another point in connection withJ the selection of this team which does not seem very clear is this (this is probably where the Zam-Buk comes in): If we were rightly informed', the team was to have been chosen from the Marlborough Rifle Union. Is it not a fact that tho Eaituria Club was passed over on account of its not belonging to that body, while two other clubs not belonging to the Union had each three members in the team? In conclusion, may I suggest that in future it be a recommendation to selectors to do their duty on sportsmanlike lines, and deal out equal justice to all, thereby fostering a sport which should be encouraged by every right-minded and patriotic Britisher. ROB. STOREY, President L.D.R.C. Picton, June 20, 1913.

[to the editor.]

Sir, —In Tuesday's issue of your paper is an answer to my letter, signed I "One of the Selectors," who has been good enough to disclose the facts as to how the rifle team to shoot against the battleship was selected. He admits that one of our club members who resides 30 miles away from the headquarters of his club was asked whether he and another member could.shoot in the team. The Latter states that he had not been approached in the subject. But supposing these members had been asked and replied in the negative, why were two out of the same club not selected to fill the vacancy, as in other cases ? If the team had been chosen in a businesslike manner the president or secretary of the club would have been consulted at the small cost oi- a penny stamp. As previously stated, it was intended originally that all clubs should be [represented, and the Linkwater Club have a .mumber of bettershots than some of those selected. I would advise "One of the Selectors" to.put on more ''windage," as when he refers to speaking to "Mr Bull'sBye" after the match, it was not me. Getting back to the management of the Union, a good example of its mismanagement has since been exhibited. This club was advised by letter that the annual meeting of the Union would be held at Blenheim on the 14th inst., and our delegates were instructed to attend accordingly; but on arrival at Blenheim learned to their disappointment that the meeting had been postponed as advertised in The Express. The Union did not evidently think it worth while notifying our club to that effect, thus saving the delegates their train fares and the inconvenience. I trust that we will be advised when the meeting is to take place

BULL'S-EYE.