LINTON RIFLE CLUB

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2124, 16 May 1922, Page 4

LINTON RIFLE CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. ..._ " " The annual meeting of the Linton Rifle Club was held last night, Mr. Hugh Akers presiding over a good attendance of members. The 20th annual report stated that the Club had had to carry on during the past twelve months under the same disadvantages with which it had to contend for the last four or five years. Members had to 'content themselves with miniature shooting, with an occasional shoot on the open range. With the question of a rifle range, or the reopening of the closed Hokowhitu range, in the hancfi? of Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., with the visit of the Minister of Defence, (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) General Sir Ed. Chaytor, and other military experts, to inspect the old rifle range, together with other steps taken, the Club fully expected that the past season would have seen it with a range again. However, the members' hopes were shattered, for the Defence Department refused to listen to the appeal to reopen the range, or find another suitable one. They had looked about for a private range, and they would soon have a rifle club in Palmerston North second to none in the Dominion. Whenever possible they had held matches with other clubs to hold members together. Matches were fired with the Foxton, Bunnythorpe, and Raumai Clubs, resulting each time in a win for the Linton Club. Notwithstanding the want of practice, the Club had been well represented at rifle meetings at Wanganui. Grcytown, Trentham. Hastings and Patea, and both individually and as teams, being well up in the prize lists each time. Interest was still maintained in Miniature shooting. In all, the Club had fired eight matches with miniature clubs in and around Palmerston North, and had won five, lost two and tied in one. Interest in the club competitions during the season had always held. The following were the prize winners of the various competitions: Mr. Pratt's trophy, H. Barlow; Messrs W. L. Fitzherbevt's. T. Edlin's and Club championship) trophies, T. Edwards; Mr. J. B. Gerrand's trophy. J. Griffiths; Mr. H. L. Young's trophy, H. Barlow: Mr. H. Akers trophies. F. Lumlv and H. L Smith. The balance sheet showed that the club had a credit balance of £ll with which to start the flew season. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, stated that they had endeavoured to get the Hokohitu range fixed up. but without success. Later they had secured a suitable, property across the Manawatu river, and had had the, satisfaction of havins Major Hornibrook sent up from Wellington to inspect the place. He had informed the Club that it would cost about £IOOO to equip the range, but they could not spend that amount. The club eventually got the report, which gave them the right to fix up targets Dn the place, but they could not then set the tenure, of Ihe* ground. After this they thought that their case was i hopeless one, and they had cast out an their own, and they had now settled on a place at Aokantere. The. place would prove very suitable and they could get up to 1000yds ranges. hi conclusion, the chairman hoped that the Club would have a good rear's shooting.—The. report and bal-mce-sheet were adopted. It was reported that Mr. J. McKelirte, of Carnarvon, had presented a iun for competition amongst Miniature Clubs throughout the Manawatu listrict. —A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the donors of the various :rophies. A -i«°arty vote of thanks was passed Mr. W. Ball for the services he had •endered the club while he occupied ;he position of secretary. An offer from Messrs Manson and Barr to provide a donation, a trophy 'or miniature shooting, was received vith thanks. The chairman and Messrs W. F. and W. Randell were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Mayor (Mr. J. A. Nash. M.P.). to asV lis assistance in the matter of secur; ng a refund of the money they hat* >xpended on the Hokowhitu range be'ore it had been condemned. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the en« iuing year resulted as follows: Pat•on, Mr. J. A. Nash; President, Mr. -fugli Akers; vice-presidents, Messrs iv. R. Fitzherbert. W. Randell. G. Cewth, G. N. Stephenson. A. Hannah, 3. L. Young, J. Kyle, G. Crow, F. \Teedham. and 3. B. Ross; committee, Messrs J. D. Smith, C. Page, G. Trenaine. H. Barlow. W. Kells, L Hastngs, J. Dalziell, T. Edwards, J. Grifiths; Protest officer, Mr. G. Newth, jecretarv. Mr. W. A'. Ball: Handicap>er. Mr. W. Randell; Auditor, Mr. A. ?. Stuart It was agreed to allow members to lse their own rifles for miniature hooting providing they were of 22 >attern. and decimal targets be used luring the year After considerable discussion upon he matter of changing the Club's tame. it. was agreed to adhere to the itle Linton Club. It was decided to hold the first niniature rifle, shoot on Tuesday light next.