NELSON DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 July 1924, Page 2

NELSON DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING

The 23rd annual meeting of the Nelson Defence Ride Club was held at the Drill Hall on Saturday last, Lieut.-Col. N. \V. Thoms occupying the chair, there was a good attendance of members. The president (Nlv L. M. Estcourt) read the annual report and the secretary (Mr F. Glpdhill) the balance sheet, which were adopted. ANNUAL REPORT The annual report was as follows - “It is with pleasure that I present to you the report of the chib’s doings for season 1923-24. Arising lroiii expressions of dissatisfaction uith the Quarantine Range, a movement uas inaugurated to secure a range more suitable to the competitors generally, and after many of the members had viewed the range once used by the ,'Wnkapuaka Rifle Club it tyas decided that the club take oyer the range and gear and some trophies that had not been won out. This whs decided at a meeting held in the Foresters Hall. Wakapuaka, and subsequently agreed to by our club. After spending a eoni siderable amount of money and several of our members forming working bees, the range was got- into working order. Tito old target frame were taken out and three new shutter targets erected. The were practically reformed ; new mounds made, and telephone line erected. But- it was soon apparent that this was little if any better than the Quarantine Range, in--1 a stanch as what wind there was, was not true, and there was nothing to be learnt in the true art of shooting. “The shooting for the season has not been of the usual high standard set by the club; and many of the older shots wore completely baffled by the effect of wind and light on. this range. “The competitions were well attended throughout the season owing mainly to the obliging manner of Mr E. O. Russell in making a. devious route to pick up competitors. A number of new members joined during the year, some making good progress; but there appears to be a lack of general assistance to the young shot; this should be remedied. The young shot should get all the assistance that is available if wo want t > build up a substantial club. “We had five members in the team which won the Milrov Shield against Marlborough, and we also won the Irvine Shield on both occasions. The Shield was fired for twice owing to a protest being lodged, and sustained, by Renwick Rifle Club on the first shoot.

“One of our members (Mr F. Gledhiill) won the District Belt, this competitor also winning our club championship. Mr T. Carter was runner-up on both oocasions.

“Wo were not well represented at the N.R.A. at Trentham, and an endeavour should be made to get a team awav next season.

“Owing to the heavy expenditure incurred on. the range our secretary has. had a. busy time endeavouring to make ends meet, in which he has been successful, as you will see by the balance sheet; and we ’ tender our best thanks to all who assisted us financially and otherwise in achieving this object. “You are all aware, that we lost the services of our secretary, Mr D. D. Kenning, he being transferred to Wanganui. Whilst acting as secretary he capably fulfilled the office. We were fortunate in securing the services of Mr Gledhill to carry on until the annual meeting, and ho has put a. deal of effort into the work, thereby assisting our financial position. “Our Chief Patron, Mr. T. A. H. Field, has been laid aside in sickness, and we regret ho is unable to be with us to-night, and I’m sure along with mo you all wish him a speedy recovery. “I Wish to thank the donors of trophies, the Press, Defence Office, Messrs Robertson Bros., H. Baigent, and A. Miller , (gifts of timber), and R Catley as auditor,” The election of officers resulted as follows:—Chief patron, T. A. Field; patrons, Mrs E. Lyall, Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, M.L.C., Colonel Collins, MajorGeneral Wallack, Colonel Thoms, Captain Moncrieff, H. Atinore, M.P., Major R. Daggar, l)r. V. Barr, Dr. W. I). Jolmsion, W. Lock (Mayor), 11. R. Duncan, L. Kerr, li. J. Harris, C. It. Fell, G. Rutherford, J. W. Neale, W. S. Milnor; president, W. A. Mitchener; vicepresident, J. H. Manssen; secretary, F. G. Gledhill; auditor, It. Catley; executiv ccommitlee, P, Burn, J. Vitetta, W. A. Kenning, L. Dixon, T. Carter, It. Kenning, J. Dayman; weather committee, W. A. Mitchener and J. 11. Manssen ; handicappcrs, T. Carter and F. Gledhill; selection committee, 11. Day, T. Carter, J. Manssen; shooting secretary, K. Inwood. Mr Estcourt said that an endeavour had been made, to secure an open range, but without, success. The Quarantine range was inaccessible at times owing to tides.

Mr It. Kenning suggested that trit Government should put up a. footwulk over tideways. Colonel Thoms said he thought Vidge could bo got if the Territorials used the range more frequently ; but this would block the club to a certain extent, as they wanted to do a. lot of shooting this year

After some discussion it was resolved that the club return to the Quarantine range if no other locality is available; and in the meantime Mr Saxton be approached as to.a site located- by Mr YV. A. Kenning, and that a deputation from the club wait on Mr Saxton to see wlnit terms could be arranged. A notice of motion tabled by Mr Estoourt, “That the annual meeting be held in June,” was carried.

It was resolved that class firing take place early in the season and llioso not taking part bo barred from competitions until they comply. The ltonga Club intimated a desire to fire a match at an early date.. Col. Thoms suggested a teams shoot with .22 bore in the Drill Shed with the Defence staff.—Accepted. The price of ammunition was left to the committee to decide.

A bonus was douted to the secretary of .V2 2s. The following new members were elected : Messrs \V. Flower, J. Hyde, Ralph Cat ley, junr., J. Keirooz, S. Fuller, A. Lecbody. Colonel Thoms then presented trophies as under :

Ist Glass Championship-, l l '. Gledhill, Mrs Lyull’s trophy. J. W. Neale Cup and gold medal, 1: T. Carter, trophy, 2; K. In wood, trophy,' 3. 2nd ■ Class Championship, El C. Russell, 15. Richards’ trophy, and YV. Raynor’s, Cup, 1; Cl- Dixon, trophy, 2;,.E. J. Kenning, trophy, 3. Handicap aggregates; R. Kenning 1, P. Burn 0.

500 and 600-yards aggregate: F. Qledhill,, Mit-chcner, Cup. Handicap aggregate: F. Gledhill, Hari ns Cup. • ' . Buodgrass and Bolts’ trophy : F. .Gledhill. : .. , • ■

Mr R. Burns' trophy :J- Dixon.. Mr El YY'ood’s -trophy E- 'lnwood. , Mr H. 1 Bcnutd;C,s;trOphy>'.'E- C. Russel) \\-illfins and Field’s trophy K: tnwaod Mr T. A. Field’s trophy :-V- Vitettal Mr C.. M. Collins’ trQphy : ,} v ; Bradley Mr YV. Lock’s trophy: E. Cl Russell. , Brown Bros’ trophy: E. J. . Kenning. A vote of thanks to.the chair 'terminated '-the meeting. '. “ ' .!. t