MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 September 1934, Page 2

MOTUEKA

DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB ANNUAL MEETING (From Our Own Correspondent) At the annual meeting of the Motueka Defence Rifle Club on Monday evening there was a good attendance of members. The Rev. Canon G. A. Crossman (President of the Club) occupied the chair. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs P. B. Calder, J. 0. Anderson, and S. Cate. The secretary’s report and statement of accounts were read and adopted. A credit balance of £9 was shown. ;( The President congratulated the club on the past season’s performances. The club, he said, had been a very happy family, and it had been a pleasure to all to take, part in the regular shoots. The Club was indebted to Mr S Egintori not only for the use of the range, but for much thoughtful attention and work that administered to the comfort of the riflemen. It was reported that the pine trees planted at the back of the targets were making good progress and that they should soon make a good background, which is all that the range needs to make it the best range for afternoon shooting in New Zealand. The club’s thanks are due to the Defence Department for the generous help given to this and all other rifle clubs in the - ammunition grants. It is hoped that the old cordite issue will soon be used-up or otherwise disposed of, so -that, really reliable ammunition will be available. New members were welcomed and the opinion was expressed that the club would be able, in the coming season, to compete with any other club in the province. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The election of officers resulted as follows Patron, Mr S. Eginton; president, the Rev. Canon G. A. Grossman; vice-presidents, Messrs K. J. Holyoake M.P.. R. J. L. York (Mayor of Motueka), S.-T. Hughes, L. Stanton, and T. Stevens; deputv president, Mr P. B. Calder; secretary, Mr J. 0. Anderson; treasurer, Mr S. Cate; custodian of ammunition, Mr S. Cate ; handicapper, the Rev Canon G A. Crossman and Mr G. Manifold; committee, Messrs A. Adams, L. Kelling, T. B. Stevens, S. Mather, and R. Livesev; selection committee, Messrs G. A. Grossman, J. O. Anderson, and A. Adams; club coaches, Messrs G. A. Crossmail, J. 0. Anderson, A. Adams, and F. Painter; auditor, Air S. B. Canavan. The appointment, of a postponement committee was left to the general committee. '■ Saturday 29th inst. was fixed as the opening dav. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr S. Eginton, Mr S. B. Canavan, and the donors of trophies. ' It. was. agreed that the championship for the coming season be decided by an aggregate, made up of the four best shoot's" at each range, 300, 500 and 600 yards (7 shots) together with a final compulsory shoot of 7 shots at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges. Arrangements for the opening day > were discussed and it was decided that these be similar to last year’s opening, the programme to include a lady s match, old timers’ match and a club shoot. It was also decided that, members of outside clubs be invited. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES The following prizes won during the seasoniwcre presented by the Mayor (Mr •R/ J L;- York): —Championship,'. yose 4)0 wl (donated by Mr H. H. Smith); A. Ray. Hudson. Cup: A. Ray. Stevens Cup: F. G. Painter. E. J. Wills’ Cup: L. Kelling. C. B. Harman Cup: J 0: Anderson. E. Bedmond’s gold medal: J. 0. Anderson. Trophies were won by the following: P. B. Calder (Glover Bros trophy); R. Livesev (0. Shilton’s)'; L. Green (W. Bridle’s); F. G. Painter (L. Stanton’s); G. A. Grossman (P. B. Cnlder’s); S. L. Mather (D. Kelly’s): A. Ray (G. Talbot’s)'; EL Ray (C-. Knapp’s). SECRETARY’S REPORT The secretary’s report- was as follows -“Tlie year has been a successful one from a financial point of view. Expenses incurred in removing from th.e Hau range and the fitting up of the new one at the Kumeras have now been cleared and the club has a balance of £9 Is lOd. There is. no doubt that the move was a wise one. Shooting has greatly improved, and in addition there is much better equipment now in the way of targets, pit, etc.; and the new range is easier of access to the township. The club is greatly indebted to Mr S. Eginton, for, through his generosity, members acquired this very suitable range. Mr Eginton is a member who .takes very keen interest in rifle shooting. We still require shed accommodation at the butts for storing targets, telephone, ptc. The erection of a shed would not be an expensive item. We have on hand about 8 cwt. of empty shells, and I would suggest that these be sold at the first opportunity and that the proceeds be devoted towards the building of a shed. “Membership this year has been rather small, twenty-four members, paying their subscriptions It is however, expected that when conditions improve, there will be an increase in membership. “It has been necessary to purchase 2000 rounds of ammunition this season, the grant from the Defence Department not being enough to see the season’s shooting through. Unfortunately we are still "being issued with old cordite, which is not very satisfactory. At tlie present time we have no ammunition on hand; but bone to have the Government’s issue before the season opens. “The committee take this opportunity to thank all those, who so generously donated trophies for competition. They are an incentive to.keen rifle shooting. “The Miniature Rifle Shooting is now becoming very popular in Motueka and the membership is quite substantial. The improvement in the shooting of all members is most marked : and it is to be hoped that many of the Miniature Club riflemen will join up with the main club and help to make it one of the strongest clubs in the province. “During the season the Waimea, Taknka and Nelson clubs visited Motueka to take, part in friendly matches with the local club. The District Belt shoot was fired on the Motueka range in February; and a team from the local club competed for the Irvine Shield at Tapawera in June. “In conclusion I desire to thank all members for their support to the committee during the year, and I trust that the coming season will he a most successful one.”