MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 1 May 1937, Page 4

MOTUEKA

MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB ANNUAL MEETING [From Our Own Correspondent] At the annual meeting of the Motueka Miniature Hide flub, held in the Club room, Mr I’. B. Cahler presided over an attendance of 26 members The chairman remarked on the success of the club's fourth season, which had been a very enjoyable one for all. Inipiovbmonl in shooting had been especially noticeable among young members, many of whom, commencing the season as novices bad become first class shots. With the increased membership it would be necessary to purchase another rifle and to make provision for a, fourth target. The secretary (Mr J. O. Anderson), the treasurer (Mr ’A. E. Fry) and members of the committee bad, he said, rendered excellent service and were responsible for tile smooth and efficient running of tho club. Mr Colder extended a hearty welcome to Canon G. A. Grossman of Claudelands, Hamilton, a former president of the Miniature Hiffe Club, who was present at the meeting. The annual report and the balance sheet "'ere presented and adopted, on the motion of Messrs R. Glcdhill and C. Gibbs. The balance sheet showed a credit of £l4 2s 3d while assets over lia bilities amounted to £39 2s 3d. The chairman said lie considered the financial position of the club most satis factory.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS Officers for the ensuing season .were elected as follows:—Ration, Mr K. J. Holyoukc M.J.; president, Mr R. B. Colder; deputy-president, Mr A. Adams, secretary, AIvJ. 0. Anderson; treasurer, Mr A. E. Fry ; committee, Messrs L Kclling, D. Askew, J. Gaskell, H. Delany; auditor, .Mr G. W. Manifold. It was decided that tho season be opened on Tuesday, 4th May, and that tiie subscription be 5s as last year. Mr S. Bennetts (Legion of Frontier 3men) waited on the club and made application for the uso of the Miniature Rifle Range for one night per month Ho stated that about 23 Frontiersmen would be prepared to join the club. The president said bo saw no objoo. lion to the granting of the request, provided the Frontiersmen became members. Mr Bennetts thanked the Club for permission to use the range.

ANNUAL REPORT The secretary, Mr J. 0. Anderson, presented the following report:— Tn submitting my report for the year 1936-37, I would like to congratulate the club on the very successful year just closed. The membership has increased to such nil extent that the club is now the largest in the Nelson province. Indications for the coming season point to an ever larger membership. The wonderful improvement in the shooting shows the keen interest taken by all members in 'this sport. Miniature rifle shooting, in addition to being a pleasant pastime, is of national importance in that it makes efficient riflemen of hundreds of young men, who, probably would imt otherwise have an opportunity to use the rifle.

Matches were fired, during the year, against the Legion of Frontiersmen and the Tasman club. It would be a beneficial experience for members if more of these inter-club matches were arranged. The financial position of the Club is quite sound. Provision has been made for a good supply of ammunition, 10,000 rounds having been purchased. This should last well into the 'season. With the expected increase in membership it will be necessary to purchase a fourth rifle, and to arrange the accommodation at the range so that four men can shot at tho same time. As an alternative tho members could be divided, and two shoots held per week instead of one.

I wish to thank all members of the committee for their co-operation and support, which enabled me to carry out the duties as secretary.

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES The Mayor (Mr R. J. L. York) said be considered it an lionur to be called upon to present the trophies. He congratulated the club on its activities and its success. Ho was pleased that the Legion of Frontiersmen had expressed a desire to join. Shooting was a clean sport and should be encouraged by all sections of the community. Those who were responsible for the erecting of the building for the Miniature range—the Council, the club and other bodies—bad no regrets. He expressed the hope that the club would have a successful season and that the membership would continue to increase.

Trophies and winners were as follows: —Opening shoot (E. Buxton and Co. Employees ’Trophy): N. A. Andrews; Geol’f. Talbot’s cup—J. Gaskell; N. A. Andrew’s trophies—A section, N. Jones, B section, C. Gibbs; grouping, club trophies—A, B. Rowling; B E. Norris; Manov’s trophy—A, G. Manifold; A. Adam’s trophy— B, A. Goodman; club trophy—A. L. Keiling; A. Adam’s trophy—B, Geo. Fowler. (1) Club trophies—A, A. Adams; B, K. Colder; (2) club trophies—A, G. Sturgeon; 8., Geo. Fowler; (3) club trophies—A, J. O. Anderson; B, E. Norris; club trophy—A, D. Askew; Thompsons’ trophy—B, V. Bruce; Pike Cup—E, Norris; (4) club trophies—A, G. Stringer; B, If. Suckling; (5) club trophies—A, A. Adams; R>. Geo. Fowier; club championship (S. T. Hughes’ cups)—A, A. Adams; B, K. Calder.

Thy president extended thanks to the Mayor for making the presentations and to the donors of trophies Mr S Beimel Is offered a trophy to the club on behalf of the Frontiersmen.

RIVER BOARD MEETING At a meeting of the Motueka River Board hold ill the Council Chambers the following members were present :.Messrs A. li. Fry (chairman), 11. J. Trewavas, B. T. Rowling, E. C. Fry and A. I). Taylor. ’ kflfi

CORRESPONDENCE The district engineer advised, regarding his recent inspection of flood damage (o the Motueka River protective works, that tiie Kngiueor-iu-(’hicf, following on the report received, bad replied as follows :*‘Referring to your memorandum of the slh instant, your suggestion to arrange for the River Board to engage Mr Staig and ascertain in detail tho amomit of material necessary to restore tho damage to the existing stop hands and generally assess the cost of urgent restoration work, is approved. It must not, however, ho anticipated by the Board that the Minister will or not hildy necessary before he can consider tlm matter, that accurate estimates of cost should ho available.”

'Die District Engineer pointed out that from the recently completed survey Misting had full particulars regarding levels, etc., in his possession, which he could use in conjunction with additional measurements required to quickly prepare and submit the required estimate.

The chairman informed the meeting that in accordance with the suggestion contained in the letter from the District Engineer, he had engaged Mr F. A. C. Staig to furnish the necessary information. The chairman’s action was approved, on tiie motion of Messrs Taylor and Trewavas. E. S. Wratt wrote drawing the Board’s attention to the' state of the river near the north east corner of A. A. Wratt’s property and along Mr Sinclairs’ property near the old blind river channel. Along this portion of the river the course, it was stated, is very narrow and the water is unable to.spread out at flood time, owing to the growth of willows etc. on the island iu the river. A groyne put in by Mr Sinclair, some years ago, had been washed out and the river threatened to wash into the old blind river channel. Early attention to these matters was urged

The letter was referred to the works Committee for a report.

URGENT WORKS Tho chairman reported Ihal a. wash out hud taken place at Air Foster’s peach orchard. Serious inroads had been made bv flood awters and the work of repair was one that the Board must give attention to. The estimated cost of urgent works was i!240. Ho considered that the works were of such an urgent nature that the Board had no alternative but to strike another rate no matter how distasteful this action might he. The chairman contended that as long as the Board existed it had no option hut to carry out such work as was deemed urgent. It was resolved (Messrs Trewavas and E. C. Fly) that urgent repairs to the breaeli in the river hank and to breaches in the stop hank at. the ,western end of Whakarea wstreet. lie undertaken by the Board. Mr Rowling stated Hint, while lie would raise no objection to the proposed work being carried out, lie wished to iraw attention to tile fad. that material had been carted to the Brooklyn creek and wire netting procured for a necessary work there, which had not been golte on with. The reason, he did not know ; hut it it was on the score of lack of funds, lie considered that the Board should he consistent in its ad inns.

<’. Fry remarked that the job referred to liv Mr Rowling should have been done, hut lie did not know why >t had been left in abeyance.

Mr Rowling snbkUint if i.lio Wliakai'pwa street woi'k was pimeeded witli ho would assist on tlio Hrooklvn stream job being donp ns tt'tdl, or somebody would get a “rap on tlio knuckles.”

• t was uoeulod that the Motuekn Courtoil Ito requested to allow tlio I’orougli foreman to supervise the works at the wostorn rod of Whakarewa street.

On the motion of Messrs Rowling and 'laylor a sub-cninmittee. consisting of Messrs A. E. Fry, H. Trewavas and E. 0 Fry. was requested to bring down a report on the financial position of tlie River Board for the next meeting. The secretary reported that the collectable rale was 11132 Os 8d and the credit balance after providing for accounts presented (£7 2s 6d) £44 10s 6d.