THE RIFLE TEAM FOR BISLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 5

THE RIFLE TEAM FOR BISLEY.

THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED. AN URGENT APPEAL. [BY TELEGBAPH.—FBES9 ASSOCIATION,] Wellington, Wednesday. Major Collins, Treasurer of (he New Zealand Rifle Association, and Mr. W. H. Ballinger, ex-champion and member of the Council Association, had an interview with the Premier respecting the visit of a team of riflemen to Bisley, The deputation pointed oub that the original vote of Parliament of £500 was only sufficient] to defray the cost of the passages of the team, and unless the amount was subsidised by public subscription, New Zealand would be unable to eend a thoroughly representative team. Mr. Seddon, while admitting the propriety of havine the best team, said he could not go outside Parliament, though he fully agreed to an additional sum of £100 being paid towards tho expenses of Major Sommerville, chairman of tho Association, who should accompany the tenia as captain. Au urgent appeal is to be made throughout the colony for the necessary subscriptions to ensure a representative team going. Major Sominervillo telegraphs to the Press Association as follows : — " The Premier line just wired to uio that £500 has been votod, and I am to take thab as final. This will not cover the expenses of mnra than fire men, and unless the public will contribute another £500 the team will bo useless. As tho matter is now a national one I put it to all those who can afford it to come to the assistance of our riflemen. Many of our best shots are hard working men, and cannot afford the expense, 1 hope, all members of the Rifle Council throughout the colony will do their besb to collect funds. Any of our well-known shots who are prepared to pay a portion of their expenses should wire to me at once. No time is to be lost as the team must) go in tho Ruahine."