ANNUAL MEETING N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3677, 1 March 1899, Page 5

ANNUAL MEETING N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

I’BESS ASSOCIATION. Wanganui, Tuesday. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association was hold to-night. Major Sommerville presided, and told the members that, in view of the threatened withdrawal of’Government assistance, members would haVo to consider the future of the association. If the council, took up a decided stand, ho thought the association’s meetings would bo continued. He was in favour of the association’s calling in with the Defence Department respecting the establishment of district meetings, wilh a 'championship meeting to be held at stated intervals. If the members of the association would stand together there was no' reason to faar that the meetings would be'discontinued. ' . Captain Bellinger thought that the Government should provide a bonus to the chairman of the association for bis services, and a resolution that Mayor bommervillo bo;asked to retain the position as permanent chairman was carried. It was resolved that this meeting or members of the Now Zealand liifle Association instructs the council to approach the Government with the object of bringing the conduct of the meetings of the association into hue with the views of the Defence Department, so as to assure some certainty as to its future ; and recommends that the next meeting beheld at the present range at Putiki. ■. , This was carried unanimously. In reply to a question. Major Sommorville said rifle clubs of full strength ought to bo recognised, and should receive the privilege of 100 ’rounds of Ammunition tr it was stated that rifle club members were prepared to provide their own uniforms and weapons if the Government would concado that concession. Mr G. Hutchison, M.H.R., thought the rifle clubs should be recognised as auxiliary to the defence of the colony. _ _ The Chairman thought the time was near when private rifles should be abolished, and all should use one service weapon. The meeting broke up with cheers tor Majors Sommervillo and Collins.