STRAIGHT SHOOTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9044, 15 May 1915, Page 8

STRAIGHT SHOOTING

Colonel R. J. Collins, in responding to the toast of “The i/ominion Rule Association,” at the annual “social'’ of the Karon Rifle Club last evening, said that one regret which ho had tins year was the tact that they had been unable to hold the annual rile meeting, which was postponed for obvious reasons. lie hoped those reasons might vanish between now and March next; in other wolds, that the Allied forces would be iu such a position that the Treutham rifle range would no longer bo required for a camping ground. Few , people realised what tho Dominion Rifle Association was to the old volunteer movement, and few recognised, what it had done and was still doing for the Umpire. To it the creation of tho rifle clubs was due. The association was also responsible for having ready for the military authorities a camping ground well equipped and ready for them to take over for the-traiu-ing of the men. In the past'remarks had been made that Treutham would become tho Aldershot of New "Zealand. This forecast had now been practically carried out. If the rifle meeting took place there next year, as he hoped it would, the competitors would be very comfortably provided for in huts which were being erected by the Defence Department. Colonel Collins added that the object of the association was, not only to promote shooting as a pastime, but as a means of defence. It was a great factor in warfare that men should be able to shoot straight, and the purpose of the association had been to train men in this direction, and encourage rifle shooting in every way. For many years the military authorities were “up against” the evolution of musketry; as long as a ilian could yet through his class-firing they, were' Satisfied. The present war was showing the value of good rifle shooting. They looked forward with the hope that next year the Government would come forward and assist the association as .much as possible. Members of the Karori club had done much by coaching territorials and thus encouraging rifle shooting in the Wellington district. The Rifle Association had been useful in regard to the number of its members who’ had offered themselves for service at the front. Nobody kneiv the full value- of tho association to national defence. Thousands agree that “Nazol” is the surest and cheapest con ah and cold reraedv in the Dominion. Test it with the Na/ol Inhaler. *' Japp’s Band will play at Newtown Park to-morrow afternoon. The National Reserve Baud will also piny memorial music in honour of New Zealand men who have fallen in the war. A branch of the Union Bank of Australia has been opened at To Araroa, Hicks Bav.

P. Hayman and Co. require a commercial traveller.