RIFLE CLUES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10555, 28 July 1896, Page 3

RIFLE CLUES.

(From Our Own C/Othibspontient. ) ■Wellington, Juiy 27. ft. deputation, consisting of Captain Creagh (Oamaru),.Messrs Ballinger and Kirk (Petcne), Major M'Rsdie (GiJborne), Captain Loinax (.Wanganni), and Mr Kixhesi (Wellington), waiter! on the Mi:,is.^r >ur iJefence thw'afteriio^ii iv regard to rifla catbs. Mr M'Nab, il/H.K., who introduced tne deputation, sii.l tiiey wished to know what w<-r<s ti>« intentions of the Government in regard to lifle clubs, and iuggested that member* of such clubs should he sworn ia, as they were in other colonies, bo that bhty would hfcvo some status io regard to tie armed defence of the colony. The Hon. T, Thompson said he had some 18 years' experience of volunteering, aud his sympathies were with the volunteers. Within reasonable limits, the Government would aisiafc the volunteer movement rather than otherwise. How far, however, tee comnvutdaut of the forces, when hd came out, would approve of the system of rifla clubs he could not say. Personally, he (Mr Thompson) had no doubt that the members of such clubs would be just as ready to take the field as voluntotw sbould the necessity arise. At pressnt he could make uo positive promise as to what course would be adopted. Iv answer to questions by 31' Nab, Mr Thotnpfou said the wum of £4-70, on the listimates this year; wtisnofcfor the pajinent of any liabilities that had belli incurred in connection with past rifle meetings, but was for I;'ue (uvure. Captain Creagh referred to the high j>r;ce charged foir Bmmuuition iv the colony and the bad qualify of it, which militated agsicsb volunteeriog to a gteat extent. Some discussion also took place 11pm the desirability of eDconraijing ehootiug, ?.iid it wm »t*ted by a miemberof the deputation that only 10 percent; o£ Our volunteers were fair msrksniou. ThQ Minister had eimilar views, and said that thera were some volunteer companies that he would be Rsbanied to be connected with. He. was referring to what be had ie:n iv" the nortb, but cot ia "Wellington. J>eithtr iv dress, tidiness, appsarsnse, nor the sta<e of thtir arres; w<yra they up to the mprk; atd there were some companies in which ouo could not get five men who could hit the target. He was speakitjij from the experience, of some years ago. Ho would, h« addtd, get infjorniatiou from the other., colonies iv c?gArc!,to rifla club?, so.that he .could place it before the new corr'ina^ouS on his arriv»! r ,