VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11934, 7 January 1901, Page 8

VOLUNTEERS.

THE-NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIA- ;; ;; "TION. The following- circular to officers commanding volunteer C6rpk' and captains of rifle clubs has been issued'by'Lieutehant-colonel Sonlnierville, chairman nf ijje jjew. .Zealand Rifle Association:— In consequence of the war in South Africa it was 1 thought' expedient to allow the annual meeting for 1900 to lapse; and it is to be hoped that* the break will have no injurious effect on the association, but on the contrary will lend fresh life and interest in increasing the number of competitors at the meeting to be held in March, 1901. The Commander of the Forces is. anxious to see the 1901 meeting a | great .success, and he will give every assistance possible, in order to encourage tifle'shobting amongst the volunteer forces and • rifle clubs. There is notv no diversity of opinion on- the question of rifle shooting, but one and all are agreed that it? is- an absolute necessity, and I I sincerely, trust that officers commanding comI panies and captains of rifle clubs in all parts ; of the colony will do their utmost to send, a few men to represent them - at the next association meeting.. The Commander of the Forces encourages the movement, and the Right Hon. the Defence Minister has- plainly said, " Volunteers' or'rifle clubs are no use unless they can shoot." The Rifle Association is. now. a, national affair, and will in future have a .definite position, both in pecuniary assistance and also in having a permanent home, the Government having purchased Trentham as' a rifle range. The meeting will be open to members of volunteer corps and rifle club men'On equal terms. Riflo dubs may now practically be considered as part of the defence forces of' tfiet colony, and it is to be hoped that in future volunteers and rifle club men will work/together harmoniously with one end inview—the protection • of the colony from invasion and I the solidarity of the British Empire. The meeting win beheld at- Putiki range, Wanganui, on Thursday, the '21 at March, 1901, ending, on the 28th; 'Friday, the 29th, will be. a special day for the mounted infantry -tohhiament.' A new feature o:' the meeting will be. the introduction of "a "field service match," as.nejirjy similar as j possible to'what .is seen every day in South ' Two matches in the programme will lie open only to competitors who; have never won a prize at any previous association meeting. "By instructions from the Hon. the Premier a special, match will be included, onen only' to (hose men who have served in South Africa. The Martini-Enfield' 303. rifle will be used at the meeting. Any attempt to use the 303. and the Martini-Henry by handicapping the former, would, in my opinion, cause great 'dissatisfaction. The Government are making arrangements by which they hope' to issue rifles 1 to'competitors about the 20th of January. -Applications' for rifles by individual competitors must' be 'first sent to (he' officer, commanding tile corns'or rifle'club, and,will be! sent rin' by him to the officer commanding the district. Care must bo taker not to send single' applicalions for rifles when a- greater number' may eventually.'be required. The sum,of .il' per rifle must lie forwarded with the application. and this,sum will be returned to the com-; petitoj; at the meeting. Any nerSon having re- | ceived a rffle' and'not attending the meeting ! will forfeit' his pound, and the captain of the, , corps or club will be responsible for the safety of the rifle. Thcao rifles will be handed ill, cleaned and oiled at the conclusion of the; meeting. 'Ammunition for practice with the ; 303. will be sold fit cost price to captains of companies'and rifle clubs, in cases containing J 1100 rounds. 'Tents will be provided at the! • range, and'competitors can live in camp and do their ofon'messing or make arrangements in Wanganlii. "A lunch w'ill lie provided daily. Bronrie' medals to affiliating corps and club's • will be issued'as'usual.'These medals make clubs practise; and are the means of bringing out g.ood men. , Railway passes, will be issued . to competitors, and arrangements made with the Union S.S. 'Company for the trip from i Lyttelton to Wellington. The programme will I be issued shortly; and will be on the same lines , as heretofore,"but the prizes will in all cases be increased.' The total prize money will be about £1-100. .

CHRISTCHURCH v. NORTH DUNEDIN " " ;!RIFLES. A rifle Jtiatch was fired on 'Bromley range (Chrisichmch) early on New Year's morning, between teanjg from the Christchurch .City Rifles;l Bnci, the North Dunedin Rifles: diW-r tnnces,.soo and 600 yards; seven shots at each distance- ,The.'mprning was not a good oiie from a marksman's point of view, as the light was extremely had, and the background being sand it was difficult at times to pick up the target. There was also a fair amount of wind. The match, which was a most enjoyable one, ended in the home team winning by 4S points, and the visitors left the range satisfied that they had met a better team than their own. The following are the scores:—

A shooting..match- took "place on Saturday between- the Southland Mounted Rifles and the Otago -Hussars, the local men winning by 80"points.' '

■ ■ City Rifles. 500 eno yds., yds. .Tl. Sergeant Spry 32 29 — 61 Sergeant .. ,. 32 2fl — 60 Lieutenant Poster 22 ,'. 82 — 51 Private Harry 27 .'.25.—'gj Colour-sergeant Beau .. 27 .24 — 51Corporal P. Dodd 25 24 — 49 Lance-corporal Beaumont .. 31 18 — 49 Corporal Williams 31 .16—.47 Sergeant Jackson 24 ' 22 — 46 Private Thorn ! 9 30 —'39 Total ., 503 North'Dunedin Hides. Sergeant Longworth .. .. 31 29 — 60 Lieutenant Johnston ,, 27 31 — 58 Private Dippy; 30 26 — 56 Corporal glaijd . 21 29 — 50 Lance-corpora), Phillips .. .. 20' 24 — 44 Corporal jjarh.our 22 19 — 41 Sergeant jjunro .. ' 24 '<17 — 41 Colour-sergeant Shepherd .. 10 . 27 — 37 Private Black. .. .. 18 *19 — 37 Private W„. Black, .. 18 18 — 36 Total.. 460