MINIATURE RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18511, 23 March 1922, Page 8

MINIATURE RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Miniature Rifle Association was held last night the president, Mr W. F. Sligo, in the chair, and a large number of club representatives in attendance. The main features of the report were as follows:—The executive regretted having to take the step of doing away with the Nornianby range. Members who wished to do outside shooting could, however, still make use of the Woodhaugh range. With regard to the inside range interest in the interclub matches had been well maintained right throughout the season. The association sweepstake handicaps did not draw so many entries as during previous seasons, though at times there was keen competition, and the prizes were fairly well distributed. The executive and members owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr F. Silvius for the work he had done for the welfare of members of the association not only as handioapper but as the leading light of the sweepstakes. The North" End Club bad decided to take in hand two or three youths belonging to the Senior Cadets and Territorials, and train them in view of competing for the Jcllicoe Trophy. If the other clubs of the association could see their way clear to do likewise there was no reason why the association should not be able to enter a team capable of lifting the trophy. It had been suggested that in all matches two targets should be used as at present in the 10 shot matches. This matter might well he considered, also a proposal that .in marking the shot should break the black inside the circle. In regard to finance the report stated that tile association was in a peculiar position. It had indented a lot of ammunition, and, in paying for this, practically all its money had been used. Members were not buying the ammunition in any quantity, and in consequence the executive bad no ready money. A suggestion bad been made that a social or art union should bo held, but the executive did not regard with favour any appeal to the public for the sport, considering that an endeavour should bo made to carry on without such aid. It might bo necessary to raise the affiliation fee or take some other action, and this was preferable, in tho opinion of the executive, to making an appeal for outside help. The balance sheet showed that, inclusive of its assets, the association had gone back £59 17s 3d during the year. The affiliation fee was increased to 3s, a 'basis on which, from last year’s showing, a working margin could be secured. It was made a recommendation to the executive that 10 shots be fired in club matches and seven shots in the five men mutches. The executive's recommendation that in marking the shot should break the black inside the white circle was agreed to. With regard to the ammunition in the hands of the association, it was recommended that the executive consider the question of placing it at the disposal of members on a cheaper basis, incurring a slight loss. The meeting recognised tho urgency under which the ammunition had been secured, and favoured an immediate facing of the position rather than waiting longer. Mr Silvius suggested that instead of firing teams of 18 men the matches consist of teams of 12, 10 to count, strong clubs to be allowed to enter more than one team if thougth desirable. —On being put to the vote tho proposal was carried. Tho report and balance sheet were then adopted. The secretary mentioned that the City Club won tho Teams’ Championship with 8i points. North End coming second with 8. In the five men 10-shot matches City A w6re first, with an aggregate of 2408 points. North End A coming second with 2399 points. The Individual Championship was secured by Mr Ogg (North End Club), 651 points; R. Gillick (North End) coming a good second with 650 points, and T. Parker (City) and N. M’Farlane (Railway) third, with 647 points. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows; —President. Mr Sligo; vice-presi-dent, Mr C. T. Callis; secretary, Mr P. H. Davis; treasurer, Mr C. T. Callis; auditor, Mr 6, R. Burton; handicapper, Mr F. Silvius. In regard to the matresses at the association’s indoor range, it was decided to do away with these and return to the mound system.