OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21540, 12 January 1932, Page 2

OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING There was a large attendance at the annual meeting at the Y.M.C.A. last night of the Otago Rifle Association. Colonel E. R. Smith occupied the chair. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman expressed _ satisfaction with the past year’s activities. The report was a good one and made pleasant reading. During the year several new rifle clubs had been formed in the province as a result of the efforts of the association, and it was hoped that during the coming year they would all come into competition with one another. Rifle clubs formed by experienced marksmen and properly organised could do a great deal of good, and so far as local clubs were concerned young members could rely on receiving excellent training. It had been found of recent years that a great many factors entered into the training of good marksmen, and it was the endeavour of the association to see that clubs were organised and run along the most useful and practical lines in order that fullest benefit might be derived from their activities.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows;- —Patron, Mr J. G. Cobbe (Minister of Defence); vicepatron, officer commanding the Southern Command; president, Colonel B. R. Smith; vice-presidents, Colonels J. M. Boyne, J. H. Moir, J. A. P. Fredric, Majors O. H. Mead, F. Waite, P. Mackenzie, Captain G. Proudfoot, Messrs R. S. Black and W. B. Taverner, and presidents of all rifle clubs in Otago; secretary and treasurer. Rifleman C. H. M‘Keich; auditor, President W. Bannerman; executive —President R. Bruce, President Bannerman, Deputy-president F. Clayton, Riflemen R. Johnston, P. Finnessy, W. M'Keich, J. M'Knight, W. Graham, H. Whitehead and D. Parsons. It was decided to write to the New Zealand Rifle Club’s executive asking that body to endeavour to secure an extension of the time for which Government rifles could be kept on loan from the Defence Department. / In connection with the Ladies’ Challenge Shield it was resolved that the competition should be open to teams of five men from any defence rifle club, territorial or cadet regiment in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and it was further agreed that the meetings should extend over three days. The annual prize-firing was fixed for March 25, 26 and 28. Ex-president J. Silvias was elected to life-membership of the association in recognition of his many years’ service.