NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1903, 24 July 1890, Page 25

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

The proposals of Captain Sometville, chairman of the New Zealand Rifle Association, relative to future contests were discussed at a meeting of the Otago members of the association in the Garrison Hall on Friday night, Lieutenantcolonel Wales being in the chair. It was decided (I) that the intercolonial match should be retained on next year's programme on condition that three teams must compete ; that it must not be a North team and a South team, but a New Zealand one; two colonies to make a match if there are three teams. (2) That a two minute time limit should be fixed for that particular match. (3) That squads aware of the infringement of the rules in that match and not reporting the same should be disqualified. (4) That the order of firing in a squad should be varied in each match. (5) That, if possible, arrangements Bhould be made to carry out in all matches a condition that any competitor whose last shot hat not been spotted in consequence of the man preceding him having missed, should, on application to the squad officer, have his target turned. (6) That in place of showing the three lines on the back sight one line may be used on the bar ; this line may be scratched or marked, but no colouring matter will be allowed ; this rule is optional, and will not debar competitors from keeping the three lines if required. (7) That squads be redistributed at least once during the meeting. (8) That a meeting of council be held at 1 p.m. every day during the meeting to settle protests, &c. (9) That the next meeting, which is to be held at Napier, should come off in the second week in January. (10) That the press match be discontinued. (II) That the ranges be not increased to 800 yards on account (a) of the difficulty of getting practice at ranges greater distances than 700 yd s; and (b) the extra expense in getting extra targets. (12) That it be a suggestion to the council that instead of the catering being sold as a privilege it be let to a respectable person in the neighbourhood of the place of meet: ing at a fixed price, not to exceed Is per head per mess, and that all members comiug from a greater distance than 10 miles from the place of meeting be charged a fixed sum for their board in addition to the entry money. (13) That in future the meetings begin on Thursday and extend up to the Saturday week following. (14) That, if the rifle clubs adopt a uniform, members of clubs shall be allowed to compete in the final match for the championship, provided clubs are recognised by Government. (15) That Miss Gebbie be elected a life member of the association. (16) That Private Simpson (Kaitangata) be granted a refnnd of his entries for matches not fired at the last meeting. A meeting of members of tbe New Zealand Rifle Association, heldatChristchurcb, decided to recommend that the next annual prize meeting be held during the first week in January, and that the shooting should be completed within one week; also, that volunteers should be required to shoot in uniform.