Rifle Shooting as Winter Evening Fursuit. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2650, 28 December 1904, Page 35

Rifle Shooting as Winter Evening Fursuit. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — 1. The having -arrived for taking tup the subject of indoor rifle shooting at very short ranges, I should be obliged by your publishing in your columns the following information relating to the subject: — ** '2. The Council of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs has devoted itself for thj last -three years to promoting the class of rifle shooting termed "Miniature," knowing its great utility as a popular tepcher of the elementary side of the art of rifle shooting, and also the very small cost at which such -knowledge can be gained, compared to -th-e cost of rifle shooting as previously inculcated. 3. Anyone wishing to obtain information and advice about this class of rifle shooting can always get it by writing to our secretary (an officer in the Volunteers), at the office of the society, 20 Bucklersbury, Queen Victoria street, E.C. ; and can also obtain through him, at the lowest possible prices, all kinds of apparatus — targets, rifles, ammunition, etc. — most appropriate for carrying on the game. 4. 3?or game it shovild be made, the greatest of national games, played with the vigour and strict attention to rules that make for excellence in the practice of any other game, recollecting also and ev.er "that it is but a means to an end — the equipment of tbe masses of the people up to a certain point in learning how to guard the \territories which their forefathers -and contemporaries have placed in their charge. J5. Wo would desire to point out that thero are an enormous number of halls and other places, both in the metropolis and throughout tho country, that are not constantly in use, and that could be readily and at a small cost fitted up for indoor rifle shooting for tradesmen and artisans, to the great benefit of the community. Baths, unused in the winter, might well be utilised in this manner, in place of being (as is sometimes the case) devoted to music and dancing: and suitable shooting halls and rifle club houses can be built at no great cost. 6- There is another side to this matter

which we would desire to be laid before the public. Having regard to the support which we have hitherto received from various private sources since we commenced our labours (which we gratefully acknowledge), it might be supposed that we should not be dissatisfied with the result, as over 200 rifle clubs, formed in the metropolis and many parts of England and Wales, in schoolhouses and playgrounds, eto. , are now on the books of the society ; and we have carried out, with much public approval, two considerable meetings for miniature rifle shooting — one last year at the Crystal Palace, and the other (in conjunction with the National -Rifle Association) this year at Olympia. 7. We have done all in our power to do good ; we have sown seed that is bearing good fruit, but, as a matter of fact, we are not satisfied, and for the simple reason that our income is at present altogether insufficient to carry on properly this splendid work. It will surprise many people to learn that, notwithstanding more than one appeal through the press and privately, about half of the share of the society inthe cost of the great rifle meeting at Olympia this year came out of the pockets of some of the members of, its council. Of course, that cannot be repeated, so manifestly unfair is it that those who do a lot of work gratuitously and from a high public spirit should also be mulcted in purse, in consequence of the thoughtlessness or apathy of so many ladies and gentlemen all over the country, who could well afford to subscribe to the expenses of this society. • 8. I would like to point out that our council includes, amongst others, both the late and the present Inspectors-general of Auxiliary Forces, some very capable 'members of important London banks, and the recently-appointed Governor-General of Canada (Earl Grey). The society is presided ov"er by Field-marshal Earl Roberts, and, in addition to that, it has recently received the high distinction of the approval of H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught (the Inspector-general of the Army), who has accepted the position of patron of the society. 9. Under all thpse circumstances, we trust that some of the many people who can, if the spirit move them, very well afford to endow thoroughly useful institutions, may have the opportunity of reading and marking these words, and will favourably respond to the appeal thus made to their generous instincts and wisdom. — I am, Sir, on behalf of the council, Noefolk, Chairman. Norfolk House, St. James's, London, S.W.