OVERSEAS RIFLE CLUB.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12465, 26 May 1911, Page 7

OVERSEAS RIFLE CLUB.

In connection with tlie riHe club which is being formed by. the Gisborne Branch of tho Overseas Club it may be mentioned that the salient features of rifle club organisation as laid down by the. Defence Act are as follows: — - ' Before it Hide Club can be o.stablisbeil an application on a prnwribpcl form must be Mgnojl by nut less, tliun .50 men eligible to hucoincfltiiivfl members^- who must be naturalborn •or nat-iiralised British subjects, and who arc bona .fide residents of the locality m which it i« desired to form the club. A I? inc. Cluh .may. eonslst 'of active and honorary members. Active members must be tinder fho «go of 55 years, and shall undertake, to serve as a secondary reserve to ho drafted ;in time of emergency .into* tho. ranks of tlie Territorial Force when tlit Territorial Beßorvc has been exhausted. Officers and soldiers of the permanent, and Territorial l-'orccs may not become active members of a KifleC'lub. Every person who is accepted as .an active > member of a Rifle Club shall take* an oath of allegiance as laid down m the Defence .Act for soldiers .of the Territorial -Force. Members of a Kille Club must satisfy ■ the president us to his medical fitness for service. .-* Except when m a state of national danger 14 days-; notice m writing of resignation is required, whilst absence without permission for » longer -period . than three months from the .locality .of the. club shall render a member liable to be struck off the strength of the club to which he belongs. At all times when members -are carrying out training or rifle prtrctice the regulations for the time being governing the military, forces shall be followed m all matters of discipline. Active members may purchase magazine rifles at Ordnance Store prices for cash or on the deferred payment- system, subject to certain conditions, and subject to the supply l>cing available. Kach active member is entitled to 150 rpunds of ammunition free annually, and is further entitled to purchase 200 rounds at a reduced rate. A uniform is optional, and may be purchasod by members, ' it is not issued " free. Where necessary active .members of rifle clubs will be entitled to railway warrants (2nd class) when proceeding to the' nearest rifle range to carry out practice Ev<Jry., active member of a rifle club will fire a .prescribed course of annual musketry. ... .