RIFLE CLUB SOCIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 21220, 22 October 1930, Page 11

RIFLE CLUB SOCIAL.

AN ENJOYABLE FUNCTION. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. The annual social of the Invercargill Defence and Miniature Rifle Clubs was held in the Federal last evening, Mr A. R. Wills (president) presiding over an attendance of 50 members and visitors. Among the visitors present were Major McHugh and Messrs W. S. Ayson and T. J. Daniel, representing the Southland Rifle Association. There were also present a number of lady members of the club. In welcoming members and visitors, the chairman congratulated both the Defence Club and the Rifle Club on their splendid membership. He also wished to thank the Defence Department for the assistance and treatment meted out to both clubs.

The principal toast of the evening, “The' Invercargill Defence Rifle Club,” was proprosed by Major McHugh, who congratulated the club on its flourishing state. He noted with pleasure the innovation of inviting the ladies to their social function. It was a splendid idea. (Applause). Rifle clubs now had a duty to perform, since the cessation of territorial and defence activities left them with practically a clear field. They would require to buck up and get new members to further consolidate the club and keep the interest keen. It was a wonderful thing to be able to shoot well and to do this they must live well and clean. Good shooting was the result of Readiness of hand and keenness of eye. He was keenlj’ interested in'shooting and found that a good type of man followed up the sport. He congratulated the club on the progress of the Miniature club. In this branch he had a particular interest as he orginated the idea in Invercargill. The growth of the miniature branch of the club was indeed pleasing and it was doubly pleasing to note the interest taken by the ladies in rifle shooting. In reply, Mr A. R. Wills said the club had been in existence for many years. He had been a, member for some 35 years now and remembered the activities of the club in its earlier years. It had not always been known as the Invercargill Defence Rifle Club. It was once known as the Southland Rifle Club —a private club which was composed of ■members of volunteer clubs and others. With the advent of the territorial system, the volunteer clubs were taken over by the Government and called defence clubs. The old club used to shoot on the old Grassmere range until the reclamation scheme was put into operation, and the club was without a range for-about eight, years. The new range was then built at. Otatara and the club recommenced activities in 1926;

Mr C. H. Cunningham, deputy-president, also replied B to the toast.

“Our relations have alwaj's been of the happiest,” said Mr Wills, in proposing the toast of the Defence Department. “Even in the old days, when we were a private club, the Department was always ready to give us anv assistance.” They appreciated this, continued Mr Wills, and latterly they had to thank Major McHugh and Lieutenant McCormack and the officers and staff for what they had done to help the club.” He hoped the .suspension of military training would not wipe out the Defence Departr ment altogether, as it would mean the extermination of defence, rifle clubs as well. All knew the Defence Department was necessary in every country and probably at the end of 12 months the training would again be resumed. On behalf of the club, he expressed pleasure in presenting Major McHugh with a.dressing case and Lieutenant McCormack with a pocket wallet as a mark of appreciation for what they had done for the club. (Applause.) Replying, Major McHugh said it was their duty to assist rifle chibs and they had only carried out their duties to the best of their ability. Other toasts honoured were ‘Kindred Societies” proposed by the deputy-president, Mr C. H. Cunningham, and responded to by Messrs W. S. Ayson, T. J. Daniel and F. Strang; “The Prize-winners,” “Our Miniature Club,” “Donors of Prizes,” “The Markers,” “The Ladies,” and “The Press.” During the evening prizes won during the season were presented and a musical programme contributed by the following: Mrs Milley, Messrs J. M. Harvey, Shirley, McMahon, T. Henshelwood,' J. Martlew and Harvey’s orchestra. Mr W. Ball was accompanist..

The trophies won were as follows: Defence club: A grade, A. Lyall; B grade, G. H. Smith; C grade, A. Wilson; H. and J. Smith Cup, L. Marshall; Thomson Cup, C. H. Wilson; Walter Cunningham Memorial Cup, A. Lyall; Service Cup, A. Falconer; Bojcc Trophy, W. O’Brien; Cook'Trophy, S. Cunningham; Daniel Trophy, R. C. Anderson; Oreti Rifles Medal, G. H. Smith; G. Withers’ Cup, J. Mclvor; Junior Third Shield. W. Milley; May Cups, M. Sheehan, A. Milley and D. Robins»

Miniature Club: A grade, G. H. Smith; B grade, G. Kelly; Monday and Wednesday Aggregate, S. Wall; Ladies’ Aggregate, Mrs Morrison; Men’s Aggregate, J. Archer; Monday Aggregate, G. H. Smith; 'Wednesday Aggregate, S. Wall; Stewart Trophy, Miss Smith; Cock,o’-The Walk Shield, G. H. Smith. In addition to the foregoing 70 trophies were presented during the season. At a meeting of the executive following the social 27 new members were dected.