MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 23806, 2 May 1939, Page 4

MATAURA

MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB POOR ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Mataura Miniature Rifle Club was presided over by the president, Mr E. Ramage. There was a poor attendance of members. The annual report stated:—“lt is regretted that the past season is the first In the history of the club in which no progress has been made. A fortnight after the season began, a serious fire in the Horticultural hall destroyed our fittings, involving the club in considerable expense in replacements. As no other premises were available, shooting was suspended for two months. As a result of this, the season was shortened and we were unable to have our customary matches with kindred clubs. “Financially, the year’s operations show a loss of £3 6/5. In view of the expense incurred after the fire, and the drop in membership because of the short season, this can be considered satisfactory. To the winners of trophies, the club offers its congratulations, particularly to the women members, who showed considerable improvement during the season. The club is indebted to Mr T. Ramage for his gift to the funds and to Mr R. Barclay who generously rebuilt the bullet catchers destroyed in the fire.”

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president said that the damage to the club’s property by fire did not account in full for the debit balance. For some years the club had been struggling along and getting nowhere. He had always advocated that subscriptions should be kept as low as possible. Consequently the subscriptions to the Mataura Club, 4/- a year, were probably lower than anywhere in the South Island and perhaps in New Zealand. However, unless the membership could be increased, it would be necessary to increase the subscription, he said.

The club should look forward to the time when it would be necessary to procure new rifles and also for the club to own its own range and perhaps club rooms. The election of officers resulted.— President, Mr W. Webb; vice-presi-dents, Messrs O. Davis, G. Cullen, G. Adam and T. Gaudion; assistant secretary, Mr G. Adam; executive, Messrs J. H. Anderson, R. Greer, J. Anderson and F. Aim; range wardens, Messrs G. Dixon, T. Gaudion, J. H. Anderson and R. Greer; handicapper,’ Mr G. Adam; trustees, Messrs E. Ramage and J. Richardson; auditor, Mr L. H. Bowers; coaches, left to incoming committee; delegates to Southland Association, Messrs W. Webb and J. P. Quilter.

The matter of increasing the membership was then discussed. Mr Ramage moved that the subscription be increased from 4/- to 5/- a year. The motion was carried.

Mr F. J. Medley suggested that the secretary procure a list of all rifle license-holders in the district and that a canvass be made in an endeavour to get these men to join the club. The suggestion met with instant approval and was adopted. Mr Webb introduced the subject of targets. In various other clubs, the practice was to use the inner carton target. The speaker explained that it was a target with an inner bull, which practically excluded the possibility of two or more marksmen tying for first place. After considerable discussion it was left to the incoming executive to procure additional information about the target. The trophies won during the season were presented to the various winners, during a social hour held after the meeting, as follows:—Championship Shield and Miniature, Mr T. Gaudion; Medley Cup (for runner-up), A. Falconer; A grade aggregate (Ramage Cup), J. L. Dickie; B grade aggregate (R.S.A. Cup), Mrs Philp; first monthly A grade trophy, R. Barclay; first monthly B grade trophy, Mrs Philp; second monthly A grade, T. Gaudion; second monthly B grade, V. Dickie; first open shoot, A grade, G. Adam; first open shoot, B grade, G. Cruickshank; second open shoot, F. Aim; first opening night shoot, A. Hay 1, Miss Richardson 2. Re-opening night shoot, F. Aim. The Southland Sports Depot’s trophy for the highest handicap aggregate weekly throughout the season was won by W. D. Ramage.