NELSON O£TY RIFLES HALFNEARLY MEETING.

Colonist, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7701, 7 August 1893, Page 1 (Supplement)

NELSON O£TY RIFLES HALFNEARLY MEETING.

Thu Company held a Government panels at the Drill Shed on July 18, when a large number of members wera on parade. After being in psoted by Lieut. G.ay, the Corps was put through a course ot marching movements under Sergt-lastractor Healy, aod which on the wuolo were creditably parformed. After the parade was dismissed, the members adjourned to the Committee Boom, for the purpose of holding the half-yearly meeting of the Corp 3. Lieut. Gray occupied the chair. Sergeant Ewart, the Secretary, read tbe minutes of the previous half-yearly masting, which were confirmed after an explanation on two matters. The following were eleoted a Shooting Ormnittee for tbe ensuing season :— Sergts. Oakley and Gaynor, Corpl. Sherwood, Pvts. Whiting, Andrew?, and H. Dodson. Lieut. "Gray and Sergt. Gaynor were appointed to act as a Hall Committee. Serg*. Ewart submitted the report and bale rue sheet for the past year. It was shown that the Corps financially was in a prosperous condition, having a substantial balance. Lieut. Gray congratulated the Gorps upon beisg ia euoh a satisfactory state, and stated that; with this year's oapitationjjadded to this present surplus, the members c >uld boast of never having bean in a better position. He said the Corps would reoeive of sum of £4. as its share of tbe prize fund. The report and balauce shee; were unanimously adopted. On the motion of Sergt.- Gaynor it was resolved that a sum of £15 be allotted for shooting purposes in connection with the Company's belt matches, It was reported that a balance of £6 11s 8d remained from the social held on the Queen's Birthday, and which was looked on as an agreeable surpr'se. It was resolved that this sum be set aside as a special entertainment fund, being a suggestion of tha Bocial Committee. It was unanimously agreed to hold the social annually. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Gray for the help she had given in connection with the above. It was resolved that the Secretary's salary remain as last year's— £7 10s Od. Lieut. Gray said the next business was the consideration of the election of officers to the Company, but he pointed out that an omission had been made by him in the announcement of the meeting, and therefore the election could not take place. He said, however, there would be no harm in d : soussing the matter. Lieut. Gray said there were several members of the corps competent to take the position of sub -Lieutenant, caused by the resignation of Lieut. Alborough, and contended there was no reason whatever to go outside the corps to fill this office. Several members spoke in a similar strain, Two candidates were nominated for the position, viz., Sergt Gaynor, and Sergt Oakley, both of whom were considered eminently fitted to take the office. After the discussion it was decided to take, the feeling of members upon the candidates, when the result of a ballot : favored Sergt Oakley, it *was proposed to confirm the appointment at the next Government inspection. ; I With regard tj the qaptaincy of -the Company a very animated discussion took place*: in which Lieut Gray, Sergts Hooker, Gaynor, Qibley, Ewart, Pvt Shone, and several others took part, .ft wag ultimately reived that a

deputation wait upon Mr J. W. Joynt with reference to his acceptance of the position, the deput tion to consist of "Lieut Gray, and Sergts Oakley and Gaynor. Several of the members spoke in approbation of Mr Joynt. The meeting then adjourned with the customary vote to the Chairman.