WAKATU MOUNTED RIFLES.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11432, 11 September 1905, Page 3

WAKATU MOUNTED RIFLES.

OPENING OF THEIR 'STOKE RANGE. < -. .. This corps had made very special arrangements for the opening of their new range at Stoke on Saturday afternoon. Several drags left town, and the attendance numbered about seventy, including a number of ladies. Lieut. -Colonel Wolfe was unable to be present, but Captain S. V. Trask, District Adjutant, performed the opening ceremony. Amongst those present were Hon. F. Trask, M.L.0., Captains Simpson, V.D., Stiles, A. F. Trask, Hammond, Ching, Harris, Wilson, i and Deputy Captain Jones (N.D. ), Sharland (Maitai. C), SurgeonCaptain Orford, Lieuts. Grace, Stringer, Clayden, ♦ Sergfc. -Majors Healy and Redmond, and many honorary members, besides a good muster of the Wakatu Mounted Rifles. Captain S. V. Trask, in opening the range, expressed regret of Lieut. - Colonel Wolfe fbeing unable to be present, but said the O.C.D. appreciated the efforts of the corps, and particularly noted the ready initiative of the "N.C.Ob, especially in the formation of the Garrison N, C. O. Club, a movement of supreme importance, to the district at large. Captain S. V. Trask, on behalf of the 0.C.D., complimented the corps on having. secured a lange entirely at its own expense, and the ready assistance of some of its Stoke detachment. Thanks were due to Corporal Delaney and Trooper Black, on whose ground the range was made, and to Sergt. Bell and Quarter master-Sergt, Ruff for labor in connection therewith. He complimen* ted the members on their patriotic spirit, and considered it would be well for all corps to help themselves, instead of expecting too much assistance from the department. He instanced the Nelson Defence Rifle Club and other units who helped themselveg. The range should be instrumental in raising a division for the . corps between Stoke and Richmond. He deprecated the use of modern aids for shooting, and considered the rifle should be used as issued, and as they might expect to use it in warfare. The public should do more in the giving of prizes for the encouragement of Volunteers. In conclusion, he was pleased to see so many honorary members and others present^ and in declaring the range open invited Mrs Trask, wife of the Captain of the corps, to fire the first shot. (Applause.) A " bullseye " was registered. (Cheers. ) Lieut, Clayden, on behalf of the Corps, presented an engrossed address to Mrs Trask, as follows: — '"Mrs Arthur Trask,— Dear Madam, r-We, the members of the Wakatu Mounted Rifles, desire your acceptance of the accompanying gift in token of our appreciation of the many acts pf kindness rendered by you to the several social functions undertaken by the corps. You have at all times ahown'oonsiderable zeal in the welfare of the corps, and we feel that we cannot allow more time to elapse without expressing our gratitude. You have to-day further shown your interest in the corps welfare by opening it* new range, and we are delighted to find that you have succeeded in scoring a "bull's-eye," which is a sure omen of the success of the corps at the rage. ? Wishing you and Captain Trask every prosperity, we remain, on behalf of the corps. " Signed by lieuteanants and N.C.O. 's. Cheers were given for Captain and Mrs Traßk and the corps. * Sergt. Sowman also presented to Mrs Trask a gold bangle of bamboo design, as a further token of appreciation. Captain Traak suitably replied on behalf of Mrs Trask and himself. A rifle match of one range (600 yards) waß then commenced between the Wakatu Mounted Rifleß and Stoke Rifles. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and the greatest cordiality shown to visitors. At a convenient stage Captains Stiles, Wilson, Hammond, Lieut, Grace, and Mr C. Lamb (honorary member) expressed thanks to Captain' Trask and the corps, and congratulated them on securing a range of theirfown. A wish was expressed that all units would work together. Captain Trask, in reply, hoped the gathering would be an augury for good, and cement a friendly feeling. A number of interesting photos were taken. [Many of the visitor had left the ground fwhen the sad fatality reported elsewhere happened. ]