RIFLE-SHOOTING

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1924, Page 3

RIFLE-SHOOTING

THE DEFENCE CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Defence Rifle Club was held last night, Mr. J. Ramson presiding over a fair attendance of members. The annual report stated:—The year that has just closed shows a small loss financially, caused principally by clearing off the liability with regard to spoons formerly given as range prizes and which- were for a time unprocurable ; by the assistance given the Taranaki Rifle Association and by the long recess caused first by the range being closed for repairs and afterwards by the long procession of wet Saturdays. The loss is not of any great moment and given a good season It should be easily overtaken. Owing to the causes ailiaady titled the club did not do the usual amount of shooting last season. The club championship was won by Deputy-President Higgs, the junior championship by Rifleman O. P. George, the long-range aggregate by Rifloman G. H. Taylor, the short-range aggregate by Rifleman T. A. Maretit. The service shield, for shootin'g under service conditions, was won by Rifleman G. H. Taylor. In the various rifle association meetings attended by members of the cluib they did fairly well, and at bhe Taranaki meeting extremely well, the provincial championship being won by Rifleman G. H. Taylor, Deputy-President Higgs runner-up, and other members of the club well up in the aggregate. In team shooting the club have not done quite so well as in previous years and in the last hours of the year were defeated in the match for Taranaki Rifle Club’s Challenge Shield by the Patea Rifle Club.

The range had been put in a state of good repair. Unfortunately it was done during the press of the shootinfe season, and consequently through the delay caused by it and the weather, thq last of the club's competitions was not finished until July. The club increased in membership during the year; in addition to new members, Mr. Turnbull, of the Utiku Club, and Mr. Osborne, of the Karorl Club, came to New Plymouth to reside, and have transferred to this club.

The miniature branch finished up the last few weeks of its first season brilliantly, but the present season has been a failure. Your committee were unable to get the use of a range until July this year; the late start and the unsuitable night have destroyed all interest in it. Still the debt to the main club has been reduced. There is the possibility of an arrangement being made for next year by which- the branch will be able to atari at the proper time and on a night or nights most suitable to the majority. During the year die rules of the club have been re-draTted and additions made to them. A textual revision of the draft has been made by the club’s patron, Lieutenant-Colonel Weston, and it will be submitted to you to-night for final adoption.

The thanks of the club are due to all those who have assisted it in any way during the year; to the patron, Lieutenant-Colonel Weston, for his donation, and the assistance he has given with the revision of the rules; to the local officers of the Defence Department for the consideration that requests from the club have always been met with; to the ladies; and to the press.

The balance-sheet showed a small loss of under £l, the principal expenditure being for trophies, ammunition and marking. The receipts comprised subscriptions, donations, sales pf ammunition and collections on the range. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, Lieut.-Colonel C. H. Weston, D. 5.0.; vice-patron, Colonel G. Home, 0.8. E.; hon. vice-presidents. Major Sandford. V.D., Major R. Brewster, M.C., Captain L. Andrew, V.C., Captain F. Hartnell, Captain A. M. MacDiarmld, Mess?*, S. G. Smith, M.P., F. J. Hill and W. Oliver; president, Mr. J Ramson; deputy-president, Mr. 8. Higgs; secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. Armitage; assistant secretary, Mr. H. E. Hill; executive committee, Messrs. G. 11. Turnbull, G, H. Gorrlnge, G. H. Taylor, H. McGahey, and W. K. Osborne, selection committee, president, deputy-president, and Mr. Taylor; hon. auditor, Mr. W. P. Okey. Messrs. F. J. Hill and W. Oliver were elected life members of the club The revised rules of the club were read and adopted. The official opening of the season was fixed for Labour Day, providing the range Is available. The method of handicapping came up for discussion, and it was decided that the automatic handicapping was better in theory than in practice. It will accordingly be dlscontlnued. Mr. F. .1. Hill was appointed sole handicapper. A resolution that the 1000 yards range In competitions be abandoned and a 700 yards range be substituted was lost. The secretary advised that a trophy for B grade members would be donated by Lieut.Colonel Weston. A recommendation was made to the incoming committee to procure a number of part worn rifles from the Government. The secretary was voted an honorarium of £5 sb. which he donated to the club’s funds. Votes of thanks were accorded LI cut.-Colonel Weston for the assistance he has given the club, Messrs. C. H. Moore and A. L. Moore, the ladles and the press. Three new members were nominated.