TEMUKA RIFLES

Temuka Leader, Issue 2453, 19 January 1893, Page 3

TEMUKA RIFLES

The annual meeting of the Temuka Rifles was held last evening, Captain Cutten in the chair. About thirty members w ere present, including the Rev. Mr Gillam (Hon. Chaplain to the corps.) The minutes having been confirmed, the secretary read the balance-sheet, showing receipts to have been £253 10s, including £B3 5s Id balance from last year, and the expenditure £253 10s, less £96 10s. If all liabilities were paid there would be £7O to the credit.

Captain Cutten, in moving the adoption of the report regretted there was not greater interest taken in volunteering. Even prize-giving had not succeeded. Dr Fish had appointed three new trustees, namely Messrs Hayhurst, Findlay, and himself. During the year they had lost their chaplain, but the Rev. Mr Gillam, who had been elected, took great interest in volunteers. He moved the adoption of the report. Private Phillips seconded the motion, and after discussion it was carried. The Rev. Mr Gillam said he did not think there was any necessity for looking despondingly on things, considering the number present. He did not think the authorities had any notion of disbanding country corps. They had a splendid hall, and it would be a pity if volunteering died out in Temuka. He did not think there was any need to look despondingly on the future. (Applause). The balance sheet was then adopted.

Corporal Carr, and Privates Scott, Phillips, A, Clinch, and Radbourn, were appointed a committee for the ensuing year.. Lieutenant Findlay was re-elected treasurer, Serge. Mason secretary, Mr E. Pilbrow, auditor (at a remuneration of 10s 6d.) Match Committee—Lieutenant Whitehead, Privates Sim, and A. Nicholas. Captain Cutten said Private Sim had won the challenge cup.. Would they get another It was suggested that the honorary members’ cup should be tired for. Thors was not an honorary member on the books at present. Captain Cutten said he was in favor of taking the honorary members’ gup if it could be done legally. The question waa debated at some lengthj when it was resolved—“ That the 5s paid by honorary members be repaid to them, and, in the event of their accepting, the cup shall become the property of the corps, and that it be fired for on the 24th May, on the old conditions.”

Lieutenant Whitehead moved—“ That £2O be voted for prize-firing, on condition that a capitation grant is obtained from the Government; match to fall through unless 15 men enter.” Corporal Watt seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. On the motion of Private Radbourn, seconded by Private Philips, it was resolved to bring the target from Win-

chester and place it on the range, and that a new target be got in place of the one on the range.

On the motion of Lieutenant Whitehead, it was resolved to get MartiniHenry ammunition at the same, time as ordinary ammunition is obtained from Wellington, and that the same be sold to menqbsrs. It was decided that two Martini-Henry rifles be purchased for the use of the members.

It was resolved the fixing of the date of the efficient members match ho left to the Match Committee,

Corporal Hobbs moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, and the meeting terminated.

The Captain called attention to the ball at Geraldine, and said he had tickets to dispose of.

A teacher of natural philosophy once asked the bright boy of the class how many kinds of force tiiere were and was astonished to receive the following reply : “ Three, ma’am. Mental force, physical force, and police force.” The Governor ok Fiji.—The Governor of Fiji, Sir John Thurstgm, who is at present in Atickjend, intends to proceed to the Ellice and Gilbert groups for the purpose of establishing a settled form of administration. He intends to establish courts of law there, and hopes to elaborate some plan for the more perfect commercial development of the islands and for the amelioration of the condition of the people. He purposes putting a stop to recruiting at the islands and places within the Western Pacific, where the natives will still be under the High Commissioner’s jurisdiction or to such countries or places as might be entitled to recruit under any convention with Her Majesty’s Government. It is probable that Sir John will visit England next year. He knows nothing of the reported intention to make a change in the Governorship of Fiji.