TIMARU NAVAL ARTILLERY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2357, 31 March 1897, Page 4

TIMARU NAVAL ARTILLERY.

The anuual general meeting of the Timaru "Naval Artillery was held m the reading room at the drill shed on Monday, Lieut.-Commander Thomas being m the chair. There was a fair attendance of the officers, petty officers, and gunners present. The balance sheet for the past year was laid on the table by the lion, treasurer, and was considered very satisfactory, the company being m a strong financial position, with a substantial balance to credit. The balance sheet was adopted. Before any further business was done the question of the company changing its uniform was brought forward, and after considerable discussion it was decided by a small majority that the company continue as it is till next October, when its term of grace expires, and that it then adopt the new rifle uniform. The ordinary business of the meeting was then resumed when it was unani-j mously decided that the last social and ball under the company's present rtgime should be held on the Queen's Birthday (24th May next), and a strong working committee, consisting of C.P.O. Bradley, P O.s Beckingham and Stevenson, and Gunners J. D. Robertson, North, Reid, Hathaway, Pearson, Armstrong and McKnight was formed to arrange and carry out the ball. A vote of thanks to the last Ball Committee was carried by acclamation. C.P.O. Bradley and P.O. Beckingham were re-elected to act with the officers on the Finance Committee, and Gunners J. D. Robertson, Holdgate and Budd were re-elected auditors for the ensuing term, a hearty vote of thanks being accorded them for their past services. As no member could be induced to take up the secretarial duties m place of Hon. Mem, Morris, resigned, Mr Morris consented to act till the new Match Committee was elected m June or till he could be relieved sooner by a new secretary. A donation was voted to Hon. Mem. Morris for his past year's services, and a vote of thanks was accorded him. The ammunition keeper was granted free ammunition for trophy shooting, programme amount only, and a donation was also voted to the caretaker o! the drillshed. The question of inviting tenders for a paid assistant marker for trophy matches was discussed, and as the innovation had been found to work admirably during the past shooting season it was decided to carry it out during the next. A sum of money was voted from the funds for the purpose of encouraging first-class shooting among the members, the amount to be devoted to purposes for which trophies received from the well-wishers of the company could not be assigned. The selling price of the Martini ammunition to members was left to be fixed by the Finance Committee. Several other matters affecting the internal working and well-being of the company were discussed, among them being the question of. the adoption of a new name by the company when it changes its uniform, several being submitted by members for consideration. A vote of thanks to the officers for their past courtesy to the members and for their interest m the company, was carried with " three times three," and the meeting then closed.