MINIATURE RIFLES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18848, 10 April 1931, Page 6

MINIATURE RIFLES.

TIMARU CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. Twenty-four marksmen attended the annual meeting of the Timaru Miniature Rifle Club held at the range last night. The president (Mr W. E, Jones) occupied the chair. Annual Report. The annual report stated that the 1930 season opened on May 19th, and concluded on September 22nd, with a ] roll of 45 members. Three matches , were fired against Claremont, each i club securing one win, the final match being drawn. Against Willowbridge two matches W'ere arranged, the country team being successful on both occasions; while against Pareora, Timaru won both shoots. In a postal match against Invercargill, Timaru were again the victors. These shoots deserved every encouragement as they contributed largely to the social aspect of miniature rifle shooting. Teams were entered also in the various competitions, which were run in South Canterbury during the season, but there were no outstanding successes to Timaru, although the shooting of the teams reached a very fair standard. Teams were entered for the New Zealand championship, Whitcombo and Caldwell Cup, Tisdall Cup and “Own Start 1 ' competition, and again the Club was unsuccessful. Club competitions were keenly contested, and some exciting shoot-offs were witnessed during the season. The Club champion was found in W. Bradshaw, with A. Agnew a very close second. The annual trii angular match between the Gun Club, | Defence Rifle Club, and the Timaru i Miniature Rifle Club again created considerable interest, and under the conditions the Club were unfortunate in not securing a win. The thanks of the Club were due to those who donated trophies, as without these the Club would be put to considerable expense, and this would mean increased membership fees, and also increased charges for ammunition. It was a , matter for regret that the balance I sheet for last season showed a debit of , over £4, but this need not discourage members, as the main item of expense was the increase of ammunition over the previous season of 4/6 a thousand. This season would find ammunition still dearer, but the cost could be lessened by declining to give free ammunition, as in friendly matches, and also by reducing the number of rounds in club shoots from 9 to 8„ making the possible score 70 in place of 80. By this alteration it would not be necessary to make any increase in ammunition charges. The chairman congratulated the secretary (Mr W. Malcolm) on his comprehensive report, stating that some of the suggestions he had offered were very valuable. After a short discussion the report and balance sheet were adopted. Election of Officers.

The election of officers resulted: Patron, Mr F. Lewis; president, Mr W. E. Jones; vice-presidents, Messrs L. M. Inglis, A. Thoreau, A. England, R. A. Rodgers, R. McGlashan, A. P. Greenfield, A. E. Watkins, C. Johnson, M. Higgins, L. Dewar, S. H. Parker, Dr W. C. Burns and Sergeant-Major McDonald; club captain, Mr W. Duncan; vice-captains, senior, Mr W. Malcolm, junior, Mr A. Agnew; trustees, the president and Mr F. Lewis; management committee, the patron, president, club captains and Mr G. Carmichael; emergency committee, club captains and the secretary; hon. secretary, Mr J. Stevenson; assistant-secretary. Mr C. Mathieson; range officer, Mr J. Toneycliffe senr.; delegates to South Canterbury Association, Messrs W. Duncan and R. A. Rodgers. Mr Malcolm, who declined office as secretary, was thanked for his past work, and was granted an honorarium of £5/5/-. General. Mr W. Duncan suggested that the Club should hold only one official shoot a ■week, stating that in the past two nights had entailed too much work for the officials. On a vote being taken, it was agreed to hold only one official shooting night a week. It was agreed to hold the opening weekly shoot on April 20th, and to continue shooting on Monday nights. The membership fee was fixed at 5/for seniors, first j'ear shootlsts under 16 to pay 2/6. The length of the range for this season’s shooting was fixed at 20 yards, instead of 25 yards as previously. Mr R. A. Rodgers was heartily thanked for the capable manner in which he had attended to rifles during the year. It was decided that the committee be recommended to consider the advisableness of improvement to the social room, and also the provision of an open fireplace. Mr Stevenson said that the committee should be recommended to endeavour to arrange triangular matches against Timaru Clubs during the season. Votes of thanks were accorded officials for the able manner in which they had carried out their duties during the year. Special reference was made to the work of the club captain (Mr R. A. Rodgers), and the secretary (Mr Malcolm). In moving a hearty vote of thanks to the Press, Mr Duncan spoke of the generous treatment of “The Timaru Herald” who at all times had given valuable space in recording the club’s activities.