DEPUTATIONS TO THE HON R.J. SEDDON.

Star (Christchurch), Volume 07, Issue 7131, 7 April 1891, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS TO THE HON R.J. SEDDON.

Rifle Clubs. This morning a deputation from the Alpha Martini-Henry Rifle Club, consisting of Messrs W. B. Scott (Captain), W. Garrard (Treasurer), and E. Hardcastle (Secretary), waited on the Hon B. J. Seddon at the Commercial Hotel, and asked that the Government would grant concessions to Eifle Clubs by supplying ammunition and rifles at cost price, and would allow members of Rifle Clubs in uniform concessions in regard to railway fares when travelling to rifle matcbeß, or meetings of the New Zealand Rifle Association. Messrs Perceval, Joyce and Taylor, M.H.B.'s, accompanied the deputation, and supported their views. The Hon B. J. Seddon said that the Colony could not be expected to make a losß on supplying ammunition to Eifle Clubs ; Government would, however, follow the concession given by the late Government, and supply ammunition at 8s 4d per one hundred rounds. The concession on railway fares was a matter for the Bail way Commissioners, before whom he would bring it when he went to Wellington. The Colony could not undertake to import a large number of Martini-Henry rifles, but if those persons who wanted them sent a requisition to Wellington, they would be supplied at cost price; if none were in stock as many as were wanted would be imported. It struck him tha tif too much encouragement were given to Rifle Clubs, the members of which gave no attention to drill, it would tend to injure the Volun-

teere, and that was a thing he did not intend to do.