REDCLIFFS RANGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17564, 15 June 1925, Page 8

REDCLIFFS RANGE.

EXTENSION PROPOSED. REQUEST )F RIFLE CLUBS. A request for improvements at the Redcliffs rifle range was made to the Minister of Defence (Sir Heaton Rhodes) by a deputation from the Canterbury Rifle Association this morning. The deputation was introduced by Mr E. J. Howard, M.P. The/president of the association (Major J. P. Oakes) told the Minister that rifle clubs were very active and that other clubs were coming into existence. The miniature clubs, which were i largely patronised, provided the recruiting ground. At present the clubs found difficulty in arranging their syllabuses, and they asked for further targets and accommodation. The otficer-in-command. Colonel Young, had done j much for the clubs as far as administration would permit, and he had thc.ir earnest thanks. The secretary of the association (Mr R. 11. Neill) said the Defence Department had been very good, but they did not have the target accommodation. At least ten or twelve more targets were needed. The present mound could be extended on the right. Mr A. C. llullett said that the short range mounds left a lot to be desired! If the weather was bad they could not be used. There was any amount of spoil to build up the butts, and he thought requirements were only a matter of labour. In reply to the Minister, Major Oakes said that the association had not gone into the question of cost. Colonel Young said that the Department had about 2200 trainees to look after. Some time ago the Redcliffs range had been closed down and there was a proposal to take up a new range, but that would have meant an enormous expense. In the meantime Burnham had been purchased by the Department, and it was hoped to put a range at Burnham. The question was how much the Department could afford to put into Redcliffs, and how long their tenure would be. If there ■was a range at Burnham the Department could give the clubs practically the whole use of Redcliffs. A member of the deputation (Mr 11. Reynolds) suggested that the clubs might be given the range every other Saturday. If extra target accommodation was provided the Territorials and Cadets probably would be able to get through their shooting on two Saturdays in a month. “ Jt appears that the whole difficulty is that rifle shooting is too popular,” said the Minister. ” I am not going to complain about that. I want to sec every man handle a rifle and learn how to use it properly.” The deputation would have to leave the matter to Colonel Young and himself. How iar the Department was prepared to go on with the Burnham range he was not prepared to say; it would take a good deal of money. He thought -he would be able to promise the accommodation required, and he would sec what they could do in the way of extending the butts. lie had made a promise to Mr M’Oombs to have a look at the reserve. It had been suggested that the range should be closed down and handed over as a public reserve. As far as the Department couid see, however,. there was no immediate necessity to leave Redcliffs. He would do what he could to Help the rifle clubs.