VOLUNTEERING.

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 February 1902, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING.

Per Press Association. > AUCKLAND, February 3. Captain J. Reid, District Adjutant, is to have acting command of tho Auckland Volunteer District during the abscare of Colonel Davies in South Africa.

WANGANUI AND WEST COAST RIFT. ASSOCIATION".

THE OPENING MEETINJ

Volunteers and members of .Defence Kitle Clubs within the above Association's district are reminded that all entries for th* abov-j Association's first annual prize meeiing, which takes place at the Putiki Riiie Range on Thursday and Friday, the 2*i:h and 21st instants, close with Captain MeNaught, hon. secretary, on Thursday, tb«« 13th instant, at the Drill Hall', at 8 p.m. All arrangements in connection with the conduct of the meeting are in a forward state, and judging by the large amount of promised support from members of Volunteer corps and Rifle Clubs up and doiwn the Ooast a highly successful opening meeting is assured. : .

The programme, already in circulation, should give general satisfaction to shooting men and volunteers generally. Apart from a liberal amount given away in prize money and trophies to the value of £120, several of the matches have been so arranged that a large x>crcentage of competitors will be enabled to win prize money in each match.

The. Association's meeting, being held just one week previous to the annual prize meeting of the N.Z.R.A. at Tl-enliiain. should furnish an excellent practice for volunteers in this diftrict. and we trust they are. many.

As the aim of the local Association is to further the interest in shooting, and enable every volunteer to become a good shot, which is the most essential point in eveiy volunteer's efficiency, it is hoped that largo numbers of volunteers and members of Rifle Clubs will take advantage of the Association's efforts to encourage and raise the standard of efficiency in this all-important branch of our service. Young shots, in particular, should endeavour to learn a better knowledge of their rifles' capabilities. The weapons themselves are good, but unless our .volunteers as a body pay niore attention to their target practice on every available occasion, at all distances, and in all weathers*, even at inconvenience to themselves, the best weapons in the. world will; not make them good and valuable defenders of our country-

Officers commanding corps and captains of llifie Clubs are reminded that the affiliation fee to the Association is £2 2sl. for tJie former and £1 Is. for the latter. Members of both bodies affiliating have an advantage over members of " non-affiliated carps or clubs', inasmuch a.y individual members of the former are admitted as members uf the Association on payment of 55.. while members of the latter pay 7s. 6d. for their privilege. All entries miist be made en the Association.entry form,' accompanied by membership fee mid entrance monies. Entry forms are procurable from officers commanding corps, captains of Rifle Clubs', and the lion, secretary to the Association, who will be pleased'" to furnish intending competitors with all information.

We are also asked to .state that it is possible a, match will be included in the programme open to Volunteers, members of Defence Rifle Clubs, citizens., and civilians, entrance free ; pme.-i allotted by the Government, according to the local Association's share of £200 voted by the Government for the Wellington district. It i.s understood quite £35 will fall to. the local Association's credit. The Council of (lie Association meet to-night to consider ihe additions in this direction to the programme.