RATA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19442, 30 October 1925, Page 3

RATA

DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB. OPENING OF THE RANGE. (From the “Chronicle’s’’ Special Correspondent. The Rata Defence Rifle Club is a very live organisation, and on Saturday next the official opening of the range will take place at 11.30 a.m. At 12.15 p.m. there will be an all comers’ match, and at 2 p.m. a teams’ match (falling targets) and at 2.45 p.m. tactical demonstration (novelty shoot'). No charge will be made for entrance, and ammunition and rifles will be provided for visitors. Luncheon can also be obtained on the ground. In a circular issued by the club the executive states: It is with the belief that you would be interested in the purpose of rifle shooting that we take the liberty of addressing the following remarks. Defence rifle chibs, as forming a I branch of our defence system, from which first line defenders would be drawn if our national safety is ever threatened, serve by their active exist | cnee a dual purpose. ! The first purpose, the encouragement iof service rifle shooting, which should I greatly assist in raising the value of lour citizen army if it ever had to take the field, is that for which our Governi ment gives to Defence rifle clubs a cor-, [tain military value and a limited finanJ cial assistance.

Rifle clubs also provide for one of the cleanest of sports, a sport that although it does not require great physical capabilities, and for this reason is open to all, develops all the qualities that are best in manhood. Many are gifted to a greater or lesser degree with these desirable qualities, but in all they may be cultivated, and rifle shooting, especially team competition, provides an excellent training. The membership being voluntary, it is felt that to some extent, a Defence rifle club serves some of the functions provided for in the past by the old Volunteer defence system, and in these days of so much agitation directed against all that loyalty stands for. a rifle club should be known for its loyalty, as, having taken the oath of allegiance, its members must have the belief that their country is worth defending. The Rata Defence Rifle Club has been formed some little while, and consists of about 40 active members, and possesses quite a good range on Mr. Rhodes’ property at Rata. The club sends you a hearty invitation to sec them in action on Saturday, October 31.