WANGANUI DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14698, 1 September 1915, Page 8

WANGANUI DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB.

annual report.

> The committee of the Wanganui Do-, fence Bifle Club will submit the following annual report on the affnrs of the club, for the year ending August 31st, at the annual meeting to be held on— Friday evening nest:— MEMBERSHIP.—The membership” of club has increased from 36 to 96. This increase has been brought about ,by a patriotic impulse sending new members to our ranks, with the desire to become better acquainted with-the rifle and howto use it. A shortage of rifles has greatly hindered many members from practising at the range, but in spite of all difficulties many of our new members have developed into good and keen riflemen.

FINANCE.—The club is now in a healthy financial position. We have been exceptionally well supported by the pub lie. during the year in. the matter cf ca.-li and trophy donation', thus enabling the club to.establish itself on a solid foundation.

ASSETS.—The value of our assets has been greatly improved. In place of the two swing targets we now have three improved shutter targets. A telenhono sys tem.has also been installed. We are now in a position to conduct our shooting on up-to-date methods, and with much greater dc>patch. THE SHOOTING.—Mention must again lie made of the improvement in the shooting of the new member.-. Many of these are capable of good, consistent shooting, and it should be possible during the coming year for Wanganui to regain its reputation as the home of some of the best shots in the Dominion. The president’s clock was again won by Deputypresident .1. Purnell, thus winning it outright. The challenge "trophy (Andrews i-'ipl was al-o won by Deputy-president .T. Purnell, and Rifleman E. King won the ore-ident'- medal. Teams matches were also tired, and caused keen interest. The annual triangular match against Linton and Dulls did not take place, arrangements falling through at the last lilo•ne”t. .V team of 11 men suffered defeat it New Plymouth V.v a narrow margin, ■•ml our team at. the Dulls meeting was ;!-o unsuccessful. THANKS.—The thanks of the club ar■lue to Messrs Walsh and Qnartcrmr.n,

•vim kindly placed a room 'at oar disposal dining tlm year for committee meeting-. Mr t. l . ■ al-o deserves our bo-.t thank■m- hi- ‘food -erviecs as handicapper, and > > Mr W. Portions, as m-.ukei-in-chief, ■e owe much for the sprat cave taken of the targets. lOUi.—The com ill" sea-on. we feel sure v.-oitld I e a veiy suece-cful one if (lie rifle i ruhlem could lie s- Ived. There are four times as many niemliers as there are rifles in the club, " and there seems to he no means of improving matters while the w:tlasts. It should he the policy of the dull io purchase a few rifles if procurable. MEMBERS OX ACTIVE SERVR'E.it give- ns groat pleasure to record that cur club has -evera! of its members on •olive service. Riflemen FI. 11. B. Hughes. Mc-Dong-dl. .1. Shaw, and C. Brinsley nfs -i M■- tU" main Ividv. The first two •;ention n d Inv. nufortnuatelv. be—’ tc 1 ' 1 '!. R’flemau K. Coorvw left with he 4th Reinforcements. Riflemen \V. tilci-n and X. Mcf-ona<rl» left with ill. and Rifleman A. H. Schaw L now hj amp with the B’h. Other member- -re ntomnlating enlistment, and are enlv ■waitinsr the opportune moment, io hand i their names. We trust that the ev er-enee pained ; n rifle shoot ins: will stand nr boys in good stead, and we wish them access and i safe return. Tor the committee, M. Si’TRIFLE. lion. Sec. W.D.R.C.