KAIKOURA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14974, 22 May 1914, Page 3

KAIKOURA.

Various alterations on the rifle range, including improvement of tho targets and marking trenches, are reqwred. It would bo a"~decided improvement were telephonic communication established between the butts and- the unrig mounds. Complaints are heard of Defence Department delay in connexion with range betterment.. Racing, men in and about Kaikoura would do well to move immediately to have tho racecourse, and nearly all pertaining thereto, put in the best possible order within the means available. With the gallops on Boxing Day—held here continuously on that day for come fifty years, or well nigh co—and the inaugural meeting of the newly-formed Trotting Cluh next Labour Day, the South Bay course, and its appointments, should be well.furbished. The plantation enclosure—the natural grandstand—could be vastly improved for spectators, by cutting a*few paths, terracing portions of the gronnd, and providing some seating accommodation. A'little tree-orunin" would also .be .an imorovement."' •

There is a fip Q field open for concerted ' action on the part of three of Kaikonra's public bodies. Wero the

Agricultural and Pastoral Association, tno Racing Club, and mc Trotting Club to join forces, their united endeavours would probably result iv Kaikoura being provided with an excellent Show ground and a much better racecourse than it now possesses. Thoro aro •"lions in the path' maKing this project difficult of accomplishment, but •'good sportsmen." with grit and tenacity, would clear the obstacles in a .shorter time than the "never venture party" have any idea of. For four days in succession the Conway river ba> been unlordable at tne Hiind.ike crossing t>y oven tho mail coach. Motor-cars en" route for Christchurch have also been stuck up here. The Conway .vhoulel have been bridged on the Coast road before the Kahutara, _and the Hapuku before cither. Happily, tho Conway bridge is withiu ciew. so lo sjieak. and the structure should ho opened within a year. The stream-way is easily spanned from a rocky bluff on the "northern side to a knoll on the southern. Good work is being done for Kaikoura by the Massey Government in l-rids-.n~'rivers m this county, and one on its southern confine Were similar vigour applied to linking up the Main 'trunk railway line there wei-jJd !>.-> additional expression of r.ppreciat ; on. Members of the Kaikoura Defence Rifle Club met- on Wednesday ovoning, Mr James GaIL-i<;hcr 'president') in tho chair. reirarding the butts resulted in a sub-committee- being appointed to inspect- them. Advice was received .statins that the Defence Department, would contribute £15 towards tho erection of a concrete retainin? wall at the marking trench, and the club decided to add £3 towards the work if it could bo douo for tho total sum. The club awaits a replv-from the Government, regard-ng its offer to supply the necessary material, and do tho requisite work, if telephones are Minnhcd for tho riflo range It was decided that tho contest- for tho Greenwood Belt for tho current year, which is to take place ou tho 3rd pros., should bo at the' previously-de-termined distances, hut at a fieuro target with the ordinary marking. A social reunion at tho Club Hotel, is to bo hold cm tbo evening of tho 3rd. It wiJb resolved that the miniature riflesncotinc season ,-*honlrl he opened on the Uth pro*., with a match . acain&t representatives of the local "Terrvs.''