RIFLE CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1538, 6 September 1912, Page 9

RIFLE CLUBS.

A CONFERENCE AND AFTER. CONCESSIONS TO SHOOTING MEN. Following upon negotiations—culminating in a conference— which have been proceeding between the executive of tho New Zealand rifle club? and tho General Officer Commanding (ho Forces (Major-Genoral A. J. Godley, C.8.), it was decided, at a. meeting of the executive, which was held at tho Garrison J Jail on Wednesday (Mr. If. .Marshall presiding), to address lo each of the rifle clubs throughout the Dominion, for their information, a circular memorandum covering the net results of these negotiations, together with a brief account of the proceedings at the conference. The following requests of tho clubs were, agreed lo by General Godley.— I. That the voluntary rifle associations will not be abolised, but remain.

2. That all Government rifle ranges be available, free of charge, by rifle clubs and voluntary ride asoeiations.

3. That riflo clubs novo equal rights with Territorials oil Government TJilo ranges. J. That the minimum strength of riflo clubs bo reduced from 30 to 15.

5. That rifle dub competitors at this Dominion Eifle Association's meeting at Trontham suggest annually to the Commandant tho names of throe rifle club officers to act on the executive committee of the Dominion Eifle Association. (For this year, tho delegates at the conference suggested Presidents Marshall (Karori), Masefield (Sounds), and Welch (Opaki). These were approved by General Godley, and now talc© office.

C. That tho executive committee of tho Dominion Eiflo Association, consisting of three staff-officers, tlireo Territorial officers, anil threo riflo olub officers, dran up the annual pogramme, and carry out the functions of a Management 'Committee.

. 7. That where barrels cannot be obtained from the Defence Stores, barrels fitted by private firms, and inspected and stamped by tho Government nrmourer, as equal only to service barrels, may be used at tho D.R.A. meeting The following were held over for consideration by General Godley, and tho D.R.A. executive:— '

1. That in the annual Dominion Eifle Association Championship Belt series, the black circular bull's-eye target be used. 2. That entries for the service matches be optional to all competitors over 25 years of ago. ' . The following were lipid over for consideration by General Godley:— 1. That iu addition to the free grant of 150 rounds members of rifle clubs bo allowed to purchase at least 500 rounds annually at ss. per 100. 2. That a Bifle Club Department be established so that all matters pertaining to rifle clubs go .through the same channel. (This proposal, it was suggested, would ensure simplicity in administration.) Amendments to the regulations of March 19,-1912, as follows, were agreed to by General Godley:— Clause 3—Minimum strength of rifle clubs reduced from 30 to 15.

Clause J—Deleted: "The .officers of tho club to be recommended by the military officer in charge of Hie group." Substituted: "These officers to-be elected by the club in the ordinary way." Added to tho duties of the club president: " . . , and he shall have power to fix tho time for carrying out the class firing of the compulsory men, and the supervision of tamo.*

Clause 9—Attendances of tho compulsory men, for tho present year, are reduced from six to three, as only a few rifles will bo issued with tho first! draft.

Clause 10—Class-firing for voluntary member.-;, entailing 7.1 rounds annually, and including the ordinary preparatory work, reduced to 23 rounds, the preparatory courses being omitted and tho standard lest (Fart 3) applied. Additional ciauso adopted: "Where the club membership is up to tho maximum, as new voluntary members join, tho surplus compulsory members to bo transferred to other units."

In tho matter of railway passes, General Godlcy stated that owing to lack of funds lie was unable to alter tho position. Subsequently, following upon an interview with tho Minister for Defence (the Hon. Jas. Allen), the Prim© Minister announced that tho railway passes would to placed on tho old footing, with the 100-mile limit. Tho circular concludes:—"The rifle clubs, having been given a genuine partnership in the D.R.A. and its ' management, your executive, confidently expecting a very attractive programme, appeals to you to do your best in seeing that your club is well represented at the next meeting at Trenthain, to put the New Zealand rifle meeting on' the high plane on which it formerly stood. In connection .with the compulsory men, your executive feels sure that you will give every, assistance in teaching them the uso of the rifle and helping them as far as lies in your power. ..."