OLD NAVALS RIFLE CLUB

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2169, 6 June 1914, Page 6

OLD NAVALS RIFLE CLUB

SMOKE CONCERT. AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The first annual smoke concert, of tho Wellington Old Navals Defence Rifle Club was held last evening. Tho olub president (Mr. J. Rabe) was in the chair, and amongst those presont wero Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., Major A. Hume, Major Davy, Lieutenant Johnson, President Marshall (Karori Riflo Club), President Graham (Suburbs Riflo Club), Deputy-President Judd (Karori. Rifle' Club), arid Deputy-President Flaws (Petono Riflo .Club). ' Tho chairman proposed "Tho Donors of . Trophies," and Major Humo and Major Davy responded. In the course of his speech, Major Humo said that if ho had his way he would have every man, woman, and child instructed in the uso of firoarms. Thoy had only to take up the papers every other day, and they would read of accidents ■ which resulted through people not being conversant with firearms. Ho was a great believer in getting bold of lads young; so .that by .the time that they entered tho volunteers they could lie made conversant with rifle shooting, and tho elements of military m.itterß. During the recent visit "of Sir lan Hamilton a tremondous amount of interest had been taken in military matters, this being evidenced by the attendance at the recent reV viow. This augured well for tho future of the defence scheme in tho Dominion, and ho (the- speaker) was suro that, in a few years, instead of being opposed to the Dfesent military scheme, every man would count it a disgrace not to belong to some cadet or Territorial corps. Col'tmel Collins responded to the toast of "The Dominion Rifle Association," which was proposed by.President C. R. Graham. The Dominion Association, said' Colonel Collins, had been formed some thirty-four years, ago, and, since its inception, it had done a tremendous lot to help on tho volunteer movement. Ho also referred to tho visit of Sir lan Hamilton,- expressing the opinion that ; it would do more good for riflo shooting than sonio people might imagine. Gfeiieral Hamilton .had stated in Australia that, bull's-eye shooting and sexvico shooting should go together. Ho (tho speaker) was convinced, in spite of statements to the contrary, that bull'seye shooting was c-ssoiitial to good allround shooting. They also had the General's, statement for this. He (Coltnel Collins) considered that they should endeavour to give all Territorials a taste for riflo shooting, so that these men would, take an interest in it after their term of sorvice expired. The toast of "The Club Champion" was proposed by Mr. W. Harris. Mr. F. E. Franklyn, the club champion, responded. Mr. F. Standidgo proposed "Kindred Clubs," with which toast were coupled the names of Presidents Marshall, M'Donald, Graham, Flaws, and Burridge. Othor toasts were "The Press," "The Ladies," and "Other Brandies of tho Service." _ _ '• During tho evening tho prizes won during tho year woro presented by Colonel Collins. Tho toast list was interspersed with an enjoyable programme I of "musical items. During the course of-tho evening Mr. W. Harris presented President J. Rabo with a pair of antique copper vases, as a mark of esteem from club members.