RIFLEMEN'S PART

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2462, 15 May 1915, Page 3

RIFLEMEN'S PART

IN DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

KARORI CLUU'S RECORD

About sixty riflemen gathered at Godber's Itooins, Cuba Street, last night, thp occasion being the annualsmoke concert and presentation of prizes of the Karori Rifle Defence Club. Major H. Marshall, president _ of the club, occupied the chair, and included in those present were Colonel Collins, chief executive officer of the Dominion Rifle Association; Major Simm. officer in charge of the sth (Wellington) Regiment: and Mr. J. F. Mills, a vice-president. A lengthy toast list was gone through, the first being the loyal toast of '"llio King." "The Army, Navy, and Territorials" was proposed by Mr. AVilloughby, who referred to the magnificent performances of the Colonial Forces in the Dardanelles. The Territorial system was referred to in complimentary terms, and the speaker stressed the importance of this branch of home defence.

Major Simm, in responding, said thathe had always been interested in shooting since he joined the Volunteers. He had always held that in the colonies a man should bo a good shot, and he could learn his drill afterwards. That had been amply proved in the action in which colonials had taken part. He referred to the fact that riflemen quickly took to military life, and he held that it was to clubs such as Karori that the military authorities would have to look for officers if the time of emergency should come. The day of good-humoured contempt for Volunteers and Territorials had passed, he said, for the Territorials had proved themselves on the bloody field of battle as well able to take their place alongside the regulars. The time would never come again when the finger of scorn would be pointed at the Territorial. (Applause.) Recent events emphasised the fact that the material supplied by the colonies and Britain made her the dominant nation of the world. (Applause.) .He stressed the

important work done by the British Navy. But for it we might be suffering as Belgium and Servia were doing to-day. -To the Navy alone wo in New Zealand owed our immunity from attack. (Applause.) The chairman proposed the toast of "Club Members on Active Service." It

! was a great honour, he said, to propose it, and the club was proud to be able to place the toast on the list. At the outbreak of war many new members joined the club, because they felt that they should do something, although bound here by home ties. Nevertheless many of them were to-day with the , Expeditionary Forces. To-day they had twenty-seven members volunteered for ' service, and the number was steadily increasing. Of these fifteen had been ' drafted to the Expeditionary Force. It would be seen that the club, in a humble way, was training men for the defence of the Empire. Referring to the fund for wounded soldiers, the speaker 6aid that he thought this must become the most important fund. He suggested that all money for this purpose should be paid into a common fluid, and deposited with thfc Public Trustee to administer. Officers of" the Public Trust Office would be more able to get particulars of the demands, and see that they were all right. To the members of the Expeditionary Force present he offered a warm welcome. He was sure all members present would join with him in wishing all the members with the force a safe return. (Applause.) Major Marshall read the names of the following fifteen members of the club who hacl been called up:—J. Kerslake, Samoa; J. Carney (wounded), Sergeant J. Faulknor, L. Grimstone, Dardanelles ; Lieutenant A. Butler, A. Caldwell, 3rd Reinforcements; Sergeant H. S. King, 4th; J. Chrystale, P. M'Laren, Base Hospital; E. Smith, sth; A. Calder, artillery; C. Cimino, V. Corrigau, C. Downard, C. G. Aston, actingN.C.O.'s. . , „ • « Sergeant C. Cimino and -Private M'Laren Teplied, The prizes won during the season were then presented by Colonel Collins. ■ The handsome display of prizes, lie snid, showed that the club had many friends, and that tho club was very energetic in its shooting. Ho felt it an honour to present ,t'he prizes to the members. He had _ taken an interest in rifle shooting since 1868, and he wanted rifle shooting to go on. He also wanted to niako tho next U.iv.8.., iu 1916, a record. (Applause.) _ The toast of "The Olub Champion' was proposed by RiUeman Croxton, and responded to by tho champion (Rifleman Willoughby). > . "Donors of Prizes" was proposed by Doputy-President. W. Judd, coupled with the names of Mr. J. F. Mills and Major Halpin (on behalf of Mrs. Halpin, who annually presents a silver cup for service Shooting). Replies were made by Mr. Mills and Major Halpin. ' Rifleman J. Burns proposed the toast of the "Dominion Association." As an association, he said, they could bo proud of the number of men they had sent away on active service. They had trained hundreds of men. He thought that t'he time had now come when tho Government and private firms should insist on young men volunteer-

in g. • . In responding Colonel Collins sam tliat lie hoped the Allied forces • would Lb in such a position next season that they would not want the Trentham rani?e as a camping ground. This would permit of the D.B.A. annual meeting being a Rain hold. Fowpeoplo, he said, realised what the association had done. It was responsible for the formation of ritte clubs, and responsible for a wellequipped training ground for the Defenco Dcparuneiit. If tho meeting was held at 'JVtvnthair nest year the shootcvs would havo tho use of the huts, which nad been erected on the ran go. Tho war, ha said, had diovm tho military authorities that men must learn to shoot, arid that was being carried out in the preparation of all tho wen for tho fiokl. Next .year he looked forward to tho Government assisting thorn in ©very \viiy. Very fgw of tho public llfi said were aware of tho very valuable ro ?ervo tho fcro: Department had in the iiflc club members. (Aplause.) "Kindred Clubs" and "The Ladies" wero other toasts honoured.