RIFLEMEN'S SMOKE CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 193, 10 May 1919, Page 8

RIFLEMEN'S SMOKE CONCERT

■ A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Some three or four years ago the Wellington city and suburban rifle <jubs formed a union for the purpose of promoting inter-club competitions, bringing the members of the clubs more closely together and securing good fellowship among: them. Annual competition are held for two shields, one for the senior teams and another for tho juniors. Xasfc evening the combined clubs held their annual' smoke concert in the Nayals* Boating Society's rooms, Jervois Quay, when the shields' were presented to tho winning teams for this year. Rifleman •J. Rabe, the president of the union, presided and made the presentation. The ICarori Rillo Club won both shields this year, also the two trophies presented to the highest scorers in 'the senior and junior competitions. The senior shield was won in 191(i by the Suburbs Rifle Club, in 1917 it was secured by Karori, going the following year to the Suburbs Club, and Karori gets it back this year. The junior shield was won by the Petone Rifle Clubin 191G, the Suburbs Club securing it in 1917, and the Karori Club last year and t|iis year. ' Tho trophy for the highest' individual score in tho senior competitions went to. Rifleman J. Burns, and the trophy in the junior division to Rifleman W. Skegg, both of the Karori Rifle Club.

A long toast-list, interspersed with songs, filled in the evening very pleasantly.

Rifleman Jackson, in proposing the toast of the returned soldiers, said tho rillo clubs had dono their full, share in. tho war, and the members .who had gone to tho front had made' good. They had with them that evening Lieutenant Marshall, who won the Military Cross, and Rifleman Lowe, who had also won a decoration; there were others who had secured either stars or .stripes. Lieutenant 11. T. Marshall, MX'., expresident of the Karori Rifle Club, who was-received with cheers in responding, said that the war had proved that rillo shooting was one of the most valuable accomplishments of a soldier, and 011 a well worthy of encouragement by any country. Efficiency in rifle shooting greatly , strengthened the army of ar»y country, and it. could be said that efficiency in rifle shooting may prevent war. Since he returiied to New Zealand ho had heard that Major Wallingforcl advocated rifle shooting, and lie (tho speaker) would 6upport him ,in that lo the fullest. General Richardson had hteii recalled to take up an. important position in ■ the Dominion,' and it was possible that the rid'; clubs may como under him, if so, they could not Jpivo a better man to deal with,.and he would give every encouragement to rifle shooting. Lieutenant Marshall then referred to tho efforts he had mado with the consent of General Richardson in getting the rifle'clubs of the Empire to coine to an understanding as to ilu> uniformity of conditions for rifle shooting. He iiiter- ! viewed the principal men in the National Rillo Association and endeavoured lo get a standard programme for Bisley and an Empire set of conditions. In England this- .year tho rifle to be used nt the National Rifle Association Meeting would be the short barrel knoiyn, as tho S.M.L.E., but that was for this year. only. After that (lie long-barrel rills would bo used. The'coinpefition is to bo limited lo COO yards, and the entry fee for the King's Prize is to be reduced from 20s, to 10s. Ue gave some details as to .'procuring long barrels, and said thero would bo no difficulty about that.