OLD NAVALS CLUB

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1919, Page 9

OLD NAVALS CLUB

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT

Members of the Old Navals Defence Rifle Club assembled in strong force at the boathouse last evening, on the occasion of tho annual smoke concert. President J. Babe was in the chair, and among those present were: Colonel E. J. Collins, C.M.G., 1.5.0., Major Wallingford (Inspector of Rifle Clubs), and lieutenant Harry Marshall, M.C. In opening the proceedings, the Chairman said they expected to get several recruits from the Miniature Riflo Club». If those shootists oouldi make 99 out oi< 100 indoors, they might reasonably be1 expected to do as well in the open. He received apologies for unavoidable absence from Liflutenant-Colon'el Cooper, Captain E. D. Bell, Captain.''Davy, and Major Menzies. "The Navy, tie Army, and the Meicantile Marine" was proposed by Captain A. V. Halo Munro. Superintendent Tata, of the Wellington Fire Brigade responded. ' Lieutenant Harry Marshall proposed the toast of "The Dominion Rifle Association." In doing so he;paid a high tiibute to the valuable services rendered to the association by Colonel R. J. Collins). It was no doubt that when the war broke out the existence of a, rifle range at Trentham was of invaluable assistance both for shooting and training generally. If the association made the conditions attractive he had no doubt that the next meeting would be most successful. (Applause.) . ' The toast was responded to by Colonel Collins, whose remarks on the subject of "Rifle ■ Shooting as a. National Duty" are reported'in another column. The President announced at this stage tYiat the majority of the prizes had been donated to patriotic funds, and ttt» prizes to be presented were represented merely by certificates, which would in future be iegarded with as much prid-e as more valuable'articles. (Applause.) The prizes were distributed by Colonel Collins as under:—

Prizes .specially donated : —Deputy. President-Wv Hams (W. J. Conibear's trophy); Rflm. T. Dell (Stewart Hardware Coy.'s trophy) ; Rflm. J. Evans (F. StandidgVs trophy); R-flm. R. Sneddon (President J. Rabe's trophy); Rflm. A. Guise (President J. Babe's trophy). Other prizes : —Rflm. R. Sneddon (Hodder. Cup); Rflm. T. Dell (Hugo Memorial Cup); Rflm. F. E. Franklyn (Colonel J. Duncan's trophy); President J. Rabe (Colonel J. Duncan's trophy); Rflm. C. M'Donald (President Rabe's trophy); A. Fellows (C. Hodder's itrophy); W. J. Conibear (Lieut; Denniston's trophy); R. Pringle (club trophy); Dep. Pres. W. Harris (Capt. E. D. Bell's trophy) ;Rflm. R. Standidge (Major E. Davy's trophy); J. Moye (A. L.' Johnson's trophy); C. Burdett (R. C. Collins's trophy); J. Alexander (club trophy); J. Evans (A. Moore's trophy); R. 6., Collins (Col. C. Cooper's trophy); J. Hogan and H. Whitehead (club trophies). Colonel Coiling congratulated the club on accepting "scraps of paper " in lieu of more valuable trophies. At his instance, also,- those present stood for a few moments in silence as a tribute to the memory of members who had fallen in the Empire's great endeavour.

Mr. E. Franklyn proposed, the toast of "The Club Champion" (Mr. H. Sneddon). Such a distinction, he said, could only be gained by diligent shooting through the whole of the season. Rflm. C. Doll had been the runner-up for two years, and last year had got within two points of the champion. (Applause.) The toast was drunk with musical honours, and was responded to by Mr. Sneddon.

Several other toasts followed, and the proceedings were enlivened by some excellent musical selections.