MOUNTED RIFLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1431, 15 April 1905, Page 2

MOUNTED RIFLES.

Tho annual meeting of the East Coast fW Mounted Rifles was held last evening in tho Masonic Hotel. Captain Colebourns presided, and there was a large attendance of members.

The following new members wore elected : Charles Drummond, D. Scott, W. ' J. Barlow, and R. Wells, The eleetion of committees resulted as follows : —General Committee : Sergeant A. Zachariah, Farrier-SergoaDt Davidson, Trooper Kinder, Sergeant Morrison, and Corporal Witters. Firing Committee: . Sergeants Zachariah, Pico, and Morrison

—Sergeant Zachariah as secretary. Mili* tary Ball Committee: Troopers Kinder, Barlow,- Carter, Farrier-Sergeant Davidson, Corporal Oaten, R. Parker, Sergeants Zaohariab, Pirie, and Hamilton. Sergeant Hamilton was re-elected secre-^ / tary and treasurer, and Troopers O’Meara 1 • and Kinder were re-elected auditors.It was resolved, on the motion of Ser-geant-Major Evans, to hold a military ball this year, tho date to bo fixed by th*<, committee. It was decided to hold the annual oamp from May 7th 6o 14th at To Ksraka. Captain Colebourns stated that he intended to give Dr Scott the troop which'-? Lieut. Beero commanded prior to his resignation. Lieutenants Tombleson and Hutchinson would have charge of tfc&J. other two troops. The Captain stated thaO the entire strength of the corps was now ’ 60, and that made an average parade of , about 38 or 40. If they increased the '* membership to 70 or 75 they could then expect an average attendance of 60 mtni-y here, and could divide the squadron into ’ two troops. He thought that the offieee elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lieut. Beere should be i chosen from the squadron, as it would ' mean promotion for them all. Sergeant Major Evans said that as the troops were to bo separate in every way it was incumbont on every one of them to attend the camp, so as members would notM have to be drafted into districts not their own to mako up the deficiency. He also Bpoke on tho lack of interest shown by members in regard to attending parades, and urged them to mako an effort to keep the position they bold at present as pro- v rnier squadron of tho regiment. Captain Colebourne admitted that ho had dealt too leniently with defaulters. The matter was now taken out of his hands J* and there was a fine attached to each parade missed, and unless good cause could ba shown why the member was not present he would have to appear before Mr Barton, S.M. Being mounted they had greater difficulty in holding parades than a foot corps. He intended'holding quarterly church parades. stated that the squadron fired for 1 the Mafeking Cup on Good Friday, startm]*-^, 10 o'clook, and bn Easter Monday com- ’ joeted for Mr W. Aoiand Hood’s trophy in conjunction with the Gisborne Rifles. On the 9th of November the Coleman Shield, would be fired for at Hastings, and theywould again send a team. (12 men) tocompete for it. He wanted a good foot* parade to accept the champion bolt presented by the citizens, and also to present Sergeant Morrison with Dr DeLisle’s cup. Upon the Ahuriri Rifles disbanding, this oup had- been offered for competition amongst the East Coast Regiment, anf j had been won by Sergeant Morrison, Se/A.. goant Zachariah was second, and Serges' Ki Pirie third.

Lieutenant Tombleson proposed tha' j a k range of prizes be fixed for possibles set jred in matches—los at the 200, 300, and: goo yards. HI at the 600 yardi, and £2 a' t tha 700 yards or over.- Idea enant Hu' johjnson seconded tho m.sion, which , waa carried. Vr

Votes of thanks wero passed to. Mr W. Acland Hood for his trophy, the. 'Gisborne" City Band for their.ser vices, Mr'Cropp for installing the telephc ne at the rr mge, and the hon. secretary, 'Sergeant C. Hamilton* It was resolved_ that a latter Tie written to Captain Be',. rS) thanking h’im for the the interest b- d had always in the corps, and c, Qa g ra t u i at^n g him. on takinr ■> Y J Y, c “ uiat: ' nd °f the cadets. ..-Yss'ti - r promised to give three lectures on ambulance work auring camp week.