CANTERBURY RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1295, 14 May 1878, Page 2

CANTERBURY RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Annual Meeting. The annual general meeting of the Canterbury Rifle Association was held last evening at Radcliffe’s Hotel. There was a numerous attendance of members. Capt. Warner was voted to the chair. The Secretary read the minutes of the last general meeting, which were confirmed. The Secretary read the statement of accounts, which showed the expenditure to have been £3l 7s 3d, the total receipts being £3O Bs. After deducting an unpaid account, and including certain assets belonging to the association a credit balance remained for the next year of £22. The Chairman congratulated the association on its favorable financial position. A resolution that the accounts be passed as read was then carried unanimously. In pursuance of a notice of motion given at the last meeting, Mr Appleby suggested that rule 8 be rescinded so as to reduce the number of members forming the council, which he proposed for the future should consist of five members, three to form a quorum. There would thus be less probability of meetings falling through from the difficulty of forming a quorum. After some discussion, Mr Appleby moved —“That the present council be asked to resign, and that the council for the future shall consist of five members, three to form a quorum.” Mr Souter seconded the motion. Mr Mills moved, as an amendment—“ That the council consist of seven members, four to form a quorum, the chairman to have a casting vote.” Mr Buckley seconded the amendment. It was suggested that before either motion or amendment were put, the existing council should resign. On the suggestion of Mr Appleby, Mr Bell moved —“ That the members be asked to resign, and the re-election of the new one take place.” This was agreed to by the members present, who accordingly resigned. Mr Mills’ (amendment was then put and carried. The meeting next proceeded to the election of the new council, with the following result: President —Mr Wynn Williams; members of the council—Messrs Warner, Abell, Buckley, Bell, Mills, Appleby, and Souter. On the motion of Mr Appleby, seconded by Mr Gunderson, it was-resolved that t*o Council be elected annually. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Appleby, seconded by Mr Fox—“ Thai the annual meeting of the association tvd the election of council be held within fourteen days after Easter Monday.” The chairman here vacated the A air for the purpose of proposing the following resolution —“ That the annual subscription of both volunteers and civilians be far the future £1 Is instead of 10s 6d as at present.” He pointed out that by raising the subscription the association wai likely to be recruited by a superior cUss of members, who had hitherto been deterred from joining it by the smallness of the subscription. Mr Abell seconded the motion. Captain Warner postponed his motion until it was decided whether there should be more than one competition in the year, as it affected the question of the time for paying tho subscription. Mr Bell said he had a motion to propose relative to the firing for Blake’s cup. A difference of opinion existed as to whether Blake’s cup should be shot for monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Mr Gunderson was in favor of Blake’s cup being shot for quarterly. Mr Appleby was of the same opinion, and pointed out the advantage, on the score of economy, of the association holding a meeting once a quarter, especially with the higher rate of subscription. He moved- ‘ That the association should hold a meeting once a quarter, at which cup should be shot for.” Mr Siitr* seconded the motion. Buckley moved as an amendment—«xhat Blake’s cup bo competed for once a year.” Mr Fox spoke in favor of the original motion, as he thought it was high time Mr Blake’s prize was won. Mr Hayman seconded Mr Buckley'a amendment, which was negatived. Mr Appleby’s motion was then put and carried. Captain Warner then brought forward his motion referring to the increase of the annual subscription to £1 Is for Volunteers and Civilians, which was agreed to. The next business was the election of a secretary and treasurer for the ensuing year. Mr Appleby, on being proposed, said he thought the best plan in the interests of the association would be to appoint a p id secretary to be remunerated by a percentage on the receipts. He considered the imposition of the duties of secretary on any member of tho Council was an unfair tax on hi- time, and that many bem fits would arise from the services of a secretary, paid according to the amount of subscriptioi sho collected. It was ultimately resolved, on the motion of Mr Appleby, seconded by Mr Gunderson—- “ That it shall be an instruction to the Council to consider the advisability of engaging tho services of a paid secretary.” It was further moved by Mr Appleby, iwra&d by Mr Ghwdww-*" -Jhat #9

account be opened at the Colonial Bank in the name of the association, all cheques to bo signed by the treasurer and the chairman or the Council for the time being, or, m the absence of the latter, by the acting chairman.” The motion was agreed to. Mr Gunderson moved, and Mr Bell seconded, the election of Mr Appleby as treasurer, which was carried. A discussion arose as to the advisability of instituting an annual match with Otago, and ultimately a resolution was passed on the motion of Captain Warner, seconded by Mr Souter—“That it be an instruction to the Council of the Association that they open up communication with the Otago Rifle Association, with the view of arranging for an annual match between the two associations.” A vote of thanks passed to Mr Appleby, who, in his capacity of secretary, had worked zealously for the interests of the association, and had greatly in bringing about its present prosperous position. The meeting theu adjourned. PRESENTATION OP PRIZES. Captain Warner then proceeded to the presentation of the prizes as follows : The Mayor’s Cup, 500 yards, 10 shots, subsequently reduced to 7—Chapman, 1; Warner, 2 j Appleby, 3; Abell, 4; and Francis, 5. The four first were ties, and were shot off. Firing for the Canterbury Challenge Cup, presented by Mr Blake —Houston, 1; Abell, 2; Hunter, 3 ; Cameron, 4 ; Campbell, 5 ; Bell, 6; Appleby, 7. President’s Cup—King, 1; Buckley, 2; Chapman, 3 ; Judge, 4 ; Fox, 5. Range Prize, 200 yards —Innis; 300 yards —King. Aggregate Score Prizes Chapman, 1; Buckley, 2 ; Appleby, 3 ; Hunter, 4; Fox, 5 ; Houston, 6; Cameron, 7; Abell, 8; Dixon, 9; Campbell,) 10; Bell, 11; Hayman, 12 ; Francis, 13.