DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 901, 6 October 1910, Page 4

DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS.

A movement is afoot in Foxton to form a new, or resusitate the old, rifle dub, A petition is being presented to the Minister with that end in view. Failing the sanction of the Defence authorities to ’form a dub, Foxton will become a branch of the Himatangi Club. It is hoped, however, that the Defence Department will not give our local shootists short shift as they did the volunteer movement. If Foxton were separated from Himatangi a keener interest would be infused into this splendid pastime. His Excellency, Lord Islington, speaking at the opening ot the Wellington Suburbs Defence Rifle Club last Saturday, said it was one of the most essential qualifications of a soldier that he should be able to shoot, and it was necessary that suitable rifle ranges should be found for those taking part in the defence scheme in order that they might become expert marksmen. Accurate shooting was of immense importance to the soldier. He had been connected with soldiering at Home for a period of about twenty-four years, and he knew what interest was aroused by rifle shooting. Bull’s-eye shooting was a very important thing in its way, and created immense interest, but it was becoming more and more recognised, under the modern military system, that quick-firing, or snap shooting, was most essential, and every soldier should become accustomed to such methods. He would like to see every club member and every soldier become not only a good bull’s-eye marksman, but handy and ready to undertake in sections or squads quick firing practice, because it tended to make them more efficient soldiers. Men should learn fire control and judging distance. He hoped to give what little assistance he could during his terra of office to help on rifle shooting by taking a personal interest in certain competitions throughout the Dominion in the important branch of “learning to shoot.’’ He was anxious to render assistance to the territorials, and especially to rifle clubs, with a view to making the youth of New Zealand proficient in the use of the rifle. Not only would this be a pleasure to him, but he would look upon it as his duty. HIMATANGI RIFLE CLUB. The final shoot for Mr Hadfield’s trophy (a new rifle), which caused considerable interest, concluded last Saturday. Following are the principal scores : 200 500 600 Tl.

A. Hurst 34 33 33 100 E. Conlan 32 35 3i 98 C. Coulan 3i 34 29 94 J. Hartley 34 30 30 94 H. Hartley ... 33 30 3i 94 W. Moffat 3i 33 30 94 H. G. Hammond 32 3i 30 93 E. Christensen 3i 3i 3i 93 C. Rand 3i 30 32 93 C. Morgan 30 3i 29 90