FOXTON DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1865, 17 August 1918, Page 3

FOXTON DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB.

The annual meeting of the above was held in the Council Chambers lust night. There was a fair attendance, and the Rev. W. Raine presided. The annual report was read as follows, by the secretary, Mr IT. J. Claris: — “Considering that so few of our members took an active part in the. past season’s shooting, we have had a very satisfactory year, ami as the balance-sheet shows there is a balance to credit of £5 ISs ?ld, after paying for all expenses and trophies. During the year six trophies were fired for, at three separate ranges, viz., 200, 300 and 500 yards. The prize money for trophies was kindly donated by members of the Club. A few practices were fired off, and by buying ammunition from the Hiraatangi Club we managed with what grant the Government sent ns to finish out the season. The season commenced on February 2nd, 1018, the lateness being due to our late secretary, Mr Hanlon’s, sudden death, which dislocated the affairs, of the Club for a short period, and, the lack of ammunition due to dilatoriness of the Defence Department. The last shoot took place on May 11th, when class firing was done for the coming season’s free grant of ammunition. It is to be regretted thqt so few members of the Club take an active part in the shoots, especially when the war now on is requiring good marksmen at the front, and as members are being called up one by fine in the ballots, nearly half (lie old members of former years have gone to the front or are still serving their country there now. Even so, we have a present roll number of some 3(5 riflemen who, if they would only participate in the shooting matches, would greatly add to a keener interest in (he competitions, and keep the Chib more alive. Nine hundred rounds have been obtained from the Himatangi Club at fid per packet of 10 rounds, which has yet to be paid for, an amount of £2 5s Od. Of this 000 rounds, some 700, I believe still remains to start off the coming.season till we obtain the Government grant, when iiaemliers can receive (heir capitation allowance of 100 rounds per man. The returns have been duly sent to Palmers!or, North, and I hope the ammunition will shortly lie available for the Club. Temporary repairs have been effected to the targets, which, with a little patching up, are in fair order. 1 trust tins coming season will show a better interest taken by members in the shooting, and prove more alive than the past one.”. The report and balance-sheet was adopted. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr F, Robinson; President, Mr C. Symons; vice-presi-dents, Rev. Raine and Mr J. Hartley; secretary and treasurer, Mr 11. J. Claris; auditor, Mr A. J. Kellow; committee, Messrs Cronquost, May, O’Brien and R. Rand; selection committee, Messrs Claris, C. Symons and Hartley; handicapper, Mr J. Hartley.

A vote of (hanks and appreciation wore passed to (lie secretary, Mr Claris, the same to he recorded on the minutes.

A vote of thanks was accorded MV A. Rmit'll for donation of £1 Is towards a trophy to ho shot for.

APi or some discussion, tlio following motion was pnssoil: “That, tho mil I lor of handicapping l»o lol'l ontiroly in the hands oP tlio handicappor In arrange (lio handicaps an ho things host, so !is lo give novioo inoinhoi's and poor shops a olianoo of winning. This motion to roinovo the present fixed Imndioiip op maximum 12 poinls; Ihe handioap lo ho ha sod, on a possibility of making 3A points.”

The President distributed the prizes to last year’s prize-winners as follows: —j. Hartley (’3), R. Rand (3), C. Rand (3), A. Barnard (2), W. O’Brien (2), G. D. May, H. McKcgney, C. Cronquest, C. Preston, C. Symons. The mailer of a miniature rillo range for the winter months was left in the hands of the oommiiioo to arrange.