FOXTON DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2327, 10 September 1921, Page 3

FOXTON DEFENCE RIFLE CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The Fox ton Defenqp Rifle Club held their annual meeting in the Presbyterian Sunday schoolroom on Thursday night. There was a good attendance of active members. Mr Head (president) occupied the chair.

The report and balance-sheet were rend and adopted as follows! “Your officers wish to congratulate the Club upon a very successful past season, which commenced on October 2nd, 1020, and ended on June 4th, 1921. During that time we held sixteen trophy shoots, for trophies of the aggregate value of £l4 7s Od; two sweepstakes, one cash prize competition, and six in-ter-club matches, of which our Club won three. We were unsuccessful in both the Fresh Food and Ice Cup and the Field Shield competitions. Several of our members attended rifle association meetings at Bulls, Wanganui, Grcytown, Trcntham and Patca, and were included in prize-lists at every meeting. The fund for travelling expenses established last year very greatly reduced the expense of attending these meetings, also the inter-club matches. A marked improvement in the shooting of several members was noticeable towards the end of the season, but your Secretary wishes to emphasise the need of obtaining new members who take a live interest in rifle shooting, and are prepared to attend shoots as regularly as possible. Our B Section has - been greatly depleted through the departure or resignation of Messrs C. Elford, 11. Graham and W. O’Brien. The Club suffered a great loss in the resignation in April last of Mr 11. J. Claris, as secretary and treasurer, upon his departure for Wellington. Mr Claris had been a most faithful and zealous officer for five years, and his departure has been keenly 'gretled by all. He was made the cipicnt of a tobacco pouch, with go I’d shield suitably inscribed, at a farewell gathering on April 15th. Air Claris has generously donated us a silver cup, to be won annually, the details (o be left in the Club’s hands. The classification practices were fired in May, and the returns sent in to the district Defence Office, Palmerston North, including application for 8,400 rounds of ammunition, which, with 775 rounds on hand, makes a total of 9,175 rounds to start the new season with. The second annual ball was held on August 2nd, and, although very inclement weather affected the attendance, the affair was a financial success, and very enjoyable socially. Our specially sincere thanks are due to Mrs Head and her committee (comprising Afesdames ITeasman, Sea bury and Procter) for their splendid efforts in carrying out the entire catering for the ball, and without which it would have been impossible to have shown a profit. The balance-sheet presented herewith indicates a perfectly sound financial position. The credit balance in the dance fund is satisfactory, considering the circumstances. The unusually low credit bal-

anee in general account is accounted for by the fact that there is a considerable sum owing to the Club by certain members for new rifles and barrels purchased on their behalf, and also ammunition sold on credit. When this money is repaid the position will, of course, he very lmiali improved. In conclusion, your officers hope to see a continuance of llm enthusiasm and goodfellowship displayed last season, and trust that next season will he even more successful and eu, joyable.”

The balanee-slieci showed a credit balance of £l2, and was made lip as follows: —•Dance fund, £lO 11s Id, general aceounl Cl 8s lid. CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondence was read and

dealt with as follows: — From the N.Z. Rifle Club Executive, in reply to a letter from the Club, stating that the matter of permits when purchasing aminuni-

lion was at present before the Minister of Defence, and should anythin”’ be done in the matter they would immediately notify the Club. —Received. From Levin Defence Rifle Club, ex tend in" an invitation to the president and secretary to their annual -upper, to be held on September Kith. —An endeavour to be made to have the Club represented. From the B.S.A. Co., England, enclosing price lists of guns and materials necessary for target shooting. —Received. From the Defence Department, pointing out the regulations, etc., in connection with rifle club shooting. —Received. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were unanimously elected:—Patron, Mr F. Robinson; President, Mr S. Head; Vice-presidents, Messrs Rand, Mc-

Kegnev, Hamer and J. Hartley; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. * Frankland; auditor, Mr F. D. Whibley; committee, Messrs Walsh and Symons, together with the President and yice-presidents; Selection Committee, Messrs S. Head, J. Hartley, and C. Rand. .RIFLE CLUB RESERVE.

It. was decided that the Secretary be authorised to write to Mr J. Ivebbell, and interview Mr F. Robinson, in order to obtain any further information about the reserve. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

It was decided to fix the annual subscription at a minimum of ss. RIFLE RANGE,AND TARGETS. Walsh offered to supply 100

feet of timber, and to erect a new shed, free of charge, at the range. Air C. Symons donated £1 towards getting new targets. It was decided that the Secretary and President be instructed to procure the necessary sheeting, required for the new targets. It - was decided to continue with Ihe automatic handicapping again this year.

FREE AMMUNITION GRANT. I was decided that 300 rounds of ammunition be issued to all active members of the Club during the coming year, one issue of 200 rounds, and a further grant of 100 to be issued when the 200 had been Tired at the range.

THANKS,

A vote of thanks was accorded to the Press, Secretary, President and Messrs Walsh and Rider for assistance rendered to the Club during the past year.

PRIZES,

The following were presented with the prizes they had won during the year: —Mr F. Robinson’s trophies, valued at £1 each, A Section, J. Hartley; B Section, C. Morgan. Mr .J. Rider’s trophies, valued at £1 each, A Section, A. Barnard; B Section, G. Cull. Air C. Symons’ trophies, valued at £1 Is, A Section, C. Rand; B Section, 11. Hamer. Club’s trophy, valued at 30s, C. Barnard. Man son and Barr trophy, Mr Graham. Borough Council trophies, C. Barnard, H. Frankland, 11. Ilamcr, and C. Symons. Highest aggregate, also Air Head’s medal, J. Hartley. Mr Rider’s medal, 11. Hamer.