SMOKE CONCERT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10276, 10 May 1919, Page 8

SMOKE CONCERT

GATHERING OF RIFLEMEN. Last night the Wellington City and Suburban Rifle Club’s Union held a smoko concert in the Navals’ Boating Society’s rooms, Jervois quay. Thora was a representative gathering. Rifleman J. Rabe, president of t.ho union, was in the chair.

The union, which was formed for the purpose of promoting inter-club competitions, has been in existence for soma 1 years, and has proved a great success. Two shields—one for senior and one for junior teams—arc competed for annually, and last season the Karori Rifle Club was successful in each competition. Trophies are also presented to the highest scorers in each competition, and these were won by Riflemen J. Burns and W. Skegg. The proceedings were enthusiastic, j and a lengthy toast list was honoured, i Rifleman Jackson, who proposed the 1 toast of the “Returned Soldiers,” stated that rifle clubs had contributed their full quota of men to assist in upholding, the traditions of the Empire. Among their gues.s that evening was Lieutenant H. Marshall, who had been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished services, and Rifleman Lowe, who also had been decorated. (Applause.) There ‘ were many other members of rifle clubs ; who had risen from tho ranks to ohi- | cers. | Lieutenant H. Marshall, M. 0., an expresident of the Karori Club (who returned recently by tho, Romuora), on rising to respond 10 the toast, was received with applause. Ho said that tho war had proved that skill with tho rifle was the most valuable accomplishment that the infantrymen possessed. Efficiency in its use was not only a great factor in a standing army, but was one which would tend to promote peace, in his opinion, as the armies of other nations, when they were seized with that knowledge, would pause before they precipitated war. The weapon of the infantryman in tho front trench was a rifle, and it was more reliable than a bomb. He was pleased to hear on his return 'to New Zealand that Major Wallingford was in charge of and promoting rifle shooting in tho Dominion. He was on the right lines and should be given every possible support by rifle associations. In Australia there was an officer who was known as the Director of Rifle Associations, and the appointment had given complete satisfaction. That officer had also control of .the allocation of money to the various rifle clubs and associations, with the result that rifle shooting had advanced at a groat rate. General Richardson, by his appointment, would have control in future of rifle associations, and under Iris guidance great advancement would be made. Ho was an officer who had the confidence of every man in the Expeditionary Force—(applause)—and he would give ©very reasonable encouragement to rifle shooting in New Zealand. Lieutenant Marshall said that the S.M.L.E. rifle (small, magazine, LeeEnfield) was the one that was principally used in the Army, bull tho long 1914 rifle was also being retained, .as it was a very efficient weapon in the hands of a sniper. The riflemen in Now Zealand were anxious about the supply of new barrels for their rifles, and he had received information that a supply of long barrels could bo obtained immediately. At a conference held in England, it was decided that there should be a uniformity of condition •in the shooting for the King’s Prize. At Bisley this year the S.M.L.E. rifle would bo used, and next year the long rifle would be used again. It cost a competitor between £2O and £3O to attend the National Rifle Club meeting at Bisley, and there were "other expenses that prevented the poor man from competing, consequently not many entries were received from film Army. As an outcome of the conference, a reduction had been made in tho'“entrance fee from 20s to 10s, and all practice and sighting shots had been cut out. (Applause.)