NORTH OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1023, 31 July 1879, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meetiug of the above Association was held in the Royal Hotel last evening. There were only nine members present, and Mr. Peattie was voted to the chair. The minutes of last annual and a special general meeting were read and confirmed

The Secretary then read tlie following report The number of members enrolled during the year has been 75 in all. Since last annual meeting was held there have been 17 meetings of Committee. Monthly matches were fired during the season, commencing in September and ending in March. The first-prize takers in the different months were :—J. King, 52 ; A. M'Corkiudale, 50 ; J. P. Gillies, 47 ; J. King, 52 ; E. L. Rule, 4S ; T. Morris, 49 ; R. Harding, 53. The Association challenged the Otago Rifle Association to a comjjetition—l2 men on each side. The match was fired .oil the Oamaru range on November 30th, resulting in a defeat for the local Association by 33 points. Nevertheless, R. Harding made the splendid score of 75 points out of a jwssible S4, beiug six points in advance of the other team's highest scorer.

The annual competition of the Association took place on April 17th. On this occasion nearly 50 competed, including a number of well-known Canterbury shots. Three notches were fired in all. The principal prize-taker was ii. Harding, who iired in an excellent manner throughout, taking the Ladies' Challenge Belt for the highest aggregate score. He having won this prize twice in succession, it now becomes hi* absolute property. He also succeeded in taking a valuable prize presented by Matl\eson Bros., Dunedin. D. K. Rhodes, of Otepopo, was the winner of the Mayor's Cup. The Vice-President's, Chip was won by J. King. The amount of cash collected during the year frpm all sources was LSS 12s 9d, and tho expenditure LS9 12s, leaving a deficiency of 19s 3d. The total value of prizes competed for in cash and gifts amounted to Ll2O. There is still a liability against the. Association of Lll 10s for prizes still unpaid. Those prizes were in t-lia programme of the annual meeting, liut owing to the general depression tha necessary cash was not forthcoming, the Council haying over-estimated their, means.

The Association s.ubsoribed the annual fee of five guineas and became connected with the New Zealand Rifle Association. T. Morris, J. King, and R. Harding attended the annual prize-firing of the Association at Nelson, and were very successful, each taking several prizes—two being first prizes. On the return homeward these members competed at the meeting of the Canterbury Rifle Association at Christchurch, again taking a number of prizes, amongst them a first prize and the prize for the highest individual aggregate score during the meeting. The same three members and Captain Morton competed at the annual firing of the Otago Rifle. Association, at Dunedin, and succeeded in taking some of the prizes. A Ross and J. D. Gillies, of Otepopo, also competed, and were both winners. It is hoped that members will keep up the good name enjoyed by the Association at present, the facilities for rifle and carbine practice being almost unsurpassed. The members of council are Dr. De Lautour, president; Messrs. Ottersen and Peat-, tie, vice-presidents ; and Messrs. Atkinson, Headland, Morris, M'Corkiudale, Rule, and King (secretary). They retire at this time,, and are all eligible for re-election. On the motion of Mr. T. W. Brebner, seconded by Mr. Clark, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with as follows : —President, Dr. De Lautour (re-elected) ; Vice-Pre-sidents, Messrs. Otterson and Peattie (re-elected); Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. B. L. Rule ; members of Council, Messrs. Clark, Brebner, Headland, King, and M'Combe. It was resolved that in future the balance-sheet should be brought up properly audited, and that the Council should appoint two of their members for that purpose. On the motion of Mr. Clark, it was resolved that the Council be recommended to obtain ammunition direct from the Government.

After a little discussion, it was resolved; that the annual membership fee should be increased to 10s, on account of the funds, of the Association not being in a very satisfactory state. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring office-bearers, and on the motion of Mr. Otterson a special vote was accorded to Mr. King, the late Secretary. Mr. Otterson, on behalf of himself and Mr. Peattie (Vice-Presidents of the Association) took advantage of the occasion to present Mr. James King with the Vice-Presidents' Cup, won by that gentleman at the late annual competition. Mr. Otterson referred in the highest terms to Mr. King's abilities as a marksman, and hoped that he would be the winner of many such prizes. Mr. King, in suitable terms, returned thanks, and the cup, which ia of silver

and valued at ten guineas, was filled with champagne, and the recipient's health drunk, everyone present wishing him success.