S.H.D.C.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 65, 16 July 1915, Page 6

S.H.D.C.

*' I MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING. (The Gthr and. final , shoot tor the championship was fired last evening, apd Mr .1. Peattie won Mr Kirkwood’s medal by tlie narrow margin ol one point from the runner up, / Mr J. Voyle. In last night’s ;matcli the following made 00 and over:— ,J. Peattie 18.9.9,9.9,10) 09 W. Rogers (8.8,8,9,10.10.10) ... 09 J., Jones (10,10.9,9,8,8,8.) ... 02 _ Fittall (10,10,9,9,9.8.7) ... 02 C. Craddock (10.10.10,10,8,7,7) ... 62 Grand aggregate, 4 best shots out ol 0 J, Peattie 01 09 05 07 ... 250 J. Voyle (52 09 04 00 ... 255 Fittall 02 09 09 05 ... 259 Winners of match prizes Apdersoq, McMillan. H.' Voyle, J. Voyle. Fittall. W.. Rogers. In making the presentation of the championship medal to the - winner, Mr J. Peattie, the donor (Mr W. P, Kirkwood), chairman of the Patriotic Committee, said-he.had,donated the medal with a -view to stimulating interest in shooting and-in the work being done by, the Home Defence Corps.' The instruction in shooting , and drilling by thq Home Defence Corps was a material aid to recruiting, and at least some of the credit for the splendid enlistment in this district could fairly be claimed by the Corps. Unfortunately, what had happened at the Irenthnm camp had put a damper for the time beipg on reprinting, .but now that the •niqn had been removed to healthier quarters, .enlistments, would go on alright, but not to the extent that would be the case if i more aptitude was displayed by the Defence Department in dealing with conditions .as they .exist; He had personally visited .the. Trentham camp and had reported to the Patriotic Committee that matters there were not at all as they should be. The Patriotic Committee have been in communication .with the Defence Department for some time on various matters, but hgd not been able to get their ideas carried out. Personally, lie was of (opinion that the Del'epee.authorities should establish a receiving camp, where,: recruits could he .received immediately they had enlisted and passed the medical test. As matters now stood in. this district, essentially a dairying district, recruits did not know, definitely when they would he required, consequently, in many cases employers had to take on other hands so, as to be sure-of milkers or factory hands during the season, The method -now adopted was a hardship alike on employers and employees. He believed it would further assist recruiting if training* camps were establised at thq four large centres, Auckland, Wellington, Gbjristchuch, and Dune-,

din. This would preyent congestion at One large camp,- and enable the ■ - a much closer interest in the welfare of the men under training. The authorities would probably raise the bogey of expense against this scheme, but it would be time enough .to make such an objection when the. people of the Dominion object to the money being raised for the purpose; He considered that the Defence authorities had failed in another direction, and that was that they had failed to give proper recognition and support to J.he various Home Defence Corps rinsed throughout the Dominion. These bodies were doing splendid work, and would do more if given more encouragement, and he hoped that the. authorities would even at che eleventh hour recognise that in co-operating with organisations managed by business men, such as Home Defence Corps, the machinery of defence would work more smoothly.

In presenting the Championship medal to Mr Peattie, Mr Kirkwood congratulated the winner on his shooting, and expressed the wish that Mr Peattie would live long to take part in many Championship shoots. A vote of thanks- to Mr Kirkwood was pfoposed by the secretary and carried with acclamation.