Opening of Te Aroha Rifle Range.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43319, 30 April 1908, Page 2

Opening of Te Aroha Rifle Range.

(Continued from last issue.)

There was a fair attendance of volunteers, rifle clubsmen, and ladies. A marquee, kindly lent by the Tourist Department, through Mr McGirr, had been erected and arrangements made by Captain Allen so that the ladies could dispense afternoon tea. Four targets were available, and the detaxis were capably managed by QuartermasterSergeant Devey and Sergeanti Maingay. A double tripod of rifles was fixed supporting the rifle ready for the Mayoress to fire, sighted accurately by the well-known marksman, Sergeant Maingay, and all being ready the volunteers fell in. On the arrival of the Mayoral party, the Rifle Clubmen with Colonel Wolfe, Captain Allen, Lieutenant Quartermaster Salmon, and Lieut. Campbell took up position in front of the men who were in charge of Lieut. Rowe.

After the usual ceremony of receiving the District commanding officer, His Worship the Mayor gave a short address, explaining the reason why they were called together. He, having been a volunteer officer in his younger days (Captain of the Victoria’s), spoke very warmly and to the point of the necessity for good markmanship. He was pleased to see so many there, both volunteers, rifle clubmen, visitors, and especially the ladies, and asked them all to do whatever they could to further proficiency in the use of the rifle with yonng and old. Now that they had got a range, which he thought could not be bettered in the North Island, and close to civilization, it was the duty of every man to know which end of the rifle was effective on the object aimed at. The time might come when every rifle would be necessary in the defence of our hearths and homes, and neither men or rifle were any good unless they could shoot straight. In a weak moment (and our worthy Mayor has a few) he promised a donation towards—not the funds—but towards shooting. "This he had much pleasure in handing to Captain Allen to be used as prize or prizes for shooting. He absolutely made no other conditions. He trusted now that they had a first-class range that it would be made good use of. He handed the envelope to Captain Allen, who in a few well-chosen words thanked the Mayor for his gift, and handed it to the Secretary of the Shooting Committee with instructions that the committee were to carry out the Mayor’s wishes and frame conditions for the competition. Colonel Wolfe then addressed the officers and men of the Piako Mounted Rifles and the Captain and men of the Rifle Club. His remarks were very concise. He said the range had been secured at great expense, in order that facilities should be given to all to make themselves efficient in what is and would be one of the most essential qualifications of every man —a thorough knowledge of the rifle and a certain amount of training, without either or both they were practically useless. It was essential that every man should know first, how to use his rifle and hit the object aimed at, and that could not be got without practice; also in the best manner of holding the rifle. The knowledge of sighting and the parts of his rifle would be learnt by attending the drills and instruction classes, then practice under experienced men at the rifle range in all sorts of weather, then fire discipline to conserve ammunition, and when firing fire steadily and hit the object, keeping cool, adjusting sights quickly and correctly. A squadron with a few expert shots with their orthoptics, verniers, and accessories and the rest not able to fire straight or understand and obey simple orders were useless compared with those. who received and profited by training and practice, and were able to _ hit the object aimed at. Expert riflemen were useful at .times, but nothing compared to a squadron or company where every man could be depended on to get nearly every bullet home to its mark. He trusted now that there was a good range, easily accesible by road or rail, that it would be made the utmost use of and justify the Government in expending the money to purchase what was one of the best ranges in the district Another thi_ had to do was to ask a lady to firer the first shot. No doubt it would be a good one and hit the mark, they nearly always do. Ho* was pleased to see so many ladies there, that very much depended on; them, and if they could only see it in the right light and act accordingly their husbands, sweethearts, brothers or sons would all be encouraged to become good rifle shots, for the time will come sooner or later when every man will be wanted with his rifle to protect those nearest and dearest to him as well as this beautiful country we have made our homes in. Mrs Somers, as the wife of the Mayor and late officer had kindly consented to fire the first shot, thereby showing a good example and precept to all ladies as well as appreciation of the work done by those who secured the range for Te Aroha. Mrs Somers was then instructed by Sergeant Maingay how to pull the trigger, which was successfully accomplished and after some delay (the markers not hearing the shot fired), a bull's eye was registered. The Mayor then declared tha range

! • iv ~ ... - opened. : Three cheers wera called for and heartily given for the Mayoress. .„ . , * ; The volunteers then fell ih?et three firing points and the Rifle and visitors at another. Firing commenced and the cracking of rifles, was continuous till dusk, evra||® * iron target coming in for five targets being used at Afternoon tea was served highly appreciated, Mr Dierpk evidently knowing how to male good tea. He says the water there is very good for tea and so everyone seemed to think by the way :the ladies were kept going. , ••'.<:* i* i. : The Te Aroha*Defence Rifle, Club, and visitors had a very- interesting practice all comers being A stake of one shilling each supple* -; mented with a donation by Captain Wild of 21s, gave moire zest to the competition. The principal scorers were Mr Wallace, Mr Wild, and Mr G. McKee. / The Piako Mounted Rifles fired for several valuable prizes :--;; /V ' First Prize, a silver flask* presented by Captain Allen, for highest aggregate scorer, fell to Trooper Hirst with a score of 39. Second Prize.—A silver mounted pipe, as range prize at 50Qyds, was won by Corporal Larney, whose score was 22 out of a possible. 25. Third Prize. —Major , Clifford’s > military breastplate for highisst score at 600yds, won by Sergeant Maingay 1 with 17 points. - The prizes all fell to men who had no handicap points allowed them, ■?, At the conclusion of the firing Captain Wild, in a very happy manner, presented the winners with ' the cash won, cansing hearty amuse* - ment andoheers as each one received ; his prize. ; \<■ At dusk cease fire Bounded ana then the men got their horses, blisses, breaks, buggies, and motor Cars ; loaded up and the range was left, ?" after having Ispent a very pleasant afternoon, and the shootiiigmen were well satisfied with their range.