TARANAKI RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 319, 9 January 1909, Page 5

TARANAKI RIFLE ASSOCIATION

The third annual meeting of the Taranaki Kille Association was held in the Drill Hall last night, presided over by the president, Lieut.-Colonel E. •N. L. Okey. There was a good attendance of members. THE BALANCE-SHEET. 1 The balance-sheet showed that the amount brought forward was £: 8s ■sd. Honorary members' subscriptions amounted to £2l 18s (id, affiliation fees ■£2 2s, active members' fees ill 17s Od, entrance fees £42 3s (volunteer matches i£3!) 12s, cadets £2 Us), sighters £4 15s, challenges £2 lis, prize-money 'from Government £25 2s (id, donations '£7 13s, subscriptions collected for belt "Js. The receipts for the year thus totalled £llß 14s (id. ' 1 Expenditure totalled £l2B Ms id, 'made up as follows:—Prize-money £lO2 8s (id, cup £O, printing and advertising £8 4s, markers and trench 'officers £7, hire of marquee £1 10s, Vote to secretary £2 2s, postages and ■stationery £1 2s lOd, sundry target requisites 3s. The year's wurking showed a loss of £5 7s od. The secretary, Captain C. T. Mills, explained that the want of competitors, owing to the prevalence of bush lire, at the time, was responsible for the deficiency. The programme had been ar'ranged on a basis of sixty competitors, Vnit only forty-four was the average. The coinniittec'liad nevertheless thought it advisable to pay out prize-money in lull, rather than reduce, as they had power to do. In answer to Corporal Marett, the secretary stated that the Association ■had also a liability for a medal and for the prizes won iu the teams match. Upon the motion of Captain F. Okey, seconded liy Sergt.-Major Armitage, the balance-sheet was adopted. TWO DAYS' SHOOTING. ' The chairman asked the meeting to ■decide whether to hold a meeting this year. Upon the motion of Sergeant Evans, seconded by Private iilancliard, it was 'decided to hold a two days' rille meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, 24th and 25th February. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Officers for Che ensuing year were elected as follows:—Patron, Colonel Ellis, V.D.; president, Lieut.-Col. Okey, V.D.; vice-presidents, His Worship the Mavor of New Plvinouth and the Taranaki members of the Legislature, Colonel 'Messenger, Captain ICimbell, Captain 'Hood, captains of all Taranaki volunteer companies and rille clubs and the Awakino Rille Club, Surgeon-Major McClehind, Surgeon-Captain Home, Drs. Fookos, Leatham, Wylie, and Walker, •Messrs. W. Rossiter, Newton ling, A. j. Mcintosh. A. McPliail (Stratford), C. Speck (Stratford), Alex. Mackay (Stratford), and C. W. Uovett; council, stall ■officers of the Taranaki Battalion and 'captains of affiliated volunteer corps and rille clubs; secretary, Stall Scrgt.'Major Sanderson (Captain Mills decliniii" re-nomiiiation on account of pres■surc on his time); treasurer, Captain Mills.

i Colonel Okey spoke In very appreciative terms of the work of Captain •.•■ T. Mills as secretary, saying he doubted 'whether the Association could have ■gone on so well without his valued services during the past three years. 1 Upon the motion of Captain. Okey, 'seconded )>v Corporal Armitage, a very •heartv vote of thanks was accorded to Captain Mills, the vote being carried by 'acclamation, the meeting expressing re■cret that the Association's funds would not admit of the vote being made more 'substantial. (JETTIXG THE RNDS.

Upon the suggestion to make a canvass of New I'lvmonth for funds, Major Sandford said that the canvassing area ■should be. extended. H seemed to him that the business people between t.i'.* IP'ost Office in New Plymouth and Liar-det-stvect and thereabouts had to find the bone and sinew for nearly everything He reminded members present that"their own local companies had to depend upon the town for support. IK* thought that the districts which sent in men to shoot for prizes should find spun: of the funds, and the canvass should include the inland towns and country districts. • Mr T King said that from his own experience he felt sure that there was "a liver and a medal or two" to he picked up from the Stratford enthusiasts and no doubt the Kaponga and numerous other rille clubs would be found willing to assist. The matter of arranging for a provincial canvass was set in train, and details left to the executive. The meeting carried by acclamation a vote of thanks to Major Sandford. Lieutenant Boon, and Sergeant Evans, last veal's canvassing committee. Votes «f thanks to the retiring officers and to the Press concluded the meeting.