TARANAKI RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 246, 23 February 1911, Page 8

TARANAKI RIFLE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS.

The annual meeting of the Association was held in the Drill Hall last evening. Lieut.-Colonel Okey presided, and about twenty-live members were present.

In addressing the meeting the chairman said he was very pleased with the way Che meeting at the range that Jay was going on. The entry was larger than in any previous year; in fact tilt* meeting all round was increasing, and he expressed the hope that in the course of a few years it would be looked upon as an important one. The range was a really good one, and there was plenty of room, so that it could be extended very considerably if required. On that day he was glad to notice competitors from as far north as Tauniaranui and as far south as Nelson, and he welcomed all who were attending the meeting. Colonel Okey mentioned that Captain Mills, the Association's treasurer, was not at the range or present that evening, being still '•ninler arrest," and he read the followiiiu letter from Captain Mills: "1 rc'ijr. t that I. have been unable to wive piaaical assistance to thei Association at Hie meeting this year, on account of being still under arrest, as stated m my communication to you on December 15 last. I beg to ask for leave of absence | from the meeting of members to-night for the same reason, as regulations appear to prohibit my attendance. Had 1. anticipated such* lengthy delay in deal-' iiig with my case, 1 should certainly have sent in'my resignation as treasurer ere this.' The meeting to-night will require ■to elect a treasurer for the ensuing year, and under the present circumstances 1 think it will be wise to appoint some person other than myself to fill the post. With extreme regret for such circumstances. And wishing Hie Association a successful meeting."

Colonel Okey said lie was very sorry that it had beeu found necessary for Cap-1 tain Mills to send in'the letter. "I; would lie ill-advised," continued the chairman, "'to express the feelings I have in regard to the way Captain Mills has been treated, but I feel very strongly on the matter. I do not wish, however, to express my opinions. You will have to elect a treasurer." The statement of receipts and expenditureen connection with the fifth annual shooting meeting held on the Rewa Rewa range on February 23 and 24, 1910, was then presented to the meeting. The receipts amounted to £172 5s sd, made up as follow: Cr. balance from 1909, £33 as 3d; subscriptions and donations,

£29 '6s fid: entrance fees and membership. £Bl 18s; affiliation fees, £4 4s; Government grant, ■*' , s 18s; ammunition sales, £4 7s <Jd;,cia l"m:" fees, £3 6s. The expenditure amounti 4 to £172 5s od—prize money, £lO9 Us lid: general, £42 12s Bil. Balance, £2O Is 3d.

' Speaking to the balance-sheet, the president said they- had lost £l3 on last year's meeting, and he was afraid that rather more would be lost this year. For this reason it would be advisable to canvass the town as had been done the year before. Those who said they would do this work found they could not do so; ho was sure if the canvass had been made it would have been well responded to. Pcspie wore coming to sec that rifle shooting was a very important thing, and young men should take it up because the* knowledge and use of the rifle may be a very important thing indeed in the future: Lieutenant Turner moved that the bal-ance-sheet be adopted, and this was seconded by Rifleman Speck, and after discussion on the matter of a "tag" by the auditor the motion was carried. OFFICE-BEARERS.

The following office-bearers were elected: Patrons, Colonel Ellis and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch); presi-dent,.Lieut.-Colonel Okey; vice-presidents, all subscribers of 10s or over to the funds; council, Col.-Sergeant Hartnell, Lieutenant Willia, Captain Therklesun (Tariki Rifle Club), Lieutenant Turner, Sergeant Evans, Captain Fletcher, Captain Speck, Captain Colmer, Captain Mills, Col.-Sergeant Gary, Captain Hollard (Kaponga), Rifleman Hart, Rifleman Dyson (Pohokura), Sergeant Hopewell (Eltham). Private Chappell (Waitara), Mr. Mace (Oakura), Mr. Brethorton (Hawera), Colonel Malone, Major Bellringer, Quartermaster-Captain Okey; secretary, T. King; assistant-secrctary, Lieutenant Willis; treasurer (appointment left to the executive); executive, the official officers of the Association, and Captain, Fletcher. Captain Therkleson. Captain Jackson, Col.-Sergcant Hartnell, Rifleman C. H. Speck, Lieut. Boon. Lieut. Turner, Sergeant Evans, Captain Dyson, Captain Colmer. • Captain Mills and Private T. King were elected life members of the Association. In proposing tlwt Private King be so honored, Lieutenant Willis referred to his enthusiasm on all matters of

shooting 1 , and especially to his kindness and generosity in presenting, at his own cost, the belt for which they were shooting. GENERAL. Private T. King was voted an honorarium of £7 10s in connection with his secretarial duties, and Sergeant-Major Armitage one guinea in addition to his ordinary remuneration as a marker. As to the date of the Association's meeting next year, it was resolved, on the motion of Lieut. Will is, that a circular letter be sent round to the companies interested, asking for suggestions as to the most suitable date.