DOMINION RIFLE MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1921, Page 12

DOMINION RIFLE MEETING.

COLONEL COLLINS’ RETIREMENT. At the Dominion Rifle Meeting at Trentham last week, Colonel Collins referred to the fact that the meeting just concluded was the last at which he would appear in the capacity of chief executive officer. He said that he was resigning with considerable regret. He would not be altogether cut off from the association, but would carefully watch its interests. He hoped that the organisation and equipment of the Territorial Force would soon be able to take up rifle shooting more extensively. It would be a good thing if the champion territorial shots of the various districts were to be sent at tte expense of the Government to fire at Trentham. His Excellency thanked Colonel Collins for the welcome extended to him and to Lady Jellicoe-. They were only too glad to attend such a meeting. Rifle shooting was a recreation of which he was himself very fond. He wished the champion rifleman who was to shoot at Bisley the best of fortune. He believed that by encouraging rifle shooting among the members of the younger generation the D.R.A. could do a great service to t-ke Dominion. No one was better able to encourage young men to learn to shoot than those who were themselves fond of the sport. He was sure that all who had attended the D.R.A. meetings would regret the announcement that Colonel Collins means to resign from the position of chief executive officer. All would feel grateful to- Colonel Collins for the work he had done for so many years in the interests of rifle shooting. PRESENTATIONS TO COLONEL AND MRS. COLLINS. Lord Jellicoe announced that he had been invited to make a very interesting presentation. The competitors at the meeting, in order to show their appreciation of the work of Colonel Collins, wised to offer him a present on his retirement from the post of chief executive officer. Colonel Collins’s chief hobby in life had been rifle shooting, and he had done perhaps more than anybody else hi the Dominion for the encouragement of the sport. He was called in this country the “Grand Old Man” of rifle shooting. (Applause.) The competitors would wish him long life and good health. He was the only commander who took a New Zealand team Home to Bisley and brought back the Kolapore Cup. A;s was natural with one who was an enthusiastic rifleman, Colonel Collins had been a tower of strength in the Volunteer Force. The Governor-General handed to Colonel Collins a isolid silver table centre inscribed as follows:—“Presented to Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., by the members of the Dominion Rifle Association on hit relinquishing the posi-

lion of chief executive officer in appreciation of valuable services Tendered as a member of the executive for forty-two years.” In addition to the table centre Colonel Collins received a silver sweets dish, intended as a present for Mrs. Collins. Enthusiastic cheers were given Colonel Collins. It is interesting to record that Colonel Collins started his shooting career in New Plymouth, in 1867, and now briqga it to ft cloh after 54 years.