GERALDINE RIFLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2657, 10 May 1894, Page 3

GERALDINE RIFLES.

A general meeting of the Geraldine Rifle Corps was held on Monday evening, when about the full strength of the corps was present. The corps having decided to disband, the meeting was held for the final winding up of the affairs of the company. Captain R. H. Pearpoiut was in the chair. GENERAL BUSINESS. Several recommendations from the committee were considered and agreed upon. n It was decided to present the Geraldine Fire Brigade with 14 red uniforms, and some flags, also that the cooking utensils, bugle, etc., be given to the trustees. The committee reported a successful sale of the band instruments for £lB to the Salvation Army, Christchurch. It was resolved to hold a shooting match on the Queen’s Birthday next, when two cups aud a medal will be fired for on the following conditions The match to be a handicap, targets Wivnbleton, with 5 shots at each 300 and 400 yards range; the captain to pick out 10 rifles for the men to fire with ; the rifles to be distributed promiscuously. It was agreed by the corps that a sum of money be devoted to the purchase of a souvenir each for Captain Pearpoint, and Lieutenant McKenzie as a momeuto of the esteem in which they are held by the men. RIELE CLUB. Captain Pearpoint mentioned that as the corps was disbanding there had been some talk of forming a Rifle Club at Geraldine. He thought such a club might easily be formed, seeing they had a rifle range, which wouM otherwise be lying useless. He also understood that the Government granted a certain amount of ammunition to Rifle Clubs. The feeling of the meeting was then tested, and about 15 present expressed their wish to join the club, and several outsiders were spoken of as likely to become members. At the request of the meeting, Captain Pearpoint agreed to get all necessary information re the formation, etc., of a Rifle Club. VOTE OF THANLS. Mr E. Logan proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Major Moore, Captain R, EL. Pearpoint, aud Lieutenant McKenzie, for the services they had rendered the corps for many years in their several capacities. He specially mentioned Captain Pearpoint, who, on many occasions, had provided edibles for the men at shooting matches, aud had always been most attentive to the corps generally. < Captain Pearpoint replied, thanking the corps for the kind expression of feeling towards him. He was personally, sorry that the corps was disbanding, and would sooner have seen it carried on, that is, if they could rely on the men turning up to parades. It was no use, however, going on with the corps while there was so much apathy, as at present existed with respect to attending parades. He hoped, however, that a Rifle Club would bo formed, and the men would take the matter up enthusiastically. The Geraldine Rifle Corps was established on May 12th, 1885, exactly nine years ago, and, if he had thought of it, he would have arranged to have their final breakup on May 12 th, 1894. Major Moore followed in the same strain as Captain Pearpoint. He was exceedingly sorry to see the corps about to commit suicide, and looked upon the present occasion as the most lamentable one on which he had been present at the drill shed. He had desired to take more interest in the corps than he did; only that from the position he held he could not do so. Lieutenant K. McKenzie thanked the men for the vote of thanks, aud with the other speakers felt sorry to see the corps going out of existence. However, if a Rifle Club was formed, he would be most willing to help them in any way that ha could. SMOKE CONCERT. At the conclusion of the general meeting a smoke concert was held, to which the members of the corps had invited large number of friends. Captain Pearpoint took the chair, and the following programme of songs was gone through ; Mr R. A. Borrows, “The Scout” ; Mr Pitt, “Daisy Bell” and “Georgia”; Mr Calder, “ I’m a Soldier and a Man ” ; Mr Morrison, “Parody on Killaloe ” ; Mr P. D. Herdman, “ I Seek for Thee in every Flower ” ; Mr E. McKenzie, “ Mary’s Lamb” ; Mr F. Fish, “ Jobson Brown ” ; Mr E. Logan, “ Take me Back to Home and Mother” ; Mr E. Robson, “ Nancy ” ; Messrs Borrows and Colbert, “ Army and Navy ” ; Mr J. Mines, “ The Fisherman and his Child ” ; Mr E. Taylor, “ Parody on Ta-ra-ra-booin-de-ay ” ; Mr H. McLeod, “ The Old Arm Chair”; Mr J. Colbert, “Where Did you Got that Hat ” ; Mr Pitt, “ I’ll Take you* Home, Kathleen”. During the evening refreshments, supplied by the company, were partaken of freely, aud the proceedings ended with the singing of “ God Save the Queen ” over the demise of the Geraldine Rifle Corps. The visitors sang right lustily £ " For They are Jolly Good Fellows”, aud the company broke up. Messrs Fred. Fish and Sugdeu officiated at the piano.

The carps, which would have been in existence nine years on (Saturday next, was started on May 12th, 1885, with Mr W. M. Moore as captain, Mr George Ward first lieutenant aud Mr K. McKcnaio as second lieutenant. When Lieut. Ward retired Mr B. R, Macdonald was made second lieutenant. Captain Moore then having received notice of promotion to the rank of major, Mr R. H. Poarpoint became captain of the corps. The oliicial notification of the disbandment of the corps has not yet been gazetted, but no doubt it will appear in duo course.