New Zealand Rifle Association.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3005, 2 October 1878, Page 2

New Zealand Rifle Association.

The, meeting re the above was held at the Governor Bowen Hotel last evening. There was a large number of Volunteer officers and delegates fr&m companies, but very few civilians put in an appearance. Major Murray was voted to the chair, and Litut. Denby, Engineers, acted as secretary to the meeting. ; 7'; ; .

The Chairman read, the circular received from the secretary of the proposed Association at Wellington,, and a'so tele* grams which had passed on the subject. (The principal of these have been already published.) . : The Secretary said that a committee of officers, to which he had been appointed secretary, had drawn up the following report on the subject:— , :

Your committee have met and considered the circular forwarded by the secretary of the proposed New Zealand Bifle Asociation, together with the difficulties pecu.inr to the Thames district—namely, its distance from any central pars of the colonj which could bo used as the Wimbledon of New-Zealand, and its isolation from any of the direct lines of communication, beg respectfully to recommend the Thames Volunteers to join the Association on the following conditions :—(1.) Any member may compete for prizes'. (2.) Government or Association to grunt free passages to and from the place of annual meeting to 10 per cent, of the Thames members. (3.) The seid 10 per cent, to be the members who make the highest aggregate score with any large bore rifle in three matches, to be held for the purpose of deciding (4.) That the place' of meeting be central to the colony. We believe the probable number of Thames members will. l>e over 100.—Gteo. Dbvbt, SubLieutenant, H.E.V., Secretary. .

He also read the minutes of an adjourned meeting at which it had been resolved— " That each company appoint seven of a

committee, together with the officers, to consider the above, and nny oilier matters l'kely to affect the question of the formation of a Natiodil Rifle Association,, suck cotnxniLiee to have full power to act." The Chairman said that he did not know if the £2000 promised by the Government would be an annual grant. In answer to a question be said the place of meeting had not yet been decided on, but it was part of the business of this meeting to appoint a delegate to represent them at the general meeting .to be held at Welling'on, and they would supply him with instructions.

Volunteer Clark spoke in favor of a Provincial Rifle Association.. instead of joining the National Association. Drum Major McLean expressed a similar opinion. ' , ; Seaman Fagg suggested that the Government might be induced to divide' the £20CD amongst the various provinces when their share might be used as a sub-' sidy for a Provincial Association. Seaman Fagg was assured by: the Chairman that.the Government would; never agree to this at all. Seaman Potts and several naval delegates spoke of the disadvantages those men using carbines would labor under in .firing at the/long ranges. After considerable discussion-—

Seaman Fagg proposed " That the Thames Volunteers join the Association on the conditions named in the report;" Mr McCullough seconded the resolution, and pointed out that it was not for them to go into particulars. The Association would decide all these: when it was formed. (Hear.) I The motion was then carried.. Vol. Heron suggested that those present might make suggestions. Lieut. Denby spoke against the suggestion, and the Chairman pointed out that if all present made suggestions they would not be done till midnight. It was then resolved, on the motion of Lieut. Watson, that Mr F. Stevens, of the Defence Office, be requested to act as I Thames delegate at Wellington. The remaining suggestions of the report given above were ;<hen adopted after a great deal of discussion. . The secretary was then instructed to forward the instructions "to our delegate, Lieuts. Gavin and Lawless being appointed a committee to assist him.

A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.