MASTERTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8108, 31 March 1906, Page 5

MASTERTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

ANNUAL MEETING. * The annual meeting of the Master ton Rifle Volunteers was bold last: evening, Captain Charters pesidlag over a large attendance of members. Tbe nnnnal report stated that the corps was farther advanced and financially in a sounder than at the end of any previous year. The new uniforms arrived in September last, and were to the corps' satisfaction. The cost of these was £230 16a, of which £l3O was paid out of the corps' funds, £BO by debentures among members of the corps and looal residents, and £2O 16s by a p.n. The only liabilities against the unforms at the present time were the eighty debentures, some of which would be shortly "bought in." The company had maintained its efficiency, and bad been specially commended by Colonel Webb, Officer Commanding the Distriot. Forty-eight men, out of sixty, had earned capitation during tbe past year, and several members of the corps had earned, and would shortly receive, the six years silver star and in another three years the gold star, and three years after that time a medal. The past year's class-firing resulted in twenty-one men becoming marksmen. During the year two daylight , parades had been held, resulting in tbe corps funds being increased by £6 12s 6d. These parades could be extended, as the corps were allowed six daylight parades per year at the rate of 2s 6d per man. If all the members attended those parades, the funds of the corps would benefit to the extent of £4O, and in consequence the shooting and other prizes oould be materially increased. During the year an Ambulance Corps had been formed and attached to the company, and, although a new body, was capable of doing good work. The report concluded by speaking in high terms of Colour-Sergeant Morton for the oare that be had taken in instructing the physical drill team, and by stating that there was a vaoancy in the ranks of the corps for a few good recruits. The annual balance sheet showed the following:—Amount of assets over liabilities, £289 2s 9d; credit balance from the annual social, £5 12s sd; Capitation Account, credit balance of £25 10s Id: Private Aooount. credit balance of £3 2s 7d. The statement of receipts and expenditure of the encampment showed a loss of £3 2s 7d. Tbe balanec-sbeet and report were adoDted. The following committees were elected:— Social: Colour-Sergeant Morton, Sergeant Wintringham, Corporal Duggan, Privates Jago, Pickering, Levien, Smith, Chapman, Prentice and Spackman. Shooting: Sergeants Sayers and Perry, Corporal Cole, iSugler Harding, Privates, Holmes, Munn, Ivess and Pickering. Sergeant Ayson was re elected Secretary, and Mr A. N. Burns treasurer. According to the new regulations tin finance committee will consist of the tbree officers and two sergeants to be eleated. The following new rale was approved of: —"Any member not attending an authorised parade and sending no reasonable excuse, shall be liable to a fine of one shilling for every parade."