OPAKI RIFLE CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8222, 28 August 1906, Page 5

OPAKI RIFLE CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Opaki Rifle Club was held on Saturday evening. Captain W. J. Welch occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance sf members. The annual report was read as follows: —In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet for the year, your committee are pleased to announce that the club is still in a thriving position. Our expenses have been somewhat heavy during the year, the expense of erecting large i targets and making provision for long-range shooting beirg chiefly responsible, consequently our btnk balance is small. Nevertheless o>m position is sound, and we continue to make satisfautory progress. We do not anticipate such heavy expenditure the forthcoming year, but it is difficult to foresee what expense may occur. Our thanks are again due to donors of trophies for last season's competitions, which have bean duly acknowledged and apnreoiated. The winner of the year's olub championship, Mr J. Henry, must be congratulated upon his well-deserved win after a close contest. Our members were again very successful at the two big shooting fixtures, namely, Papawai and Trentbam, one of the members tieing for first place in the aggregate, while others finished prominently. At Treutham two of our members tied for fourth position for the coveted championship. Mr Winslade, in addition to this tie, secured valuable trophies and the Silver Star. The final match for the Championship and the Challenge Cup was won by Mr A. J. Cameron with a meritorious score. It is somewhat gratifying to learn that the Government have determined to again bold this year's championship meeting at Trentham, which will enable our olub to put in a stronger representation than if held at Obrisfcoburoh, the latter proposal having been abandoned. It is gratifying to know that the Government have reinstated Rifle Clubs regarding the matter of free railway passes. Our best thanks are due to our esteemel member, Mr A. W. Hogg, for his efforts on our behalf. We may hope to reoeive greater recognition and support in future. Jn view of the number of long-range matohes]whioh now comprise the Trentham programme it will be expedient to prosecute long-range shooting as muoh as possible, and in order to get the necessary praotioe it may be advisable to inulude long ranges in our trophy competitions. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the Chairman. Officers for the ensuing year were eleoted as follow:—Patron, Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R.; President, Mr H. U. Williams; Captain, Mr W. J. Welch; Vioe Presidents, Messrs A. P. Whatman, J. O. Bidwill, O. A. Pownall, G. O. Summerell, O. H. Smith, D. Caselberg, D. Donald, J. D. Cruiokshank, R. F. Beetbam, F. Dupre, W. H. Cruiokshank and C. Cooper; Seoretary, Mr W. J. Henry; General Committee, Messrs J. MoHattie. A. J. Cameron, R. J. King, John MoKenzie, H. H. Mawley, J. Sutherland, J. Turnbull, W. Winslade, D. McCalmont, A. Dawes, A. Matthews and G. Hyde. Mr R. J. King thought it desirable that an Executive Committee should be farmed, and stated that on several occasions during the last season suoh a committee would have been of great assistance in overcoming little difficulties that arose. On his motion, seoonded by Mr G. Hyde, the eleoted an Executive Committee:—Messrsß. J. King, W. Winslade, G. Hyde, the Captain and Secretary. Messrs King, Matthews, and J. MoKenzie. were eleoted an Ammunition O&mmittee. It was decided to open the season on September 6th, and to invite the members of the Fairview Rifle Club to be present. The ranges for the opening day were fixed at 200 yds and 500 yds. It was resolved that the first trophy competition take place on September 20tb, details [in connection with which were left in the bands of the committee. On the motion of Mr W. Winslade, seconded by Mr A. J. Cameron, it was deoided to procure a gold medal i for the winner of last year's club championship, Mr W. J. Henry. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., for the assistance given to Rifle Clubs in connection with free railway pa sses The following new members were eleoted :—Messrs L. Kyle, G. Blaue, R. MoNab, S. Azsl and Dr. Cowie.