FAIRVIEW RIFLE CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8446, 23 May 1907, Page 6

FAIRVIEW RIFLE CLUB.

ANNUAL SOCIAL.

The Fairview Rifle Club held their first annual social and dance in the Fernridge School-room on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance, including members of the Opaki Rule Club. The gathering passed off most successfully. The presentation of trophies won during the season was .made by the President of the Club (Mr H. Holmes). The Cup, presented by Captain McGregor, was secured by Mr E. Harford, of Matahiwi. This trophy has to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals to become the property of any competitor. Mr Harford also- won the gold medal donated by the President for aggregate obtained during the season. Messrs R. McGregor, T. Meredith, A. Vaughan, H. Evans and S. Evans were also successful in carrying off, trophies. The result of the shooting for the prizes presented by the club to the Fernridge School Cadets was as follows:- Sergeant Hives 1, Corporal Ansell 2, Corpoial Boyle 3, Private Catt 4. Captain D. McGregor, in'addressing the gathering, condemned the attitude of Government L had taken up towards Rifle Clubs. When application for enrolment in Rifle Clubs was made to the Defence Department they were in most cases j refused, and paltry excuses were given for b such refusals. Captain McGregor considered that the jjprice of ammunition supplied to Rifle Clubs should be reduced. At present each member of a club received one hundred rounds a year free of charge, another hundred for five shillings, and for any additional ammunition required they had to pay eleven shillings a hundred. Volunteers obtained all their ammunition at a much smaller cost than that charged to Rifle Clubs—less than half in fact. "I consider that it is a shame that the Government do •nothing--or very little —to encourage this clean and wholesome sport, which is of great benefit not only to the riflemen themselves but to the colony generally," said the speaker. Mr R. Foss thanked the Fairview Club, on behalf of the School Cadets, for the use of the club's range, and for the trophies presented to the Cadets. Musical and vocal items were contributed by Mesdames Wihslade and j Wilkins, Misses McGregor, K. I Stempa, and Birch, and Messrs W. Iggulden, J. Gray and B. J. Dolan. The accompaniments were played by Misses J. and F. McGregor and Iggulden. Dancing was then indulged in, Mr F. McKenzie supplying the music.