RIFLE RANGE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8538, 19 September 1907, Page 5

RIFLE RANGE QUESTION.

DISCUSSION AT THE OPAKI RIFLE CLUB'S MEETING. '

At the annual meeting of the Opaki Rifle Club, last evening, a letter was received from Messrs A. and J. Welch, of Opaki, who had offered to allow the Club to make a range on their property, stating that certain circumstances had arisen which had caused them to change their decision, and the range was not now available. Another thing in connection with the matter was that the property wan only leased from year to year, and therefore the Opaki Rifle Club's tenure of the range could not be permanent. Captain Welch said that he had aoproached members of the Fairview Club in connection with the matter, and they had generously offered to allow the Opaki Club to make use of the Ffirview range until another range could be obtained. Mr King said he thought the meeting should accept the offer of the Fairview Club. He moved "that the generous offer of the Fairview Club be accepted, and that Messrs A. and J. Welch be written to thanking them for the sentiments expressed in their letter and expressing the hope that at some future date the Club may be able to get a range on their land." Mr Hyde seconded the motion, and in doing so stated that the best thanks of the Opaki Club were due to the Fairview Club, especially the owners of the property (Messrs Dagg Bros.). He thought that that portion of Mr King's resolution referring to Messrs Welch's property was in the right direction, as it was a very desirable range, ' Mr Winslade said the Club were deeply indebted to the Fairview Club for placing their range at the disposal of the Opaki Club. He considered that a committee should be appointed to endeavour to find a suitable range for the Club, and not depend altogether on Messrs Welch Bros., as their lease was not a permanent one, and the Club might expend a considerable sum on the range, and then receive "marching orders." Mr Henry and Captain Welch spoke in a similar strain in reference to the Fairview Club's liberal offer. Messrs D. McCalmont, Hyde, Cameron, King and Mcllattie, were appointed a committee, with power to act, to go out and inspect the Fairview Range and confer with the owners of the property on the matter of improvements. It was resolved "that the Opaki Rifle Club recognise chat the time has arrived when they should acquire a range and equip and maintain it for their own use, and that a copy of the resolutionn be sent to the Volunteers."