MINIATURE RIFLE RANGES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9538, 9 July 1909, Page 5

MINIATURE RIFLE RANGES.

VIEWS OF MAJOR MAC DON A ID.

At the request of the School Comi mittee Major Macdonald, Commandant of School Cadet Corps, attended the meeting of the Committee last evening, He stated that he had visited the site of the proposed miniature rifle range near the school, and expressed the opinion that as it stood at present the site was one of, the most dangerous that could be selected. It was dangerous because on its left flank a public road ran parallel with it. At the rear of the spot where the targets were proposed to be erected there was a church and several private residences. A public road crossed the actual line of fire. To make the range safe he suggested that the range be madelf semi open one, and the flanks and overhead screened in accordance with the recognised rule. It would be necessary to have a thoroughly bullet proof stop butt, to be 18ft high, and extending on either side of the target fully 10ft. The ground surrounding the range and leading to the firing point was all that could be desired, but the firing point and the targets should be two feet above the line of fire. If the improvements were earned out as he suggested the range would prove one of the best in the Dominion. He estimated the cost of the work at about £3O. He desired to 'express his hearty appreciation of th2 interest taken by the Committee in the formation of the range for the training of the boys to shoot was of the most important character. Referring to the Masterton Cadet Corps, the Mijor warmly complimendecl Mr W. H. Jackson on the efficient standard which the Corps had reached. He considered the Corps one of the best he had yet inspected. The discipline was of. a J very high order, and the drill of a' finished character. Masterton would be the first town in the Dominion to erect a miniature range, but numerous other towns were now discussing the establishment of such ranges. The Chairman said he thought the question of establishing a miniature rifle range should be pushed ahead with all possible speed. The committee set up for the purpose had now all the information they required, both in relation to the work it would be necessary to carry out and the probable cost.