RIFLE CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3967, 19 November 1891, Page 2

RIFLE CLUB.

A Backstair Influence.

A meeting of the Committee of the newly-formed Masterton Rifle Club was held in the Club Hotel last (Wednesday) evening, Mr D. Donald presiding. An apology forabsenee was read froni Mr' W. If. J3eetliara. A communication was vead from the Under-Secretary for Defence, stating that ihe Department had not ammunition or Martini-If enri rifles in stock, ap,d further statjng that they could not encourage t-lje formation of a rifle cluS, as there was ajread} aj volunteer corps in existence in Mas-; for ton. ;

The Chairman said lie assumed that some backstair influence had been brought to bear jn ihe inatter, with the result that the letter from the Defence Departnjen toad been written. He had, however, a letter received from the Defence Depart, ment in June last, which held out inducements for the formation of a Club.

Mr Hessey : There appears to be an undercuVront at'work. It would be wise to publish the two fetters received from the Department.

The Chairman called attention to a letter which' h*.s apj» e » r ■*•■* l^} e Star from Captain PowhalC contained several misstatement's. He pointed out that jthere were several advantages to he gaingd by membership of a rifle club which were pot tp beo&tained fn the Volunteers. Further, Captain] Pownall had accused him of canvassing for members amongst the Volunteers. This be absolutely denied. He had never asked a Volunteer to become a member of the Rifle Club, It was

quite out of (he question for him to answer correspondence appearing in the papers, as tho Volunteer regula tions were very stringent on this point. Volunteer officers were forbidden from entering into newspaper controversy.

Mr Cameron : The attention oE the Department should be called to Mr Pownall's letter. The Chairman: The matter has already been reported to the Department.

Mr Hessey : Could we not induce 80ir : e of the Kuights of Labour to join us ? -"We might then have some influence with the Government.

Mr Matthews: We may depend some steps have been taken in Masterton to prevent tbe formation of a Rifle Club.

The Chairman : If we cannot get ammunition or rifles from the Government we can join the Taueru Club and practise in Misterton. Mr Hessey could not see why one man in Masterton should rule the roost.

Mr Matthews: I cannot see how a rifle club could affect the Volunteers. I think it would do the corps good. The Chairman : At the very outset I spoke to Captain Pownall and he said, *« Alright, go ori, I don't care twopence." Mr .Hessey: lam an old Bhootist and would not think of joining tbe Volunteers.

The Chairman pointed out that seventeen out of the twenty-four members of the Club were old Volunteers, men who were retired shootists.

Mr Hessey suggested the sending of a petition to the Government on the subject. The Chairman : Wo will then have a counter petition trom the Knights of Labour.

Mr Hessey : But they are not all Volunteers.

The Chairman stated that he had handed a subscription list to Captain Pownall in aid of the construction of a Rifle Association range at the Hutt. The captain had offered to canvass for subscriptions, but had since sent back the list with a letter stating that himself and company declined to contribute whilst a member of the Rifle Association Committee was endeavoring to form a rifle club.

Mr G. Bentley : Ttat matter was not brought before the company. Mr Anketell: Oh, Captain Pownall offered to bat me five pounds that he would stop the formation of a rifle club.

The rules of the Club, asdrawn op by the Committee, were then read and approved. The Chairman intimated that be had written to the department calling attention to the letter received in June last, and requesting the further consideration of the application of '.he Club for ammunition. It was resolved to adjourn the meeting until a reply had Ween received from the Department.