OPENING OF RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4317, 12 January 1893, Page 3

OPENING OF RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association). Tbkxtham, Thursday. There was a fierco gale accompanied by heavy rain last night, and this morning tbo wind is fresh and puffy, with showers, The total entries are 102, the lowest in tho experience of the Association. The revenuo from the entrance fees and sale of ammunition is estimated at iBG9, while tho prizo money (based on an entry of 240/ and expenses, amount to £116!), showing a deficiency of £BOO. The Council met last night, but no business was transacted. Another meeting will bo hold to-day to consider the reduction of prize money. The officials attribute the diminished entries to the fact that inl ending competitors were unable to secure rifles, as the Government order of March last is not yet to hand, Meeting of the Council. The Financial Position, Major Sommrvllle Speak Strongly, Later. At the meeting of tho Council a proposal to allow the Australian representatives to fire in all matches was carried unanimously, and it was resolved to redue* the entrance for the Teams Match from £6 to £i, and that entries for tlwt match at this meeting be made to-morrow, and for future meetings at the samo time as ordinary entries. The team firing on behalf of the Victoria Rifles, Auckland, at the last meeting, not having paid the members' subscription for that match, tho Council decided to disqualify the members of the team from firing at the Association Meeting unless the respective amounlsdue bo paid by each member of the team. A proposal lo allow monitors ot the unattached list to form a team to competo in tho Teams Match, fell through. The financial position Bnd small entries were next discussed, Major Sommervilla threw the whole blame on the Government, and instanced the handjomeassistance given to the Rifle Associations in Australia by the various. Governments. As to rifles, he had received 150 applications for Martini-Hemis, and would havo secured 200 from Home, only tbo Defence Department humbugged him by staling that the Government shipment of weapons would arrive in July last. Several members agreed with tho Chairman that tho Government should more liberally assist the Association. It was resolved to reduce the prizo money for all matches by one tiiird, owing to tho small entries. It is expected the meeting will close on Wednesday at the latest, Addressing the men on parade, Major Sommerville said that unless they received more assistance from tho Government and from volunteers he fearea they would be unable to carry on.