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6. The number of Rifle Clubs in an Area will be in relation to the personnel available, as in the case of Senior Cadets. There may be four, six, or eight in an Area. There are four Areas in a Group in the North Island, and three Areas in a Group in the South Island. Bach military district is subdividedinto four Groups. Thus if four Rifle Clubs are at strength in each Area, the position will be— 56 Areas 4 Rifle Clubs 224 Rifle Clubs of 100 membership each, will be 22,400 men. The increase to this number will, however, be gradual (see paragraph 8). 7. Rifle Clubs may accept as voluntary members suitable persons up to fifty-five years of age, as provided for in General Regulations. These may be known as senior members. The junior members posted to clubs will not have a vote in the disposal of funds, subscriptions, &0., provided by senior members. Should a junior member subscribe to the rules re private subscriptions, he will be eligible to all privileges as to club-fund distribution accorded to a senior member. Existing clubs will thus be composed— (a.) Of present members and persons who voluntarily join and contribute to club. These might well be known as senior members. (6.) Members liable to universal training drafted or posted to the club by the Group Officer. 8. The drafting of young men to Rifle Clubs will be carried out by the officers in each Area during June, concurrent with the postings to the Senior Cadets and Territorials. It is advisable to, as far as possible, post equal numbers of Wednesday afternoon and Saturday afternoon holiday men to each club; it will lessen the demand on range, and afford double opportunities for practice. Only those young men who by the 31st May next have reached the age of eighteen and are not required for the Territorial Force will be posted to the Rifle Clubs this and each succeeding year. The system is to be in no way retrospective. Existing Rifle Clubs will note that this will not overcrowd them at once, but each year steadily increase their number until a maximum is reached. 9. All persons posted to a Rifle Club will require to attend a minimum of eighteen afternoon or evening drills at convenient drill centres, and fire a prescribed course of musketry entailing at least 3ix attendances on the rifle range. The drill centres will, as far as possible, be arranged as for the Territorials and Senior Cadets— i.e., entailing not more than one hour's walk or one hour's, ride from the men's homes. 10. All members, irrespective of age, must fire the annual course laid down from year to year so long as they remain in the club. Members over or on reaching the age at which liability to military training ceases will be exempted from attendance at drills. 11. Should by any unforeseen circumstance the strength of a Territorial unit in the Area fall below its authorized numbers, or should it be required to increase the strength, transfer of suitable members from the nearest Rifle Club will be made. (This does not apply to men over the age of liability.) 12. A maintenance grant of, say, 2s. 6d. per member will be paid to each Rifle Club to cover incidental expenses; no other money grants will be given. It is proposed to enlist the assistance of the various public bodies —somewhat on the lines of the County Associations in the Home-country —to foster, aid, and help in the administration and equipment of the Rifle Clubs and Senior Cadets. Municipal law already provides authority for certain local bodies to- contribute to or provide rifle ranges. Thus, with the formation of Committees throughout the Area, the public will be given opportunity to assist and increase the efficiency of this poition of their Defence Force. A certain number of rifles will be placed at the disposal of each club for use by all members when carrying on the prescribed musketry course. As the supply of rifles increases by importation more rifles will be issued, so that in time there may be rifles for all; in any case, the number will be increased each year. Members who desire to purchase rifles at cost price may do so as they become available. Members may have rifles rebarrelled at cost price, provided the Armourer reports that the barrel is sufficiently worn out. Ammunition will be issued free and at reduced rates in such quantities as may be from time to time authorized. Present ranges will be continued and be available for general use. The position of each range as to title, repair, and maintenance will be inquired into with a view to its maintenance and completion by the Defence Department and the public. It will readily be seen that this will take some time. The difficulty can be overcome by close co-operation of the clubs, Area officials, and Public Committees proposed to be set up. 13. Persons posted to the Rifle Clubs will be supplied with a record-book, which will be written up as equivalent to training quoted in Defence Act, Part VI, section 44. On being posted to or on voluntarily joining a Rifle Club, each man will take the oath of allegiance, or make an equivalent affirmation as provided for in Promissory Oaths, Consolidated Statutes, r l9OB, and shall come under the same regulations as to discipline, awards, punishments, &c, as the members of the Territorial Force. 14. Railway warrants will be available for proceeding to drills and annual musketry- practices required under paragraph 9. Railway warrants will also be available for members attending authorized shooting meetings organized or approved by the Defence authorities. See General Order No. 197, 1911—viz,, the Dominion Rifle Association (Trentham), open to all in the Defence Forces from any

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