P.B. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2304, 24 September 1908, Page 3

P.B. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

, ANNUAL MEETING. Tlic third -annual general meeting of the above Association was held m the Farmers’ Union Club rooms -lastevening, when there were about .a dozen gentlemen present. Captain A. G. Bcerc was voted to the chair. The -annual report and balancesheet wore read by the lion, secretary (Lieut-. C. Hellier Evans), ihe report congratulated the members on the success that liad -attended tlic Association since its inception. Tho first meeting was held on lltli November (King’s Birthday), on the Haiti range. The number of competitors was somewhat disapnointing, only 37 competing, but the programme, as arranged, was carried through, as well as an extra sweepstake match. The aggregate prize was won by Captain Tombleson, Corpl. Brcingan being second. The'second meeting, owing to exceptionally heavy rain, had to be postponed, and the committee eventually decided to abandon it- altogether. The report, concluded with a. hope that rifle clubs in the district would give the Association more support than in the past., and that every member would do his best to_ further tho welfare of tho Association and make the coming year a record one.

Tho balance-sheet showed that tho receipts amounted to £4l 12s 9d. ivhilo. tho expenditure totalled £3l ss, lowing a balnnco in hand of £7 7c Oil.

The report, and balance-sheet wore adopted. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with, -and resulted ns follows: —Patron, Hon. Jas. Carroll ; vico-patron, Colonol Porter, C. 8.; president, Mr. Arthur Hutchinson ; vice-presidents, Alajor McCralio, Captains Tucker, Warren, and Colobourno, Messrs D. J. Barry, AV .Miller, C. AVhiie, AV. K. Chambers, J. AA'. Nolan, E. AJurphy, A. F. Kennedy, G. J. Black, AV. I). I.veiiar, C. J. Park or, AV. R. Barker, At. B. Manclor, H. AYliito, A. Dowjim, w. F. Crawford, F. J. Lysnar, E.°Hall, E. Al. Hutchinson, AV. F. CedorwaU, AV. L. Clayton, AV. I). S. AlncDonakl, J. C. Fiold, J. Town ley; and tho presidents of Itiflo Clubs m tho district; executive officer, Lieut.Colonol G. J. AV-intor; lion, secretary and treasurer, Lieut. C. Hellior Evans; assistant secretary, Sergeant Breingnn ; honorary quartonnastorsergeant, Quartermaster - Sergeant \ Zachariali; general committee, Captain A. G. Booro, Sergeant Bait, Mr F. Farrell, Liout. E. Somervell, Captain Tombleson, Sergeant Breingan, and Air. AV. A. O’Alearn ; auditor Air. L. Redward. ft. was decided to hold the. first inerting on the 9th of November (Fni„’s Birthday), tho choice -of ran go to bo left to tho committee. Tin' arrangement of a -second meoti„,r w as left to the committee. Corporal Allan brought up the question of the advisability of holding meetings move frequently. Jhe speaker contended that, monthly meetings tended to keen the interest in rifle shooting tut throughout the whole year, and ho thought that there would he no difficulty in arranging for, them. He moved in this direction. Lieut. Somervell seconded Uic motion. . . ' A gono'ral - discussion ensued, in which the concensus of opinion, was that monthly meetings would he imnruoticable. Captain Booro pointed out that tho Knit! range would he fully occupied up rill the end of the Year with class-firing by the two local corps, and no other range could lie depended upon. Tlio motion-, -on being put, was lost. Oil tho motion of QuartcrmastorSorgeant -Zachariali, the committee were instructed to arrange for miniature rifio range shooting in the new drill shed during the winter evenings- . The Chairman stated that the trustees had made provision for this class of shooting in the new drill shed, and had provided an 80ft range with a nine-foot brick wall behind it, while adequate lighting was also obtainable. On tho motion of Lieut. Evans, votes of thanks were recorded to donors of prizes, tliose who had assisted at tho range during the meeting, .and to tho press. Captain 13eere paid a high tribute to tlie service Lieut. Evans had rendered tlie Association as lion, secretary, and said that they owed him more than a. voto of thanks. A voto of thanks was carried to Lieut. Evans with hearty .acclamation. —Lieut. Evans briefly responded. It was decided to admit honorary members at a subscription of 2s 6d. A vote of thanks to tlio chairman concluded the meeting.