TE KARAKA RIFLE RANGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2592, 28 August 1909, Page 6

TE KARAKA RIFLE RANGE.

OPENING CEREMONY. • Considerable interest was manifested in the opening of the new-rifle range on the Rangitira estate for the Te Ivara'ka troop of the East Coast Mounted Rifles on Thursday afternoon. The troop, under Troop-Sergeant Hughes, paraded at the range at 2.30 p.m., and. there was also a large gathering of civilians. In addressing the troop and the visitors, Captain C. Hellier Evans; officer commanding the squadron, explained that the troop had been enabled to establish the range through the kindness of Mr. Patullo, who had allowed the use of the site. He hoped the range would be made good use of by the troop, and that the men would acquire great proficiency in shooting. Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., complimented Captain Evans on the success of the East Coast Mounted Rifles. New Zealand was, he said, a peaceful country, but the people never knew when they might be called upon to defend themselves, and they should always be prepared for eventualities. Volunteering deserved every encouragement, and rifle shooting was an important part of military training. Therefore he hoped the troop would make full use of the range. , . , . Mr A. M. Lewis likewise congratulated the troop on the excellence of the range, and agreed that rifle shooting was an important part of volunteering. To encourage rifle shooting, he would offer a silver cup to be competed for by the troop on the Karaka range. The Rev. Mr. Walker arid Mr. J. Brown also congratulated the Mounted Rifles ori acquiring so good a range. Mrs. Patullo- and Mrs. Poynter fired the first and second shots, the range was declared open, arid a scratch match between a team of Mounted Riflemen and a team of civilians was fired off. The civilians won the contest by 5 points. \ ~ , , ~ ' Afternoon tea was provided by the members of the Karaka troop,, under the supervision of Corporal Law and Trooper Sefton. ' " , The range is an exceedingly good one. : The targets are under a hill, and shooting can be carried on at distances up to 800 yards.

, ; MILITARY BALL. In the evening a military ball was held in the King’s Theatre, and was a decided., success. Many officers from other troops were present. The ball was. tastefully decorated ■with flags and arms, and the floor was in excellent order.- The music was supplied by Mr, Wootton, and the supper by Mr.. F. Clayton.. The members of the Te Karaka troop of; the East Coast Mounted Rifles have every reason to be satisfied with their first military ball, which wa 6 a most successful gathering. \