Denaby Civilian Rifle Club.

The annual meeting was held at the Denaby Main Hotel, on Saturday, May 2, which meeting was preceded by a knife and fork tea, to which 37 sat down, and when the good things provided by Mr. Gibbs had been disposed of the meeting proper commenced.

Mr. H. S. Witty, the popular captain of the match team, was unanimously voted to the chair, in the absence of the President and vice-president.

Mr. A. H. Barnard, the hon. sec. and treasurer, read his report for the past year, which showed that the first year of the club’s existence had been in every way successful. Of the 32 members who had joined, 27 had taken active part in the shooting, and that this had attained a high level of proficiency is obvious from the fact that out of eight matches shot against clubs using miniature ammunition seven had been won, and one lost. Three matches had also been shot with service ammunition against such noted shots as the Doncaster Volunteers, Barnsley R.C., and the Sheffield R.C., and it is not surprising that Denaby lost these, as many of the team had never used service ammunition before, and these three matches were the only opportunity of practice that they had.

In addition to the matches several competitions were held during the season on the club range. The N.R.A. bronze medal was won by Mr. Mark Hulse, the President’s prize (field glasses) by Mr. H. S. Witty, the Kilner Challenge Cup by Mr. M. Hulse, the August Handicap medal by Mr. T. Hill, the September Handicap medal by Mr. Chas. Nicholes; and besides these prizes firemen’s certificates were gained by Messrs. A. H. Barnard, M. Hulse, E. Robinson, H. S. Witty, H. Read, T. W. Mosby, H. Rose, and R. C. Snow.

The balance sheet showed a balance of 1s. 2d. in hand, besides ammunitions to the value of £4 15s., but the secretary explained that there was a debt on the armoury shed of £10, which would have to be paid off during the present year. Receipts were £16 16s. from honorary and £15 15s. from ordinary members subscriptions, while the expenditure reached £33. It is hoped that the subscriptions from hon. members will be at least as liberal as last year, so that the debt on the armoury shed may be wiped off.

The report having been adopted, a vote of thanks to the President and Vice-president for their services during the past year was proposed by Mr. Witty, and seconded by Mr. Barnard, and carried with acclamation.

Mr. W. H. Chambers was unanimously re-elected President, and Mr. George White, vice-president. Mr. Barnard was re-elected secretary and treasurer, and the following gentlemen were elected on the committee: H. S. Witty, A. Brearley, H. Read, E. Robinson, and M. Hulse.

The vice-chairman then presented the following medals:—Mr. H. S. Witty, silver medal for best five scores in matches; Mr. J. Hill, silver medal for the August Handicap; and Mr. C. Nicholes silver medal for the September Handicap.

The secretary moved a resolution in favour of reducing the annual subscription from 10s. 6d. to 5s., and after discussion, it was carried unanimously. Twenty-two new members were afterwards elected, thus bringing the membership to 54.

In the intervals of the business the proceedings were enlivened by songs, which were heartily received, and a hearty vote of thanks to the host and hostess having been passed, Mr. Gibbs, in acknowledging it, announced a donation of £1 from Mrs. Gibbs in aid of the funds, and promised a silk hat as a prize on his own behalf, the conditions to be decided by the committee.

A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and vice-chairman brought a very successful meeting to a close.