THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF RIFLE CLUBS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—It seems to me that if rifle clubs are to be encouraged some method of expediting the process of affiliation to the National Rifle Association is even more necessary than finan- cial aid. We organised a miniature club here in June, and at once applied for affiliation, complying with the necessary conditions. We have over a hundred members, and an average attendance of upwards of fifty. We have fired in matches and practices an average of over a thousand rounds per week, and a number of our members have made scores entitling them to riflemen's certificates. Our affiliation fee has been paid for fully two months, but affiliation is withheld until an officer in Dublin can find time to come and look at our range. Why should it not be arranged that an officer from the nearest garrison (only a,few miles away in this case) should approve the range ? The Government has sanctioned the formation of our club. Yet we are refused all privileges, and could not carry on our practices were it not that a large number of members have gun licenses. There seems no prospect of inspection in the near future, and the summer, during which alone the majority of our members can shoot in daylight, will soon be over. If influence could be brought to bear to remedy such delay, it would remove a great hindrance to the formation of clubs in Ireland at any rate.—I am, Sir,
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