Sin,—You have rendered such valuable assistance in pro- moting and
fostering the formation of rifle clubs throughout the kingdom that I naturally turn to you for your valued help in my humble efforts in the same direction, feeling confident that they will meet with your sympathy and kind support in a scheme which I trust will merit your approval, and which I believe will eventually lead to the material strengthening of the defences of the country, an object for which Field-Marshal Lord Roberts has so forcibly and earnestly pleaded. In 1902 I took in hand the formation of the Oxton Rifle Club, which, thanks to the patriotic and generous support of the residents in the neighbourhood, proved a success. In December, 1902, I made overtures to the Watch Committee of the Birkenhead Borough Council, offering to place the range at their service for the insbractibn of the men of the police force of the borough on most favour- able conditions as to payment. This was declined, on the ground that they had no funds at their disposal to pay the same. I again repeated my offer in July last, and again received the same reply. I then placed the matter before the president of our club, Sir John E. Gray Hill, and the working committee, suggesting that the club should offer to instruct the police free of all cost, which I am happy to say has been arranged, and the requisite money found and banked. After obtaining the sanction of the Borough Council authorities, I invited one hundred of the police to come to the range for instruction in the art of rifle-shooting, subsequently receiving a return from the Chief Constable giving me the names of one hundred men (all we could take on at one time). These men are now shooting in squads of twenty men per day. After the hundred have passed through their second class, we intend taking on one hundred more, and so in time rendering an already well-drilled and disciplined force a most valuable and useful addition to the Auxiliary Forces for the defence of the country in case of need. Few rifle clubs in the kingdom are in a position to follow the example of the Oxton Club ; but all county, city, and borough councils could, if they wished to do so, easily obtain powers to levy a rate of One farthing in the pound, which would not only enable them to pay for the instruction of the police as a body, but greatly assistin forming and supporting rifle clubs wherever required throughout the country. As, however, I see no prospect of this being done either by the Government or individual effort, I fear the movement will die out entirely unless fostered and supported financially by the people on the lines I suggest. I am pleased to be able to report that the men of the Birken- head Borough Police have shown their appreciation of the action of the Oxton Club by their attendance at the range during the fortnight since they commenced firing, seventy- five having shot the first week and ninety-eight last week, many of them expressing their pleasure at having the oppor- tunity of participating in what they describe as "a tip-top amusement."—I am, Sir, &c., J. U. CUNNINGHAM
(Chairman, Executive Committee, Oxton Rifle Club). 14 Ashville Road, Birkenhead.
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