JUNE 1.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1319

527. Every Defence Rifle Club shall consist of not less than fifteen members.

528. Members shall enrol and take the oath of allegiance as laid down in the Defence Act for Volunteers, which form shall be forwarded to the O.C. the District. Members will be permitted to resign at any time on payment of all moneys due by them to the Defence Department. Such resignation shall be notified to the O.C. the District by the president of the club.

529. At the formation of the club, and thereafter at each annual meeting of the club, a president shall be appointed, who shall act as executive officer of the club. A secretary and treasurer shall also be appointed. The O.C. the District shall be notified of such appointments.

530. The Defence Department shall supply Defence Rifle Clubs with .303 rifles on payment as follows:—

M.L.E. rifles (when available), cash in advance; or with Martini-Enfield rifles, half-cash in advance, balance in twelve months.

The personal guarantee of the president and three members shall be given for payment for the arms. The arms shall remain Government property until paid for.

531. A free issue of 100 rounds of ammunition shall be made annually to each enrolled member of Defence Rifle Clubs who has qualified as under:—

Made 21 points out of seven shots at 500 yards at second-class target; and

Attended at least two of the parades as hereinafter provided.

532. No allowance of ammunition shall be made unless one-half of the enrolled members have qualified for the same. The requisitions for ammunition shall be prepared on the proper form and certified to by the president and one other member of the club, and shall be forwarded to the O.C. the District as soon as possible after the 28th February in each year, and such issue of ammunition shall be made as ordered by the O.C.

533. If the O.C. the District considers that a Defence Rifle Club range is safe and suitable for field-firing, he may, on his own responsibility, and at the request of the president of the club, issue an extra allowance of twenty rounds per man, to be expended in field firing under military supervision.

534. Free railway-passes may be issued by the O.C. the District to members of Defence Rifle Clubs to enable them to attend the annual meeting of the New Zealand Defence Force Rifle Association. No other railway-passes shall be issued to members of Defence Rifle Clubs. (See Regulation 425.)

535. There shall be four quarterly drills for every Defence Rifle Club. The drills shall not be less than two hours duration, and shall be principally devoted to field-work, fire-discipline, and inspection of arms. Members who may not be able to attend the club drills may, on application to the O.C. the nearest Volunteer company, or to the president of any other Defence Rifle Club, be allowed to attend any drill of the company or club at which it may be convenient to receive them. All parade states shall be forwarded to the O.C. the District.

536. No parade of a Rifle Club shall be allowed to count towards earning the Government grant of ammunition unless at least one-half of the members of such Rifle Club are present.

537. The Minister may from time to time appoint an officer to act as inspecting officer for Defence Rifle Clubs, and such officer may assemble the members of any such club for the purpose of inspection twice a year. Such inspections shall count as parades, as before mentioned.

FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER COMPANIES OR UNITS.

538. Persons wishing to form Volunteer companies or units should place themselves in communication with the O.C. the District, who shall submit the offer of their services, together with his remarks or recommendations, for consideration.

539. In considering the offer of the services of a new unit or company, regard shall be had to the number and description of the units or companies already existing in the same district, to the cir-