Shooters Without A Range

by The Sports Editor

Victoria Smallbore shooters are without a range. The Victoria club previously shared the Winter Show Buildings with three other Smallbore Rifle clubs. The shooters have now abruptly been evicted from their self-constructed range and the only explanation given for this unexpected move is that there are "inadequate" fire facilities.

The closing of the Winter Show Buildings to this sport in the middle of their season has resulted in five clubs being forced to share the Brooklyn range which previously catered for Just the one club. The facilities there are now extended to the point of frustration and already this is having a detrimental effect on the Victoria club.

There is only one other range in Wellington and that is at the Army Drill Hall in Buckle Street. This range is too small and short, and not always available. It is barely adequate for the one club that uses it at present.

One of the strongest clubs in the Wellington association. Victoria has a membership of approximately 40. These shooters find themselves in a comparable position with the Squash club members. There is the need of a permanent home for the sport. The Squash Club's position has been eased by a grant from the Students Association which enables them to use the facilities of a commercial enterprise.

Suggestions for solving the present crisis include a proposal by the Wellington Association for building a range suitable for the requirements of all its member clubs. The Victoria Club have suggested that shooting facilities be included in any plans for the building of a squash centre on campus.

Structural requirements for a range are few and could be included in the plans for a Squash centre at little cost or inconvenience. The range could then be leased to other Wellington clubs.

However, these are long-term suggestions and do nothing to help the present situation. A feasible idea involving little expense would be the building of butts on to an existing hall or gymnasium. Because the main requirement is a flat floor, this would cause little inconvenience to other users of the building.