Archive News
June 2011... from the President
With almost 6 months of the year gone and the winter nights upon us, my thoughts turn to the upcoming M.A.M.S show and our participation in this very worthwhile public relations exercise. I have taken part in the past three shows, and have exhibited both individual displays, as well as contributing items to be displayed on the Antique Arms combined table.
This may not appeal to everyone, but I have found it to be both rewarding and educational. Many people who come to the show have an interest in weapons and militaria, that is a given. The thing I find most interesting and rewarding are the stories the people tell. These stories are often first- hand accounts of time spent serving their country, or of their fathers, or grandparents who served. Listening to these stories can be a very rewarding aside to our hobby.
If you think you would like to put items on display or contribute in some way, please feel free to contact me.
In recent months you have all had the opportunity to view a copy of the current shooting program, and place feedback about the proposed new shooting program circulated in the Plainsman.
The Management Committee were asked to consider the current format alongside the proposed program.
After considered feedback from past, present and prospective shooters, the Management Committee proposes the following:
• Shoot programs will be announced in full at all monthly meetings, advertised and updated on our Website and in the Plainsman.
• Shooting results will be announced and cup prizes where appropriate, presented at our monthly meetings.
• Each monthly shoot will commence with the Postal Shoot or "Special Shoot", or other programmed shoot.
• Shotgun events will commence in the morning where possible, by 11.am.
• During Shotgun events and the Lunch break, the rifle range will be run by a Range Officer, so that shooters can shoot casually, or practice for coming events.
• After lunch the rest of the advertised monthly program will continue.
Initially, this structure is a trial, and will continue for the next four monthly shoots.
I would like to thank all who offered their opinions and provided feedback, either directly or indirectly.
I, along with the rest of the Management Committee sincerely hope that this will satisfy those who want to shoot to a programme, as well as those want to shoot outside the programmed events in a less competitive environment.
It is never easy having to consider everyone‘s needs and opinions and achieving a workable compromise, but often greater risk is in postponement than in making a wrong decision.
Paul Mainwaring - President.
Meetings
Monthly meeting 28 April. After a drive through some of the worst affected roads in Christchurch, Paul welcomed everyone back as this was the first meeting we had held since January, he thanked members for their support during the last two months, and members are the lifeblood of the club. He then requested that members stand and observe a moment‘s silence for the passing of Adrian Mayberry.
You will be pleased to know that we still have some money in our accounts, Scott has changed our Super Saver account to a different one to get a better interest rate.
The library has a new copy of the Armourer.
It has been advised that some interesting items are turning up for our Auction, mags for M16/AR15 Colt, air rifles and various other items. There will be firearms from John Chambers estate and also some other estates. Turns out that the Wellington Branch has some extra items and is willing to share. A good sign of inter-branch co-operation, thanks Wellington.
Graeme gave a report of what happened at the April AGM in New Plymouth, membership in branches was discussed; from now on members will have to be both members of national and branches.
A new gazette is being produced; it has to be 10% different to the old, because of copyright problems. Kath Arnold has done a great job to get this project going. To make this a success Branches need to actively write and photograph items for gazette. It has been requested that members advise the committee if you are writing an article and efforts will be made to get professional type photo‘s taken. Rex Hill has offered his services as the new editor.
There was discussion about what is to happen on shoot days; Archie Moore has taken on the task of coordinating the shooting activities. And the programme for Postal Shoots, click here...
The Arms Amendment Bill was discussed and it has been decided that there needs to be some action from the branch. Rod, Graeme, Paul, JD and myself will put together a response to National, which will then be put together in a combined response - No to the police getting those powers, referring back to court case, no to military rifles being classed as MSSA‘s.
In the MAMS show in July, John Honeybone requested that members advise him who is putting in a display of their own or can contribute to the Branch display. Graeme had some flyers, newsletters and applications. Already sales tables have been rented to people from Invercargill to Auckland. Graeme thanked everybody for their concern about Archie‘s injuries and Scott‘s clean up, thanks to the organisation by Mike Rowland’s (Not as advised in the last PLAINSMAN- I just cut and pasted a report from elsewhere - Ed) and Brian Foote, as a result of the earthquake on 22nd February. This brought out the need for everybody to advise Scott or the Editor of your email address so that messages can be passed on.
The night concluded with the MOA and another great supper – thanks Anders.
Monthly meeting 27 May, we still money in the bank, the Library has a new copy of the Armourer. Items are coming in for the auction; Paul would like a hand with the cataloguing. Graeme advised that the National Secretary would not be standing for election at the AGM and therefore they are looking for a new Secretary.
The Italy Star Assn. are looking for members to boost their falling roll of old soldiers, there is a flyer attached to this newsletter. Rod Woods won the Scott Rose Bowl for best article in the Gazette, for his piece on the Hotchkiss Machinegun, well done Rod. Rod then advised he was processing some large estates of firearms and that he advised that you make sure that people know what your intentions about the disposal of your firearms.
Committee Meeting – 8 June 11.
While awaiting enough people to turn up for a committee meeting our president rang JD to see where he was and turns out he was on his way, a few minutes went by, the phone went and it was JD who said ―It‘s not the last Thursday of the month‖ it was pointed out that it was a committee meeting!
During the meeting Graeme advised that he had encountered a problem regarding an item he was intending to import from the USA and the firm supplying it weren‘t going to put down a correct description. The following is provided for your information (thanks JD):
Importing Firearms and/or Parts.
Customs are now seizing all firearms and parts that are not covered by the appropriate import permit and properly described as firearms or parts thereof. Infractions of the correct procedure can led to a raid on your home by Customs and Police and all firearms found being seized. Import permits MUST be obtained BEFORE the goods land in New Zealand.
Regarding the discussion last night about the Customs seizure of allegedly incorrectly labeled firearms parcels.
This matter has been dealt with by NSA in District Court with Nic Taylor representing Gary Beavins. The Judge's decision can be accessed on the NSA website in the Library here:
http://www.nsanz.org.nz/pages/library.html,
under the heading there is a downloadable pdf file (right click - save as...) Gary Beavins vs. Customs Department.
Seems we are suffering from PES (Post Earthquake Stress) when it comes to shooting, there needs to be some direction of when a shoot will be run on the day, a competition shoot should have a set time so people know they have to be there at a specific time but if someone just needs to test fire a rifle then they should have the opportunity to do so, or even during the lunch break. Perhaps if one of the bays was free to allow random shoots while the programmed activities carry on, in the remaining bays. However this was just from seven people sitting around trying to help increase the number of shooters BUT we need someone from the shooting fraternity to be on the committee. Thanks to Margo, Georgia, Charlotte and Anita for the great supper.
Cut off date to put items in our auction is 7th of July, cataloguing and photographing items has started. On the day there will be sales and display tables, maybe a tender table. John Honeybone is organising members to provide security at the MAMS and is the contact regarding the number of tables required by Branch members. AAB4 response from Antique and Historical Arms Assn., Canterbury branch views have been included in the National submission. JD to 'cut and paste‘ from the National submission and make up a submission from our branch.