Australian Rifle Club Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1931. No. 120.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1927.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1927, to come into operation forthwith.

Dated this thirtieth day of September, 1931.

ISAAC A. ISAACS

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

J. B. CHIFLEY

Minister of State for Defence.

 

Part I.—Introductory.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Australian Rifle Club Regulations.

2. The Australian Rifle Club Regulations (Statutory Rules 1927, No. 120) and all amendments thereof are hereby repealed.

3. These Regulations are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Part	I.	—	Introductory.
Part	II.	—	Rifle Clubs.
Part	III.	—	Rifle Associations.

4. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“Commanding Officer” means, in relation to a regimental rifle club, the Commanding Officer of the unit of the Citizen Forces to which the members of the Club belong, or, if the members of the Club belong to two or more such units, the senior of the Commanding Officers concerned;

“Regimental Rifle Club” means a Rifle Club of which all the active members are members of a unit of the Citizen Naval Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, or the Citizen Air Force, or are officers on a regimental list of officers of the Reserve of Officers;

“Rifle Club” includes a Cable Guard.

2720.—Price 1s.

 

Part II.—Rifle Clubs.

5.—(1.) The formation and disbandment of every Rifle Club shall be approved by the Governor-General and notified in the Gazette.

(2.) Every Rifle Club formed under any Regulations under the Defence Act prior to the commencement of these Regulations, which is in existence at the commencement of these Regulations, shall be deemed to be a Rifle Club formed under these Regulations.

(3.) The Australian Rifle Clubs shall consist of such Rifle Clubs as are formed or deemed to be formed under these Regulations.

(4.) After 1st July, 1932, every Rifle club formed or deemed to be formed under these Regulations shall affiliate with the State Rifle Association of the State or portion of the State concerned.

6. The Australian Rifle Clubs shall be under the control of the Military Board.

7. There shall be a Director of Rifle Associations and Rifle Clubs, who shall be responsible for the supervision of all matters relating, to—

(a) The efficiency of the Rifle Clubs in any training and musketry that may be authorized;

(b) The issue of arms, ammunition, equipment, and other stores to Rifle Clubs;

(c) The construction, reconstruction, maintenance, repair and equipment of Rifle Club Ranges;

(d) Questions affecting staff officers for Rifle Clubs and Staffs, Inspectors of Rifle Ranges, Range Clerks, and Staffs of Military Ranges;

(e) Matters relating to the acquisition of land in connexion with Rifle Club Ranges, including—

the adjustment of leases and the acquisition of private property and, under arrangements with the Department of Works, the permissive occupancy of Crown lands;

(f) The Commonwealth Council of Rifle Associations;

(g) State Rifle Associations;

(h) District Rifle Club Unions;

(i) Proposals for distribution of such grants to Associations and Unions as may be provided;

(k) The Rules of the Commonwealth Council, State Rifle Associations, District Rifle Club Unions;

(l) Annual reports of State Rifle Associations; and

(m) Rules for Miniature Rifle Unions and Clubs.

8. The Rifle Clubs in each Military District shall be under the control of the District Base Commandant, who shall be responsible to the Military Board for all matters relating to Rifle Clubs in the Military District.

9.—(1.) There shall be a Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs in each Military District, who shall be responsible to the District Base Commandant for the general supervision of Rifle Clubs in that District. He shall be responsible that the Regulations governing Rifle Clubs are

 

observed, and that all orders and directions issued from time to time in connexion with Rifle Associations, Rifle Clubs, Rifle Club Unions, Miniature Rifle Clubs and Unions are carried out.

(2.) The District Base Commandant may delegate any of his powers in matters of routine to the Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs.

10. The Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs shall be personally responsible to the District Base Commandant for—

(a) the performance of such duties as are allotted to him by the District Base Commandant;

(b) the issue of instructions to Rifle Clubs in respect of musketry, the checking of returns and compilation of the results of any authorized annual course of musketry or return of: efficients;

(c) the supply of necessary information regarding classes of instruction at which the attendance of members of Rifle Clubs has been approved, and the notification of the results to the Rifle Clubs concerned;

(d) the preparation of mobilization orders for Rifle Clubs;

(e) the organization of Rifle Clubs as military reserves, and their allocation to military units; and generally

(f) the supply of information to persons desirous of forming Rifle Clubs and Miniature Rifle Clubs.

11. Before any Rifle Club can be formed, an application on the authorized form (Form R.C.3) shall be forwarded to the District Base Commandant. The application shall be signed by not less than thirty male persons of or over the age of sixteen and under the age of sixty years, who are natural-born or naturalized British subjects, and are bona fide residents of the locality in which it is desired to form the Club.

12. In special cases the Governor General may authorize the formation of Rifle Clubs in remote districts with a less number than thirty.

13. Every application for the formation of a Rifle Club shall be forwarded by the District Base Commandant to the Military Board accompanied by his recommendation and a report on the following:—

(a) Whether suitable rifle range accommodation is available, or, if not, whether a suitable site has been selected. (In the latter case the report shall state whether the necessary lease or permissive occupancy and written consents for the firing rights over land within the danger area have been obtained, and shall be accompanied by a certificate by an Inspector of Rifle Ranges or other qualified person that the site selected has been inspected by him and is suitable and safe or can be rendered safe.)

(b) What expenditure will be necessary, and whether the grant under sub-regulation (l.) of regulation 49 is sufficient to enable a suitable range to be constructed.

(c) Whether funds have been made available for the payment of the grant.

(d) What proportion of the cost of the construction of the range will be borne by the Rifle Club.

2720.—2

 

14. Any Rifle Club, other than a Regimental Rifle Club, may, upon application approved by a general meeting of the Rifle Club and subject to the approval of the Military Board to be notified in Australian Army Orders, be associated with a unit of the Citizen Military Forces. All active members so associated who are not members of the Active Forces or Senior Cadets (and are over eighteen years and under forty-five years of age) are allotted to the Military Reserve Forces.

15. Rifle Clubs shall consist of

(a) Active members; and

(b) Honorary members.

16.—(1.) The following shall be active members of Rifle Clubs:—

(a) Persons who have taken and subscribed the oath or affirmation prescribed by regulation 19;

(b) Members of the Citizen Forces or Senior Cadets elected active members by a Rifle Club;

(c) Members of Cable Guards.

(2.) British subjects may be elected as honorary members by the Committee of the Rifle Club which they desire to join, but no honorary member shall have a voice in the management of a Rifle Club, and his name shall not be shown in any list of active members in respect of any claim for any privilege or concession allowed to active members.

17.—(1.) Cable Guards may be formed from active members of Rifle Clubs, and shall be composed of an approved number of active members of any Rifle Clubs situated in localities or districts approved by the Military Board.

(2.) Members of Rifle Clubs who are members of Cable Guards are allotted to the Military Reserve Forces, and are liable to be called out for War Service under the provisions of section 46 of the Defence Act.

(3.) Members of Cable Guards when called out for War Service for the protection of Cable Stations shall be paid as follows:—

Honorary Captain.............................	Militia rate of pay as Lieutenant
If approved by the Adjutant-General—
1 Sergeant.................................	Militia rate of pay as Sergeant.
1 Corporal.................................	Militia rate of pay as Corporal.
Remainder of Guard..................	Militia rate of pay as private soldiers.

(4.) The Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs shall submit to the District Base Commandant the names of those members of Cable Guards recommended for appointment as Honorary Captain, Sergeant, and Corporal for the approval of the Adjutant-General.

(5.) Members of Cable Guards shall be entitled to all the privileges and concessions granted by these Regulations to other active members of Rifle Clubs. If more than 30 per cent. of the members of any Cable Guard are non-efficient after the expiration of twelve months from the date of its formation, that Cable Guard may be disbanded.

(6.) The Officer commanding a Cable Guard may be granted the honorary rank of Captain in the Australian Military Reserve Forces whilst holding that appointment.

 

18. Any person desiring to become a member of a Rifle Club should join the Rifle Club whose recognized headquarters are situated nearest to his place of residence, but in a special case the District Base Commandant may grant authority for him to join another Rifle Club. No person shall join a Rifle Club as an active member whilst he is an active member of another Rifle Club.

19.—(1.) Every person, except as provided by regulation 29, before being enrolled as an active member of a Rifle Club shall take and subscribe before an officer of the Defence Force, a Justice of the Peace, or the Captain of the Rifle Club the oath or affirmation set forth here under.

Oath.

I swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King as a member of the Australian Rifle Clubs, and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and cause His Hajesty’s peace to be kept and maintained, and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service as a member of the Australian Rifle Clubs faithfully discharge my duty according to law. So help me God.

Affirmation.

I solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King as a member of the Australian Rifle Clubs, and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies, and cause His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service as a member of the Australian Rifle Clubs faithfully discharge my duty according to law.

(2.) In the case of those members who undertake to serve in the Cable Guard, the words “Cable Guard” shall be inserted in brackets in the oath and affirmation immediately after the words “Australian Rifle Clubs”.

20. Before a person is enrolled as an active member and permitted to take the oath or affirmation the Captain of the Rifle Club shall ascertain that he fulfils the condition as to age and that his vision is sufficiently good and has been tested by the aid of the “ Army test types”.

Before a person is permitted to take the oath or affirmation, the Captain of the Rifle Club shall sign the following certificate on the form on which the oath or affirmation to be subscribed is set out:—

“I, , do certify that appears

to be within the age entered in this form; that his eyesight has been tested by me by the aid of the “Army test types”, and appears to be good; and that he is, in my opinion, suitable for service in case of emergency and was elected a member of the above Rifle Club on .”

No person shall be enrolled as an active member of a Rifle Club whose age is under sixteen years or over sixty years.

21. All enrolments shall be subject to the approval of the District Base Commandant, or, in a Regimental Rifle Club, of the Commanding Officer.

 

22. If the total number of active members on the roll of any Rifle Club falls below fifteen, or if more than 30 per cent. of the active members on the roll of any Rifle Club are non-efficient at any time after the expiration of twelve months from the date of formation, the Club shall be disbanded, but in special circumstances the Military Board may approve of the suspension of the operation of this regulation in respect of any particular Club for a period of twelve months.

23.—(1.) Except in time of war, any member of a Rifle Club may resign by giving fourteen days’ notice, in writing, to the Captain of his Rifle Club, and on such resignation being accepted, his name shall be removed from the list of members. In the case of members who are in possession of or responsible for any Government property, the property must be returned in good order to the Captain of the Rifle club at such place as he may appoint, or the value of the article or damage or deterioration shall be paid before the resignation shall be accepted.

(2.) Every active member of a Regimental Rifle Club on ceasing to be a member of the unit of the Citizen Forces concerned, shall (unless he is placed upon a regimental list of officers of the Reserve of Officers) resign as an active member of that Club.

24.—(1.) The Captain of a Rifle Club shall at once forward to the District Base Commandant a notification of the death, absence exceeding three months from the district, or resignation of any member. Any member absent except on leave obtained from the District Base Commandant, for a period exceeding three months shall be liable to be struck off the strength of the Rifle Club to which he belongs.

(2.) This regulation shall not apply to a regimental Rifle Club.

25. Except in time of war, every active member of a Rifle Club who fails to become efficient for two consecutive years shall be struck off the roll of that Club, and shall be ineligible to rejoin a Rifle Club for a period of twelve months from the date of his having been struck off.

26. Any member on leaving the locality of his Rifle Club may, at his own request, made in writing to the Captain of the Rifle Club, be transferred to a Rifle Club convenient to his intended place of residence, provided that the transfer is approved by the Captain of the Rifle Club to which transfer is sought and by the District Base Commandant.

27.—(1.) The Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs shall bring to the notice of the District Base Commandant any breach of these Regulations by or any other conduct of a member of a Rifle Club (other than a Regimental Rifle Club) which would tend to bring discredit on the Australian Rifle Clubs, and the District Bas Commandant shall have power after due inquiry to strike any such member off the roll of the Club.

(2.) Any member of a Rifle Club (other than a Regimental Rifle Club) may be recommended by the Captain of the Rifle Club to be struck off the roll for misconduct or for other sufficient cause, the existence or sufficiency of such cause to be determined by the committee of the Rifle Club, and the District Base Commandant may strike the member off the roll of the Club.

(3.) Any member of a Regimental Rifle Club may be struck off the roll by the Commanding Officer.

 

28. Whenever the name of a member of a Regimental Rifle Club is removed from the roll of that Club on account of death, resignation, or other reason the District Base Commandant is to be notified immediately.

29. A member of any branch of the Defence Force or Senior Cadets may be enrolled as an active or honorary member of a Rifle Club, if elected by the Club, and shall not be required to take the oath or affirmation prescribed by regulation 19.

30.—(1.) Every Rifle Club shall elect a committee consisting of a Captain, secretary, treasurer, and four members, and the property of the Rifle Club shall be vested in such committee.

(2.) In a Regimental Rifle Club every nomination of a member for election to the committee shall be subject to the approval of the Commanding Officer.

31. In a Regimental Rifle Club the decision of the Commanding Officer shall, subject to any direction by the Military Board, be final in all matters not provided for by any Act or Regulations made thereunder.

32. In the interests of national safety a District Base Commandant may at any time, with or without the consent of the members, remove from office any Captain or other office bearer of a Rifle Club not being a Regimental Rifle Club.

33.—(1.) Correspondence from Rifle Clubs shall be addressed to the District Base Commandant.

(2.) Payments are to be made by bank draft, cheque, post-office order, or postal note payable to the “Receiver of Public Moneys.” Postage stamps in excess of fivepence are not to be used as portions of remittances.

34.—(1.) The Captain of a Rifle Club shall maintain order and discipline amongst the members at all rifle practices and Club meetings, whether general or committee, and shall be responsible for the proper compliance with all orders and regulations. It shall be the special duty of the Captain of a Rifle Club to see that rifle practice is carried out with due precautions as to the safety of the public and all concerned, and he shall be responsible that only sufficient ammunition for the practices fixed for the day is issued to each member, and that all ammunition remaining unexpended after each practice is returned. He may appoint any member of the Club to perform these duties as his deputy in his absence.

(2.) At all times when members of Rifle Clubs are carrying out training or rifle practice under these Regulations, or rules thereunder, the regulations for the time being governing the Military Forces shall be taken generally as a guide in all matters of discipline not dealt with under these Regulations. The Captain and the individual members of the committee are responsible for the maintenance of discipline and due compliance with these Regulations.

 

(3.) The Honorary Captain of a Cable Guard shall maintain order and be responsible for discipline amongst its members at such times as it is undergoing military training specified in paragraph (c) of regulation 41 and whenever it may be called out for service.

(4) In a Regimental Rifle Club the provisions relating to the maintenance of discipline in the branch ofthe Defence Force concerned shall apply at all practices and meetings of that Club.

35. For the purpose of legal proceedings, all arms, ammunition, or other military articles belonging to or used by any Rifle Club shall be deemed to be the property of the Captain of the Rifle Club.

36.—(1.) Captains of Rifle Clubs may, on application, be supplied with rifles and spare parts for active members of their Clubs at the prices notified from time to time in Australian Army Orders. They may be supplied, on payment, with oil and flannelette for cleaning rifles and with target paper. All stores required from the Ordnance Branch are to be paid for before delivery.

(2) All demands for expense stores, rifles, and ammunition required by Rifle Clubs shall be prepared by the Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs and submitted through the usual channels to the Ordnance Branch.

(3.) Rifles may be sold to active members of Rifle Clubs on a deferred payment system upon their agreement in writing to pay the price under conditions approved by the Military Board and notified in Australian Army Orders.

(4) Rifles may be issued on loan to Rifle Clubs under conditions approved by the Military Board and notified in Australian Army Orders.

(5) The proportion of rifles issued to Rifle Clubs furnishing Cable Guards may be increased to provide for the issue of a rifle to each member of the Guard.

37.—(1.) A rifle shall not be sold to a member of a Rifle Club on the deferred payment system unless that Club undertakes to act as guarantor for the due fulfillment of the agreement by the purchaser.

(2) In cases of non-payment of any installments due by any member, or of a breach of any condition of the agreement by the purchaser, the Rifle Club of which the purchaser is, or was, a member shall be responsible for and shall, on demand, pay the amount due, failing which the amount shall be deducted from the annual efficiency grant of the Club.

(3.) The Captain of a Rifle Club may, in the event of any member failing to pay any instalment when due, require such member to deliver up the rifle to him or any other official of the Rifle Club deputed by him to act on his behalf, and may recover such rifle by proceedings in a court of summary jurisdiction.

38. Members of Rifle Clubs are required to keep their arms and accoutrements in good order, and to produce them for inspection when called upon.

 

39.—(1.) Rifles, ammunition, and accoutrements, or any other article supplied by the Government to a Rifle Club, either on purchase, on loan or free issue, shall be delivered, carriage free, at any railway station or seaport in the vicinity of that Club. The Captain of the Rifle Club, or in his absence, a member authorized by him, in writing, shall sign the receipt for any articles of Government property issued for the use of members of the Rifle Club. He shall be held responsible for their safe custody and proper distribution, and shall issue no article without obtaining in a book the written receipt of the member to whom he issues it.

(2.) When rifles are forwarded by Rifle Clubs to the Ordnance Branch for repairs, the cost of carriage between the nearest port or railway station in the vicinity of the Club shall be borne by the Defence Department.

(3.) A renewal acknowledgment form showing the stores on loan to each Rifle Club (other than a Regimental Rifle Club) shall be prepared annually by the Ordnance Branch and forwarded by the Staff Officer for Rifle Clubs to the Captain of the Club for certification and return to the District Base Commandant.

40. Active members, including Cable Guard members, of Rifle Clubs shall be classified as “Efficient” or “Non-efficient” for each year ending on the 30th June.

41. No active member of a Rifle Club serving under these Regulations shall be entitled to be classified as efficient for any year unless during that year he has fulfilled the following requirements:—

(a) Fired at such Rifle Club practices under such conditions as are from time to time approved by the Military Board.

(b) Kept such arms and accoutrements as are in his possession clean and in good order, and produced them for inspection when required to do so.

(c) For Cable Guard members, in addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Regulation, attendance at sixteen out of twenty-four hours’ drill annually. These drills shall be carried out in two periods, each occupying five nights and one afternoon (Saturday or such other day as is arranged locally). Each drill shall be of two hours’ duration.

(d) For members joining a Cable Guard in any year in which the total number of hours of drill available for the year is less than sixteen, attendance at eight hours’ drill, in addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Regulation shall be necessary for classification as efficient.

42. In cases where a Rifle Club is prevented from carrying out the Rifle Club practices mentioned in paragraph (a) of regulation 41 owing to its rifle range being temporarily closed, the District Base Commandant may, after due investigation, classify the members of that Club as “efficient,” but the number so classified as “efficient” shall not exceed the number of members classified’ “efficient” in respect

 

of the previous year. In the case of the range of a new Rifle Club being temporarily closed, a number of members, not exceeding thirty, may, with the approval of the District Base Commandant, be classified as “efficient”.

43. The following free issues of .303 ammunition may be granted to Rifle Clubs subject to the conditions laid down in regulation 41—

(a) For each efficient active member, including members of Cable Guards, 176 rounds for practice and, except in the case of a Regimental Rifle Club, 24 rounds for the Rifle Club practices mentioned in paragraph (a) of regulation 41.

(b) For each active member on first enrolment in a Rifle Club—100 rounds.

44. Ammunition is not to be accumulated from year to year. Captains of Rifle Clubs will furnish a yearly return on or before the 15th July in each year, showing the amount of the free issue of ammunition unexpended, and that amount shall be deducted from the next issue.

45. Each efficient active member of a Rifle Club shall be entitled to purchase 200 rounds of .303 ball ammunition per annum at the rate approved by the Minister, and each non-efficient member may purchase a maximum of 50 rounds per annum at the same rate.

The issue of small arm ball ammunition to Rifle Clubs at rifle ranges where Rangers are stationed shall be in accordance with instructions issued from time to time by the Military Board.

46.—(1.)Service ammunition, issued free, or sold by or on behalf of the Defence Department to a Rifle Club, shall be issued free or sold by the Rifle Club only to members thereof, and only for use at rifle practice or rifle competitions by such members on approved ranges.

(2.) A Rifle Club or a member of a Rifle Club to whom service ammunition has been issued free or sold under regulation 43 or regulation 45 shall not, except with the approval of the District Base Commandant, sell such ammunition to any other Rifle Club, nor to any person not a member of the same Rifle Club as himself.

(3.) Any member of a Rifle Club who sells any service ammunition otherwise than in accordance with this regulation shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Twenty pounds.

(4.) Any person who without authority (proof whereof shall lie upon him) buys any service ammunition from a Rifle Club or member of a Rifle Club shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Twenty pounds.

47.—(1.) All service ammunition issued to a Rifle Club, free or on purchase, found in the possession of any person not a member of a Rifle Club may be seized without warrant by a police constable and taken before a court of summary jurisdiction.

(2.) The court before which any service ammunition is brought in pursuance of this regulation shall declare such ammunition to be forfeited, unless the person in whose possession it was found satisfies the court that he was lawfully in the possession of such ammunition.

 

(3.) All service ammunition declared to be forfeited under this regulation shall be handed over to the District Base Commandant to be dealt with by him, or as the Military Board direct.

(4.) Any private person who buys service ammunition from or sells service ammunition to any person without the authority of the District Base Commandant, or who has in his possession any service ammunition without the authority of a District Base Commandant (proof whereof shall lie upon him), shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Twenty pounds.

48.—(1.) Captains of Rifle Clubs shall make arrangements for the collection and sale of empty cartridge cases; the proceeds of such sales shall be credited to Rifle Club funds, and shall be used only for Rifle Club purposes.

(2.) Captains and Secretaries or Treasurers of Rifle Clubs shall, when offering empty .303 cartridge cases for sale, give in writing to the purchaser a certificate in the following terms:—

This is to certify that we have carefully examined the empty .303 cartridge cases the property of the Rifle Club offered for sale to , and that no live cartridges are included among them.

..................................... Captain of Rifle Club.

.................................... Secretary or Treasurer.

Date......................

A copy of this certificate shall be forwarded to the District Base Commandant immediately the sale is effected. The officers who sign the above certificate shall be held personally responsible that there are no live cartridges included in any consignment of empty cartridge cases offered for sale.

49.—(1.) Each new Rifle Club, if funds permit, may receive a grant of money for the formation, construction, and equipment of its rifle range: Provided, however, that the maximum grant allotted to any Rifle Club for such purpose shall not exceed £75, except under very exceptional circumstances and on the approval of the Minister.

(2.) The amount of the grant to each Rifle Club shall be governed by the report of the Inspector of Rifle Ranges or other qualified person detailed to carry out the inspection, who, after inspecting the proposed site, shall record his opinion as to the probable cost of construction and equipment, taking into consideration local conditions and requirements.

(3.) In cases where it may be necessary to reconstruct, alter, or carry out any repair to any existing rifle range, subsequent to 1st July, 1920, or one constructed thereafter, a grant not exceeding £75 may be allowed; but when the cost of such reconstruction, alteration, or repair is estimated to exceed £10, an Inspector of Rifle Ranges or other qualified person may be detailed to inspect the range, and report in writing his opinion as to the probable cost of reconstruction, alteration, or repair.

50.—(1.) Grants for the formation, construction, and equipment of rifle ranges shall be subject to the following conditions:—

(a) That the land upon which the range is situated is held by the Commonwealth under a permissive occupancy from the Crown. If the land upon which the range is situated is private property, that it is held by the Commonwealth under a lease of approved conditions, and of at least five years’ duration; under exceptional circumstances, the Military Board may approve of a less duration than five years.

 

(b) Thatall ranges shall be available for use by units of the Naval, Military, and Air Forces and Senior Cadets in the locality at such time or times as are arranged between the committee of the Rifle Club and the officers commanding the units concerned.

(c) That the grant for the construction of a rifle range under sub-regulation (1.) of regulation 49 having been approved, and the range having been constructed and opened for rifle practice, no further claim shall be allowed except under regulation 49 (3.).

(2.) Grants for reconstruction, alteration, or repair of rifle ranges shall be subject to the following conditions:—

(a) The amount of the grant for the reconstruction, alteration, or repair of a rifle range which is situated on private property shall depend upon the unexpired tenure held by the Commonwealth over the rifle range site on such property.

(b) A Rifle Club having received the maximum grant of £75 for the reconstruction, alteration, or repair of its range, shall not be entitled, except under very exceptional circumstances, and on the approval of the Minister, to any further grant.

(c) The reconstruction, alteration, or repair neednot necessarily be carried out in any one year, but may extend over any period: Provided, however, that the maximum grant shall not exceed £75, except as provided for in the sub-paragraph last preceding.

(3.) All grants under the provisions of the preceding regulation shall be subject to the necessary provision being made by Parliament, and shall require the approval of the Military Board: Provided that grants of sums of money not exceeding £20 in any one case, for the purposes of the reconstruction, alteration, or repair of rifle ranges may, subject to the provisions of this regulation and the preceding regulation, be approved by the District Base Commandant.

(4.) No grant shall be paid towards the establishment of branch ranges in connexion with any Rifle Club except with the approval of the Minister.

(5.) No claim for any work carried out on a rifle range without proper authority shall be recognized.

51.—(1.) Where a Rifle Club range is used by a military unit or units as well as a Rifle Club and it is found necessary to provide additional accommodation to meet military requirements, the cost of such additiona-accommodation shall be charged to Military Votes.

The work shall be carried out under the supervision of the Inspector of Rifle Ranges or other qualified person.

(2.) Where a military rifle range is used by Rifle Clubs and it is found necessary to provide additional accommodation to meet the requirements of Rifle Clubs, the cost of such additional accommodation may, with the approval of the Minister, be charged to the Rifle Clubs Vote.

The work shall be carried out by the Department of Works.

(3.) Subject to approval by the Minister, the cost of maintaining in an efficient state the constructional works on military or rifle club ranges used conjointly by military units and Rifle Clubs shall be apportioned between the Military Vote and Rifle Clubs Vote.

 

52.—(1.) Where military ranges, on which no range staffs are employed, are used by Rifle Clubs, the target materials and stores required by such Clubs shall be provided by them at their expense—the cost being an authorized charge against Efficiency Grant under regulation 63 (b). Accommodation for the separate storage of Rifle Club targets and material may be provided in accordance with regulation 51 (2).

(2.) Where military ranges, on which range staffs are employed, are used by Rifle Clubs, stores shall be obtained by requisition of the Range Superintendents or Officers in Charge of the ranges on the Ordnance Branch—the cost of stores required for Rifle Clubs usage shall be charged to the Rifle Clubs Vote.

(3.) Where Rifle Club ranges are used by military units, such military units shall obtain target materials required by requisition on the Ordnance Branch through the Assistant Director of Works. Rifle Clubs shall provide their own target material—the cost being charged against the Efficiency Grant. Accommodation for the separate storage of military targets and material may be provided in accordance with regulation 51 (1).

(4.) No money shall be paid to a Rifle Club in consideration of its range being used by a military unit.

53. Where for the convenience of the different Rifle Clubs allotted to any District Rifle Club Union the Rifle Club range selected to be the District Union rifle range requires construction, reconstruction, alteration, or enlargement, a sum of money (in equal proportions from each Rifle Club) from the unexpended balance of the grant, as provided for in regulation 49, lying to the credit of the various Rifle Clubs allotted to such District Rifle Club Union may, with the consent of the Military Board, be expended upon such construction, reconstruction, alteration, or enlargement of the District Union rifle range; provided, however, if the unexpended balance of any Rifle Club is insufficient to meet its proportion of the expenditure, the additional amount required shall be borne by the remaining Rifle Clubs in such proportion as is determined by the Military Board. A debit of all such sums shall be made by the District Base Commandant against the amount of the grant for each Rifle Club concerned.

54.—(1.) Any Rifle Club which establishes a miniature rifle range may receive a grant towards its construction, subject to provision being made by Parliament, and provided that such grant shall not exceed £30 of any unexpended balance of the grant for the construction of its main range as laid down in sub-regulation (1.) of regulation 49. If the unexpended balance is less than £30, then only such balance shall be allowed, except with the approval of the Military Board, who may, notwithstanding that the balance available is less than £30, authorize a grant not exceeding that amount for an individual club, or where a number of Clubs unite for the building of a joint or central range, such amount as they may consider expedient.

(2.) Any Rifle Club having no main range of its own, which establishes a miniature rifle range, may, subject to provision being made by Parliament, receive a grant not exceeding £30 towards the construction thereof, or where a number of Rifle Clubs unite for the building of a joint or central range, such amount as the Military Board consider expedient.

(3.) A Rifle Club which has constructed a miniature rifle range under these Regulations may allow any Miniature Rifle Club or Clubs which have affiliated with the Miniature Rifle Association of the district in which they are situated to practise and hold competitions on its miniature range on such terms and conditions as are fixed by the rules of the Rifle Club concerned.

(4.) In all cases where a grant is made towards the cost of construction of a miniature rifle range an approved tenure to the Commonwealth over the land involved in the site must be obtained.

55. The District Base Commandant shall forward to Army Headquarters by the 31st July in each year a return showing the amounts expended under regulations 49 to 54 during the preceding financial year. The return shall first be checked by the District Finance Officer.

56.—(1.) An officer or other qualified person may be deputed to inspect any site which may be proposed for a new rifle range, or to inspect any completed rifle range, and report thereon as to its suitability and safety for rifle practice.

(2.) Rifle practice shall not be carried out on any new or reconstructed rifle range until authorized by the District Base Commandant.

57. Rifle ranges which are used by any Naval, Military or Air Force units shall be available for the Rifle Clubs in the locality; but Rifle Clubs shall only be permitted to use them at such times as are arranged by the responsible officers of the service concerned.

58. If, on the disbandment of a Rifle Club holding a rifle range site under permissive occupancy from a State Government, it is desired to retain the range for possible future requirements, the site shall be retained on the district register as an existing range, and the Military Board shall be notified accordingly; the targets and other Government property shall be available for removal to any other range.

59. If any accident happens to a marker or to any other person while practice is proceeding on the rifle range, the accident shall be reported in writing at once by the Captain of the Rifle Club to the District Base Commandant.

60.—(1.) At the end of every year ending on 30th June the Captain of each Rifle Club shall prepare a return on the authorized form giving—

(a) The names of all active members on the roll of the Rifle Club on the 30th June, showing which of the members were efficient during that year and which were non-efficient;

(b) A record of all free musketry and practice ammunition received during that year and how expended; and

(c) A certificate as to the condition of all Government loan rifles in possession of the Rifle Club,

and shall complete the statutory declaration on the form as to the correctness of the entries therein and forward the completed form to the District Base Commandant before the 15th July of the year following.

(2.) No free ammunition shall be issued to any Rifle Club from which this return has not been received.

61. An efficiency grant of 5s. or such lesser amount as the Minister approves shall, subject to the necessary provision being made by Parliament, be made each year for every active member of a Rifle Club, and an additional £1 for every Cable Guard member who fulfils the prescribed conditions and is classified as “efficient” on the 30th June of any year for services performed during the twelve months immediately preceding: provided, however, that in respect of the efficiency grant of 5s. there shall be deducted therefrom annually the amount of the rental of the range of each Rifle Club, which shall be paid direct to the lessor by the District Finance Officer.

62 Where the financial year has closed, and a Rifle Club has not received its efficiency grant in respect of the previous year, the reason being neglect on the part of the Rifle Club concerned to comply with instructions issued or through delay on its part in furnishing returns, no payment of that grant shall be made.

63. The following are the services upon which the grant made under regulation 61 may be expended:—

(a) Payment of markers for musketry course and any other necessary expenditure in connexion with the musketry course.

(b) Maintenance and repair of rifle ranges and accessories.

(c) Stationery and postage.

(d) General expenses in connexion with the interior economy of the Club.

(e) Affiliation fees to State Rifle Associations and District Rifle Club Unions.

(f) Other expenditure approved by the District Base Commandant.

64. Efficiency grants are not to be considered the property of, and cannot be claimed by, any individual, but shall be handed over to the Captain of the Rifle Club for the purposes of meeting the expenses mentioned in regulation 63.In the case of the £1 efficiency grant earned by Cable Guard members, it shall be paid to the member concerned.

65. The efficiency grant, as soon as it is received from the District Finance Officer, shall be paid into a bank by the Captain of the Rifle Club to the joint account of the Captain and Treasurer or Secretary of the Rifle Club, and shall be kept distinct from any private account. A cash-book shall be kept, in which will be recorded all sums received and each item of expenditure on the service specified in regulation 63. Receipts for all payments shall be obtained, but in respect of amounts not exceeding 5s. a certificate signed by the Captain and Secretary of the Rifle Club that the amount has actually been paid for the purpose stated may be accepted instead. In respect of moneys to be received from the District Finance Officer as repayments, receipts from principals shall be furnished.

66. The accounts shall be balanced on the 30th June of each year, and a statement on the authorized form shall be prepared and signed by the Captain and Treasurer or Secretary of the Rifle Club, and forwarded to the District Base Commandant not later than the 15th July. This statement shall show the receipts from the Government during the year, and the full expenditure on the authorized services mentioned in regulation 63.

67.—(1.) District Base Commandants shall submit to the Military Board for approval for their recommendations in regard to rules for railway travelling for members of Rifle Clubs within their district. These rules should be framed to bring within the amount allotted the probable travelling that may be required, and should cover:

(i) Free travelling by rail to rifle practice;

(ii) Free travelling by rail, steamer, and coach to rifle competitions; and

(iii) Half-fare travelling by rail to rifle competitions.

(2.) Before submitting these recommendations the Railway Department shall be consulted to ascertain whether the proposals are acceptable.

(3.) When approved by the Military Board, District Base Commandants shall cause a circular embodying these rules to be issued to all Captains of Rifle Clubs within their district, and this circular should state that no concession whatever will be allowed to non-efficient members in regard to railway, steamer, and coach travelling.

68. The wearing of uniform clothing by members of Rifle Clubs shall be optional.

 

69. The Defence Act and all Australian Military Regulations shall be taken generally as a guide in all matters not specifically dealt with in these Regulations.

70. Members of Rifle Clubs shall retire as active members upon reaching the age of sixty-five years.

71. The following rules shall be adopted by every Rifle Club:—

Rules of the............................................. Rifle Club.

(1.) This Club shall be known as the.......................................................... Rifle Club.

(2.) On payment of the entrance fee and annual subscription fixed by the by-laws, any person eligible for membership under the Australian Rifle Club Regulations shall be enrolled as a member on being proposed by two members, unless a request is made in writing by the person desirous of being enrolled for a special meeting of the Club to deal with the proposal, when it will be decided by a majority of those members present at that meeting. This rule shall not apply to cases of transfer under Australian Rifle Club Regulation 26.

(3.) Life members may be enrolled on payment of a donation fixed by the by-laws.

(4.) All matters in connexion with the Club shall be managed by the Committee, as provided for in Australian Rifle Club Regulation 30, three to form a quorum. The decisions given by the Committee in connexion with the business of the Club shall be final, provided, however, that the Club may, at a general meeting thereof, by a majority vote, alter, amend, or veto any decision of the Committee.

(5.) The members of the Committee shall be elected at the annual general meeting of the Club, which shall be held on a date fixed by the by-laws.

(6.) Any member of the Committee being absent without leave from three consecutive meetings of the Committee shall be liable, at the discretion of the Committee, to have his seat declared vacant.

(7.) Any vacancy in the Committee, caused either by resignation or enforced retirement under Rule 6, may be filled by the Committee.

(8.) All meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Secretary of the Club; but should he fail to do so within seven days after receiving a requisition signed by two members of the Committee, any two such members may themselves convene a meeting of the Committee.

(9.) No meeting of the Committee shall be held to be duly convened unless a written or printed notice has been forwarded to each member thereof at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting.

(10.) The number of members requisite to form a quorum at any general meeting shall be fixed by the by-laws.

(11.) The annual general meeting of the Club for the election of office-bearers shall be convened by notice by post to each member, and not less than seven days’ notice shall be given of such meeting.

(12.) A balance-sheet, duly audited by two members appointed at the preceding annual general meeting, shall be laid before the members at every annual meeting.

Should a vacancy occur among the auditors, the Committee shall have power to fill the position.

(13.) The Captain of the Club shall preside at all Committee and general meetings at which he is present. In his absence, the members present at any meeting shall elect a chairman.

(14.) The Captain of the Club or a deputy appointed by him shall conduct all correspondence with the District Base Commandant.

(15.) The Secretary of the Club shall keep minutes of all general meetings of members, and of meetings of the Committee, and shall conduct all correspondence ordered by the Captain of the Club or the Committee, and he may, if duly authorized by the Captain of the Club, act as his deputy.

 

(16.) The subscription of every member shall become due on the date fixed by the by-laws, and no one shall be entitled to the privileges of the Club, as defined by the by-laws, until his subscription has been paid: provided, however, that no member can by any by-law be deprived, for non-payment of subscriptions, of any right given by the Australian Rifle Club Regulations.

(17.) No member, by reason of his membership, shall have any estate or interest in the property of the Club other than the right to use the Club property at the rifle ranges, in accordance with the resolu­tions or decisions of the Committee.

(18.) A general meeting of the Club shall be called by the Secretary of the Club on receipt by him at any time of a requisition signed by the number of members required for the purpose by the by-laws. The time and object of the meeting shall be notified in writing to each member one week previous to the meeting.

(19.) (i) Any member may be expelled from a Club by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any general meeting specially called to consider the matter, provided that the member concerned has been notified in writing, not less than seven days prior to the meeting, of the purpose and date of the meeting and of the charge against him, and has been given full opportunity to make his defence.

(ii) The expulsion of any member shall not take effect until confirmed by the District Base Commandant or, in the case of a Regimental Rifle Club, by the Commanding Officer, to whom a full report of the case shall be submitted by the Captain of the Club.

(20.) The practice days of the Club shall be fixed by the by-laws, but the Committee may, on giving due notice to every member, alter the time as they think necessary, or appoint such other days in addition as appear expedient.

(21.) After providing for the necessary expenses of the Club. the Committee may expend the balance of any moneys in granting prizes for competition among the members of the Club, the rifle matches at which such prizes are to be competed for being duly notified to the members.

(22.) In addition to the annual subscription, the Committee shall have power, subject to the by-laws, to fix an entrance fee for members competing in any rifle match for prizes: provided always that the entrance fees are solely devoted to the provision of prizes.

(23.) The rules for the matches and Club practices, the distances, the conditions of firing, the nature and value of the prizes, and all other details, shall be decided by the Committee.

(24.) The Club may make by-laws, not inconsistent with the Australian Rifle Club Regulations or these rules, for the general conduct of the business of the Club. Every by-law and every alteration, amendment, or cancellation of a by-law shall be made on the approval of the members of the Club at a general meeting. No by-law or alteration, amendment, or cancellation of a by-law shall take effect until confirmed by the District Base Commandant or, in the case of a Regimental Rifle Club, by the Commanding Officer.

(25.) An active member of the Club who has been returned as efficient at least six times in the annual returns of the Club may, on his resignation, be elected an honorary member of the Club without being required to pay the annual subscription, provided that a resolution to this effect is passed at a general meeting of the Club.

(26.) The conditions and regulations of the State Rifle Association for rifle matches and competitions shall, as far as practicable, be observed at all matches and practices of the Club.

 

PART III.—RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS.

Commonwealth Council of Rifle Associations.

72. There shall be a Commonwealth Council of Rifle Associations of Australia, composed of two representatives from, and elected by, each State Rifle Association, except that in the State of Queensland the Northern and the Southern Associations shall each elect one representative. The Chief Instructor, Small Arms School, shall ex officio be a member of the Commonwealth Council of Rifle Associations of Australia.

73. The objects of the Commonwealth Council shall be the promotion and conduct of all International and Interstate Rifle Competitions, and the decision of any question in connexion with rifle shooting which may be referred to it by any rifle association. The Council shall act as an Advisory Board to assist the Minister for Defence in any matters affecting rifle shooting upon which he may deem it advisable to have its opinion, and shall also have power to make recommendations to the Minister in respect to the conduct of rifle shooting generally, other than the training of troops, throughout the Commonwealth. It may also advise the Minister with regard to the allocation of any funds voted by Parliament for the encouragement of Rifle Clubs and rifle shooting generally.

State Rifle Associations.

74.—(1.) In each State except the State of Queensland there shall be a State Rifle Association.

(2.) In the State of Queensland there shall be two State Rifle Associations. The area allotted to the Northern Queensland State Rifle Association shall comprise that portion of Queensland north of, and the area allotted to the Southern Queensland State Rifle Association shall comprise that portion of Queensland south of, a line commencing on the eastern coast of Queensland in latitude 22 degrees south; thence westerly by the 22nd parallel to its intersection with Landsborough Creek; thence in a south-westerly direction to the intersection of longitude 143 degrees 20 minutes east, and latitude 23 degrees south; thence westerly by the 23rd parallel to the western boundary of the State.

75.—(1.) Each State Rifle Association shall be governed by a Council consisting of a president, one representative of the Naval Forces nominated by the District Naval Officer, the authorized number of representatives of District Rifle Club Unions, such number of elected members as shall be provided by the rules of the Association, and a number of members equal to the number of elected members to be appointed annually by the District Base Commandant. The Air Board may also appoint a representative on the Council of the State Rifle Association in any State in which a unit of the Royal Australian Air Force is established.

(2.) The Council shall be charged with the conduct of all State Rifle Association matches and the promotion of rifle shooting generally.

(3.) The District Base Commandant shall ex officio be the president of the Council, and shall preside at all meetings of the Council at which he is present, but may, if he so desires, at any such meeting delegate such duty to the chairman elected by the Council.

(4.) The Council shall, as a consultative body, also assist the District Base Commandant in all matters affecting the interests of rifle shooting in the Military District, or portion of the Military District, allotted to the State Association.

 

76. The rules of the Commonwealth Council, and of the State Rifle Association Councils, shall be submitted for approval of the Military Board.

77. All State Rifle Associations receiving a Government grant are required to send to the District Base Commandant two copies of their annual reports.

78. In each Military District there shall be established District Rifle Club Unions to encourage rifle shooting amongst their members. The rules governing such Unions shall be approved by the Military Board.

79.