Rifle Association have not been carried out, 
     
     and the Gun Club is faced with the necessity 
     
     of paying off the amount of $250. mentioned, 
     
     which was raised by a loan to facilitate the 
     
     completion of the work, and which is now 
     
     about due. This amount is expected to be 
     
     repaid to the Gun Club at a future date, but 
     
     under present conditions, it is impossible to 
     
     know just when, but under any circumstances 
     
     the Club is to be congratulated on being able 
     
     to secure such suitable quarters for the 
     
     amount mentioned. 
     
    
   
   
    
     As the expense has been incurred for 
     
     the benefit of the Club in general, it is 
     
     much to be desired that as many members as 
     
     possible will share in the same, and affix 
     
     their names hereto as willing to contribute 
     
     in equal shares to make up the necessary 
     
     amount of $250." . 
     
    
   
   
    
     One month later--to the day--the Club's annual 
     
     meeting was held, again at the Bank of Montreal. An 
     
     indicator of things to come was evident when, although 
     
     no less than twenty names had been signed to the note 
     
     committing them to $12.50 per share, only five members 
     
     were in attendance. Another problem sign that devel- 
     
     oped during the meeting came when the complete execu- 
     
     tive was re-elected for the third straight year...By 
     
     all standards the Newstead Gun Club was still very 
     
     healthy. Twenty-two members had paid their annual $5. 
     
     dues, including Fred Hyndman, and there was a balance 
     
     in the bank of $25. Another full target order had 
     
     been placed with Hamilton, and a new trap to replace 
     
     one that had been badly damaged in transportation, was 
     
     on its way...But the war was starting to take its toll 
     
     both in members and enthusiasm. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The general attitude in the country thoughout the 
     
    
   
   
    
     Christmas season of 1914 was apprehension. The war 
     
     was worsening, but the Gun Club was trying hard to 
     
    
   
   
    
     --126--