The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-08-02 00:00:00

CLOSE OF THE WIMBLEDON MEETING.

The twenty-fifth annnal meeting of the National
Rifle Association was brought to a close with the pre-
sentation of prizes on Saturday afternoon. Unfor-
tunately the weather threatened to be bad, and it
kept itsforecast, but many people had put off their
visit to the camp from day to day hoping for better
weather till the last day, and when it came theyturned
out in large numbers with umbrellas and cloaks pre-
pared to defy the wet. The dais on which the pre-
sentation took place was erected on the lawn in front
of The Cottage, and there about 30 of the prize-
winners were assembled. At five o'clock punctually
Sir Henry Wilmot announced that in consequence of
the death of a relative the Countess Spencer wouldnot
be able to present the prizes, but that the Duchess of
Abercorn had kindly undertaken the duty at
a moment's notice. The duchess then ascended the
dais amidst general cheering, and Captain Mild-may,
the secretary, called up the winners. Only those who
had won a prize of the value of £lO or a first prize
were entitled to be present, and not more than half
of those who were entitled were in attendance.
Sergeant-Instructor Gilder, of the Harrow Corps, was
called up again and again and was loudly cheered,
and Major Young, 21st Middlesex, appeared to have
been almost as furtunato. The winners of the Royal
Cambridge Shield, the 2nd Dragoon Guards, were
also cheered, and the Clifton Boys had a hearty recep-
tion as they came up to take the Ashburton Shield
and the Spencer Cup; but perhaps the loudest cheer-
ing during the whole ceremony greeted the team
from her Majesty's ship Excellent when they were
called up to take the Brinsmead Shield. The
next team in popularity seemed to be the Cana-
dians, who marched off with the Bolapore Cup amid
general applause. The National Challenge Trophy
was borne off amid cheers by Colonel Burt, Captain
Earl Waldegrave, Major Waller, and other members
of the English Twenty who went to'S cotland and won the
trophy. Loud cheers greeted the Speaker of the
House of Commons, who, with Mr. Eaton, M.P., and
Lieutenant-Colonel Vivian, M.P., received the two
massive flagons known as the Vizianagram Challenge
Cup. The Irishmen received an ovation as the Duke
of Abercorn led his team un to take the Elcho
Challenge Shield. Private Gallant, Bth Middlesex,
the winner of the Queen's Prize, was received with
general cheering, the band of the Victoria Riles
playing the usual march—" See the Conquering Hero
Comes." By this time the rain, which had been just
heavy enough to make umbrellas necessary all
through the proceedings, began to pour down heavily.
The judiciously brief ceremony was brought to an
abrupt conclusion, and every one sought shelter or
the nearest vehicle.

There was a great demonstration at .Twickenham
on Saturday evening in honour of Private Galrant,
the Queen's prizeman. A large body of volunteers,
chiefly 18th Middlesex, with bands, met him at Rich-
mond-bridge on his return from Wimbledon, and
accorded him a triumphal entry through the streets
of Twickenham, which were gaily decorated with
flags and complimentary mottoes. The rain some-
what interfered with the proceedings, but the route of
procession was thickly lined with spectators, who
loudly cheered the victor. The bells of the parish
church rang out merrily in honour of the occasion.