The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-02 00:00:00

DISTRIBUTING THE PRIZES AT
WIMBLEDON.

The competition of the Wimbledon meeting was
brought to a conclusion on Saturday by the presenta-
tion of the principal prizes won during the fortnight
of its continuance by her Royal Highness the Duchess
of Connaught.

• Private Gentles, of the Ist Stirling, was loudly
cheered as he came up to receive the St. George's
Vase, Dragon Cup, gold jewel, and £3O in money, a
prize which takes second place in the honours of the
year. The vase and cup were examined by her Royal
Highness apparently with much interest, and the
Duke made some complimentary observations to the
winner of them on their being presented to him.

The representatives of the Army, consisting of two
cfficers and two non commissioned officers, attended
to receive the " Donegall Cup," which they had won
on the tie in their contest with the Volunteers. Cap-
tain Lang, of the Bristol Engineers, was presented
with the Dominion of Canada Challenge Trophy,
which is connected with the prize of £5O, the first in
the grand aggregate. Captain Earl Waldegrave, of
the London Rifle Brigade, received the Vizianagram
Cup on behalf of the Lords, who were the victors in
the Lords and Commons match. The "English
Twenty," headed by their captain, Major Waller,
carried away the National Callenge Trophy amid
loud applause.

The Elcho Challenge Shield is of very large dimen-
sions, and is remarkable as a specimen of the difficult
art of repousse ironwork. It is heraldic in design, and
is ornamented with allegorical and other figures illus-
trating the history of the National Rifle Association
and of the ancient contests between Scotland and Eng-
land. It is the work of Messrs. Elkington, and, as its
name implies, it was presented by Lord Elcho. This
year it was won by Scotland. The shield, which is a
massive one, is usually carried off in triumph on the
shoulders of the majority of the winning team, but on
Saturday Lieutenant M'Kerrall, of the London
Scottish, on receiving it on behalf of his country,
although it almost concealed his tall and stalwart form,
bore it away unassisted on his right arm, amid the
loud cheers of the spectators.
The silver medal and badge for the highest score made
in the first stage of the Queen's was received by
Quartermaster Macdonald, of the 10th Forfar.

The hero of the meeting, Corporal Taylor, of the
41st Lancashire, the winner of the Queen's prize of
£250 and of the gold medal and badge of the associa-
tion, was presented with his prizes by her Royal High-
ness amid a general burst of cheering, and was con-
gratulated on his success by the Duke of Connaught,
the band playing "See the Conquering Hero comes."
It is usual for the victor in this competition to be pre-
sented, on behalf of the Secretary for War, with the
rifle with which he has achieved his triumph, but by
some accident this part of the ceremony appears to
have been omittea,

An interesting incident occurred subsequently. A
very aged soldier, who wore the Waterloo and other
medals on his breast, attracted the attention of Prin.
cess Mary, who, with the Duke of Teck, had remained
to dine with the Council. From questions which her
Royal Highness herself put to him she learnt that he
was 83 years of age, that he had taken part in the
battle of Waterloo, he then being the senior sergeant
of the Grenadier Guards, and that he well remembered
her father, Her Royal Highness then shook hands
with him and expressed her pleasure at seeing him in
such good health.

Her Royal Highness afterwards presented the Cam-
bridge Challenge Trophy to the men of the detach-
ment of the sth Dragoon Guards who had won the
prize that afternoon, stating that the Duchess of
Connaught had desired her to express her regret that
other engagements had prevented her from remaining
to present it to them personally.

On Sunday a large number of persons visited the
camp, where an appropriate sermon was preached by
the Lord Bishop of Guildford, who specially alluded
to the bravery and sense of duty displayed by our
troops in South Africa, and to the patriotism of our
Volunteers, whose home protection enabled the
Regulars to uphold the honour of the Empire abroad.

Corporal Taylor, of the 47th Lancashire Rifle
Volunteers, the winner of the Queen's Prize at
Wimbledon, arrived at his home at St. Helen's, on
Monday evening. He was received at the railway
station by the Mayor and Town Clerk, and escorted to
the drill hall of his regiment by the whole of the mem-
bers of the 47th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers, the 2nd
Lancashire Engineer Volunteers, and the police and
fire brigades. The whole of the line of route through
the town was thronged by the inhabitants and visitors
from surrounding districts, it being estimated that no
less than 20,000 persons were assembled to witness his
return. Many of the leading gentry accompanied the
procession to the drill-hall, where speeche of a con-
gratulatory and complimentary character were made
by the Mayor and others, and responded to in suitable
terms. He was afterwards entertained at the Fleece
Hotel, by Lieutenant Colonel Gamble, commandant
of the 47th, and the officers of the two local corps.