The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-09-02 00:00:00

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DORSET VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION.

The second annual meeting of the Dorset Volun-
teer Association was commenced on Tuesday morn-
ing, on the practice ground of the Dorchester Rifle
Corps, at Maiden Castle. The weather was every-
thing that could be desired, and a large concourse of
spectators were present, all of whom seemed to take
the liveliest interest in the proceedings. It is now
universally admitted that the rifle has become the
national- weapon—thanks to the volunteers • and
theme-is nothing which tends to promote careful
trAikin' g and constant practice with it more than the
annual and brilliantherings similar to that of
which we are now speaking. It is a distinction of
wfiich inan may well be proud, to unite perfection
of bodily organs with intelligence to such • degree
as to *in the palm of sharp-shooting away from so
large a crowd of competitors. What we really want
with our volunteers is to make them riflemen rather
than soldiers. ' They have taken to drill and parade
like ducks to water, and gone through work so well
too:tbat there is a chance of losing sight of their real
11*.* - We are far, indeed, from saying or wishing
that there should be a parade or lesson the less from
the.drin sergeant, but the best work that the rifle-
men can do is to perfect themselves with their
weapon. By all means they should accustom
themaelves,to the manceuvres of the field, and acquire
every result which the beet and most experienced
troops can exhibit. But the rifle is to them MOTS
than the bayonet or the sword, and by it they will
be measured in real service. We are therefore eager
to 800 these annual meetings, not only strenuously
supported, as they are by numbers of aspirants, but
strenuously worked up by practice and emulation.
The fact of the real importance of the volunteers
being formidable marksmen is not half realized. If
the unhappy day ever arrives when the volunteers
exchange their pleasant practice ground for actual
and desperate conflict with an invader, we expect,
on our part, to see Bunker's Hill re.anacted. This
at least ma natural hope, based upon the intelligence
of the men, the range of the weapon, and the encou-
ragement of its accurate study with these annual
tournaments- So far as the Dorset County Associa-
tion is concerned, the committee may indeed consider
themselves fortunate in securing for their honorary
secretary a gentleman whose whole soul is in the
yolitrifehr movement. T. Coombe, Esq., the gentle-
man to whom we have alluded, has shown that even
ati peat personal inconvenience, labour, and private
expense, he is determined to carry out the duties of
the office he has undertaken in a moat praiseworthy
and efficient manner. FIN the present year the
arrangements were everything that forethought could
devise, 'and we trust this gentleman, ably assisted by
the colour-sergeant of the Dorchester corps, Mr.
Thomas Newman, will be able long to continue his
patriotic services to this groat national movement.
The first prize contended for was :
A. Cup of the value of £2O, for Non-commissioned
Officers and Privates of the Queen's Own Dorset
Yeomanry Cavalry. Seven rounds at 100 yards.
Pta. Rte. T Pia Hta. T
Bakers NI& . 11 617 Hounaell, Dor. . 4 3 7
Beeant, Dor. . . 9 514 Higgins, Melb. . 4 3 7
Rumba; Dor. . 5 4 ' Harris, Vale . . 9 716
Bilninny 'Blan 7 6 1 Flahltias, Sher . 8 7 15
Bartlett, . 8 715 Rellaway, Dor . 5 4 9
Bishop, Math . 5 4 Legg, Melb. . . 4 3 7
Clifton, hfelb . . 5 3 Lindsay, Blsn. . 9 615
Graeber, 'Sher. . 2 1 3 Norinan, Sher. . 1 1 2
hasesces, Dee. . 7 613 Northover, Dor . 6 511
Destiny, Bien. . 12 7 19 Lovell, Malb . 6 5 11
Radon, Blau . . 9 716 Seymour Dor. . 6 511
Pigott, Vale. .2 2 4 Symes, fror .3 2 5
Garland. Bien. . 9 6 1 Tett, Blazt . . 5 4 9
Groves, Dor . . 6 511 Tucker, Dor . . 5 3 9
Harding, Dor. . 7 613 Watts, Melb . . 6 511
Runt, Vale . . 7 613 Worthy, Vale . 4 3 7
The prize was awarded to Mr. Dominy, of Blandford,
fora, score of 19.

A Ctip of the value of £2O, for the Dorset Volun-
teer Artillery Corps, with a Second Prise of £5, given
by B. P. laundry, Esq.—Ranges A. and B.

. 200 yds. 300 yds. Gr.
Pte. fits. T. Pta. Hs& T. T
Serg. Macdonald, 4th 85 13 4 3 720
Bomb. Mansfield., lot 9 5 14 ... 3 3 6 20
Private Morey, 3rd 6 4 10 ... $ 5 13 23
Bomb. Morris, 3rd 5 5 10 ... 5 4 9 19
Bomb. Orehard, rd 3 4 9 ... 3 3 6 15
Private Parrett, let 7 5 12 ... 4 3 7 19
Bugler Pearce, 4th 7 5 12 ... 4 5 8 20
Private Pearce, 4th 6 4 10 ... 6 4 10 20
Private Spencer, 3rd 6 4 10 ... 5 4 9 19
Co* toriven, 4th 3 3 6 ...
PlivAte Stone, 4th 3 3 6
Corp: Stone, 4th 9 5 14 ... 2 2 4 18
Private B. Stone, 4th 2 2 4
Private Smith, 4th 9 6 14
Private Trump, 3rd 5 4 9
. ...

4 4 8 22

Private Wardr,74th 4 3 7
Oorp. Willis, lit 3 3 6
Private Andrews, 4th 2 2 4
Private Boon, 4th 8 5 13 ... 4 4 8 21
Sorg. Brown, 4tla 6 4 10 ... 3 3 6 16
INltste B°.!S 3t4.. 3 2 5