The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-21 00:00:00

NATIONAL BM'S ASSOOIATION.

Yesterday's proceeding; virtually closed the prize
meeting of the National Rifle Association for the present
year, for although a review of volunteers will take place
to-day by the Duke of Cambridge, that body will be com-
posed mainly of persons who, with few exceptions, have
taken no part in the proceedings of Wimbledon, or fired •
single shot for any of the prizes that have been offered for
competition. As the meeting is now brought to a class we
may observe that altogether it is one of the mast, if not
the most, successful that has taken place since the Na-
tional Rifle Association was first established. The weather
has been remarkably fine throughout. The Queen's prizes
bad more competitors than ever, and the funds must have
received a very substantial addition. Nearly everything
has progressed satisfactorily, hardly a bitch having oc-
curred in any of the arrangements, and some very useful
hints have been obtained, which may be usefully worked
out in the future. Last evening there was again another illu-
mination of the camp. The last post Mulsounded.when there
wag an slam of fire given, and a general turn out ensued.
It seemed that the upper pert of one of the sails of
the Windmill had taken fire. The Surrey Volun-
teer Fire Brigade, on the ground, were soon on the
alert, and they quickly extinguished the fire, which
appeared to have been caused by the discharge of
fireworks, and some of the falling door had remained until
the heat generated had been puffed by the wind into a
flame. The business of this day consisted of the following
competitions. The Henry Peek Prise, 521. 10a., given by
Henry Peek, of Wimbledon House, restricted to winners
of Enfield rifle prizes during the meeting, five shots each
at 500, and seven each at 600 yards ; the Ladies Consola-
tion Prizes, for those who have not won a prize at the pre-
sent meeting ; Swiss Canton Prizes ; the Dudley Prize,
being a cup, or money, to the value of 50t, restricted to
the winners of "any rifle" prize during the present meeting;
the Rigby Prize, for military breech-loaders, and a match
between members of the Houses of Lords and Commons.
There was also the usual running deer, running man, ka.
Soon after ten o'clock in the morning the Duke of Cam-
bridge came down to the common for the purpose of seeing
the practice which was being made with breech-loaders
for Mr. Rigby's prize, and he minutely examined every
rifle. The rifles used on the occasion were the Henry,
the Spencer repeater, the Remington, the Westley Richer*
Burden's the Mont-Storm, the Snider, and some others.
Be remained for an hour and a half, and then left, having
rather favourably expressed himself as to the merits
of the Henry rile. The Henry rifle was fired
for accuracy by Mr. Edward Roes at 200 yards, and he
scored 22 points out of 28 per rifle, being 4 under the score
made yestesday by Mr. Farquharson, of Perthshire. Mr.
Boner, of Forfar, used a Spencer rifle, and made 15 points 1
at 200 yards ; Mr. Peterkin, with a Spencer repeater, in '
36 shots in three minutes made 97 points being 8 below
the score made by Serjeant Brookes, of the 12th Middle-
sex, yesterday. Mr. Kerr, with a Remington rifle made
47 shots in three minutes, but a comparatively small score.
The Lords and Commons match was the next matter, but
it was of insignificance when compared with former years.
Last year it was set aside in consequence of the general
election that was going on at the time, the members being
dispersed all over the kingdom, and this year the two
branches of the legislature were only represented by four
members on eaeh side. This number is certainly not very
complimentary to either the Lords or Commons, consider-
ing that eleven on each side were readily obtained on every
former cocasion. The House of Lords were this year re-
presented by Earl Spencer, Earl Dude, the Earl of Den-
bigh, sad Lord Bolton ; the Commons by Lord Etch°,
Earl Grosvenor, Mr. Michael Arthur Bass, and Mr.
Malcolm. The ranges were 200 and 500 yards, ten shots
each. The shooting throughout was excellent, and
although Mr. Bass made • meat extraordinary score at
500 yards of 9 bull's-eyes and 1 centre out of 10 shots, he
was not so well supported by his colleagues, and the remit
gave the House of Lords the victory. The Lords made
140 marks at 200 yards, and 138 at 500 yards-.making a
total of 278; whilst the Commons, at SOO yards,
made 129, and at 500 yards Ils—giving a total of
284. So that the Lords won by 14 points.
It is stated that the Princess of Wales will distribute the
prizes at four o'clock this afternoon, and that the Prince
of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh will be present at
the review. The ammunition tent was in charge of Ser-
geant Robert Taylor, of the Royal Artillery ; sad the
ammunition sold was as follows, each box containing
429 rounds :—On July 9, 22 boxes ; 10th, 61 ; 11th, 64 ;
12th, 53 ;13th, 54 ; 14th, 38 ; 18th, 89 ; 17th, 22 ; 18th,
19 ; 19th, 14 ; and 20th 19 ; making • total receipt from
this sour°e alone of 4451. 10s.