The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-14 00:00:00

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

The usual winter general meeting was held
yesterday at Wil'ir's-rooms ; his Royal Highness the Duke
Of C.UIBRIDOII in the chair. The attendance was not
numerous • but on the platform were Lord Elcho, General
Seymour, 'Colonel Lindsay, Earl Dude and some others
lof the prominent supporters of the ride volunteer move-
meat. _ _

The Duke of CAMBRIDGE, in opening the proceedings,
remarked that he had not much to say. The annual meet-
ing of the year would begin under very favourable circum-
stances' and the financial report was of the most satisfac-
tory character. The balance in hand was 8,371/. 4s. 7d.,
being an increase of 1,044 L 4d. over the balance
of 1865. With regard to the meeting of last
year, nothing_ could have been more propitious or
gratifying. The greatest cordiality and good feeling
prevailed throughout, and three who took an interest in
the association and in rifle shooting assembled in such
numbers that it was scarcely to be wished that it should
be exceeded ; but there was no reason thatlit should not
be as large in the present year, seeing that the applica-
tions for space for volunteers were as numerous, and the
same facilities would be afforded as in the last year to all
I who desired to take part in the forthcoming Wimbledon
I meeting. The Prince and Princess of Wales honoured the
last meeting with their presence. The Belgian volunteers
were also there, and a deep interest was evinced not only
Iby the British but the colonial. public, and all
who were in any way affiliated with the association. As to
the general prooeedings, he bad no particular remarks to
offer. It would be seen that the prize list had been
increased. The report had been made more simple in
its form, and he hoped more acceptable to thaw who
' were interested in it. The only other subject be had to
refer to was the visit of some of our volunteers to Belgium
last year. The meeting knew how cordially and how well
I they were received, and be was certain that the reception
I the Belgians who might favour the coming meeting
with their presence would meet with would be equally
satisfactory to themselves. Nothing could be more bene-
ficial than the interchanges of good feeling in attaching
nations together which were kindred in many respects,
I and had many interests in common. There had been no
breech-loading competition for small bores this year. The
I reason was that the council thought, and wisely in his opinion
that it was possible the breech-loader, and not the;
mursle-loader, would be the weapon that would be used
for the future. It would be waste of time to have a small-
bore competition. The small-bores had therefore been
given up, and the council had requested the government
to furnish them with Snider's breech.loaders instead of
the small-bores. The Secretary of State, however, eon-
! sidered that in the present state of the Snider WWII urns
lit would not be advisable, consequently the Snider would
not be brought into competition at the next meeting.
The Queen's Prize would therefore be shot for
with Whitworth rifles, and the prizes would be
given in money instead of rifles. Those rifles shot re-
markably well, and there was no came to regret the deci-
sion. There was no cause of complaint against the Snider,
and be cordially agreed with the policy of the Secretary of
State in introducing it for the army. It hail been said
that it was wild in its shooting. Nu doubt it was, and
that would always be an objection to any weapon when
,it first became a subject of large manufacture. In the
original experiment, under General Hay, nothing could be
more satisfactory than.the result, and it was reported on by
General Hay as better for conversion than the Enfield.
Some way or other defects had been found, but not so
much in the aim as in the cartridge ; but even with those
cartridges the result had been improved shooting,
and the Snider brecch.loader was as good or better than
any other converted arm in the hands of other nations.
He did not say it was in all respects perfect, but it was a
Ivery valuable conversion, and one that would save the
country a large expenditure. A large portion of the troops
was in possession of the Snider at a time when it was im-
portant they should be, and there was no reason to regret
' the step taken by Lord Harlington, and subsequently ex-
tended by General Peel, in introducing it.
On the motion of Lord &CHO, seconded by Mr. Rose,
the report was adopted.
The Vice-President and members of council retiring by
rotation ggre re-elected ; and after a desultory discussion
upon penile of detail in connexion with the Wimbledon
meeting, his Royal Highness the Chairman was requested
to allow himself to be elected president for the present
year, which he assented to, anal was elected accordingly ;
and a cordial vote of thanks to his royal highness for pre-
siaing concluded the proceedings.