The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-14 00:00:00

THE ST. GEORGE'S CHALLENGE VASE.

It is intended to offer to the volunteer battalions
of that Britain • handsome prize for annual competition,
and the following are a few of the more important rules
which have been proposed.
That a piece of plate be presented by Lieutenant-Colonel
the Hon. C. 11. Lindsay, on the part of the St.
George', Raba, in 1862, for annual competition by the
Volunteer Rifle battalions of Great Britain, and that it be
called the St. George's Challenge Vase.
That it be made of silver ; the value of which shall be
not less than 150 guineas.
That the ranges be 200 and 100 yards, with lye shots
in each range, and that the regulations as to position, and
targets, Ice., he the same as those adopted, or which may
hereafter be adopted, at the Government School of Mus-
ketry at Myth*.
That iu the event of the vase Laing bald by the aame
battalion for three years consecutively, it shall become the
exclusive property of such battalion, and the entrance
money for that year shall be devoted to the purchase of
another challenge vase, to be presented to the country upon
the same meditating.

That the competition be open to the various ailiniois-
trative and substantive battalions throughout the country
(the latter being of not lees than four companies of 540
active members), from each of which battalions the selection
of misrepresentative will be made by the commanding officer
:10 days previous to the animal meeting of the National
Rifle Association, who will be sent up by his battalion to
compete for the vase at that meeting, wherever it may take
place.
That the selection of the several representatives be made
by the decisional competitive contests in the localities to
which their various battalions, and companies of adminis-
trative battalions beloog, between not less than ten members
in soh battalion, but as many more as may be anxious to
compete for that selection, in their companies or otherwise,
nt the ranges of MI or 500 yards, and wile Inuit be either
first or second-class shots in their regiments in any year,
sal who are active members of their corps.
That the entrance for each competitor for selection
(Rule 7) be '24. ; tho gross amount of which will be annually
presented by the St. Ueorge's, and in the name of the
'Volunteer Battalions of Great Britain, to the National
Ride Association, after deducting the various expenses
incurred from year to year, which will not, however,
include the Lost of the vas, which will be paid for exclu-
sively by the St. George's.
That the following prizes be annually awarded viz., a
Gold and Enamelled Jewel of St. George to the winner of
the vase, a Silver and Enamelled Jewel of St. George to
the second best shot of the contest, a Imam end Ecam.
cited Jewel of St. George to the third best shot in the
contest, and anuArliselegraph the Vase and Jewel.
au hdsoitely f die batlaltse which shall be the
holder of the MID alit Y.llfs MM preserved by it as a
record of the eager* it via Y bed Fend itself rue.
easeful.

MARYLISONS RZOISTRATTON.—Mr. Thomas Bull
Terrell, the barrister appalled to revise the list of voles
for the basest of Yruyiehone (including Paddington and
St Pancras), ass gives sale that he will hold his wart
according to the following lonelier:met :—Mondsv, Sep-
tember 30, the Vestry-hall, Harrow-road ; Wednesday,
October 2, the Court-house, lifarylebone.lase ; Thursday,
October 3, the Vestry-ha, King's-reed, St Pancras.

Ma. HENLEY, M.P., IN OXFORDSHIRE.

At the annual meeting of the Thane Agricultural
Society on Thanday, Mr. Henley made the following
remarks in reply to the speech of Sir. Hamanley, the ex-
sheriff of the county, who had proposed the members for
the county :—My hon. friend Mr. Hamen/ey was not alto-
gether mistaken when he said that those who in these days
an called upon to serve as members of parliament have ao
light teak to perform. The constant consideration of ins-
patent questions, long continued employment—generally
for fully six months in the year—is no light work ; and l
may fairly and truly say that those who really try to make
themselves acquainted with only a moderate part of the
business transacted in the House of Commons, have a very
heavy work thrown upon them. (Hear, hear.) Hat I will
add, that when men have had the happiness as we have to
be freely returned by a great independent coastitaency- -
when men have been sent by that constituency unlettered
by any pledges, but left alone to exercise their
own judgment according to the utmost of their abi.
lity for the benefit of the whole country ; thee I say
that although these labours are no doubt severe they are
much lighter than they would otherwise be. (Cheers.)
They are also lighter when income home again, sod receive
from all classy of the people. whether they
agree or disagree with us in politics, the cordial
welcome which tells a man that to long as he tries to do his
duty to the best of his ability, mint will be given to him
for his exertions, and he will resolve the thanks of the com-
munity he is chosen to represent. It is these tbisgs which
make every man's duty, however severe it may be, pass
lightly, and I *tat the timpin never come when English-
men willnot take a pride in treating their representatives,
English-
because I feel assured that so ling se their representatives
are so treated constituencies at large will be handsomely
served, and the greatest possible advantage will be derived
Iby the whole -country. (Cheers.) I have tresepassed per-
haps somewhat oo the verge of politics in alluding to these
matters, but I could not avoid the reference after the manner
in which my friend Mr. Hamersley was pleased to advert
to our services. (Hear, hear.) P.uaing on to other
matters, allow me toremind you that the special occasion on
which we have met to-day seeds Deemed of mice tansy how
much the usefulness of these societies is appreciated. I lee
around me men of the first eminence in their professions in
this neighbourhood. lam glad to find that this meeting
does not dwindle down. Is is supported with the same
spirit now as it was when it was originated, although it has
now been many years on foot, and this assures me that those
who are much better judges of the matter than lan be feel
that these associations are of great use to the neighbourhood.
What is it that these meetings do! They do not confer
any particular advantage upon the occupiers of land, but
the whole efforts either of agricultural or horticultural
associations are directed towards endeavouring to induce
agricultural labourers to improve themselves in that calling
in which they have been placed by Providence. finch asso-
ciations must therefore surely be for their advantage. No
doubt indirectly they act beneficially upon the employers
of agricultural labour ; but at all events their establish-
ment in any particular district evinces a kindly feeling upon
the part of landlords and tenant farmers towards those who
are engaged in the actual tilling of the soil. Associations
of this character have spread throughout the length and
breadth of the land. They are not situated here and there
only, but taking the county of Oxford as an example,
we an scarcely and any considerable market town which
has not it* flourishing agricultural society. I cannot believe
that my countrymen, noted as they generally are fur their
good sense, would take upon themselves nil the trouble
of organising and conducting such associations, Ihe labour
of acting upon committees and the general performance of
arduous duties in order to secure fair play to all—l can
sever believe that intelligent men like Englishmen would
undertake all this unless they were thoroughly convinced
that such associations conferred very great lienefita upon the
various districts in which agricultural societies are situated.
(Cheers.) Ho fares my opinion is concerned lan unhesita-
tingly say that they do great good. (Hear, hoar.) I am
therefore always glad to give my countenance sod support
to them. I was asked by • gentleman to-day in the garden
in which your flower show was held if I did not think it was
a great b,re to come to • place of this son.
ughter.) Now for the life of me I cannot understand what
6boorre it an be to a country gentleman to visit an agricultural
association at its annual display, and, at the close of it;
proceedings, eat a good dinner. At these gatherings I fled
myself among a number of friends whom I have not the
opportunity of meeting perhaps at any other period of the
Inyear. Besides, it is always mid that oothing goes on well
England unless it is supplemented by • good dinner.
Even our public charities do not get on very well unless
there is an annual banquet. In point of fact nothing can be
well done in this country without a good dinner. ('• Hear,"
and laughter.) Why, then? should not agriculturist asso-
ciations celebrate their anniversary meetings with • dinner!
When men dine together publicly they have an opportunity
of seeing and convening with those whom they do
not often meet. Ohl friendships are revived, and we
hear a good deal that stirs us up. (Hear, bear.)
We get to know something more of each other than
we knew before, mid we often hear statements that
convey valuable inforniation to our minds. For my own
part, I never could understand the notion that Englishmen
should not come together on say ligitimate occasion and
enjoy • good dinner. I shall always be happy in my iodivi.
dual capacity to assist and countenance this association.
(Cheers.) Is conclusion, I beg to thank you for the hearty
manner in which you have drank my heath, and I trust
that on many future occasions I shall have the pleasure of
meeting my Oxforishire friends at these gatherings, and of
narking the poenl advancement of agriculture and the
spread of agricultural knowledge among all classes of the
community who are more idesply interested in its prospe-
rity. (Cheers.)
Colonel Noara also responded to the toast.
Mr. Bilowe proposed " The health of Mr. Bernard,
M.P.," who, in responding, expressed his great gratification
at the abundant harvest which Providence had blessed them
with, and contrasted the present condition of things with
the gloom and despondency which overspread the land at
this time last year. I
Various other toasts were proposed, and the proceedings I
were brought to • close at a late hour.