The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-29 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The following official circular respecting the supply of
ammunition to the artillery force has just been issued from
the War-office :

The recent supply of field guns to a few artillery volun-
teer corps having rendered it necessary that some modifi-
cation should be made in the scale of gun practice ammuni-
tion, and that rules to govern the supply of blank gun am-
munition for reviews, field days, inspections, &c., should be
fixed, I am directed by the Earl de Grey and Ripon to
inform you that he has, with the concurrence of his Royal
Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, ap-
proved of the following regulations for corps supplied with
field guns—viz. :
I, Heavy gun drills and exercises are to be continued.
11. Where practicable, the regulated allowance of shot
for practice is to be fired in equal proportions from heavy
and field guns.
111. The allowance of blank ammunition for garrison
guns is to cease, and such ammunition for field guns and
for heavy guns on travelling carriages, when horsed for
reviews, field days, inspections, &e,, will be allowed accord-
ing to the following scale :
(a) For each grand review or field day on a large scale,
50 rounds per gun.
(i)) For each county or district assembly, if exceeding
3,000 men, 30 rounds per gun; if not exceeding 3,000 men,
25 rounds per gun.
(c) For less important assemblies and regimental exer-
cises, when the batteries are horsed, 10 rounds per gun.
IV. At such places as the Government magazines do
not afford accommodation for the storage of this blank gun
ammunition, the corps will be required to provide magazines
for its safe keeping.
V. The supplies of the above-mentioned ammunition will
be made on requisitions through the district commanding
officers of Royal Artillery in the same manner as gun
ammunition for practice ; and.offfeers commanding artillery
volunteer corps, the head-quarters of which are distant
from Government magazines, should, at the beginning of
the season tor exercise, apply for the estimated number of
rounds for use dui ing the year, with the guns in possession,
and thus, as far as circumstances will permit, avoid the
necessity of making supplementary requisitions.
An exceedingly attractive fete, in aid of the f ands of the
3d Middlesex Artillery Volunteers was held in the exten-
sive grounds at the rear of the head-quarters of the 7th
Surrey, and was very numerously attended. The amuse-
ments consisted of an assault of arms, in which some clever
swordsmanship was exhibited, athletic sports for volunteers
only, for which prizes were offered, a concert, &e. The
weather was favourable, and the fete could not have been
otherwise than a success.

The directors of the London and South-Western Railwap
have given a prize of VO to be shot for at the next meeting
of the National Rifle Association at Wimbledon.

The annual competition of the 12th Tower Hamlets (Stoke
Newington) Rifle Volunteers took place at Tottenham on
Friday, the 19th, and Friday, the 26th inst., when the fol-
lowing prizes were competed for—viz., two prizes presented
by the commissioned officers, ranges 300, 500, and 600 yards,
five shots at each range, Wimbledon targets and scoring.
The first prize, value S guineas, was won by SergeantWort-
ley with a score of 38, second by Sergeant Rogers. Two
prizes presented by the non-commissioned officers, ranges
150, 200, 2.50, 300, five shots at each range; won by Private
James Runtz, who scored 52, and Lieut John Runtz, who
scored 46. A handsome challenge cup, value 25 guineas, to
be held three successive years before becoming the property
of the winner, ranges 200, 400, and 600 yards, five shots at
each range, won by Private James Runtz with a score of
37, closely fell, wed by Lieut John Runtz, who scored 36.
The Ladies' Prizs, value 5,3, and 2 guineas, ranges £OO,
250, and 300 yards, five shots at each range, won by Lieut.
John Runts with a score of 40, Sergeant Adams who scored
37, and Private Kelly with a score of 32. A Consolation
Prize, range 200 yards, five shots, won by Sergeant Cus-
worth, who scored 17.
A match between some volunteers in the employ of the
Bank of England and of Messrs Coutta and Co., originating
in a challenge by the former, has been held at the range of
the 2d, or South Middlesex Rifles, at Caterham. The con-
ditions were five shots at 200, 500, and 600 yards, Rythe
position and Wimbledon scaring. The prize was a cup, to
be presented to the man making the highest score on the
winning side: The result was in favour of the Volunteers
in Messrs Coutts's bank, their score being 17G marks,
against 170 of their opponents. The highest scores on the
winning side were made by Private Clarke, 40 marks, and
Private Smith, 30 marks. The ranges at Caterham were
engaged on Friday afternoon in a match between the effec-
tive Volunteers in the Sun Fire-office and the same num-
ber from Messrs Coutte bank. The ranges were 200, 500,
and 600 yards.

A silver cup, the third presented this season by Captain
Rogers to the second and third class shots of the members
of the Ist company of the 20th (North-West) Middlesex
Rifle Volunteers has been competed for at the ride ranges
of the regiment at Willesden, The conditions of the con-
petition were third class ranges, but targets on a novel ar-
rangement—viz., with the bull's eye and centre on the lower
half of the target. The following were the highest score :
Lance-Corporal Harvey, 42 marks—Private Wilkins, 39
marks—Private J. D. Campbell, 37 marks—and Sergeant
Smith, 30 marks—but Lance-Corporal Harvey and Private
Wilkins having won the two silver cups presented by Capt.
Rogers in the previous competitions, were not eligible to
win in this, and the prize was therefore awarded to Pri rate
Campbell.

The drills of the Ist Middlesex Artillery Volunteers,who
are now incorporated with the Ist Tewer Hamlets Artillery,
as the Ist Middlesex Administrative Brigade, have been
suspended till Saturday, Sept. 17, when round shot practice
will take place at Plumstead ; but for the convenience of
members, gun drill will be carried on at the headquarters of
the corps in Leicester-square, under ono of the instructors.
The practice with round shot, temporarily brought to a
close until the date above mentioned, has been attended
with the most satisfactory results.

The second annual prize meeting of the 4th battalion of
Kent Rifle Volunteers took place on Wednesday and Thurs-
day, at the Mureton Range, situate about two miles from
Sittingbourne. The 4th battalion consists of the sth, 6th,
16th, 24th, 29th, and 36th companies, all of whom, with the
exception of the 6th, were represented on this occasion.
There worn four competitions, the value of the prizes being
about £7B. At the close of the shooting Lieut.-Col. Dyke
distributed the prizes to the successful competitors. He said
ho had been informed that the shooting had been very good,
and he urged the Volunteers to continue to practise, with-
out which it was impossible to attain efficiency. At the
same time he reminded them that shooting was not the only
thing necessary to ntaho Volunteers efficient, nor was it the
first thing necessary to attain that object. battalion drill
was of far greater consequence than shooting, and ho should
bo glad if some means could bo devised to insure a more
constant and regular attendance to that important duty.
The annual inspection of the 26th Kent Administrative
Battalion Rifts Volunteers, in command of Col. Thorold,
was held un Saturday last in Charlton-park, near Woolwich,
permission having been courteously granted by Col. Sir 'l.
M Wilson, fur the purpose.
In Essex a match has taken place at Brentwood between
the sergeants and corporals of the 3d Essex Corps. Five
shot on the side of the sergeants, and four on that of the
corporals, an average being taken to represent the score of