The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 12, 1864.

Mr BAINES seconded the amendment.
After some discussion the house divided—
For the second reading .. 65
Against it
Majority .. —43
The bill was read a second time.
Militia Ballots Suspension Bill was read a second time.
Sheriffs Substitute (Scotland) Bill passed through com-
mittee.

The Thames Embankment and Metropolis improvement
(Loans) Bill passed through committee.
The Turnpike Trusts' Arrangement Bill was read a
second time.

The Election Petitions Act (1848) Amendment Bill was
resd a second time.

The poisoned Flesh Prohibition &c., Bill, passed through
committee.
JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES (VOTING PAPERS)

BILL.
On the motion for the third reading Of this bill, the house
was counted out at five minutes past two o'clock.

The National Rifle Association.

Once again the time has arrived when the repre-
sentatives of the great shooting interest in the
United Kingdom, and in all its colonial offshoots,
flock to the headquarters of the parent association
at Wimbledon, as the legitimate field on which to
earn distinction and exhibit their prowess. Any
one disposed to entertain a gloomy view of the
prospects of rifle shooting, and of the Volunteer
movement generally, would do well to glance his
eye over the ground upon which intending compe-
titors in the matches extending over the next ten
days are fast arriving to take up their quarters. In
1863 the Council found that the space then inclosed,
and the number of targets at their disposal, largely
as they had exceeded the provisions made in former
years, barely sufficed for the throng of shooters who
pressed forward eagerly day after day, and all day
long, to competd in one class or another for the
prizes they had to offer. This year the increase of
funds at the disposal of the Council, and the interest
shown all over the country in rifle contests, com-
pelled them to make further provision, and the
Association accordingly has " taken ground to its
right" to such an extent that the windmill, last
year standing on the flank of their array, this year
forms as nearly as possible the centre of their posi-
tion. Last year also there were not more than
60 targets; this year there are no less than 81. The
attractions in money and articles of value, given
away as prizes, amounted in July, 1863, to £4,386 ;
at the present meeting they make up a sum of over
£5,500, in which estimate no account is taken of
prizes such as the Eleho Shield and others possibly
to be forfeited in a subsequent competition. By
comparison with 1860, the rapid growth of the
undertaking will be even more manifest. In that
year the Association had only 67 prizes to give
away, representing an aggregate value of £2,000 ;
this year the prize list contains 596 items, of the
value, as already stated, of £5,500. One inevitable
result of the widening of the ground suggests itself
to every mind. The great difficulty of locomotion
has to be met and solved. A competitor who has
been told off to fire at a range near the Wimbledon
end of the common, and after doing his duty in that
quarter finds that he is interested in another com-
petition going on at the new north ranges, would
find it no joke to march a good mile and a half
under a broiling sun, such as that of yesterday,
carrying one, or it may be two rifles, and a propor-
tionate supply of ammunition. The Council fore-
seeing this difficulty, and determined to march with
the times, procured, at an o'itlay of some £4OO,
tramway readily movable to any part of the com-
mon, but at present laid down from the site of the
old Grand Stand to the Guards Camp at the southern
extremity of the inclosure. The tramway is of the
same elementary but serviceable kind which existed
many years ago in a few rural and mining districts,
where it formed the precursor of the existing system
of railways. The carriages, four in number, and
intended to start at intervals of ten minutes, are
roomy, well adapted to the object in view, and can
be mounted or quitted with the greatest ease. Their
shape may be described as an exaggeration of the
Irish long-car, the steps descending so low at either

side as to hide the wheels completely from view
Those who have never seen the vehicle in question
eau forma good idea of the Wimbledon omnibus
by imagining that the point or upper half of a
capital A were struck off and the lower portion
mounted upon wheels. At least six can be accom-
modated on either of these sloping sides, and as many
more in " the well" in the centre. The motive power
will be supplied by horses and men belonging to the
Military Train which can be spared for the mo-
ment from ordinary duties, and, in the opinion of
the authorities, will be usefully employed in fur-
thering the operations of this valuable Associa-
tion. Another change consequent on the growth of
these meetings at Wimbledon is entailed by the fact
that it is no longer possible for the markers in the
butts and for the non-commissioned officers in
charge of ranges to be quartered in one place, as
they formerly were; the whole of the dinner hour
would virtually be consumed in passing from Either
extremity of the line to the camp and back again.
Two separate division or wings have, therefore,
been formed, the markers in one of which retain
their old position, while the others have had ground
assigned to them in rear of the windmill, The
Volunteer camp this year is of unusual dimensions,
for not merely is it said that some 700 members of
different corps will take up their quarters on the
ridge overlooking Glen Cardigan at one period or
other of the meeting, but private members of the
Association have largely availed themselves of the
privilege of dwelling under canvass also. The hos-
pitable Victories were among the very first arrivals,
and having taken up their usual snug quarters,
showed themselves anxious, by every means in their
power, to contribute to the success of the meeting—
s point which seems to touch their esprit de corps
now as a matter affecting the honour of the regi-
ment. Their example of camping out in consider-
able numbers has been followed this year by
the London Scottish, London Rifle Brigade, Ist
Middlesex Artillery, the Hon. Artillery Company,
and other regiments, which have formed suburban
groups of their own apart from the general town of
canvass. At the other side of the country tents and
what may be called the permanent offices of the As-
sociation marquees have been added for the accom-
modation of the officers belonging to the establish-
ment at Hythe, who intend to take charge of firing
parties and to assist in the collection of statistical
returns. The feature, however,whiela at once strikes
the eye of the visitor familiar with these Wimbledon
gatherings is the commodious and, indeed, ornamen-
tal structure erected by Mr. Jennison, of Manches-
ter, the contractor for refreshments, whose success
last year has encouraged him to make preparations
for this occasion, entailing an outlay considerably
in excess of £l,OOO in mere materials and fittings.
There is a first, second, and third class refreshment
room, each with its corresponding tariff of prices;
and remembering that in a fortnight at most the
scene of all the present excitement and interest
must revert to its normal condition of a barren
heath, too much can hardly be said of the liberality
and enterprise with which the contractor has i
en-
tered upon his undertakiug. Where there s a
crowd, of course there will be shops, and as the
number of those drawn to Wimbledon by interest
or curiosity has steadily increased, so the proportion
of exhibitors desirous of an opportunity to display
suitable wares has also enlarged. This year there
is a whole street of marquees erected with business
objects in view, and among them Mr Smith, the
armourer of the Association, who, not long ago,
found one tent sufficient, has now provided three
for the convenience of his customers.
In the meeting which practically opens to-day,
intending competitors, or members of the public
who glance into the Handy-Book of the Association
—the most valuable eixpenny worth ever issued
from the press—will find a great many points iu
which the regulations formerly existing have been
beneficially extended. For instance, as regards the
chief prize of all, that offered by her Majesty, 100
of the best shots, instead of merely the first 60, will
shore in the emoluments. Tne interest attaching
to this prize is shown by the fact that, whereas on
the last occasion 1,145 effective Volunteers strove
for tho honour of winning her Majesty's gift, this
year, under the new regulations, no less than 2,128
Volunteers are Eqnadded in the order in which they
aro to fire; and almost later than the last moment
there were two applications from members of

Volunteer corps at the Cape of Good Hope for
permission to compete. At first the Council
asked an entrance fee of 10s. 6d., with considerable
hesitation, fearing it might have a deterring effect
upon the rack and file of the force whom it was the

object of this prize to bring out and encourage.
Now, every one of these 2,128 candidate Queen's
prizemen pays his £1 etuerfully, or has it paid for
him by the
ZOr ps to which he belongs. In itself it
7,11 i be seen what an acquisition of strength this
gives to the resources of the Association. In defe-
rence the feeling of artillery regiments, forming so
large and influential a section of the Volunteer
force, a prize is this year offered for carbines, and
it is expected that considerable interest will attach
' to the competition. Mr. Martin Smith hos already
carried off, and no doubt will again carry off, many
of the good things which the Council have to offer,

but he has certainly made them a noble return.
Under his auspices and those of Major Oxley, a
fund amounting to £6OO has been collected, and
placed at the disposal of the executive, to be dia.
tributed among Volunteers making the best prat.
tice with Enfields of bona fide Government pattern.

Mr. Bass, M.P., gives a prize of £5O, under condi-
tions which restrict the competition to the rifle used

•
by the rank and file of the Volunteer corps. In fact
it may be confidently asserted that the list of prizes
this year holds out very substantial encouragement
to what is called the " Volunteer's weapon." The
Council, moreover, have not adhered as rigidly as

before was thought expedient to the two classes 0

regulation Enfield and small bore rifles. Among
the latter the Whitworth is admitted to be the
finest arm that has yet been produced, but with all
the latest improvements its price puts it out of the
reach of many who are nevertheless fond of small-
bore shooting. An intermediate class of small-bore
has, therefore, been sanctioned, and, to a moderate
extent, encouraged in the prize list—that is to
say, a piece which, while it fulfils the require-
ments of superior accuracy, is capable of
carrying a bayonet, and in other respects
conforming to the requirements of a military
weapon. The International Enfield match promises
to be one of the most exciting of those embodied in
the programme. It will be contested between 20
Scotch and 20 English Volunteers, selected with
the greatest care; and wonderful accounts have
been already received of their preliminary shooting.
As matters at present stand, however, the match
will be one purely !or love of country, thAre being
no reward of any kind which can be handed to the
victors. It would be a fitting and timely act if
some one were to balance Lord Elcho's gift in the
other International match, by some presentation of

a character corresponding to the shield, which in
that case is held by the conquering nationality.
Among the other novelties included in the list is
a prize for volley.firing, the success of which the
Count de Gendres has done much to ensure by pros
viding, according to the Continental system, com-
munication with the markers by means of the
electric telegraph.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, taking
a lively interest in the objects of the Association,
and anxious to inspect personally the arrangements
which had been made, rode to the ground late
yesterday afternoon, accompanied by Earl Spencer
and Colonel Grey. On arriving his Royal High-
ness was received by Lord Grosvenor, Lord Etcho,
Lord Ducie, and Col. Kennedy, representing the
Council, and proceeded in the first instance to the
" running deer " range, where several shots were
fired by the Prince and other members of the Royal
party, at first with very bad success, owing to the
peculiar glitter of the sun, which rendered it diffi-
cult to hit any object, especially one in rapid motion.
The ominous black and white flag rose above the
parapet on two occasions to the no small consterna-
tion of the crack shots in the group, but the Prince,
whose bullets throughout had gone very close to
the vital part, having made the only bull's eye
that was recorded, the Royal party, after a
short stay at Lady Elcho's cottage, went to in•
spect the tramway and to perform an inaugural
journey. This done his Royal Highness acquainted
himself with the other additions to the camp, in
particular with the new ranges at its northern ex-
tremity, and took biR departure between 6 and '7
o'clock, having been most cordially welcomed by all
the spectators who happened to be upon the ground
at the time of his visit. Some slight uncertainty
exists with regard to the composition of the eights
that are respectively to represent England and
Scotland in the International small-bore competition
for Lord Elcho's shield. In all probability, how-
ever, the following lists will be found accurate :--
England—Lord Bury, Lord Ducie, Capt Heaton,
Cal—Baker (Cambridge University), Lieut. Hawker,
Mr Pell, Mr Banting, and Mr M. Smith.
Scotland—Mr H. Ross, the Earl of Aberdeen,
Capt. E. Ross, Mr H. G. Ross, Lieut. Peterkin, Mr
Dunlop, Mr Maxwell, and Mr Wilkin.
We are authorised to state that no applications
from Volunteer Corps for permission to attend the
review at Wimbledon on Saturday, the 233 instant,
will be entertained unless received at the War Office
on or before Wednesday, the 20;1 instant.

- The Alleged Assault in a Railway Carriage.

At the Aldershot Petty Sessions yesterday, before
Captain Newsome awl a full bench of magistrates,
Henry Nash, a middle
aged man of respectable
appearance, described es a ponaan, residing at
Hawley, near Farntorough, surrendered to his bail
on a charge of having indecently
assaulted a young
woman, named Moody, in a railway carriage, whilst
travelling betweca Surbiton and Woking, on the
previous Wednesday. The complainant, who is 20
years of age, was in attendance with her father,
who is curator of the Winchester Museum, and with
whom she resides. She bore the appearance of being
a respectable and intelligent person, and seemed
somewhat agitated, from
the peculiar position in
which she was placed. The court was densely
crowded by a number of highly respectable persons,
many of whom were relatives and friends of the
anr It.
parties. Mr T. Bent, superintendent of police at
Waterloo station, appeared to prosecute on behalf
of the South Western Railway ComPanY,
Eve, solicitor, of Aldershot, defended the prisoner,
the case, as detailed by Mr:
-A
Bent, were as follows T appeared that on The particulars of
Wed-
nesdaywardstlhaestrtrhiesecnomer plaint
class carriage at Waterloo Station, and shortly
enteredafter-
wards ttohoeksher seat in a secondante compartment.
They were then quite alone, but prior to the depar-
ture of the train at 1.10 pall. another female entered
asking her how old she was, why she wore
and sat near the complainant. The prisoner at-
tempted to force
spec-
tacles, and sevtral other
a conversation with the latter,
caused t4e prisoner to rred before the other
female entered the railway questions, which she de-
clined to answer. This occurred
carriage, and her pre-
sencedesist for a time from
putting any
where the female
further questions. The complainant
then felt safe, and the three rode down to Surbiton,
alluded to alighted, leaving Miss
Moody alone with the prisoner. Almost immediately
on the train leaving this station, and before it had
got fairly in motion, the prisoner laid himself on
the seat opposite to that on which complainant was
sitting, and, is a very insulting manner, repeated
the questions ae had previously put to her, which
she again declined to answer. In order to avoid
the prisoner's
annoyance, Miss Moody got up and
looked out of the window, but she had scarcely risen
from her seat
when she felt a hand laid on her
shoulder and drawn down to her waist. Almost
immediately afterwards she felt that her clothes
were being lifted u p in front, and with a view to
prevent this and any other molestation she opened
the door of ttee compartment and got outside, stand
ing on the s:ep of the carriage, the train at the
time going at a rapid p3oe• The complainant had
no further recollection of anything that occurred
until she fould herself in the hands of the guard,
and of Mr. Stokes, another passenger, the train
being then at a stand still between Esher -
Woking. I was then discovered that the corn
plainfint hal for soma time been in a state o
unconsciousness, and that she had been held in
a meet perilous position during the time by Mr.
Stokes, a military bootmaker, of London and Alder-
shot, .who was riding in the adjoining com-
partment, end whose notice was directed to the
complainant by a boy who had observed her
hanging by the handle of the door. Mr. Stokes
bravely exerted himself to rescue her from this

dangerous position, and had no sooner succeeded
in drawing her to the door of his own compartment
than she swooned on Lie arm which was fortunately
at that time round her waist. In this situation the
complainant was held for a distance, it is supposed,
of about five miles, when the attention of the guard
having been attracted to the circumstance by a
number of labourers who were at wOrk in the ad-
jacent fields, the train was stopped, and the com-
plainant safely placed in a carriage. On arriving
at the next station (Woking), Mr. Stokes insisted
on the prisoner being taken into custody. This Was
accordingly done, but the prisoner was subsequently
liberated on bail. Mr. Bent expressed a doubt as to
whether the case could be dealt with by the Hamp-
shire magistrates, as the offence was committed in
the county of Surrey, before the arrival of the train
at Woking Station.
Mr. Brookes, magistrate's clerk, said the Bench
had no jurisdiction.
Mr. Eve remarked that the prisoner was impro.
perly taken into custody by the railway company.
Mr. Bent said the prisoner was not taken into
custody on the authority of the railway company,
or bail would have been opposed at the first exami-
nation. Mr. Bent:pressed Captain Newcome, the
ohairman, who is also a Surrey magistrate to hear
the case in that capacity, but an objection was
raised to this course, the chairman expressing an
opinion that he could not do so, his instructions
from the Secretary of State as to his magisterial
duties being to a contrary effect.
The case was dismissed, and the prisoner, who
was apparently unconcerned during the proceedings,
.eft the court with his friends.

Mr. Bent intimated his intention to take further
proceedings in the matter, and the ease will be re.
sumed at an early period in a Surrey court.

The Murder on the North London Railway,

No additional facts of any importance about this horrible
affair have transpired since yesterday. Late last night Sir
George Grey announced the intention of the Government
to offer a reward of £2OO for the apprehension of the mur-
derer, and bills to that effect will be circulated throughout
the country in the course of to-day. It is believed that the
railwa) company will offer an additional reward of £lOO in
furtherance of the same object.
Inspector Kerressey and Sergeant Lambert, of the K
divisian, have at last succeeded in obtaining a correct de-
scription of the watch stolen from the murdered man. It
is a gold lever, of old-fashioned manufacture, and bears the
name of the maker, " S. W. Archer, Hackney, No. 1,487,"
the case being numbered 2,974. The gold spectacles, which
were at first thought to have been stolen, were found in
the pocket of the deceased. If, as has been stated, the out-
rage was committed between Bow Station and the place
where the body was found, the time occupied by the whole
affair was under two minutes, the time taken by the train
to pass from one spot to the other being little more than a
minute and a half. At present, however, there seems no
reason for asserting that the assault happened after the
train had left Bow. The hat found in the carriage bears
' the maker's name, "T. H. Walker, Crawford-street, Mary-
lebone," but, beyond being spotted with blood, it has no
marks upon it which could give any clue to its owner.
It is somewhat singular that about six years ago an at-
tempted robbery and assault was made in a train passing
the same spot. The thief jumped out and would have
escaped had he not injured his knee in falling. Great sur-
prise has been expressed that so fearful a murder should
have been committed for the sake of an old-fashioned watch
and chain, more especially as the murdered man's pocket-
book, purse, diamond ring, and gold spectacles were left
behind, and many persona think that the object of the mur-
derer was not merely robbery. It is somewhat singular,
too, that the perpetrator of the outrage, who must have
been covered with fresh blood, should have been able to pass
unnoticed by the persons about the station, and the ticket
collector.

The carriage in which the murder was committed is now I
at the Bow locomotive station, and will remain there for the 1
inspection of the jury. It is a carriage of ordinary construc-
tion, containing four compartments. The seats are divided
in two by an iron rail, and are covered with blue cloth and
leather cloth. The compartment in which the outrage took
place is covered with blood in all directions, and shows that
the struggle between the murdered man and his assailant
must have been fearful. The handle of the door, and door
itself, and the outside steps are also covered with blood.
The stick found in the carriage is a thick cane with a heavy
ivory knob. It is also covered with blood, and looks as if it
had been used in the struggle. The lock and handle of the
leathern bag bear similar stains.
It is now ascertained that Mr. Briggs passed through the
gate of the Fenchurch-street station at about 20 minutes to
10 on the night in question, and said " Good night" to one
of the ticket collectors, to whom he was well known from
being a season ticket holder.
The inquest on the unfortunate gentleman was opened
yesterday evening at the Prince of Wales tavern, Hackney,
before Mr J. Humphreys, coroner of East Middlesex.
The first witness called was Mr T. J. Briggs, who said the
deceased gentleman was his father. He had last spoken to
him about a week befcre, when he was in perfect health,
and did not see him again alive until he saw him lying in-
sensible at the Mitford Castle tavern. The diamond ring,
gold spectacles, stick, and pocketbook found on the person
of the deceased and in the railway carriage belonged to his
late father; the bag belonged to his brother, but was fre.
quently used b) the deceased. He died at his residence in
Clapton-square a little before 12 on Sunday night.
Mr James Hudson, the landlord of the Mitford Castle
tavern, Hackney•wick, said that on Saturday night last,
about 20 minutes past 10, a man came to his house and told
' him that the mutilated body of a gentleman had been
' found on the railway close by, between the rails. He
, at once proceeded to the spot, and assisted several others in
removing the body to his house.
George King, who was at the kitford Castle at the time,
and accompanied Mr Hudson to the spot, gave similar

evidence.
Edward Dougen, 71 K, said he was called to the Milford
Castle tavern on the night in question and saw Mr Briggs
lying there dying. He immediately sent for medical
assistance and for Inspector Kerressey. Ho afterwards
searched the pockets of the deceased and found upon him
£4 12s. in money, a pocketbook, and a diamond ring.
Louis Lambert, sergeant in the K divison, said he had
received the leathern bag now produced and a walking stick,
which were given to him by the stationmaster at Chalk
Farm, having been found by him in the carriage in which
the murder was committed.
The coroner said that no other evidence need be taken
until a post mortem examination had been made. He would
therefore adjourn the inquest until Monday next, the 18th
inst.