The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-03 00:00:00

MONDAY- EVENING, MARDI I 3, 1862.

be done towards Making the taming as agreeable

and as convenient as it is possible under the cir-

cumstances. (Cheers.) In conclusion, his royal high-

ness thanked the members of the association for the

support which they had given him during his year
of office as president, and in laying down that office
he trusted that! the finances and general state of
the association were as satisfactory as on the day
upon which he had assumed office. (Cheers.)
Lord ELcHo said, before any steps were taken in
reference to a president, he begged to state that his
royal highness, at the request of the council, had
kindly consented, with the approbation of that
meeting, to hold the office for another year.

The Duke of CAMBRIDGE said that after that ex-
pression of feeling he could have no hesitation in
accepting the honour. (Cheers.) When the council
requested him to fill the post another year, how-
ever much he felt the compliment, yet he would
rather have retired to have made way for some
other gentleman of distinction, but when the fact
was brought under his notice of their being at pre-
sent without a patron, he was induced to consent
again to accept the office.
Lord FIELDING moved the adoption of the report,
which had been printed and circulated, and in do-
ing so, expressed his gratification at the satisfac-
tory statement made by his royal highness.

Sir D. M'DouGALL seconded the resolution. He
found that last year the working members of the
National Rifle Association were I,lo7—now there
were 955, a diminution of 152, and he did not look
on that as very satisfactory. Indeed, not only was
that association not properly supported by those
who had the means, but the volunteers generally
were ill supported. (Hear, hear.) When he re-
collected how patriotic the volunteers were in
not merely giving up their time to their country's
service, but in paying for their own uniforms, and
other expenses, he felt that this country did not
deal as liberally with them as they ought to do.
(Hear.) He would contend that, from the prince
down to the peasant, every one had a right to con-
tribute their fair share to the national defence
either in his person or by his purse, in accordance
with his means. (Hear, hear.) If this were done,
the volunteers would not be obliged to get up balls
and concerts to maintain bands and other neces
series. (Hear, hear.) He would maintain that no
volunteer ought to be called upon to expend a single
' farthing of money upon his duties, except providing
his uniform, and giving his time to his country's
service. Hear.)
Capt. FENTON (West Middlesex) said there were
one or to points in the report which he differed with,
and upon which there was a strong feeling amongst
the volunteers, namely, the abolition of the practice
of competitors for prizes of the association being
prohibited from firing from the shoulder beyond
200 yards. He believed that 300 yards was a much
more efficient and real test of the excellence of a
man's shooting from the shoulder. He admitted that
sometimes bullseyes might be made at 300 yards by
what was called a " fluke"—(hear, hear, from Lord
Elcho)—but in contests in which his own corps had
been engaged he had known an average of 6 points
made at 300 yards throughout, some scoring 9, 10,
and 11 points. He moved -an amendment to go
back to the original principle of shooting from the
shoulder at 300 yards.
Captain TEMPLAR (Harrow Rifles) seconded the
amendment.

Lord ELCHO explained, and defended the posi-
tion which the council of the association had taken
in respect to the point at issue. He observed that
they began at 300 yards in the first year, allowing
shooting from ;the shoulder ; arid the reason they
discontinued it was, that they thought it unfair
tshcoartetshraete pointslonger forranbguelsls,ewyehsensh,
as was admitted, should be carried to
such bullseyes were frequently scored as " flukes ;"
when it was known that Mr. Edward Ross could
almost invariably command bullseyes at 200 yards;
and when they were assured that Captain Collins,
of the Victoria Rifles, had been known to mike 14
bullseyes out of 16 shots, they thought that at that
point the scores of bullseyes should stop. (Hear.)
The amendment was then put and negatived, and

the original motipn carried by a large majority.
Captain TEMPLAR said he had now to complain
of another and much more important point con-
tained in the report than the preceding one, and
that was the compelling volunteers to compete for
Queen's Prize with a weapon they were unaccus-
tomed to. He contended that the Queen's'Prize

should be shot for with the Queen's national wea-
pon, and no other. That weapon, the long Enfield,
was now in the hands of upwards of 100,000 of our
volunteers, and yet when they came to compete for
the Queen's prize they had put into their hands a
small-bore rifle, the character of which they knew
nothing about. Let it be borne in mind that he was
advocating the poor man's view of this question, and
they felt that they did not go into competition on
equal terms with the rich man, for whilst the rich
man could have continual practice with a small bore
of the description with which the Queen's Prize
was to be shot for, the poor man's only practice was
with the national weapon, the long Enfield, and at
the eleventh hour he had a weapon put into his
hand, the character of which he knew nothing
about. He moved an amendment, that the Queen's
prize should be shot for with the long Enfield rifle.
Sir J. SHELLEY seconded this amendment.
_ Lord ELCHO explained that the reason a superior

rifle to the long Enfield was required, was that the
latter could not be fired with any accuracy beyond
the range of 600 yards, up to which it was used
even in competition for the Queen's prize. It being
felt that so noble a prize as that placed at the dis-
posal of the association by her Majesty was worthy
of being competed for at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards,
it became necessary to find a weapon capable of
shooting with accuracy at such ranges, upon which
a really good marksman could depend. Now, as
to injustice to individuals, he (Lord Elcho) was
prepared to deny that position. What they did
was to place into the hands of all who had been-
successful at the first stage, which was with the
" Queen's weapon," or long Enfield, and who were
thus duly qualified to compete at the longer ranges,
a rifle precisely similar in every respect, with the
exception that the gauge of the bore was different.
These rifles were of the same weight, they were
sighted, and the pull of the trigger was exactly the
same, and no man, unless he looked down the barrel
of the Whitworth or the Henry rifle put into his
hands, instead of at the target, could tell but that
he was firing at 800, 900, or 1,000 yards with the
long Enfield. (Hear, and dissent.) He could, how-
ever, tell that he had something different in his
hand when he pulled the trigger if he kept himself
steady, for he would find he had made a centre,
whereas with the other be would have been nowhere.
When they fired at Hythe—as their friend General
Hay, who was present, would corroborate—and saw
that first-class men who were firing at long ranges
with the Government Enfield only hit the target
twice out of ninety shots, they thought it would be
an injustice to the Volunteers to put such weapons
into their hands to shoot at the long ranges for the
Queen's prize. (Hear.) As to the point about the
disadvantage the poorer classes of volunteers had in
competing with the rich with the Whitworth and
other rifles be would refer the meeting to the let-
ters in their report from the three most successful
competitors for the Queen's prize last year, Mr.
Jopling, Lord Bury, and Mr. Bingham. Mr. Jop-
ling, who won the Queen's prize, in reply to the
question, said until the Wimbledon meeting of that
year he had never shot with a Whitworth or any
other small bore rifle. Lord Bury replied, "T may
almost say that I never had a Whitworth or any
other small bore (except a sporting double-barreled
rifle) in my bands before Wimbledon, last year;"
and Mr. Bingham said, " I had previously fired
about 25 rounds with a Whitworth rifle, but the
range did not exceed 300 yards." So here was the
testimony of the three best shots last year for the
Queen's prize, and, seeing that every one of the 40
who were selected to fire at the long ranges had
two days allowed them for practice, and to get their
Whitworth rifles properly sighted, he could not see
the unfairness or injustice. Indeed, he looked upon
this arrangement as the vital principle of the whole
thing, and therefore hoped that the arrangement of
the council in this respect would not be disturbed.
Major HUGuEs contended that the council had
made a mistake in this matter, and that the prin-
ciple they had laid down was opposed to common

sense; for the principle of the volunteer inoVetinent
*as not to make the volunteers good shots with the
small bore, which they were never allowed to use
except for these prize meetings, but to perfect them '
with the Government rifle, which was placed in
their hands.
General HAY said it appeared to him the question
was whether they should stand still tir go forward;
whether they should in rifle shooting advance with
the science of the day, or be content with the wea-
pon in use one hundred years since. The gallant
general then supported the views of Lord Eleho and
the association, which he said he was prepared to
admit were made at his suggestion, and expressed
his conviction that the permanence of the volunteer
movement mainly depended on the continued im-
provement of weapons, and the ability to test their
efficacy at ranges of 1,000 yards, and even upwards,
After some discussion,
Captain TEMPLAR and Sir J. SHELLEY expressed
their willingness to withdraw the amendment.
Lord ELcHo said they could not allow this amend-
ment to be withdrawn, as it affected the principle
which the council were most desirous of having a
public opinion upon.
The CHAIRMAN, interposing, said he thought he
had a right to exercise his discretion in this matter,
and as he believed the most desirable thing was un-
animity, he should permit the amendment to be
withdrawn, and put the resolution. (Applause.)
The original resolution, adopting the report, was
then put and carried.
Lord ELcuo said he of course bowed to the deci-
sion of his royal highness as chairman,lbut this 'was
a subject of so much importance to be settled that
he should claim the privilege of addressing the
volunteers at Wimbledon on the subject when they
were assembled from all parts of the country. (Hear,
hear.) He could say for himself that he was only
desirous of consulting that which was best for the
volunteers generally, and whatever was their deci-
sion he should most cheerfully bow to it. (Hear.)
Resolutions electing vice-presidents and members
of the council, and making some alterations in the
rules, having been adopted, another resolution was
passed in favour of holding the prize meeting of
1862 at Wimbledon.

A vote of thanks to his royal highness the presi
dent closed the proceedings.

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.--

OFFICIAL TRIAL OF .RIFLES.

The competition between Messrs. Whitworth,
Henry, Terry, Turner, Ingram, and Rigby, to
ascertain the most efficient rifle to be used for shoot-
ing at the next Wimbledon prize meeting of the
National Rifle Association, was resumed on Satur-
day afternoon last, at the royal laboratory practice
range, Woolwich Arsenal. In consequence of the
annual meeting of the National Association occur-
ring at the same time, the attendance of the council
and other volunteer officers was not so numerous as
on former days of the contest, but the proceedings,
as usual, excited the utmost interest, and the strong
north-east winds, which generally prevailed during
the week, having considerably abated, an important
advantage was thus obtained by the competitors.
The firing commenced at a late hour, and was con-
fined entirely to the 500 yards range, the only com-
petitors being Messrs. Rigby and Terry. Two rifles
manufactured by each of these gentlemen were
tried, twenty shots being fired from each of the
four weapons at a double target, and the Govern-
ment regulation-rest being used as on previous
occasions. The result may be briefly described,
and certainly proved that both makers had pro-
duced most efficient rifles, but the state of the
target would tend to show that Mr. Rigby especially
had gained a great success, and should he be equally
fortunate at the 1,000 yards range next week, he
will prove a formidable competitor with Mr. Whit-
worth at the final issue of the proceedings. The
forty shots fired with the two rifles of Mr. Rigby
reached their destination with such precision that
the target presented an appearance of numerous
indentations joining each other, and the whole
number of marks was contained in a remarkably
small space. The result of Mr. Terry's firing, al-
though good, was not so fortunate, as the diagrams
showed that the marks extended over a larger
space. The proceedings were adjourned about six
o'clock until Monday (this day), when firing will
be resumed at the 1,000 yards range, and it is ex-
pected that the contest will finally close on Tuesday
evening.

On Saturday some conversation as to the use of
machine rests took place between the gentlemen
named and Lord Elcho, when Mr. Henry stated that
he would, with ordinary rests, undertake to re-
gulate six rifles as soon as Mr. Whitworth would
regulate two with machine rests; and when each
party had six rifles regulated he would test the
question of the rival rests by shooting his rifles
against Mr. Whitworth's for a large wager.

POWER OF _RAILWAY COMPANIES 70
PURCHASE AND WORK STEAMBOATS.

The Board of Trade have just reported on this
subject. Referring to the general subject of vesting
in railway companies power to work steam vessels
over sea, their lordships observe that the objection
formerly entertained to giving to a corporate body
powers to carry on a trade in which, by reason of
the liability of the shareholders being limited, and
of the facility thereby affordfid of forming a large
capital, such body might compete at an undue ad-
vantage with private persons or companies not en-
joying the privilege of limited liability, appears to
have lost much of its force now that any number
of persons exceeding six may, for a trading pur-
pose obtain limited liability under the Joint
Stock Companies Acts. The board believe that the
combined working of a railway with steam vessels
may promote permanency and regularity in the sea
service, and afford the convenience of through rates
for land and sea transit ; but it is not to be over-
looked that the powers in question, if given to a
railway company possessed of a large capital, and
having the control of all the railways leading to the
port at which the powers are to be exercised, might
have the effect of extinguishing all competition by
other parties in the lines of sea service in which
railway companies engage, and the result might be
that the cost of the sea service to the public would
be increased, and possibly the frequency of the
passages and the public accommodation diminished.
It would also seem that as regards the conveyance
of oversea traffic by vessels a railway company
would not be subject to the provisions of the Rail-
way and Canal Traffic Act for enforcing the im-
partial and expeditious transmission of traffic. As
regards the application of the London and Brighton
Railway Company to provide and work steam
vessels on the southern coast and France and the
Channel Islands, the board are of opinion that if the
proposed powers be conceded it may deserve consi-
deration whether provision should not be made for
securing equal treatment to all passengers whether
using the railway or not, the tickets specifying how
much is charged for the railway fare and how much
for the vessel, together with publication of bye laws,
with provisions similar to those inserted in the case
of the London and North Western Railway Com-
pany's Act, providing steamboats between Holy-
head and Ireland.

PRINCELY LIBERALITY OF MR. PEABODY.—In
our last number we alluded somewhat vaguely to the benefit
Mr. Peabody, the celebrated American banker, intended to
confer en a certain number of our poor community before
finally quitting this country. When Mr. Peabody first
heard of the national memorial to the memory of the late
Prince Consort, he authorised Sir Emerson Tennent to state
that, should that memorial be a charitable institution, he
would give £lOO,OOO towards it ; and his disappointment
was great on learning that the money would not be expended
in that way. However, when a man is determined on
doing a good deed, he overcomes all obstacles; and Mr.
Peabody, still resolved on carrying out his charitable
scheme—as a token, he says, of gratitude to the English
nation for the many kind acts he has received from them,
and also in memory of his long and prosperous career in
this country—has decided on erecting a number of houses
for the working class, who, through the numerous improve-
ments in the metropolis, have been rendered almost home-
less. For this purpose he gives £lOO,OOO, and also under-
takes to pay the first year's interest of the money—£s,ooo.
Sir Emert on Tennent is appointed one of three trustees ;
Lord Stanley, M.P., it is hopod, will be the second; the
third has not yet been nominated. Mr. Peabody has rea-
lised in this.country, it is said, an annual in3ome of £7Ol
—Court ,Tournal. 000,