The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-18 00:00:00

National Rifle Association.

Yesterday afternoon the general May meeting of
the Council and members of this Association was
held at Willis's Rooms, St. James's, for the confir-
mation of rules and by-laws and for the transaction
of ordinary business,

Among those present were—Lord Elcho, Earl
Ducie, Hon. Col. Lindsay, Hon. A. Kinnaird, Lord
Bury, Gen. Sir J. Burgoyne, Capt. S. John Mild-
may, Capt. Ross, Col. Harcourt, and many officers
of London and provincial corps.
Lord ELCHO, in taking the chair, said ho had
hoped that on that as on former occasions his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge would have been
able to preside,:but he had just received a note from
his highness, stating that he was confined to his
house by an attack of gout, and therefore was re-
luctantly compelled to absent himself on that occa-
sion. He (Lord Elcho) being thus called upon
unexpectedly to preside might congratulate himself
that there was very little to call for unusual ex-
planation from him, and therefore ho need detain';
them but a very short time, and only bring under
the consideration of the meeting the few points
which were worthy of their attention. He had first
of all to congratulate them upon the steadily in-
creasing success with which the operations of the as-
sociation were being carried on, a success which
showed itself not only in the increased number of its
members, and therefore better condition of its
funds, but in the largely increased number and value
"of prizes to be awarded at the Wimbledon meet-
ing, and the almost certainty that there would be a
corresponding rise in the entries of competitors. The
value of the prizes to be given at Wimbledon this
year amounted to £7,116, while last year the
value of all was only £5,118, showing an increase
for 1865 of £1,242. In the first stages of the Queen's
Prize last year £955 were distributed. This year the
value of the first stage prizes would be £1,345. The
Enfield rifle prizes for last year were of the value
of £2,974, while this year they would amount to
£4,293, or an increase of £1,319. With reference to
the restriction which had been at one time intro-
duced, and which deprived the, winners of the great
prizes from further competing for other great
prizes, that rule had now been done away with, and
all the chief prizes were open to properly qualified
competitors. Last year the Council of the Associa-
tion had added a Wimbledon prize cup for small
bores, and that prize was still retained on the list,
and to it had been added another cup.of a similar
kind, to be competed for by large bore rifles. The
International Challenge Trophy was another new
feature of this year. The value was no less than
£l,OOO, and this fine prize had been mainly gained
through the exertions of a member of the Associa-
tion to whom they were already so much indebted
—Col. Lindsay. (Hear, hear.) This prize would be
competed for annually by the volunteers of England
and Scotland, 20 champions appealing for each

country. With raerenfll to another international
trophy—the ElchoShield—he had only to state that,
instead of the competition being limited to England
and Scotland, their Irish fellow subjects would this
year; and -for future years, take part in the contest ,
for its possession. Another new prize which was
offered to them was the China Cup—a piece of plate
of the value of £5OO, presented by the Volunteers
of Shanghai, Hongkong, and Canton to the Volun-
teers of England, with £lOO added in money for
distribution among the winners. This permanent
prize would be competed for by the best 10 shots from
each county. Lord de Grey, Mr. Bass, and the other
noblemen and gentlemen who gave prizes last year,
had again offered them at the forthcoming meet-
ing. Besides these, Captain Ross had offered a prize,
the directors of the London and South-Western
Railway another prize of £5O, and Mr. Watherston,
Mr. White, Mr. Gardiner, and the editor of the
Spectator all gave fresh prizes for this meeting, and
he had every reason to hope that they would be com-
peted for for years to come. With regard to the
Albert Prize, he wished to say that the Council had
decided upon giving up the first stage of shooting
for this honour at the 200 yards' range, and in
future the ranges would be only 500 and 600 yards.
At the same time, they had agreed when they
made this change that no change should be made
in the money value of the objects competed for,
which would now simply be divided between the two
ranges, instead of, as heretofore, spread over three.
The question of mechanically fitting bullets for this
contest had also occupied the attention of the Coun-
cil, and they had come to the conclusion that they
might fairly be used in the first stage of the Albert
prize at 500 yards, though not in the second stage
at 600. In order to induce as early entries as pos-
sible, it had been determined to raise the charge for
entries made beyond a certain date, for late en-
trances were always a fertile cause of embarrass-
ment and often of confusion. He was sorry to say
that the state of Captain Page's health rendered it
not improbable that the Association wouldle unable
to avail themselves of his invaluable services at the
shooting points this year, and such a temporary
loss all who knew the earnest manner in which Cap-
tain Page had interested himself to secure the ar-
rangements for the Volunteers was one which he was
sure the meeting would regret. (Hear, hear.) The
Swiss targets which last year had proved so success-
ful would again be improved upon at the July
meetings, and their numbers increased to 11. The
competition which had been announced for the
breech-loading prize would come off at Woolwich
on the 30th of this month, and the Association gave
a prize of £lOO for the best weapon among the six
competitors who intended to come forward and dis-
pute it. Last year they had offered a prize for a
151 b. rifle, to be tried at a distance of 2,000 yards,
but the difficulty of procuring a level range of such
a length had delayed the arbitrament. He now,
however, believed that such a range could be ob-
tained, and the date and conditions of the match
would be announced as soon as possible. Another
important matter to which he wished to direct the
attention of the meeting was that the Artillery had
followed in their footsteps, and were making
strenuous efforts to worthily imitate the success of
of their example. As to the objects which the Ar-
tillery aimed at, there had been an amalgamation
between their members and the members of the
Council of the Rifle Association, and the mutual
arrangement which had been entered into he was
sure would be satisfactory in every respect. The
funds of the Association, exclusive of the sums in-
vested, showed the same steady increase as was dis-
played in otherbranches connectedwith their general
objects ; and altogether he was thankful to say that
he had little more to do than congratulate them upon
their slow but sure progression.
In reply to a question from Col. BOWERS, of the
Hants Mounted Rifles, asking why a prize was not
awarded to the five-grooved rifles, with which his
and some other corps were armed,
Lord Eton() said at once that the matter should
be taken into consideration by the council, and
further intimated that though he could not of him-
self promise in the name of the association to offer
such a prize, yet he felt little doubt, as the request
was a very reasonable one, but that a prize would be

offered.
Mr. LUXMORE wished to know what had been the
result of the trial of last year between the muzzle-
loading rifles. It was generally understood that the
competition between the rifles of Mr.Whitworth and
Mr. Rigby had been a very close one, and many
were anxious to know how it had eventually ter-

ininated.
Lord ELCIIO said that in those trials the council
had reserved to themselves the right of ordering any
further trials which they might think necessary.
They had ordered a further competition, which Mr.
Whitworth had declined to go on with, and under
these circumstances the council had no option but to
award the prize to Mr. Rigby. (Hear.)
After a few suggestions from Capt. GOODLIFFE,
Lord ELCHO proceeded to state that fresh ar-
rangements having been made by the Council they
felt that they were enabled to do away with the
limitation as to the numbers of those who wished
to take part in the camping of representatives of
their corps on the occasion of their next meeting at
Wimbledon. The restrictions that at least-two-fifths
of the members camping should also be members of
the National Rifle Association was the only one
which would be now adhered to.
The motion for the adoption and confirmation of
the new bylaws was then put and carried nem. con.
Col. HARCOURT, on the part of the Artillery,
having thanked Lord Elcho for the kindness with
which the Association had met them in their endea-
vours to follow their example and bring artillery to
as much certainty in practice as the Association had
brought the rifle,
Lord ELCHO replied that he believed it would add
essentially to their defensive strength if field guns
were as much studied in their precision as small
arms. He believed that the attention bestowed lately
on small arms had led to some of the most important
improvements. He hoped that the new Artillery
Association would obtain the use of Armstrong guns
for their practice, and he was sure that the addi-
tional results of their workday experience would do
much towards hastening committees on gunnery to
decide at once which was the best weapon for land
and sea service.
A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman,
and the proceedings terminated.

A NEW LIZARD.—A paper was received last week
by the Academy of Sciences from M. Paul Gervais, on a
now fossil kind of Saurian, which he proposes calling
Mesosaurus. Most of the reptiles belonging to the fauna
of the secondary period have certain peculiarities which dis-
tinguish them from the reptiles of the present day, and there-
fore render it impossible to classify them together with the
latter. The conformation of the Mesosaurus approaches to
that of terrestrial reptiles in certain points of osteology,
but in others it bears greater analogy to the marine species,
such as the Simo-saurus and the Plesio-saurus. The only
existing indication of this animal is a hollow impression in
a slab of slate, 23 centimetres long and 10 cents. broad,much
resembling those of the marls of the Has formation. This
slab boars the impression of the anterior ventral face of the
reptile, viz., the head, neck, forepaws, and a considerable
portion of the thoraco-abdominal region. These different
parts have left very minute impressions. The Saurian
was of the same size as the Lacerta Ocellata, but its form
must have been quite different. This piece of slate was
sent over from Africa to M. Edouard Verreaux, upwards
of twenty years ago, by his brother, who bad found it
in the country of tho Griquas, a people of the Hottentot
race, north of the -Orange River. Tho precise site it was
taken from was unknown, the slab having been found
in the hut of a Griquas, who used it to cover his
kettle. It now belongs to the Museum of Natural His-
tory at the Garden of Plants. The head, only the under
part -of which is visible, is but eight millimetres broad
at the snout; it gradually increases in breadth
of two centimetres at the occiput. The length of the head
is six centimetres and a half. . There wore about 40 long
and thin teeth. The nine cervical vertebra) which follow
form a length of five centimetres, and the maximum length
of the fore-paws is five centimetres and a half.—Galignani.
FORFEITURE FOR TREASON AND FELONY.—The
Attorney-General's Bill proposes that property shall not bo
forfeited for treason or felony, but shall vest temporarily
in the Treasury, and that the Treasury may apply it in
payment of the costs of the trial and the debts of tho con-
vict ; in making restitution or compensation to those who
have suffered through his criminal or fraudulent acts ; in
making an allowance for the support of his wife and chil-
dren, or other relatives ; and the balance or surplus is to
revert and be restored to him on the expiration of his sen-
tence, or to his representatives.

The Alleged Murder of a Woman in the

Caledonian-road.

--4-

Yesterday Dr. Lankester resumed at the Prince Arthur
Tavern, Frederick-street, Caledonian-road, the investiga-
tion into the circumstances of the alleged murder of Cathe-
rine Costello, aged 27 years, by a man named Michael
Killduff, with whom she cohabited.
The accused, Michael Killduff, was brought up in cus-
tody of Inspector Bush, under a warrant from the Secretary
of State. Daring the evidence of the landlady he cried
bitterly.
Crowds of persons, principally of the female sex,
assembled in the neighbouring thoroughfare, in order to
obtain a view of the prisoner as ho was being brought to
the court.
Mr. Ricketts defended the accused.

The Coroner opened the proceedings by informing Kill-
duff that he would read over the evidence of the father of
the deceased and of Dr. Slate; taken on the last occasion,
and would receive any statement,rin explanation with re-
ference thereto.

The depositions in question were to the effect, that the
deceased had often complained of the accused's violence to
her. That on the Morning of Wednesday week Killduff
went to her father's house and said that she was dead, and
that ho had struck her, but only with his open hand, and
that ho knew he should " get in for it," and should never
get back. Dr. Slater proved that there were marks of
blows or falls on the head and of fingers upon the throat,
and that she died from the effects either of the blows or of

the strangulation.
The prisoner made no remark in reference to those state-
ments.

Harriett Franklin, 2, Frederick-street, said that Killduff
and the deceased lived in her house two months, and she
believed they were married. Deceased was often tipsy,
and witness gave her warning twice on account of her
drinking habits. They used to quarrel and fight. Witness
never saw the man drunk. Deceased used to go out as a
washerwoman until a quarrel took place a month back,
and since that time she did not do any work. On Tuesday
week, at seven o'clock in the evening, Killduff came in
asking for his wife. She was out, and he went out to
seek her. She then returned and began to insult witness.
Mr. Franklin came down and told her to go into her own
room. She went out saying, "If lam Irish I will fetch 20
more, and you shall have no sleep to-night."
Coroner—What made her say that ? Did you call her
Irish ?

Witness said that her husband did. Killduff came in
apparently sober about two o'clock. Witness asked him to
be quiet, and not to have any disturbance ; and he answered,
"No ma'am, I will not." He was very civil and quiet. The
deceased came in afterwards, and ho met her and said,
" Where is my tea ?" striking her as he said the words. She
called out "Murder," and said, " Don't, don't ;" and then
there was no more noise. Witness thought that the cessa-
tion of the noise was duo to Killduff's promise to be quiet.
It never occurred to her that the woman was dead. There
had often been greater disturbances before. That night it
was all over in ten minutes. At six in the morning Killduff
came to witness, and said that his wife was either dead or
dying. Witness went into the room and found her quite
dead and black. Witness never heard Killduff threaten to
kill deceased.

Lydia Delford, a lodger in the same house, said that she
had often seen the deceased drunk, but ICillduff never.
But she believed that he did take a little drink that Tues-
day night. She had heard him say that if deceased did not
leave off drinking she would remember it, but he never
threatened her life. On Tuesday night witness heard him
say, " What a shame it is that I should be kept out in the
street; I'll stiffen my lady's nose before morning." When
deceased came in she said " I shall catch it, I know, when
I get upstairs." She seemed to swing over the bannisters
to look up and see if there was a light. She then said,
" Well, here goes," and entered the room. Directly she got
into the room Killduff said,' Where is my tea,' or 'my key,
witness could not tell' which, and he struck her. There
was a dreadful scuffle, and one or both fell. Deceased cried
out " Murder." and " Don't," and there was another scuffle.
Then all was quiet. The next morning witness saw Kilduff
come down and wash himself in the back yard.
Prisoner—ln the wash-house. I washed myself.
The witness Said it was all the same thing. He then
went upstairs into his own room ; ho came out almost
directly, and said to the landlady, " Good God my wife is

dying or dead." Dr. Slater was then sent for.
Sergeant W. Marsh, 55 N, said that on the night in ques-
tion he saw deceased quarrelling in the Caledonian-road
with some respectable persons who Were jeering her. Wit-
ness saw she had been drinking, and said, "You must be
drunk to insult persons inthis way." She said, "I am more
mad than drunk ; I had a quarrel with my husband a fort-
night ago, and to-night with my landlady ; she insulted me
by calling me ' Irish,' and if I were to tell my husband that
he would kill her." She then ran across the road and en-
tered her own house.

By Mr. Ricketts—Witness saw no marks on deceased's
face then. She had her bonnet on. She was drunk.

John Delford, a lodger at 2, Frederick-street, said that
after the quarrel and scuffle he heard deceased give three
prolonged groans, as if she could not draw her breath.
There was no sound from the feet of a second person after
that. There were three falls. After the third scuffle and
fall he heard the groans.
Mr. Ricketts said ho did not wish the prisoner to say

anything.
Tho Coroner then summed up, and read over the deposi-
tions at length.. Ile said if the prisoner intended to kill the
deceased, it was a case of murder; if the injuries were in-
flicted during a quarrel, and without any intention of kill-
ing, the case would be one of manslaughter ; if the death
arose from effusion on the brain from excitement from
being struck, the case would not be ono of a criminal cha-
racter.

The court was then cleared of strangers.
The jury, after some deliberation, returned a verdict that
deceased was found dead from the effects of certain inju-
ries inflicted upon her by Michael Killduff ; and that the
said Michael Killduff was guilty of the manslaughter of
the said Catherine Costello.
The Coroner then issued his warrant for tho committal
of Killduff to Newgate on the charge of manslaughter.
The case was also brought before the Clerkenwell Po-
lice-court yesterday, when Mr. Barker also committed the
prisoner for trial.