The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-12 00:00:00

VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.

_,...

FINSBURY RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

This corps assembled at Myddelton Hall, Isling-
ton, last evening, in order that the prizes awarded
for good firing during the last year should be pre-
sented to the successful candidates.-

The chair was taken at half-past seven o'clock by
Mr. Alderman Lusk, M.P., who, in opening the
proceedings, congratulated the country at large,
and that corps in particular, on the great progress
the volunteer movement had made during the last
few years. It was now a standing institution of the
country, and taught other nations that the old mili-
tary spirit which always characterised Englishmen
still existed in its full vigour. (Cheers.) The people
of our country, and especially of this metropolis, were
always partially estranged from each other, in con-
sequence of the great subdivision of labour which
existed ; but the volunteer movement had the effect
of bringing men together, and promoting cordiality
and good fellowship amongst them. (Hear, hear.)
Then, again, they were a commercial people, and
much mischief had often been created by pains and
fears of an invasion, but since the volunteer move-
ment was established they had altogether ceased.
(Cheers.) That, if nothing else occurred, was a
great advantage gained, and he was also glad to say
that it contributed, in a remarkable manner, to en-
large the physical qualities of his countrymen.
(Hear.) Young men were now looked upon by
fathers and mothers with pride and pleasure in con-
sequence of that erect bearing and martial appear-
ance they presented, acquired from military drill;
and he believed the same feeling was exhibited by
many of their sweethearts. (Laughter.) He was
happy in standing there that evening to distribute
the prizes gained during the past year, and hoped
the Finsbury volunteers would not be the least
efficient of any in the country. (Hear, hear.)
Captain IlisLoP then read a report giving an ac-
count of the shooting during the past year, the
principal feature of which was that 154 fired in
class, of which 40 were third class, 59 second class,
27 first class, and 28 marksmen.
The distribution of prizes then commenced, the
principal one being a beautiful silver challenge cup,
value £25, given by the hon. chairman, to be shot
for quarterly at 200, 500, and 610 yards, five shots
each range, and to become the property of the mem-
ber winning at the greatest number of times in two
years. It was presented by Mrs. Lusk amid loud
cheers, and won the first time by Captain Hislop,
who made 41 points.
The prizes having been distributed,

Judge PAYNE came forward, and in one of his
humorous speeches proposed the " Health of the
Ladies," which being seconded by Capt. DONNELLY,
was unanimously passed with loud applause.
Col. ERSKINE, Inspector-General of Volunteers,
next came forward, and said that about that time
last year, if his memory served him, he had the
honour of addressing them, when he urged on them
how desirable it was that the number of their " effi-
cients" should be increased as much as possible.
Now he regretted to say that that number had not
only not increased, but diminished since that time.
Now it was very important that advice so given
should be adopted as far as it was practicable, and
he would just tell them why in a very few words.
They all knew that that corps was composed almost
entirely of men engaged from one end of the year
to another in business, and it had been remarked by
many shrewd observers that those made the best
volunteers who had the most business on hand.
(Hear, hear.) Those so engaged had such an ap-
preciation of the value of time that when they had
a leisure hour they preferred devoting it to some
useful occupation than indulge in absolute riot or
in frivolous amusements. (Hear, hear.) Now he
hoped, with that fact before them, they would in-
crease the number of their " efficients" during the
ensuing year, that they would also increase the
number of badges,: because the latter would make a
corresponding increase in the funds of the corps.
He had the honour of inspecting the corps last sum-
mer, and thought the men went through their duties
remarkably well, but the muster, he regretted to
say, was exceedingly small. Satisfactory reasons
were no doubt given for that by their gallant colonel.
It was very unfortunate that they did not assemble
in greater numbers. (Hear, hear.) The inspection
took place once a year,• and it was then very de-
sirable to have as great a number as possible pre-
sent on the occasion. (Hear, hear.) Indeed, he
was so pleased with those who were present that he
should like very much to have a look at those who
were absent. (A. laugh.) He hoped, hoWever, that
at the next inspection the numbers would be much
more numerous. (Hear, hear.)
Captain BLANKLEY next moved the thanks of the
corps to the prize donors, which, being seconded by
Captain BARDOE, was passed.
Colonel GARDENER returned thanks on behalf of
his father, one of the principal donors ; and Mr.
HOLLAND, another liberal donor, on his own behalf.
Thanks were next voted to Colonel Erskine and
the Chairman, both of whom acknowledged the
compliment in brief terms, and the proceedings
terminated.

Colonel Penton, commanding the corps, was pre-
vented from being present in consequence of the
serious illness of his son.

THIRD CITY OF LONDON.

The annual dinner of the 3d London Rifle Volun-
teers, one of the best disciplined corps brought into
existence by the volunteer movement, took place
last evening in the Grand Hall, Arundel-street,
Strand. Lieut.-Colonel Alfred B. Richards pre-
sidedc supported by nearly every officer of the batta-
lion, while the rank and file mustered on the occa-
sion nearly 250 strong. The festival was rendered
additionally interesting by the presentation of the
prizes won at the Tottenham Range competition
last week.

After an excellent dinner the usual loyal toasts
were gracefully introduced by Lieut.-Colonel
RICIIARDS, and enthusiastically drunk.
Captain LAURIE, of the 34th Regiment, returned
thanks for " The Army ;" and Captain REVIERE,
of the Hon. Artillery Company, for " The Volun-
teers."

The next toast was the " 3dLondon Rifle Vo
teers," proposed by Captain LAURIE, who associated
with the sentiment the name of Lieut.-Colonel
Richards, the originator of the regiment, and who
had always manifested the deepest interest in its
welfare. (Cheers.)
Lieut.-Colonel RICHARDS, who was received with
the heartiest demonstrations of applause, responded.
He felt very happy in meeting upon that occasion
the representatives of as fine a volunteer regiment
as England could boast of. (Cheers.) He was glad
to hear, notwithstanding the difficulties with which
they had to contend, they were more numerous at
that moment than they had been at the correspond-
ing period of last year, and that they were far
stronger in point of marksmen, and in men who
had thoroughly learnt the use of that admirable
weapon, the rifle. (Hear, hear.) From the outset
they had always been a hard-working regiment, and
he hoped that they were a fighting regiment to the
end. The 3d London had outlived their days of
peril, and he believed that they would be found at
the front in peace or in war. He thought, however,
that as a loyal and patriotic regiment, they had some
reason to complain that sufficient accommodation
bad not yet been afforded them for battalion drill
throughout the long winter months. They could
not command a place wherein to drill 500 men.
There was not room at Guildhall, but still they con-
trived to meet there. He did think it was hard,
after five years' exertions, that either the Govein-
ment or the Corporation of the City of London did
not give them assistance in that matter. They could
not assist themselves. He felt convinced that the
corps deserved to be supplied with some place where
it could at any time conveniently assemble. He had
further to observe, that he believed the 3d London
was the onlyvolunteer regiment in England in which
all the prizes awarded at the annual competitions
had been raised among its officers and their imme-
diate relatives and friends. If the Government were
in earnest in support of the volunteer movement
they would grant to the 3d London what they re-
quired in the shape of a site for drill ground. He
could assure them that he had often been compli-
mented by the officers of other volunteer regiments
on the efficiency of the corps he had the honour to
command, and he was happy to be able to add that
he had never experienced any difficulty in insuring
a perfect compliance with his requests from every
man in the battalion. (Cheers.)
The health of " The Press," and " The Visitors,"
responded to by the Rev. Mr. Cooksey, St. Peter's,
Hammersmith, and some other toasts were given
and honoured. _ _

The CHAIR3IAN then proceeded to present the
prizes to the successful competitors. They amounted
to upwards of £lOO in value, about £75 of that sum
being distributed in the shape of money among the
men. The principal prize, the Battalion Cup, was
won by Assistant-Surgeon Henderson.
Throughout the evening the band of the 3d Lon-
don was stationed in the gallery of the hall, and
played at intervals an excellent selection of airs.

VOLUNTEER; RIFLE MEETING AT WIMBLEDON.

Yesterday morning, at the butts of the London
Scottish Rifles, Wimbledon, the contest commenced
for the Challenge Cup, value £5O, presented by the
shooting committee of the county of Middlesex.
The following are among the Middlesex regiments
which will have to shoot to-morrow :—The 2d bat-
talion of the 22d (Queen's), 2d (South), 9th (West),
11th, 21st, the Hon. Artillery Company, 19th,
15th, 46th, 2d battalion of the' London Rifle Bri-
gade, and the 18th (Harrow).
Yesterday morning the match was commenced