The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-31 00:00:00

War so far as is necessary for the performance of
their duties as members of a court-martial.
" 7. They must be acquainted with the Queen's
regulations in regard to pay and messing of the
troops, and the supply of necessaries.
" 8. They must know the weight of the knapsack,
the weight of the soldier's firelock, with and with-
out the bayonet ; of his pouch, with and without
ammunition; the quantity of ammunition it is cal-
culated to carry, and the weight of his accoutre-
ments.

" The Board of Examiners will ascertain by prac-
tical experience, and not by the acceptance merely
of verbal or written answers to questions, whether
the officer is instructed in:the subjects specified in
the above paragraphs 4 and 6.
" The general or other officer commanding the
districts or stations will forward the report of the
Board (with the written questions and replies) to
the Military Secretary, accompanied by his own
observations thereon.

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

THE LANCASHIRE RIFLE CONTEST AT
HIGHTOWN.

LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.

The active business of this important contest
commenced at Hightown Rifle Range yesterday
morning. It was expected that the opening would
have been honoured by the presence of the
Earl of Sefton, Lord-Lieutenant of the county, but
in consequence of indisposition his lordship was
unable to attend. Letters of apology for unavoid-
able absence were also received from the Earl of
Ellesmere, Lord Stanley, Lord Elcho, and Lieut.-
Colonel Wilson Patten, M.P. Probably on account
of the unpromising aspect of the weather, the
attendance of spectators was not very numerous,
but among those present who evidently took a deep
interest in the proceedings were—Earl Spencer, the
Hon. Algernon Egerton, M.P., Col. the Hon.
Arthur Egerton, Col. Wilbraham, C. 8., Sir Charles
Bright, his Worship the Mayor of Liverpool, Lieut.-
Colonel W. Brown, Major Walker, Inspector of
Volunteers for Scotland, and several gentlemen of
local note.
The shooting of yesterday was not considered up
to expectation, and, with the exception of the com-
petition for the prize given by Lieut.-Colonel
Brown, it was rather under than over the average,
although the numerous entries proved that the
interest taken in the matter was extensive. The
comparatively indifferent quality of the shooting
was undoubtedly caused in some degree by the
haziness of the atmosphere, and the unequal and
boisterous state of the wind.

The first prize competed for was the Hightown
Stakes, value £5O ; second prize, £2O ; third prize,
£lO. This prize was open to competition by the
members of regiments of the Line quartered in the
county, the Militia, and the Volunteers of Lanca-
shire—two from eaeh company; distances, 300.
500, and 600 yards ; long or short Enfield, Govern-
ment pattern ; five shots at each range ; entrance,
ss. For these stakes there were 58 competitors,
and notwithstanding this large number, there were
no ties. Corporal Charles Ball, of the 11th depot
battalion, was the winner of the first prize, for
which he scored 12 points; the second prize was
carried off by Capt. W. Bluett, of the 10th Foot,
whose score was 11 points ; and the third fell to
the lot of James Jervis, of the Ist Manchester Rifles,
who made 10 points. At the 300 yards' range
there were 6 fives, 6 fours, 12 threes, 9 twos, 14
ones, and 11 who scored nothing; at the 500
yards' range there were 1 eight, 1 six, 1 five, 3
fours, 11 threes, 6 twos, 9 ones, and 23 who scored
nothing; at the 600 yards there were 1 five, two
threes, 3 twos, 15 ones, and 37 who scored nothing.
The total score was 256, giving an average of very
nearly 4 to each competitor.

The next prize was a purse of £25, presented by
Lieut.-Col. Brown, with a second prize of £l5, and
a third prize of £lO added by the committee. This
match was for the Liverpool Artillery Volunteers,
to be competed for with the regulation carbine at
distances of 200 and 300 yards, five shots each
range; entrance ss. The number of competitors in
this case was 18. The first prize was won by Capt.
Brabner, of the 20th Liverpool Artillery Volunteers,
who made 10 points. For the second prize there
were three ties—Lieut. C. B. Bean, Lieut. J. B.
Stanley, and F. H. Michatowski, having made 8
points each. The shooting off was spirited, four
rounds being fired before the victory was deter-
mined. The result was that the second prize was
won by Mr. Michatowski, and the third fell to
Lieut. Stanley. At the 200 yards range there were
3 sixes, 1 five, 3 fours, 4 threes, 1 two, 2 ones, and
2 who scored nothing. At the 300 yards range there
were 1 six, 5 fours, 3 threes, 4 twos, 1 one, and 4
who scored nothing.

The third and last match for the day was a silver
cup, valued at 50 guineas, given by Mr. W. Preston,
second prize, 12 guineas, presented by Messrs.
Webb and Hunt, to be competed for by the Rifle
Volunteers of Liverpool; distances 300 and 500
ykrds. Five shots at each range; entrance ss. In
this match there was a tie between W. H. Richards,
39th Liverpool Rifle Volunteers, and C. C. Pule sth
Liverpool Volunteers, each having made 11 points.
The tie was shot off at 600 yards, one shot each.
Richards made a centre against an outer by Pole,
and consequently took the first prize, the second
falling to C. C. Pole. At the 300 yards range there
were 3 sevens, 3 sixes, 5 fives, 10 fours, 10 threes, 15
twos, 21 ones, and 12 who scored nothing. At the
500 yards there were 1 six, 5 fours, 9 threes, 11 twos,
23 ones, and 27 who scored nothing. In this match
there were 81 competitors. The total score was 311,

giving an average of rather better than 31, to each
competitor.

Col. Kennedy, the umpire, stated his opinion that
the shooting was highly creditable to the skill and
general proficiency of the competitors.

ROYAL NATIONAL RIFLES.

A public meeting was held last night in the
Duke of Wellington's Riding School, Knights-
bridge, for the purpose of promoting the formation
of the Royal National Rifles. The large building
in which the meeting took place was crowded, and
considerable enthusiasm prevailed throughout the
proceedings. A large detachment of the corps,
many of them attired in their new uniform,
marched into the riding school, headed by drummers
and fifers of the Grenadier Guards. Sir J. Shelley,
M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, took the
chair amid loud cheers.
Sir J. SHELLEY, in opening the proceedings, ob-
served that any cavil at the volunteer movement
was best answered by the decided manner in which
it had been taken up throughout the country, and
which had shown to foreign countries that any
attempt to invade Great Britain would be met by
every man of whatever station., (Hear.) The
movement was merely a popular movement, not
receiving assistance from Parliament or the Go-
vernment, and therefore he thought it was certain
to succeed. He felt that great honour was due to
the Duke of Wellington, Lord Elcho, Lord Ranc-
lagh—(hear)—and others who had so cordially
supported the volunteer movement. Honour was
also due to the regular army, which, instead of
manifesting jealousy, had rendered great assistance
in bringing the movement into practical operation.
(Cheers.) His hon. and gallant colleague, Sir De
L. Evans, had taken great interest in the formation
of the Royal National Rifles, and had consented to
become its colonel. This corps had been started not
in antagonism to existing corps, as had been at one
time suggested,
iest:d, but in order to permit all classes to
take this great national movement by re-
ducing the necessary expenses to the lowest possible
scale. The difficulties which had prevented the
Lord-Lieutenant from recommending the services
of the Royal National Rifles for her Majesty's ac•
ceptance had been removed, and in a very few days
Gh eoheor.
np
Het
nd. a
nyi theyt; I
c(
twuLoexuaTlr
mvr d:
mre e e i
.p" ve the sanction of the
hear.)
in Proposing a resolu-
tion, approving the formation of the Royal National
Rifles, warned the Volunteers against.being misled
by the fluctuations of public opinion. 'lt might- be
said, would the Emperor of the French (for it was
no use disguising the fact that he was the only S-
overeign who could) invade this country ? He had
given us a liberal tariff, and entertained no hostile
intentions towards England; but for what purpose
was he building those great warlike hulls cased in
armour ? (Hear, hear.) The Gloire could not be in-
tended for the defence of the foreign trade of France;