The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-26 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

The Civil Service Regiment (21st Middlesex) will
proceed to 'Wimbledon for target practice on Tues-
day and Saturday. There will be company drill at
Barber's-hall on Monday, and officers' and non-
commissioned officer.' drill at the same place on

Wednesday—undress uniform to be worn.
A rifle shooting match took place on the linares-
borough shooting ground on the 21st inst. between
two officers and 10 staff sergeants of the sth West
York Militia, and two officers and, 10 men of the

Ripon Rifle Corps. The number of rounds was to
have been five at each of the ranges of 200, 250, and
_ _ _

300 yards. When the first two ranges had been
fired, the score was 120 for the Volunteers and 90
for the militiamen. This majority was considered
decisive of the contest, and as the rain was falling
continuously it was mutually agreed to abandon the
300 yards' range. Two of the Volunteers scored 15

points each.
The members of the 3d Berks (Newbury) Volun-
teer Corps entered to compete for various money
prizes mustered at the butts on Crookham-common
on Wednesday and Friday last. The weather on
the former day was most unfavourable, the wind
blowing a perfect hurricane across the line of fire,
and the rain descending in torrents. However, the
example set by Capt. H. H. Eyre, of Shaw-house,
who faced it all throughout the day, was followed
by the men, and not an absentee had to be reported.
The first prize shot for was £5 for the best shot, at
700, 750, and 800 yards, which was won by Private
W. Fisher. The second prize was £3 for the best
shot and £1 lOs for the second best shot at 200,250,
and 300 yards. The £3 prize fell to Private Pond,
and Privates W. King and D. Jones tied for the
second prize ; this tie was shot off on Friday, and
eventually won by Private D. Jones. The prizes
will be distributed in the course of a few days in
the Mansion-house, where a dinner will subse-
quently take place.
To the 13th•Berks (Forest) Company) which has
been established for Ascot and the neighbouring

parishes, his Royal Highness the Prince Consort has
subscribed £25, and his Excellency the Belgian
Minister £lO, with an annual subscription.
A silver challenge cup of the value of 12 guineas,
given by the ex-Mayor of King's Lynn (Mr. L.
Self), has just been shot for by the volunteers of
that town. The number of rounds was three each,
at 250, 400, 500, and 600 yards ; and the highest
scores obtained were Corporal Cooper, 13, and
Privates Agger and Pridgeon 11 each. The cup is
to be wen two years in succession by the same
person before it becomes his permanent property.
The Ist Cambridgeshire Corps having attained
its maximum strength of 100 members, steps are
being taken for the formation of another company,
with a view to the organisation of a battalion. The
cost of membership has been greatly reduced. The
members of the Cambridge. Working Men's Corps
are being equipped at the cheap rate of £2 5s each.
exclusive of :their accoutrements. Some of the
accoutrements will be purchased for such persons as
cannot buy them for themselves, and these accou-
trements will become the property of the corps, and
be vested (in accordance with the provision made
on the subject by Act of Parliament) in the com-
manding officers. The members of the Ely Com-
pany have hitherto met for drill three times a week,
but during the winter. they will assemble for that
purpose on Saturdays only. The ladies of Wisbech
are making a subscription for the purchase of a
present of a silver cup or statuette to be shot for
by the volunteers of that town. The members of
the Newmarket Mounted Corps have been sworn
in during the past week. The proceedings closed
with a dinner at the Rutland Arms Hotel, Lieut.
Townley presiding.
On Friday a piiblic meeting was held at Taunton,
at which a large number of the leading county
gentry were present, when it was resolved to form
a mounted rifle corps for that division of the county
of Somerset.
On Thursday the Williton or 9th Somerset
Volunteer Rifle Corps were inspected by Major
Hume, in the presence of Colonel Graham and
Captain Mallet, adjutant of the 3d battalion, and a
large number of the ladies and gentry of the neigh-
bourhood. The inspection took place at Orchard
Wyndham, the seat of the Countess of Egremont,
after which the gallant Major complimented the
corps upon their martial bearing. The Volunteers
hen marched, with the band at their head, into
he mansion of the Countess of Egrement, and be-

tween 50 and 60 sat down to a repast. The Coun
tess of Egremont presented the corps with a silver
bugle, value 25 guineas.
Many of the corps formed in the county of Essex
have passed through the first and most trying
year in their history, but no diminution has taken
place in the interest in the Volunteer movement.
There are now 24 companies , enrolled, includ-
ing about 3,000 men, scattered over the county
between Stratford on the south and Saffron
Walden on the north, between Harwich on the east
and Epping on the west. The rifle practice returns
during the summer indicate general efficiency.
At Rotherham the Volunteer movement is making
very satisfactory progress. The two companies
already established number from 170 to 180 men,
and a third company is being formed at Parkgate
with gratifying success. The establishment of a
fourth company is under consideration, with a view
to the formation of a separate battalion at Rother-
ham, the companies there being at present bat-
talionised with the Doncaster corps.
An Engineer Company has been established at
Sheffield in connexion with the School of Art, Mr.
Y. Mitchell, the head master of the school, being
captain. The Engineer Company is entirely un-
connected with the rifle battalion previously, exist-
ing. Rifle companies are being successively orga-
nised at the adjoining villages of Stannington and
Wortley.
The services of the newly formed company at
Stone, near Stafford, have within the last few days
been accepted by her Majesty. This company raises
the total in Staffordshire to 40 companies.
Several matters of interest may be noted with re-
.retence to, the progress of the movement in Lincoln-
shire.
The members of the Stamford corps held a
competition last week for a silver cup, presented by
the Mayor, and
shooting
rounds each, and the
was at ranges of 200 and 300 yards, five
two small money prizes. The
who made 1
PrivatePhillips,F. Simpson, jun., who made 16 points; and
was won by Lieutenant
17 points;. the second prize, by
thenumber
u thirdmb ei o
f l;yoiPn Private
i v abtuet
was distanced by his compe-
titor
Spriggs, who made an equal
when the ties were shot off. The members
of the Gosberton Company have commenced preli-
minary drill. The Spalding Corps have made ar-
rangements for forming the earthworks of their
butt, which will be an expensive affair, as, in con-
sequence of the flatness of the country, earth will
have to be brought from a considerable distance.
Ile Falkingham Volunteers have had a competition
for a series of prizes. The first—a badge of honour,