The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-07 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

Last evening there was a muster of the 29th
North Middlesex in the Riding School of the
Regent's Park Barracks for the purpose of witness-
ing the distribution of the prizes for the best shots
at rifle practice in the lst company. The men
having formed into square, Capt. Ross presented
the first prize, a handsome silver tankard, to Private
George W. Stonham ; the second prize, a Westly
Richards rifle, to Private Tilley, and the third prize
to Private Maryon. In presenting the prizes Capt.
Ross impressed upon the effectives the necessity of
attending and becoming efficient in drill as well as
in rifle practice if they wished to make efficient
Volunteers Viscount Enfield is expected to take
practical command of the corps in the course of the
ensuing week.
Capt.-Commandant Walters has received an
official notification from the Lord-Lieutenant that
the Secretary at War has sanctioned the formation
of the Central London Rifle Corps (40th Middle-
sex) as a separate battalion, with the following
establishment :—One lieutenant-colonel, one major,
one adjutant, eight captains, eight lieutenants,
eight ensigns, one surgeon, and one assistant-sur-
geon, and 800 men, divided into eight companies of
100 men. Major-General Sir Jas. Yorke Scarlett,
K.C.8., has consented to accept the honorary
Colonelship, and has promised to use his best en-
deavours to induce military gentlemen of position to
fill the vacant posts of Lieut.-Colonel and Major.
On Monday last a rifle match took place between
10 members of the Colchester corns for one of Wil-
son's patent breech-loading rifles. The ranges were
300, 400, and 500 yards, five rounds at each range,
and 10 competitors entered the lists. Notwith-
standing the unfavourable state of the weather the
shooting was good, and the prize was carried off
by Captain Bishop, the commanding officer of the
corps, who in 15 shots made 16 points.
On Monday the 10th Essex (Witham) corps was
inspected,by Captain-Adjutant de Crespigny; who
expressed himself generally satisfied with their
efficiency.
The members of the Stratford and West Ham
corps have presented to Sergeant Martin a valu-
able watch and chain as a token of their appre-
ciation of his services as drill master. The watch,
which bears a suitable inscription, was presented
by Captain C. Pelly, the commanding officer.
The career of the Brandon Rifle Corps has just
been inaugurated with a public dinner, Major-
General Angerstein presiding. Among the gentle-
men present on the occasion was Mr. W. Anger-
stein, M.P. for Greenwich, and the hon, gentleman
in responding to the toast of " the House of Com-
mons," expressed his hearty approval of the move-
ment, stating incidentally that in the constituency
he represented there were 5,000 Volunteers. He had
supported the Government in the vote of several mil-
lions to put the country in a satisfactory state of
defence, and he could meet his constituents with
an assurance that he had done right. The Baron de
Bliss, lord of the manor, offered the use of his
park as a practising ground, and Capt. Tyssen, on
the part of the Volunteers, gratefully accepted the
offer.

A mounted rifle corps for the town of Cardiff will
soon be formed and equip9ed. Seventy gentlemen
have put down their names, and it is expected
that more will be obtained. The uniform is to con-
sist of a scarlet tunic, helmet and plume, drab
trousers and overall boots. Ground in the vicinity
of the town has been selected for practice, and ap-
proved by the Government inspecting officer, so
that in a short time the corps will be in full drill.
A mounted rifle corps is also to be formed in Pem-
brokeshire, having Haverfordwest for its centre,
the strength of which is to be from SO to 100.