The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-14 00:00:00

THE VOLUN7EER MOVEMENT.

The distribution of the prizes which had been
won at the recent contest at Hightown, near Liver-
pool, took place on Monday night at St. George's-
hall. The meeting was numerously attended by
the most influential inhabitants of Liverpool and
its vicinity. The Mayor (Mr. S. R. Graves) pre-
sided, and on the platform there were also present
Lord Stanley, M.P., Lori Elcho, Col. Wilbraham,
C. 8., Lieut.-Cols. Bousfield, Gladstone, and Brown,
Majors 'Walter, Tinley, Halkett, &c. Down the
centre of the hall there was a guard of honour,
consisting of ten men from each company of the
second battalion. The prizes having been distri-
buted by the Mayor, Col. 'Wilbraham mode some
appropriate observations upon the volunteer move-
ment. Lord Stanley moved a resolution to the
effect that it was desirable that a county association
should be formed for the encouragement of the
movement and the practice of rifle shooting. The
noble lord dwelt upon the importance of encourag-
ing the force, and gave his opinion that this arming
of the people was in its esseice a movement in fa-
vour of the continuance of European peace. Lord
Elcho, who seconded the resolution, spoke in similar
terms, and said there was reason for congratulation
at the result of the contest at Hightown. The re-
solution was cordially and unanimously agreed to.
Last evening a crowded public meeting was held
at Holborn hall, Holborn-bars, for the purpose of
furthering the formation of the Western Central
• Company of the 20th Middlesex Rifles. Captain
Houghton presided. The chairman, in opening
the proceedings, said the real object in meeting
that evening was to increase the number of the
Western Central Company. He himself believed
that the liberties of the world depended upon the
independent attitude of England. (Cheers.) He
did not call upon them to join the °Oth Middlesex
in particular, but that they should join some corps
and make themselves efficient soldiers, so that
they would be ready to defend their Queen and
country in the time of need. People might say
. tit would be time enough to defend the country
when an attack was made ; then all England would
rise as one man. It would be utterly useless if they

did, as they would be of no use without organisa-
tion. He therefore hoped that they would as soon
as possible join the great national movement and
become efficient members of the 20th Middlesex.
Lieut. Houghton then moved—" That the volun-
teer movement is calculated to produce great and
lasting benefit to the country by
maintaining itself
in a proper position among the Powers
of Europe."

Mr. Perry seconded the motion, which was carded.
Major Quarke moved the next resolution, as fol-
lows,—" That the volunteer movement is not in-
tended to menace any neighbouring Power, but is
establish:: d on the principles ofdefenco,not defiance."
The motion having been seconded by Corporal alb-
selcar, was carried with great cheering. Sergeant
Moorhouse moved the third resolution —" That the
Western Central Company of the 20th Middlesex
Volunteer Rifles deserves the support of all persons

in the district, and this meeting resolve to promote

its efficiency by giving it all practical support, and
recommending the enrolment of all residents is its
ranks." Ensign Jeffery, in seconding the motion,
said it seemed strange to Englishmen, living wilder
a golden rule, that other great nations allowed
themselves to be ruled over by despots, and go-
verned by one man, but it was so, and as long as
such things existed England hada duty to perform,
and that was self-preservation. We must be fully
prepared to encounter any foe daring enough to
place his foot upon the holy soil of Britain. 140
many of our countrymen were of that opinion that
numbers had enrolled themselves in a noble band,
now known as the Volunteer Army of Old Eng-
land. He concluded by observing that the corps
possessed many special advantages. The uniform
was cheap and serviceable, and members could pay
for it by weekly or monthly instalments. The mo-
tion was then agreed to. A great many names hav-
ing been enrolled, the meeting separated with a
cordial vote of thanks to the chairman. During the
evening the band of the regiment played with
good effect.
The members of No.l Company Ist Surrey Ric,
met at the Government Range, Plumstead, on the
3d inst. to fire for a steel barrelled rifle, given by
the captain of the company, and second and third
prizes of £6 and £3, firing five rounds at 200 yards,
and five rounds at 300 yards. Thirty-nine members
entered for the competition, and the result was as
follows :—Mr. F. Jameson, 12 points; Mr. Gre-
gory, 12 points; Mr. J. W. Rouse (sergeant), 11
points. On the 10th inst. the ties were fired off,
and Mr. Jameson gained the first prize by one
point in three rounds fired, Mr. Gregory receiving
the second, and Mr. Rouse the third prize.
A strong company of 135 working men, in the
employ of the Messrs. Broadwood, pianoforte-
makers, have lately joined the Queen's (Westmins-
ter) Rifle Volunteers, which now numbers upwards
of 1,640 effectivcs of all ranks.

At a meeting held on Monday night of the com-
mittee appointed to negotiate respecting a successor
to Major-General ])owning, Major-Commandant of
the Paddington Rifle Volunteer Corps, Vice-Chan-
cellor Kindersley i❑ the chair, it was considered
extremely desirable to make it known that this
corps was in want of a commanding officer, but that
it was not desirable to do so by advertisement
A letter has been addressed by the Earl De Grey
and Ripon to Lieut.• Col. Briggs, Commander of the
Ist battalion of the West Riding Volunteers, ac-
cepting the colonelcy of the battalion.

In the account of the Norwich Rifle competition,
published in The Sun. of Thursday, it was stated
that the number of competitors was 62--it should
have been 103. The number 62 referred to the first
day's proceedings only, 41 gentlemen entering the
lists on the second day.