The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-01 00:00:00

TILE VOLUNTEE.I? MOVEMENT.

The Ist Surrey Rifles is now in a most efficient
state. On Thursday evening a muster took place
on the Surrey Cricket -Ground, Kennington-oval,
whence, attended by their band, they marched out
and passed through Clapham to Streatham, then to-
wards Brixton on to Camberwell, where they were
dismissed. At the head-quarters, Hanover-park,
Peckham, attached to the drill-room and grounds,
am excellent gymnasium is established, and the ser-
vices of an experienced instructor obtained. Bat-
talion drill takes place every Thursday, and the at-
tendance of the band attracts numerous visitors.
Every evening squad and company drill takes place,
also cadet drill—the cadets being now in uniform.
The firing for classes and prizes, on the Hythe sys-
tem, has now been commenced by the Ist Surrey.
On Tuesday afternoon last a ceremony of an in-
teresting character took place at the residence of
Mr. Leonard Thompson, of Sheriff Hutton Park,
near York. It appears that on the formation of
the York Volunteer Rifles, Lady Mary Thompson,
the wife of Mr. Leonard Thompson, expressed her
high approval of the movement by contributing a
substantial subscription towards the funds of the
corps. Lady Mary has also intimated her desire to
contribute a silver cup, to be shot for in that city in
October next. This sympathy with the Volunteer
movement it was felt should not be allowed to pass
by without some recognition on the part of the
York corps; and it was therefore determined by the
Ist Company of the Ist West York Rifle Volunteers,
with her ladyship's permission, to present her with
wit nnn c_rosn-belta and poneh bearing omhi'ms of
the corps. The belts were manufactured of beau-
tiful blue velvet, made in exactly the same style
as the belts of the corps, and mounted with
silver lace and sterling silver emblems. Inside
the pouch was also a silver plate, bearing the fol-
lowing inscription :—" Presented to Lady Mary
Thompson by the non-commissioned officers of the
Ist Company of the Ist West York Rifle Volun-
teers, as an acknowledgment of the distinguished
compliment paid the corps by her ladyship having
enrolled herself as one of its earliest members,
and so become a high example to the ladies of Eng-
land.—Aug. 26, 1860." The belts and pouch were
enclosel in a box made expressly for the purpose,
and lined with white satin. Tuesday was the day
fixed for making the presentation, and at 1 o'clock
n the afternoon the non-commissioned officers of

the corps, with the members of the band, met at the
Guildhall, whence they proceeded to Sheriff Hutton
Park. On the company arriving at the gates lead-
ing up to the hall, they were met by Major Briggs
(the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ist Battalion of the
West York Rifle Volunteers) and the Rev. Canon
Hey (the honorary chaplain of the head-quarter
companies). These gentlemen escorted the non-
commissioned officers to the hall door, where they
were courteously received by Mr. Leonard Thomp-
son, attired in his uniform, as Deputy-Lieutenant
of the North Riding of the county. The non-com-
missioned officers of the 2d and 3d companies were
first introduced into the drawing-room, where they
ranged themselves down each side, after which they
were followed by the non-commissioned officers of
the Ist company, who proceeding down the centre
of the room were met by Lady Mary Thompson,
Mr. L. Thompson, Earl Fitzwilliam (attired in his
uniform as Lord-Lieutenant of the West Riding of
Yorkshire), the Countess Fitzwilliam, Lady Char-
lotte Wentworth Fitzwilliam, the Rev. G. Hodg-
kinson, of Stensall; the Rev. 0. H. and Mrs.
Flowers, of Sheriff Hutton ; the Rev. F. B. Simp-
son, of Babworth ; Mr. Frederick Thompson, and
Mrs. Clough Taylor. Sergeant Pearson read an
appropriate address. The belts and pouches having
been handed to her ladyship, she made a suitable
reply. Lady Mary Thompson then presented to
the headquarter companies of the Ist Battalion of
the Ist West York Rifles a magnificent silver cup,
mounted on a block or pedestal made from an oak
which had grown in Sheriff Hutton Park. Upon
the cup was engraved the following inscription :
" To the member of the head-quarter companies of
the Ist West York Rifle Volunteers who shall, ac-
cording to the Hythe rules of musketry, prove him-
self the best shot two years in succession. Pre-
sented by Lady Mary Thompson, the wife of Leonard
Thompson, of Sheriff Hutton Park." Major
Briggs, on behalf of the head-quarter companies,
then begged to express how very much they ap-
preciated the kind gift now presented to them.
Lady Mary Thompson then put on a jacket made
after a similar pattern to those worn by the corps ;
after which the belts were placed round her waist
and over her shoulders. The non-commissioned
officers then dispersed until the announcement of
the readiness of the banquet which was being pre-
pared, some of them proceeding on to the lawn in
front of the house. Here also Lady Mary and Mr.
Thompson, the Earl and Countess and Lady Char-
lotte Fitzwilliam, and other friends proceeded, At
half-past 4 o'clock the whole of the company pro-
ceeded to the dining-hall, where they sat down to
a magnificent banquet, after which several toasts
were proposed.
The present week has been quite a Volunteer
gala time at Montrose—the first Scottish national
" tir" having just been finished in that ancient
burgh. The proceedings commenced on Mon4aY,
by Capt. Horatio Ross, of Netherley, and hi with ?
Mr. Edward Ross, the " champion shot,
several other gentlemen, shooting at casks placed
as targets in Montrose-basin at two distances-900
and 1,800 yards. A large "number of spectators,
including many of the local Volunteers, were pre-
sent. The champion's shooting was very
t ..
orprecise,
r_
he having, at the shorter d.isetaunsecol theh w the ,tmarkt
h
seven times in succession. He
rifle gained by him at the Wimbledon competition.
At the greater distance, 1,800 yards, the " Old
Deer Stalker," Capt. Horatio Ross, proved himself
the better man, beating his son by several points.
None of the other gentlemen were able to equal the
Rosses. On Tuesday two prizes Were contended
for on the Links of Montrose, one being " Scot-
land's Cup," value £5O, open to all Scotland,
Volunteers or non-Volunteers, 15 shots to each com-
petitor, five at 700 yards, five at 800 ditto, and five
at 900 ditto. There were also second and third
prizes here,--a first-class Westley Richards'
rifle, value £2l was provided, and a Lancaster
rifle worth £lO 10s. The other chief prize of
the day was " The Ladies' Cross," open to volun-

teer riflemen in Montrose, Arbroath, an
Brechin. Sixty-seven competitors came forwar
for Scotland's Cup, the number including not a few
of the best shots in the country, and several of the
Winahledon candidates for rifle fame. Neither of
the Rosses, father or son, contended. After an
exciting contest, which lasted the whole of the day,
three of the competitors were found equal :-
700 800 900 Total
yds. yds. yds. Points.
Mr. Blackburn, advocate, Edinburgh. 4 3 5 12
Captain Moir, Stirling. 4 4 4 12
Dr. A. Irvine, Aberdeen
These gentlemen then shot off the tics, When Capt.
Moir won the cup, Dr. Irvine the second, and Mr.
Blackburn the third prizes. The winner shot with
Mr. Edward Ross's Whitworth rifle, the others with
k -1,/eitvatletio n d a 'Whitworth. " The Ladies'
Cross" was carried by Mr. John Gibb, Forfarshire,
who made 13 points out of six shots at 150 yards,
On Wednesday the great gathering took place,
when some 20,000 people, including a large number
of volunteers, invaded the burgh, as spectators or
competitors in the sport of the day. The prizes
contended for were the Counties Cup, for skir-
mishers, value 125, open to volunteer riflemen in
the neighbouring counties, won by Mr. Mills, For-
far ; the Mearns Gold Medal, won by Mr. William
Thomiion, sth Kincardine Corps • the Angus and
Mearns Cup, value £32, won by Sergeant Francis,
Dundee ; the Ladies' Mearns Cross, won by Mr.
Brown, of the sth Kincardine; and the Montrose
Cup, value £25, open to all Scotch volunteers. This
latter prize was contested very keenly, the bast
shots of the previous day, with the exception of Dr.
Irvine and Mr. Blackburn, being in the lists. The
distance was 400 yards (five shots) and 500 yards
(five shots). Capt. Macgregor, of the Leith Rifles,
carried the prize, having made 15 points. Capt.
Mciir, the champion of the former day, was unlucky,
haVing only put six upon the pope:. the
day there were Highland games contested under
the supervison of Sir Charles Forbes, of Newe, as
umpire. The judges for the shooting on both days
were Lord Elcho, Col. Kinloch, and CaFt. Horatio
Ross. At the distribution of the prizes in the
evening Lord Elcho made an eloquent speech in
regard to the volunteer movement. His lordship
was loudly cheered by the great multitude present.
A golf competition and a cricket match wound up
the proceedings on Thursday.
Underthe auspices of Mr. Myles Lonsdale _Formby,
of New Sampford-hall (late captain in the 6th
Dragoons),an effort is being made to form a mounted
corps in Essex. Mr. Formby urges that as guides,
scouts, escorts, &c., such a corps would be able to
render inestimable service. The uniform suggested
is a blue tunic, something like that worn by the
Horse Artillery, with a felt or velvet cap, brown
Bedford cords, and black boots. The arms it is
proposed ghouls' be a breech-loading Westley
Richards' rifle and a light cavalry sword something
similar to the regulation one, but shorter and
lighter.
A notice has been issued by the authority of Earl
Fitzwilliam, the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Rid-
ing of Yorkshire, stating that a review of the Vo-
lunteer corps of the Riding will take place at York
towards the end of September. A further commu-
nication is shortly expected, mentioning the day
on which the review will be held and giving full
instructions. It is not known who will be the re-
viewing officer, but the name of Major-General Sir
George Wetherall is mentioned.