The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-14 00:00:00

The National Rifle Association.

Friday is generally considered one of the most
important days that occurs during the meeting,
inasmuch as it is the closing day of the contest
for the Queen's Prize in the first stage, when
from amongst the 2, 000 and upwards of compe-
titors are to be selected those who receive im-
mediate prizes, and a further selection is made of
the 60 only who are allowed to become the compe-
titors in the second stage, and from whom the ulti-
mate winner of the Queen's Prize is to be obtained.
The first or preliminary stage admits within its pale
all who choose to offer, of course having duly quali-
fied themselves in the corps or battalion to which
they belong; but it is only those who by the excel-
lence of their marking have distinguished themselves
above their fellows who are allowed to join the ranks
of the best marksmen which the kingdom can pro-
duce. Of course, out of so large an aggregate
number of entries disappointment must follow many
hopeful aspirations, while, on the other hand, there
is no doubt that others unknown to fame are brought
forward and placed in a proper position, which they
could never have attained but through the instru-
mentality of this Association. As an illustration of
this may be mentioned the case of Private Shar-
man, of the 4th Yorkshire, who in the most unex-
pected and unostentatious manner carried off the
Queen's Prize with all the honours belonging thereto.
The contest this year has no doubt placed unknown
men high in the scale of merit, but it was generally
believed that the chief prize of the first stage would
fall to one of the Queen's Westminster's as Mr.
James, of that corps, had made 48 points.
These are, however, but doubtful surmises until
the whole have gone through their shooting, as often
a man almost at the last moment makes a brilliant
score and eclipses all that has been before. A strange
example of this kind occurred two years ago, when
Col. Halford had made such a good score in the se-
cond stage for the Queen's Prize that he was con-
gratulated by his friends as the winner. A squad
stationed at a distant part of the common, and one
hardly noticed by the generality of the visitors and
others, was continuing its shooting at the 1,000
yards, and as the result showed that unconsidered
group contained the real winner of the Queen's
Prize. Sounds and shouts of triumph were heard
in the distance, and shortly afterwards Sergeant
Wyatt, of the London Rifle Brigade, was borne on
the shoulders of his comrades as the winner, he
having beaten Lieut.- Colonel Raiford by one point.
Sir W. Martin's Prize was a new competition en-
tered upon yesterday, being a challenge cup value
£5O, with £5O in specie added, but restricted to
those who have distinguished themselves as marks-
men of the first class in their respective regiments ;
the competitors to shoot even shots each at 600
yards. The conditions were that the cup should be
held by the best shot for the year, and also receiv-
ing £lO ; the two next best shots, £5 each ; and the
10 next best shots, £3 each. There were upwards
of 1,000 competitors for this prize. The contests
for the following prizes were also continued :—The
Daily Telegraph, Albert (500 yards), Enfield Asso-
ciation Cup, Extra Prizes, Alexandra, Pool, Run-
ning Deer, and Running Man.
The second competition, by military breech
loaders at 200 and 500 yards was commenced yes-
terday, any breech loader to be used. The rifles
were supplied by Mr. Westley Richards, Mr. Dawe,
Mr. Kerr, and Mr. Henry, and there was a most
extraordinary rifle on the ground of American con-
struction. This strange instrument is loaded at the

- G41.1U Iwu n auGQII Cal triages
can be inserted. These, by a spring, are forced up
into the barrel, and as one cartridge is discharged,
another is raised up into its place. As these car-
tridges contain their own ignition, almost a conti-
nuous fire can be kept up. For the breech load-
ing contest four series of prizes of £25 each
are given. There are two or three other prizes, and
one of £25 given by Mr. Westley Richards. Three
minutes to be allowed to each competitor, who was
at liberty to fire in any position, and the greatest
number of shots made in that time would give the
winner of the chief prize. The rest of the prizes to
be given according to the order of merit.
The Prince of Wales arrived at the Common at
a quarter before three o'clock, and was received by
Earl Spencer, Lord Elcho, and other members of
the council. He accompanied Lord Elcho to the
Cottage, where he remained for about an hour and
a half, and partook of refreshments.
His Royal Highness then went, accompanied by
Earl Spencer, to the firing point at the Swiss
target at butt F, and the Prince said he wished to
see some good shooting, and requested Captain
lloratio Ross and Private Edward Ross to fire two
or three shots. Captain Ross accordingly fired at
800 yards and made a bull's-eye. Mr. Edward Ross
then came forward and made two cartons, that is,
hitting a small space four inches square in the mid-
dle of an 8-inch bull's-eye, and his third shot was a
bull's-eye. The Prince of Wales then asked Capt.
Ross to lend him his Whitworth ride, and he fired
at the same range and made a centre. The Prince
of Wales afterwards went to the pool shooting for
the running deer, at which he tried his hand. He
made a centre, two outers, and then he struck the
deer in the haunch. By the regulations of the As-
sociation, any one hitting the deer in the haunch
renders himself liable to a fine of Is., and this sum
the Prince cheerfully paid. He then made another
shot and finished up with a bull's-eye. Lord Elcho
held his hat to the Prince for the fine, and this was
received by the crowd with shouts of laughter.
His Royal Highness then visited the competitors
for the running prizes, and complimented Mr.
Peterkin, late of Cambridge University Corps, and
Private Lilly, of the London Scottish, on the skill
they had displayed and the high scores they had
made, expressing his opinion that this competition
was very hard work.

The Prince did not leave the ground until ten
minutes to 7 o'clock, and on his departure he was
loudly cheered by the volunteers.

It was subsequently ascertained that Private
Newlyn, of the Ist Hereford, had made three scores
of 19, 16, and 13, making a total of 48, for the
Queen's Prize in the first stage ; while Private
James, of the Queen's Westminster, made a simi-
lar total score, consisting of 16, 15, and 17, but as
it is a regulation of the National Rifle Associa-
tion that those who make the largest number of
bits in the last range shall have the preference,
it does away with the shooting off of ties. Con-
sequently Mr. James takes the silver medal of
the Association, £5O, the National Rifle Asso-
ciation silver badge, and a match rifle, value £2O.
Those who will receive the other prizes will be found
enumerated in the official return.

THE MAYOR OF HULL AND THE EMPEROR OF
RUSSIA.—The Eastern Counties Herald publishes
the following announcement :—" On Saturday last the
Mayor (Alderman H. J. Atkinson) left Hull for St. Peters-
burgh, on board the steamer Lion. The mayor's chain and
robes were put on board, and in these his worship will be
arrayed when presented to the Russian Emperor, for the
purpose of submitting to his Majesty the address of con-
gratulation passed by the Hull Town Council and the
Chamber of Commerce on his recent escape from assassina-
tion."

REQUIEM FOR SOLDIERS KILLED IN THE WAR.—
Yesterday morning a solemn requiem mass was
sung in the Roman Catholic Church, Farm-street, Berkeley-
square, "for the repose of the souls of the Austrian soldiers
who fell in the late battles in Bohemia and in Italy." The
beautiful chapel was draped in black, and presented a very
striking and solemn appearance. The Rev. Peter Gallwey
officiated as high priest, assisted by the Rev. A. J. Christie
as deacon, and the Rev. F. Hathaway as sub-deacon. The
music was Cherubiui's grand requiem, which was com-
posed for the funeral of the Due de Berri. The service
was deeply solemn and impressive, and was attended by a
largo number of distinguished members of the Catholic
communion.

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