The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-25 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

THE FIRST SURREY RIFLES.—DISTRIBU
TION OF PRIZES.
On Saturday afternoon the distribution of prizes
shot for in the annual competition by the let Surrey
Rifles took place in the centre transept, Crystal
Palace, under the distinguished auspices of Lady
Pollock. The prizes consisted of silver plate—an
elaborately chased epergne, challenge cups, purses
of money,
s rifles, &C. The Royal standard, union
jack,taek of armour, cutlasses, and the flags of all
s
nations tastefully disposed decorated the orchestra,
in front of which the presentation took place.
General Sir George Pollock, G.C.8., 5.1., hono-
rary colonel of the regiment, accompanied by Lady
Pollock, arrived soon after 3 o'clock. They were
received by a guard of honour and conducted to
seats at the table on the platform, where the prizes
were displayed. The gallant general, who was in
uniform, wore, with his other decorations, the Star
of India. The orchestra was filled by a large assem-
blage of ladies and gentlemen.
The centre of the transept was reserved for the
members of the corps, who mustered, about 400
strong, at half-past three o'clock in the open
corridor of the south wing, and thence marched,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S. H.
Macdonald, and preceded by their fine band, to the
front of the orchestra, where they were formed into
three sides of a square. The several companies
were under the command of Captain Phare, Cap-
tain Bristowe, Captain Irvine, Captain Rogers,
Captain Scrutton, Captain Clipperton, and Captain
Wire. The other officers present were Captain Free-
man, adjutant; Captain Rebotham, musketry in-
structor ; Lieutenant Puckle, paymaster ; and Lieu-
tenant Gudgeon, quartermaster. The handsome
uniform and fine military bearing of the brigade
excited general admiration and applause.
The various prizemen having been ordered to the
front,

Private William Knowles, No. 1 Company, was
called up to receive the Ist Surrey Challenge Cup,
value 25 guineas, the gift of Lieutenant-Colonel
Macdonald.
Lady POLLocK, who was loudly cheered address-
ing Mr:Knowles, said,—l have much pleasure in
presenting you with this cup, the gift of Colonel
Macdonald, and I congratulate you on being the
winner. It must be very gratifying to you to be
not only the first winner of the cup presented by
your commanding officer to the corps, but being so
to stand as the champion shot of the corps for the
year. (Cheers.) I have also much pleasure in
presenting you with a second trophy of your skill as
winner of the third of the prizes of the value of five
guineas presented by the officers of the corps for
competition. (Cheers.)
The Second ;prize, the Ladies' Challenge Cup,
value 25 guineas, having been won by sergeant
Robert Arthur Puckle, No. 4, Company.
Lady PoLLocx, in presenting it, said,—While it
mist be gratifying to you, Sergeant Puckle, to have
won the second prize of the season, the Lady's Chal-
lenge Cup, I am sure that the fact of its being the
gift for the ladies of your neighbourhood must
greatly add to that gratification, proving, as it does,
the great interest they take in the success of the
corps. (Cheers.) I also place with pleasure in your
hands the second of the three prizes presented to the
corps by the officers, which you have so well won.
The third: prize--a Whitworth or Henry rifle,
value 25 guineas, the gift of Mr. John Knowles,
being won by Private J. C. E. Hewett, No. 9
Company.
Lady POLLOCK, in presenting it, said,—Mr.
Hewett, I have much pleasure in placing in your
hands this beautiful rifle, the handsome gift of Mr.
John Knowles, one of the honorary members of the
corps. It is a prize of which you may well be
proud, and I am glad to learn that it has fallen into
hands so well able to use it. (Cheers.)
There was a second prize in No. 3—a rifle, won
by Private E. D. Brown, No. 5 Company.
Priigte W. Sadd, No. 2 Company, was the winner
of the fourth prize—a silver epergne, value £2O, the
gift of the Misses Elliotson.
Lady PoLLocK, in presenting it, said—Mr. Sadd,
this prize is the munificent gift of the Misses Elliot-
son, of Clapham—ladies who have froth the first
taken a deep interest in the prosperity ethe corps.
I congratulate you on being the fortUnate winner,
I am sure you will highly value it, both as a trophy
of your skill and as a generous gift of those ladies.
(Cheers.)
The next prize was a challenge cup, of the value
of 10 guineas, the gift of Lieut. H. Puckle, hon.
secretary of the corps. It was won by Corporal S.
Wicks, No. 6 Company.
Lady POLLOCK, in handing the cup to the winner,
said,—Corporal Wicks, I have great pleasure in pre-
senting you with this handsome prize, the gift of
Lieut. Puckle, hon. secretary and paymaster of the
corps. Your winning it proves that you are not
only a skilful rifleman, but, as the competition for
it was limited to those who had regularly attended
drills and parades, it marks you as diligent in the
performance of all those duties which are so neces-
sary to render Volunteers efficient soldiers. I con-
gratulate you on being also the winner of the se-
cond of four prizes provided out of the fund of the
corps. (Cheers.)
The sixth prize, value I:10 10s., the gift of Mr.
John Clutton, No. 3 Company, was won by Private
J. H. Twentyman, No. 6 Company.
Lady POLLOCK, in presenting it, said,—Mr.
Twentyman, I present you with this handsome
prize, the gift of Mr. Clutton, one of the members
of the corps ; and I congratulate you on being the
winner of it in a manner so highly creditable to
you. (Cheers.)
The next prize, value £5 55., the gift of Lieut.
and Quartermaster E. B. Gudgeon, was won by
Private Walter Fisher, No. 4 Company.
Lady POLLOCK, in presenting it, said,--Mr,