The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-07 00:00:00

VALETTA, Oct. I.—Her Majesty's frigate Mel-
pomene, 51 guns, Capt; J. F. Ewart, left port on the
23d ult. for Mama Susa, to embark and convey to
Malta, for tra to- England, the marble
n'shi_Pmellt
sculptures recently excavated from the ruins of the
ancient city of Cyrene. The gunboat Surprise, 4,
Com. W. U. Whyte, left on the same day to convey
despatch es to the Commander-in-Chief at Naples.
Tier Majesty's line-of-battle ship Orion, 91, under
the command of Capt. W. C. De Vere, entered the
great harbour on the 28th nit. from Beyrout, which
place she left on the 16th; She is to start for Eng-
land in a few days, probably about the beginning of
.next week, to be paid, off. The paddlewheel fri-
gate Terrible, 21, Capt. F. H. H. Glasse, C. 8., came
in on the 29th nit. with despatches from Vice-Ad-
miral Sir Wtn. F. Martin, 8.C.8. She is expected
to return to Naples with provisions for the squadron,
about the 7th inst., after the arrival of the next
overland mail from England. The Terrible left at
Naples on the 27th ult. the following ships, com-
posing Admiral Martin's squadron :—The Marl-
borough, 13! (flagship) ; the James Watt, 91 ; the
Neptune, 91; the Victor
EmmanueLl,iff9ely;, thesl; Ease-
mouth, 90 ; the London, 90 ; the
Doris, 32 ; and the Surprise, 4. A good deal of
sickness is said to prevail on board the Exmouth.
her Majesty's corvette Scylla, 21, was at Messina
on the 28th. Tho steam storeship Supply, 2, Mas-
ter Commander Balliston, arrived to-day from
Woolwich, 9th; Plymouth,lBth, and Gibraltar, 26th
ult. lam happy to say that the Malta and Alex-
andria electric telegraph is now un fait accompli.
The whole line has been successfully laid, and
telegrams have been received through it announc-
ing the fact. The screw steamer Rangoon, re-
turned to this island on Thursday last, and the
Malacca has just entered port, but the mail being
about to close, lam not able to send you any par-
ticulars. The screw steamer Berwick arrived here
. on the 27th lilt from Algiers, for the purpose of at-
tempting to recover the Corfu cable. The. receiving
ship Hibernia, the line-of-battle ship Orion, the
frigate Terrible, the gunboat Wanderer, the store-
. ship Supply, and the tug Hearty, are the only
ships of war in port. The squadron froth Naples
is not expected to return to Malta before the Ist of
November.
The Warrior was undocked at Portsmouth on
Saturday, and is now berthed alongside the dock-
yard, where she will be completed in her coaling,
and afterwards painted up to, on, and between
decks, all visitors during the time being rigidly
excluded, in accordance witn the order to that effect
mentioned in The Sun of Saturday: The issuing of
this order became imperatively necessary, as, from
the great number of visitors constantly on board
the ship, numbers which increased daily to an
alarming degree, the outfit of the ship was being
very seriously retarded, and, had matters gone on
in the same manner for • a few more days, must
have been brought to a stand-still altogether.
The Malacca, 17, screw, Captain Gerard R.
Napier, sailed from Spithgad on Saturday morning
for Plymouth Sound, and thence will proceed, it is
supposed, to the Mediterranean.
The Emerald, 50, screw, Captain A. Cumming,
sailed from Spithead at mid-day on Sunday for Hali-
fax, with Armstrong, guns, stores, &c.
A Russian man-of-war is hourly expected to ar-
rive at the Motherbank,
The iron steamer Defence, 22, was successfully
placed in No. 3 dock at Chatham, on Saturday after-
noon, at spring tide, without the least mishap, the
entire operation being attended with scarcely any
more difficulty than is experienced in docking an
ordinary gunboat. At half-past 12, about half an
hour before the tide ceased flowing, the Defence
was loosed from her moorings at the floating-shears,
and her head hauled round to the entrance of the
dock, Commander Pope, the master-attendant, with
a number of riggers and shipwrights tinder his
orders, directing the operations on board, and Mr.
Lang, master shipbuilder, with a numerous staff,
superintending the arrangements on shore. At this
time the draught of water forward was 18ft. Sin„
and aft 22ft. 9in., but as there was 23ft. Bin. of
water in the dock there was amply sufficient to
carry her over the blocks. At one o'clock the signal
was given to haul her into the dock, and so carefully
was this accomplished that although her great size
and breadth of beam left but a very few inches be-
tween her iron plates and the projections at the
entrance to the dock her sides never once came in
contact with the stonework, and by half-past 1 she
was warped into the desired position over her blocks,
with nearly 15in. of water between her keel and the I
ground blocks, the latter of which had been reduced
to an uniform level of 3in. A numerous body of
shipwrights immediately commenced shoring her
up, after which the water was let out of the dock
until it had been reduced several feet, when the re-
mainder was pumped out. Contrary to what was
generally supposed, her bottom was found to be
cleaner and freer of weeds than had been expected.
During the afternoon the Defence was visited by a
number of persons after she was in dock, but in
order that no interruption may be caused to the
numerous body of mechanics employed in fitting
her, no visitors will be permitted on board during
the time she is in dock without special permission.
An additionaLnumber of hands will be placed on
her this morning to expedite her completion.
The War Deßartment transport Bomarsund was
placed under No. 2 steam crane at the Ordnance-
wharf, chatham, on Saturday, and landed several
tons of solid and hollow shot taken out of the vari-
ous vessels attached to the steam reserve in the

The deaths of the following officers have been
officially reported at the War-office since the Ist of
December :—General D. Herbert ; Colonels R. W.
Huey, Ist Royals, and H. D. Crofton, 11th Depot
Battalion ; Major E. Nepean, Royal Marines ;
Captains P. de Winton, Bth Hussars ; E. C. Barnes,
St. Helena Regiment, W. Rose, 97th Regiment, J.
M. Mason, D. G. James, Royal Marines, and J.
Hanham, Adjutant of the 11th Depot Battalion ;
Lieutenants T. Richards, Bth Hussars; R. D. Mac-
gregor, 17th Lancers ; E. A. Elgin, 42d Highlan-
ders ; E. D. Cockell, 87th Regiment ; G. Paton, 22d
Dragoons; R. Campbell, 38th Regiment; H. H.
C. Ritter, 2d Light Dragoons ; T. J. Thompson, L.
Rotely, Royal Marines ; W. C. Chambers, Royal
Marines ; W. Ciapperton and R. W. Walter,
Royal Marines ; Quartermaster F. Bellary, 74th
Highlanders ; Surgeons A. B. Morgan, 57th Regi-
ment, and R. Wright ; and Assist.-Sorg. E. D.
Verner, Royal Artillery,

TILE VOLUNTEERS.

On Monday last the fourth company of the 36th
Middlesex (Paddington) Rifles contended for three
prizes, consisting of a handsome silver goblet
and two silver cups, presented for competition
by Captain G. J. Penney to the effective mem-
bers of the company. The weapons 'used were the
Enfield rifles, with Government ammunition, and
five rounds were fired at each range. The silver
goblet was competed for at 200, 400, and 500 yards,
and, after a spirited competition, was won by Ser-
geant Hill, scoring 20 points. In addition to the
above Sergeant Hill presented an Enfield rifle,
which was competed for at 150 and 200 yards, and
won by Private Potter ; and Sergeant Laybourne,
a handsome electro-silver cup, also competed for at
the same ranges as the last, and won by Private
Crook, scoring 20 points. At the termination of
the firing nearly 200 gentlemen partook of a dinner
provided by the hospitality of Capt. Penney at the
Rifle Pavilion, Wormwood Scrubs.
On Saturday Major Rou pelt, M.P. distributed the
prizes to the successful competitors in the recent
contest between the members of the 19th Surrey
Rifles. The presentations took place at the heed-
qearters of the corps. The first prize, a handsome
silver cup, was won by Sergeant-Major Allwood,
who made 13 points. A silver watch and gold chain,
shot for by members of the Ist and 2d companies, at
200 yards range, five shots, were won by Sergeant
Martin, making nine points. In addition to the
above there was a large number of money prizes,
contributed hp the officers, honorary member's, and
ladles of the borough of Lambeth:
Lady Havelock is about to present a handsome set
of colours to the 24th Surrey (Havelock Temperance)
Rifles. The corps, which has only been established
a few months, numbers upwards of 500 effeetives,
all of whom are teetotallers.
The members of the Post-office companies of the
Civil Service Rifles recently competed for prizes at
Wimbledon-common. The ranges were 300, 500,
and 600 yards, .five shots at each range. The first
prize was won by Lieutenant Angell.
The members of the 20th (North-West) Middlesex
Rifles commenced shooting for their prizes ou Tues-
day last at the new butts at Willesden. The com-
pany's prize, a silver cup, was won by Sergeant
Campbell, who, at 200 yards, made nine points ; at
400 yards, four points ; and at 500 yards, four points.
On Saturday the silver cup was won by Sergeant
Hutchinson ; the rifle, given by the commandant,
Lieut.-Col. Biggs, and competed for by members of
the 20th, 29th, and 37th, was won by Sergeant
Fraser, of the 29th, or North Middlesex.
The let Surrey Rifles were inspected by General
Sir George Pollock, G.C.8., on Thursday night, at
their head-quarters, Hanover-park, Peckham. The
drill shed was decorated with flags and evergreens.
The members of the corps in full dress were drawn
up in line to receive the General, who has lately
become their honorary colonel. As soon as
the inspection was concluded Sir George Polieek
complimented Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald and
the members of the let Surrey on their effi-
ciency. This was suitably aclenowledged by
Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald, who concluded by
proposing three cheees for their honorary colonel.
Divine service was then performed by the Rev.
Mr. Moore, who took for his text Ephesians vt„ v.
13, " Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all to Eland."
The second of the adnual prize contests in con-
nection with the 9th (Chatham) Kent Rifle Volun-
teers took place on Thursday last at the Govern-
ment rifle range, St. Mary's, Chatham, when nume-
rous valuable prizes were contended for. The
weather being beautifully fine the attendance,
of
spectators was very large. The prize contested for
was a silver goblet, given by the officers of the
corps ; ranges 200 and 300 yards, five shots at each.
For this prize there were 19 competitors, and it was
ultimately taken by Private Francis, who scored 16
points. The second prize was a silver goblet. value
£l4, for the best shot. The number of entries for
this prize SWIS 49, the match being open to all vo-
, . The ranges were the same as in the pre-
-violas match. The first
Cor oral prize was ultimately won by
Knowlden, 9th Kent, 15 points, The
next match, which was the ma ost
,interesting in the
day's proceedings, was for
. B d elaio fes:r :trhesebveeent shot.
Chatham gteivhenvrabsyoNplern.
toT the
beinogthe troops of
Chatham garrison as well as the volunteers.4oo
than 63 competed, the ranges
aNn less
yards, with five shots at each. Aftesreraantexiisithienrg
contest the first prize was taken by
31st Regiment, for 14 points ; and the second by Private Bell, 19th Rent Volunteers, for 12 points.
°I
ifioniteur publishes a decision of the Minister The firing throughout the da
fixed at pby y was very good, that
which the interest on Treasury Bonds mis
to f the volunteers being scarcely, if at all, inferior,
4 per cent, fr ta for Bonds of from three to five months;
the troops of the line. Th Whole of the arrange.
j 19444 two
"14 xto 11 monihs ; and 4f per cent, A 473 WM thief A mak Me iinda the directin of Capt.

Medway, which have been furnished with the
Armstrong guns, shot, and shell.

The Marlborough ordnance transport left
Chatham on Saturday to receive the powder and

shells from the screw frigate Chesapeake, 61, Capt.
R. Maguire, on her arrival at the Nore from the

East Indies, to strip and be put out of commission.
Her Majesty's screw steam corvette Archer, 13,
Capt. Craufurd, from the West Coast of Africa,
having been dismantled at Woolwich, was on Satur-
day' paid off. The ceremony, at all times an attrac-
tive one to a certain class of traders, was on Satur-
day one of more than ordinary interest. The seamen
had no sooner got outside the dockyard gates with
their well-filled packs and purses than they were
eagerly set upon, and in a few hours it was stated
that some had been stripped of their last shilling.
£3,000 that morning received from the Admiralty
for distribution as prize money, and £5,000 as ar-
rears of pay, making a total of £B,OOO, were paid
to the ship's company in the course of a couple of
hours.

The iron paddlewheel steam vessel Recruit, Capt.
Spain, sister ship to the Weser, arrived atWoolwich
on Saturday from the Mediterranean, to be paid off.
Stem was got up on Saturday on board the
Defiance, 91, at Devonport, to try her machinery.
The screw steamship Donegal, 99, Capt, Sherard
I 3
Osborn, C, 8,, from Beerhaven on Monday, and
Queenstown ~ mr
daY
es which arrived in Ply-
mouth Sound nu F„a ,
Saturda , and is
aripupaoYi, discharged her powder on
y
douctk to appointed to go up Hamoaze to-
day, and be placed in
Tu.have the outer part
of her rudder repaired.
iftale off
is the only damage she sustained in the late severiade
in among among the
Lough Foyle. Her spare provisions were
pfareil, 7
zest of the fleet which wsasansle t In Ba
inCaltlyrnonth
ntry Bay.
The screw steamship
Arthur
P. E. Wilmot, C. 8,, which arrived°,
Bound on Friday evening, brought home
naval and military invalids and a a few
quantity of con-
demned stores from the Mediterranean fleet, which
were landed from her on Saturday.

Mechanics have been sent from the Davenport
ilocyard to the Swedish frigate Nordkjoping‘, 32,
Capt. Adlersparre, now in Plymouth Sound, to ex.

amine her bilge pumps, which are broken. She is
from Cariscrona, bound for New York.

Tho following appointments were made on Satur-
day at the Admiralty :—Lieut. C. F. Walker, to
the Cornwallis ; C. J. Hives, midshipman, to the
Exmouth ; W. H. Adams, surgeon, to the Simoom;
W. J. Lewis, surgeon, additional, to the Nile ; J.
Potts, acting second-class assist.. engineer, to the
Megmra; and Ashley R. Maham, acting assist.-
engineer, to the Handy.
The sr,

Priere instructor of musketry to the Royal Engi-
neers ; and the firing -under the suparinteoTee of
Lieut.*C."'lsaacs, 9th' Kent.
The Arsta,ananal -prize,meeting of the-19th (City
of Rochester) company of Kent Rifle Volunteers
took place.on Friday last at the Government liuits,
Chatham, "when a variety of prizes were contended
fbr, The first prize disputed was the Challenge
Cup, to be held for 12 months, and also a second
cup, given by the officers of the company, to be fired
for by members, five shots each, at 200, 500, and
600 yards. The prize was ultimately won by
Private Hall. A field glass, presented by Mr.
Pyke to the member who made the greatest score,
was taken by Sergeant Fletcher. The second prize
was for the City Plate, open to the Volunteers of
Chatham and Rochester ; distances 300 and 600
yards, with five shots at each. For this prize there
were 32 competitors, the first prize being a silver
cup, value £lO, which was won by Private Francis,
9th Kent, who scored nine points. A prize of a silver
cup, given by Alderman Manclark, brought out 30
competitors, the winner being Sergeant F. Homan;
who made 15 points in five shots each at 200 and
500 yards. The last match was for a prize of £5, open
to the whole of the troops of the garrison, and
also Volunteers, five shots at 200 yards. This was
won by Sergeant Wyles, 19th Kent, who figured
10 points.
The 10th Kent Volunteer Artillery assembled
at the Arsenal-gate about 3 p.m, on Saturday
afternoon, and commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Ellis,
marched to Plumstead-common for battalion drill.
On their arrival at the common the regiment, con-
sisting of about 200 men,avere put through several
evolutions which were exceedingly well executed.
The actual strength of this fine regiment is up-
wards of 400.
On Wednesday a handsome bugle Was presented
by Mrs. Newington, wife of Captain Newington,
to the 41st Kent Rifle Volunteers, subscribed for
by the residents on the B.edgebury estate.
The Harwich Artillery Volunteers were in-
spected in the course of last of eek by Col. Gibbon,
who stated that he had had several opportunities
of inspecting the gunnery practice of the corps,
and he considered that it was perfect. The gallant
colonel added that, upon a recent visit made by the
Duke of Cambridge to Harwich, some of the distin-
guished officers who came downwith his Royal High-
ness expressed to him (Col. Gibbon) the pleasure
with which they had witnessed the working of the
guns.
The Norfolk corps have not been inactive during
the last few days. On Thursday the Yarmouth
Artillery corps was inspected by Col. Gibbon, R.A.,
and the inn, who were under the command of
Major Marsh, executed creditably a series of evo-
lutions. A number of prizes recently shot for by
the various Yarmouth companies were distributed
at the Town-hall in the course of last week. Sir E.
Lacon, M.P., addressed the. Volunteers during the
proceedings, and enforced the necessity of attention
to discipline as well as drill, referring, in support
of his arguments, to the battle of Bull's Run.
Twelve members of each of the six Norwich com-
panies have been competing for the honour of hold-
ing a challenge bugle presented last year to the
battalion by the Rev. J. H. Steward, and hitherto
held by the 2d Company. The shooting was at
ranges of 200, 500, and 600 yards, five rounds each.
The average number of points made by each man
in the 2d Company was 13.91 ; the 4th Company
came next, with an average of 33.83 points per
man ; but the other companies scarcely reached 13
points per man. The bugle consequently remains
in the possession of the 2d Company.
In Essex members of the Braintree Corps have
competed for a silver cup valued at £25, given by
Mr. S. Courtauld, which was won by Private At-
kins, who made 18 points. A rifle, given to the 16th
Essex. (Tendring) by Capt. Cardinall, commandant,
has been won by Private G. Frost. The recently
formed practice ground of the 14th Essex (Man-
ningtreo) Corps on the banks of the Stour has been
opened for use by Lieut. Owen. On Wednesday
there were distributed to the Colchester Corps the
ladies' challenge cup, valued at 1.:50, won by Pri-
vate Pertence ; a first-class rifle, won by Private
Wright ; and a second-class rifle, won by Sorgeaut
Osborne.
The first prize meeting of the 21st Hants Rifle
Volunteer Rifle Corps has taken place at the com-
pany's butts, Holybourne, about two miles from
Guildford. The prizes, three in number, were
awarded to the highest number of points at the dis-
tance of 200 and 300 yards. Private Locke was the
winner of the first prize. The shooting was not al-
together good, owing chiefly to the little practice
the corps has had.
On Monday last the Dorsetshire Battalion of Ar-
tillery and Rifle Volunteers was reviewed by Col.
Edwards, of the 49th Regiment, at Maiden Castle,
near Dorehester, in the presence of Lord Portman,
Sir J. D'Oyly, Mr, G. Shirt, M.P., Captain Napier
Sturt, M.P., Colonel Tapp, Mr. Featherstonhaugh,
and a large number of spectators, the ground being
kept by detachments of the Queen's Own Dorset
Yeomanry Cavalry, the Carbineers stationed at
Dorchester, and the non-commissioned officers of
the Dorset Militia. The battalion was under the
command of Lientenant-Colonel Mansel, Ma-
jor Steward, Adjutant Barrett, and Captain-
Commandant Templer, acting as second major,
and comprised the Lyme, Bridport, and Portland
Artillery corps, and the Bridport, Wareham, Dor-
chgster, Poole, Weymouth, Wimborne, Sherborne,
and Blandford Volunteer Rifles, together with the
Blackmoor Vale sub-divisions, comprising the Stur-
minster,Newton, Stalbridge, and Gillingham Rifles,
the whole battalion numbering upwards of 800
men. The troops having executed the usual evolu-
tions were addressed in highly complimentary
terms by the reviewing officer. Lord Portman
then presented the prizes to the successful competi-
tors at the late County Association Prize meeting,
addressing a few suitable remarks to each and
congratulating them on their success.
On Wednesday night a dinner was given at
luendd.gemr -eEn dt goei
tahnedi r Bp cart kr
ieelteiye ,
sGe
rlvoiucceess. t e nt
haecekonuorws
e-
Dursley to the Rifle Volunteers of Dursley, Wotton-
In
of the evening the toast of " The County Members"
was given, which called up Mr. Rolt, M.P., who
said that among the earliest of his political recol-
lections were the questions which arose when steam
navigation first proved an entire success. It was
obvious that it had, in a sense, bridged over the
Channel which separates us from the Continent,
and had reduced us to the level of a Continental
nation ; and that, should war arise, it would be
more likely to take place in our own fields than
before. The question therefore arose—How should
this new state of things be met ? The Volunteer
movement had solved the problem to the satisfaction
of everyone. We were free from danger to our
liberties, and not put to the expense of taxation
for our defence, .As more constitutional defence
could not be Prond than our Volunteer force. The
Hot; Uonel Berkeley, M.P., subsequently re-
sponded to the toast of his health,
The second annual prize competition of the Volun-
teer Rifle and Artillery corps connected with
Chester commenced last Wednesday, and extended
over the two following days. The prizes shot for
comprised several handsome pieces of plate, the
Gold Challenge Medal (Colonel Brookes's); as well
as oash prizes to the amount of £lOO. The first
ell,
prize was the Ladies' Purse, value £2Q, Tte com-
petitors were allowed five Ott each at 200 500,
and 600 yards. The highest aggregate number of
points at the threa ranges combined was made by
Sergeant Ramsden, who took £lO. The next prize
Was given by Captain Humberston, M.P. It was a
drill kandieap of £25, open to all members who
1 tad attended a minimum of 20. drills since Tannary 1;
any member who had been preetat at 3O grills to
andvfon
hy upwards,ser
Grosvenor, g3eannotinTtst.itioTekh.e fiorhst prrrhizuer,sd.Lalyo,Ewaarsl
have one point added to his score; 40, 2 points; 45
the ex- M.P., made excellent practice at the pool
was carried eff by
targets,
The £lOO prize, presented by Mr. Frost,
Mayor of Chester, fo/. the highest number of
points. A silver
y
no
ur pmo
br
ea
rl
of
yards'
P gained at 200, 500, and 600 yards
aggregate
Corporal Prescott, who mad© 19
silver of elaborate design was
highest aggregate at ards. To the highest
Thompson, who had made the
gained on both days
500
aggregatew on
Yrief4 “Tfirchl $4O Mity24 •
P44S-' MS'? tog§tlau