The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-28 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

On Saturday a firing party of the 4th Middle-
sex (North Loudon) Rifles, under the command of
Lieutenant Pontifex, proceeded to Plumstead to
conclude their prize firing for the season. The
first prize, a handsome silver cup, presented by
Mr. Charles Wyman, and contended for at 200 and
500 yards, five shots at each range, was won by
Private Inglis, making 12 points; for the second
prize, a rifle given by Mr. Pantin, Sergeants Simp-
son and Lawrie, and Private Williams each made

10 points, but in shooting off the ties at 500 yards
Sergeant Simpson won. On Saturday next the pre-
sentation of the prizes won at target practice dur-
ing the season will take place at head-quarters, on
which occasion the brass band of the regiment,
which has been recently formed, will play for the
first time.

The annual contest for the regimental "prizes of

the 9th or West Middlesex Rifle Volunteers com-
menced on Thursday, at the butts, on Wormwood
Scrubs. There was a good muster of the officers
and members of the corps, and the shooting gene-
rally was very good. The company's prizes, eight
in number, were sharply contested for on the first
day and were won by Capt. Fenton, Ensigns Arm-
strong and Bartley, Corporal Baker, and Privates
Lufton, Harlow, Hall, and Messor.
On Saturday last the members of the 39th Mid-
dlesex (Finsbury Rifles) contended at Plumstead
for a handsome challenge medal, presented by Lieut.
Margetts, of the 2d company. The conditions were
five rounds at 200 and 300 yards, and the competi-
tion was very spirited, the prize being ultimately
won by Private Fox, scoring 12 points. A series of
prizes have also been recently competed for by the
different companies of the regiment. In the 3d
company a handsomesilver cup, presented by Capt.
Virtue, was won by Corporal Harding, who scored
13 points at 200 and 300 yards ; and a valuable
rifle was won by Private Fisher, making 12 points,
10 of them in five rounds. The 7th company con-
tended for their prizes at Hornsey-wood. They con-
sisted of a rifle and silver tankard, presented by
Capt. Pontifex, Lieut. Clarke, and Ensign Pontifex,
the ranges being 200 and 250 yards, five shots at
each, range. After some good shooting, Private
Woodhead won the rifle, making 18 points, and
Sergeant Arch the silver tankard, scoring 12. The
match between 10 men of the 3d and 10 of the
6th "EaPany took place at Plumpstead, and re-
anited in favour of the sth, who scored 80 points
against 56 made by the 3d. During the present
week a silver cup, a very superior field glass, and
silver medal, given respectively by Captain Turney,
Lieutenant Milne, and Ensign Rolfe, will be con-
tended for. On Saturday evening the corps to the
number of upwards of 400 marched out, preceded by
their brass bat td, under the command of Lieutenant-.
Colonel Colvill .

• On Tuesday a match for the champion's bada '1
among some a f the members of the St. George's
Rifles took plat e at Wormwood Scrubs; nder rather
trying circurat;tances, the targets, especially the
long range, bt j.,ng partially obscured by fog and rain.
The contest endtd in favour of Ensign HaWkes
(champion), who s cored 20, he beating Sergeant
Waller by on point.
The membe i.s of the 4th Company of the 20th
(North-West) Middlesex Rifle Volunteers shot for

three prizes at the butts at Willesden on the 19th inst.
The shooting was very good, the three highest
scores being made by the following gentlemen :
Sergeant H. Clark, 28 points; Sergeant Scott, 28
points; and Capt. Tims, 25 points. On shooting off
the tie Sergeant Scott won.

It is expected that the London Rifle Brigade will
turn out to do honour to the Lord Mayor on the 9th
of November next.

On Saturday afternoon the members of the 22d
Middlesex (Queen's Westminster) Rifle Volunteers
shot for a number of prizes at the rifle butts on
Wormwood Scrubs. A silver cup, value 10 guineas,
the gift of four ladies, was shot for at ranges of
250, 400, and 600 yards, five shots at each range,
and, after some excellent shooting, was won by
Private Weatherden, with 15 points. Various other
prizes were shot for. They will be presented on
Nov. 30, in Westminster-hall.

The interesting ceremony of the presentation to
the 19th Middlesex Rifles of a handsome silver
bugle, subscribed by a number of ladies, took place
in the hall of the Metropolitan Institute, Cleveland-
street, Fitzroy-square, on Monday evening last.
Mrs. Whitaker presented the bugle to Capt. Shaen
with some well chosen remarks.

A new company in connexion with the Ist Mid-
dlesex Engineer Volunteers, of which Sir J. Bur-
goyne, R.E., K.C.8., is colonel, is now forming in
Holborn and Bloomsbury. The uniform is scarlet,
with blue facings. A corps bearing the title of the
Old Soldier Volunteers is also in course of forma-
tion in the metropolis. The regiment will consist
of members who have served in the army.

At a meeting of the 4th Tower Hamlet Rifles, to
consider the report of a committee, appointed in
July last, in reference top question of amalgama-
tion with the North-East London Rifles, Major De
La Rue in the chair, it was resolved, with only two
dissentients, that the proposed amalgamation should
take place for drill and administrative purposes
only. The chairman announced that he had received
£5O as a donation to the corps from Mr. Anpold, of
Finsbury. It was also announced that £5 or £6
had already been subscribed towards a substantial
testimonial to Sergt.-Major Maslen, the drill in-
structor; and several other matters having been dis-
cussed, the proceedings concluded with the usual
complimentary vote of thanks to the chairman.