The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-04 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

We are requested to state, for the information of
Volunteer Corps who have received permission to
be present at Wimbledon on the 13th inst., that
the several battalions are required to be upon the
ground at 5 p.m., and that the line will be formed
at 6 o'clock, Volunteers to be provided with 10
rounds of ammunition.
The interesting ceremony of presenting a pair of
colours to the 4th Regiment of the Tower Hamlets
Rifle Corps took place yesterday in the grounds of
the Ironmongers' Almshouses, Kingsland-road, in
the presence of a very large concourse of the inha-
bitants of that district. Mr. C. S. Butler, M.P.,
presided. Colonel Money, Major De la Rue, Capt.
Bale, the Rev. Mr. Evans, the Vicar of St. Leo-
nard's, Mr. Jeremiah Long, and many other gen.
tlemen, accompanied the chairman to the platform.
The regiment, numbering upwards of 400 men,
marched on the ground preceded by their band,
and, after going through a few evolutions, they
formed in line in front of the chair, and were ad-
dressed by Mr. Butler in terms of high commenda-
tion for the efficiency they had attained. He
believed (he said) that he had the honour of initi-
ating the rifle movement in the Tower Hamlets.
He felt that the time had arrived when the people
of this eountry should make preparation for defend-
ing their shores, and, if need were, their homes.
He ventured to express that opinion to the grand
jury, some of whom thought he was premature, and
that the regular army would be sufficient for all
purposes of protection. Subsequent events, how-
ever, had proved that he was right. The rifle move-
ment had since then spread throughout the length
and breadth of the land. The effect had already
been the keeping down of our enormous taxation,
and the dispelling of all apprehension as to an
invasion of England by any continental army
whatever. A prayer was then offered up, and a
blessing delivered by the rev. chaplain of the
corps, after which Mrs. Long, the wife of Mr. Jere-
miah Long, an old and rich inhabitant of the parish,
came forward and, addressing the regiment, she said
that their soldier-like bearing and great proficiency
in their exercises entitled them to the consideration
and respect of the inhabitants of St. Leonard's,
Shoreditch, from among whom their gallant band
had volunteered. As one of those inhabitants, she
found a just pretence to present them with a pair
of colours, of which she asked the favour of their
acceptance; feeling assured that if ever the neces-
sity of unfurling them in battle should arise they
would not fail to rally round them as their standard,
and by their martial prowess defend them against
the assaults of every enemy. The colours were then
delivered into the hands respectively of Major De
La Rue and Captain Bale, the band striking up the
" National Anthem." Those two gallant officers
having returned thanks in appropriate terms, the
regiment marched round the grounds with the
colours flying, and amid the cheers of the multitude,
wbo by this time had collected not only within, but
for a considerable distance without the enclosure.
Several other addresses were delivered, after which
the chairman retired, and the highly gratifying
proceedings of the day ended.
The match for the silver challenge cup of 100 oz.
weight, given by Mr. Edward C. L. Fitzwilliam to
the West Middlesex Rifles, took place on Satur-
day last at the Government butts, Plumstead ;
ranges 800, 900, and 1,000 yards, five shots each,
with any rifle not exceeding 101 b. weight. The
competition took place under most unfavourable
circumstances, the targets being half hidden by
the long grass, and a strong wind blowing across
the ground. The folowing corps competed—
viz., the West Middlesex, the Victorias, Inns of
Court, Queen's, Westminster, London Welsh, 38th
Middlesex (Artists), 40th Middlesex, and the 3d
Glamorgan (Souta 'Wales). The 'West Middlesex
turned out the best shots. The cup was won for the
present year by Lieut. G. Marriner, with a West-
ley Richard's breech loader, 11 points; Mr. J.
Blakiston and Captain Fenton being second and
third, making 10 and 9 points respectively.
On Saturday afternoon a grand field-day took
place in Richmond Park, under the command of
Colonel M‘Murdo. The corps engaged were the
London Scottish, under Sir David Baird, Major
and Adjutant, and Captain H. F. Page; the Inns
of Court, under Colonel Brewster; and the Queen's,
under Earl Grosvenor, M.P., Lord Gerald Fitz-
gerald, and Majors Mayne and Russell. The men
having been furnished with ten rounds of blank
cartridge, Colonel M‘Murdo formed the whole body
in column. The Queen's commenced by throwing
out skirmishers, and, after keeping up a steady and
rapid fire, were withdrawn, formed square, and
commenced firing from the sides. The kneeling
ranks fired volleys with great precision. Next came
the London Scottish. They performed the same
evolutions as the Queen's, excelling them in their
firing. The Inns of Court followed in the rear,
took up position, threw out skirmishers, and exe-
cuted the same manoeuvres as their predecessors in
a very steady manner. Other evolutions followed,
in which all the corps joined. At the conclusion
Colonel M‘Murdo, in addressing the men, said that
the excellent manner in which all the movements
had been performed gave him much pleasure. He
was glad to find such an unanimity of feeling be-
tween the corps.

The annual inspection of the 10th Surrey by
Major Nelson, Assistant-Inspector of Volunteers,
took place on Saturday evening at the Leather-
market (the bead-quarters of the corps), before a

large assembly. Various evolutions were per-
formed, Captain J. G. Hepburn putting the men
through the manual and platoon exercises, &c.
After inspection Major Nelson addressed the corps.
He complimented Captain Commandant Glover for
the able manner in which he handled the battalion.
He said he had inspected many bodies of Volun-
teers, and considered the 10th Surrey performed its
drill in a style which equalled that of any other
corps.
On Saturday the second of the annual fetes of the
6th Surrey Rifle Volunteers took place in Ashley-
park, Walton-on-Thames. It was attended, as on
' the former occasion, by many of the members of
other corps who were invited to take part in the
various athletic sports which form the attraction of
these gatherings. The games, consisting of racig
hurdle racing, leaping, and jumping, were well c ,
onn-
tested.

Friday last being the anniversary of her ma_
jesty's coronation, the Volunteers of Portsmouth
held a grand prize meeting at the Anglesea Rifle
Range, near Gosport. A large number of Volun-
teers, spectators, and military men were present. A

silver cup, given by the tradesmen of Portsmouth,
value 10 guineas, was won by private M'Cheane,
sth Hants Rifles, with 10 points. A handsome
silver tankard value 12 guineas given by the tracks-

men of Portsmouth, was won bi Ensign W. Grant,

of the sth Hants Rifles. For the "All Comers

Prize," u silver cup, value 10 guineas, there were

three ties—Sergeant Coles, sth Hants Rifles, Ser-

geant Hatch, 2d Hants Artillery, and Sergeant
Bolt, 3d Hants Artillery. In shooting
off Sergeant
Coles carried the day. •
The 3d West Riding of Yorkshire Volunteer Rifle
Corps was inspected by Major Harman in reel
Park, Bradford, on Saturday lost. It was put
through battalion, light infantry, and company
drill by Lieutenant-Colonel Lister, commanding,
Captain H. Hurst, and Lieutenant S. M. Smith.
After inspection, Major Harman complimented the
troops on the steadiness and precison of their move-
ments, which reflected, he said, the greatest credit
upon them and upon the Adjutant, Captain Lipper.
The 2d Battalion of the Edinburgh Rifle Volun-
teers was inspected on Saturday evening by Major
Douglas Jones, Assistant-Inspector of Volunteers.
The inspection had been postponed from the pre-